Township History

Gilmore Township Celebrating 150 Years

Gilmore Township was organized in 1870.  Farwell was the closest town for many Gilmore Township residents, and the two communities were closely connected. Schoolchildren from Gilmore attended school in Farwell.  Jesse Wood was the first postmaster in 1891, and the post office operated there until 1906.  The center of Gilmore for many years was the general store of Jesse's son, James.

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Rufus and Harriet (Gould) Glass were among the first settlers of Gilmore Township and were a prominent pioneer family.  Both came from New York and were one of the first families to settle in our township.  He named the township after Civil War general Quincy Adams Gilmore.  Glass was a farmer and a carpenter.  He served as the first justice of the peace and the first supervisor, and held those positions for many years.  The school near their home was known as the Glass School.

1879 Platt Map

Farwell Students in the Gilmore Township Concert Band

Gilmore Concert Band from1920

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Gilmore Baseball Team from 1908

Thank you to Mrs. Wade Suylandt for this photo.

To share historic photos or family stories please contact
Gary Silker at 989 506 2407 or email silke1gl@gmail.com