Page 11 - An Early History of Paw Paw Township-Final-R

FOREST ADVENTURE OF A PIONEER

About the year 1835, Edwin Mears, a young man living in Paw Paw village, set
out in midwinter with a half dozen companions on a hunting expedition. In the
course of the day young Mears found himself separated from his comrades,
and despite his persistent efforts and shouts he could neither find them nor
the way homeward. So he wandered through the woods four days and nights,
half dead with cold and hunger, and at the end of the fourth day found himself
on the shore of Lake Michigan. There he discovered an abandoned hut, and in
it a few grains of oats, which he ate with great avidity, for he had had no food
since leaving Paw Paw. four days previously. His sufferings from cold and
hunger were intense, and he had about made up his mind to perish there
when he heard human voices, and was rescued by a party sent out in search
of him when it was found that he did not return home. He was in a most
unfortunate condition, and for a time after being taken home it was thought he
would die, but he at last rallied, and long survived to recount his painful
experience. It is said that a few years afterwards Mr. Mears' rifle was found at
the foot of a beech tree.

INDIAN SKULLS

Skulls and other human bones have frequently been turned up by the
plowshare, especially in the southern portion of the township. Indian burying
grounds are known to have been laid out on sections 21 and 22, on the latter
of which Pee Pee Yah had a farm, and there were within the recollection of
many of Paw Paw's present citizens as many as two score of Indian graves
there.

ORGANIZATION AND FIRST TOWN MEETING

The township of Lafayette (now Paw Paw) was formed by act of' the
Legislative Council on the 26th day of March, 1835, and included the whole of
Van Buren County, which was then temporarily attached to Cass. The first
township meeting was held at the house of D. O. Dodge, on the 4th of April,
1836, when Peter Gremps was chosen Supervisor; Daniel O. Dodge, Town
Clerk; Edward Shults, Collector. By an act of the State Legislature, approved
March 11, 1837, Lafayette (or Van Buren County) was divided into seven
townships, of which the present Paw Paw retained the old name of Lafayette.

The first meeting of the new township of Lafayette (created under act of'
March 11, 1837, giving Van Buren County separate jurisdiction) was held at D.
O. Dodge's tavern, in Paw Paw village, on the first Monday in April, 1837. Levi
H. Warner was appointed Moderator, and there were present D. O. Dodge,
Town Clerk, and Peter Gremps, Supervisor. The polls being duly opened the

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