Owosso Township
Shiawassee County, Michigan

The city was named for the Chief Wassa, who was chief of the Chippewa tribe. Benjamin Williams had traveled to Owosso in 1833 with Chief Little Bear. When he returned to Shiawassee Township he talked his brother, Alfred into buying land in Owosso. They purchased land in section 24 in August of 1833.

Kilburn Bedell purchased land in section 12 and is believed to be the first white man to die in the township. He took ill on a trip to the Exchange in Shiawassee Twp. and died shortly after returning home. He was buried on his farm near the river. A historical marker is located on the property near his grave.

On May 1, 1837 a meeting was held at the home of Daniel Ball in Owosso Twp. At that time the township covered the whole northern have of Shiawassee County. As other townships were formed and settled Owosso township came to it's present size. The officers elected at the first township meeting were: Supervisor, Lewis Findley; Clerk, Alfred L. Williams; Assessors, Daniel Ball, Samuel Warren and Abram Wilkinson; Highway commissioners, John B. Griswold, Henry S. Smith, Jehial Dunning; Justices of Peace, Daniel Ball, Elias Comstock, Alfred Williams, John Davids; School Inspectors, Elias Comstock, Alfred Williams, Samuel N. Warren; Constables, Henry S. Smith, Jehial Dunning, Abraham T. Wilkinson; Poormasters, Henry S. Smith, Samuel Wilkinson and Lewis Findley.

Another early settler was Rueben Griggs, who came from Henderson, NY with his brother-in-law Abram Wilkinson. They lived together in a log cabin with their families including five children for the first winter.

Ezra Mason came in 1836 from Rochester, NY. He brought his pregnant wife, two daughters and his brother-in-law and his family. They shared a cabin the first winter durin which time his son, Ezra, was born on Nov. 3, 1839 and was the first white child to be born in the township.

Apollos Dewey of Vermont settled, with his family, in 1839 in 1835. He was a business man in the city of Owosso.

A small hamlet, named Mungerville was founded by Philander Munger. He became the first postmaster in 1864. The town was later renamed Burton. The town was home to State Senator James McBride. At one time there were many businesses in Burton, however little remains today.

More about Burton Corners which is located at Burton Rd. and M-21.