Cass County, Michigan

Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,293.[2] Its county seat is Cassopolis.[3]

Cass County
U.S. county
Cass County Courthouse in Cassopolis
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°55′N 85°59′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1829[1]
Named forLewis Cass
SeatCassopolis
Largest cityDowagiac
Area
 • Total508 sq mi (1,320 km2)
 • Land490 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  3.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
51,653
 • Density105/sq mi (41/km2)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.casscountymi.org

Cass County is included in the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana.

History

The county is named for Lewis Cass,[4] the Michigan Territorial Governor at the time the county was created in 1829. Cass later served as the United States Secretary of War under President Andrew Jackson, thus making a case for including Cass County as one of Michigan's "cabinet counties".[1]

Cass County was not as heavily forested and had more fertile prairie land than other nearby areas of Michigan. During early settlement, it attracted numerous settlers who wanted to farm and grew more rapidly in population.

The county quickly developed industry as well. As early as 1830, a carding mill was started in the county on Dowagiac Creek, a branch of the St. Joseph River. Although the Sauk Trail (Chicago Road) passed through the southern part of the county, early settlement did not come primarily from eastern Michigan. Instead, settlers from Ohio and Indiana migrated who had learned of available prairie lands, reaching the Michigan Territory via a branch of the Chicago Road leading from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The population of Cass County was more than 3,000 by 1834.[5]

Among the most prominent early settlers of Cass County were Baldwin Jenkins and Uzziel Putnam, who both came from Ohio by way of the Carey Mission in Berrien County. Jenkins had been born at Fort Jenkins in Green County, Pennsylvania, and had migrated to Tennessee. He left that state as he was opposed to the institution of slavery. Putnam, who had lived in Massachusetts and New York, migrated to Cass from Erie County, Ohio, by way of Fort Wayne. These settlers, and their families, established the nucleus of the village of Pokagon on Pokagon Prairie in 1825. The next year, a settlement was made on Beardsley's Prairie, where the village of Edwardsburg was laid out in 1831.[6]

The village of Cassopolis was platted in 1831 and intended as the county seat, because it was the geographical center of the county. It had no settlers at the time.[7]

Black settlers

After 1840, the black population of Cass County grew rapidly as families were attracted by white defiance of discriminatory laws, including the Fugitive Slave Law. Numerous highly supportive Quakers helped blacks settle in the area, and the land was low-priced. Free and refugee blacks found Cass County to be a haven. Their development of a thriving community attracted the attention of southern slaveholders.

In 1847 and 1849, planters from Bourbon and Boone counties in northern Kentucky led raids into Cass County to recapture escaped slaves. They were "surrounded by crowds of angry farmers armed with clubs, scythes, and other farm implements", resisting their attempt.[8]

The raids failed to accomplish their objective but strengthened Southern demands for passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required residents and law enforcement even in free states to support capture of refugee slaves, and increased penalties for failure to do so. Biased toward slaveholders and slavecatchers, it required little documentation and put free blacks at risk for capture and sale into slavery. Many in the North resisted the law, especially in abolitionist strongholds, and it increased tensions contributing to the Civil War.[9]

Cass County became known early on for the anti-slavery attitudes of its population. Pennsylvania Quakers made a settlement in Penn Township in 1829. This community later became a prominent station on the Underground Railroad.[10] One established Underground Railroad route ran from Niles through Cassopolis, Schoolcraft, Climax, and Battle Creek, and thence along the old Territorial Road.

Historical markers

Some 26 historical sites in Cass County have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated by state historical markers as of December 2009.[11]

Name of Site City Location Date Listed Marker erected
Cass County Courthouse Cassopolis 12/14/1976 08/17/1977
Cass County Office Building / Masonic Temple Cassopolis 07/23/1985 N/A
Centennial Hall Building Marcellus, Michigan 03/19/1980 N/A
Chain Lake Baptist Church Cemetery Calvin Township, Michigan 12/05/1986 04/07/1992
First Methodist Episcopal Church Dowagiac 07/18/1996 10/12/1999
First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon Pokagon Township 04/01/2002 N/A
First Universalist Church of Dowagiac Dowagiac 05/30/1984 09/08/1982
Jarius Hitchcox House Union 12/10/1971 N/A
Indian Lake Cemetery Silver Creek Township 03/15/1990 N/A
Carroll Sherman Jones House Marcellus, Michigan 03/15/1990 N/A
George Washington Jones House Marcellus, Michigan 12/09/1994 01/17/1986
Joseph Webster Lee House Ontwa Township 03/19/1987 N/A
Mason District Number 5 Schoolhouse Mason Township 06/10/1980 10/06/1981
Methodist Episcopal Church Dowagiac 01/20/2000 02/02/2000
Michigan Central Railroad Dowagiac Depot Dowagiac N/A N/A
George Newton House Volinia Township 11/14/1974 10/07/1977
Poe's Corners Newberg Township 03/21/1991 06/25/1991
Presbyterian Church of Edwardsburg Edwardsburg 04/20/2000 06/09/2000
Sylvador T. Read House Cassopolis 06/10/1980 N/A
Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church Silver Creek Township 01/16/1976 07/19/1977
Smith's Chapel and Cemetery Milton Township 04/24/1979 04/07/1981
Sumnerville Cemetery Niles, Michigan 01/20/2000 N/A
Sumnerville Mounds Dowagiac, Michigan 01/20/2000 2000
Thompson Road/Air Line Railroad Bridge Howard Township N/A N/A
Underground Railroad Informational Designation Vandalia, Michigan 01/19/1957 04/12/1957
Wayne Township School District No. 7 School Wayne Township 04/19/1990 N/A

Geography
Dowagiac Depot
Lake Driskel in Jones, an unincorporated community in Cass County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 508 square miles (1,320 km2), of which 490 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.6%) is water.[12] It is the smallest county in Michigan by total area.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Government
Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 63.6% 16,699 34.8% 9,130 1.6% 413
2016 63.0% 14,243 32.2% 7,270 4.8% 1,082
2012 56.3% 12,659 42.7% 9,591 1.1% 240
2008 47.1% 11,114 51.3% 12,083 1.6% 379
2004 57.1% 12,964 42.0% 9,537 0.9% 196
2000 53.2% 10,545 44.4% 8,808 2.4% 472
1996 41.0% 7,373 45.7% 8,207 13.3% 2,400
1992 36.4% 7,391 39.7% 8,047 23.9% 4,845
1988 57.6% 10,229 41.9% 7,444 0.5% 83
1984 63.3% 11,647 36.1% 6,634 0.6% 113
1980 56.8% 11,206 35.8% 7,058 7.5% 1,471
1976 55.2% 9,893 43.7% 7,843 1.1% 203
1972 66.3% 10,398 31.8% 4,982 1.9% 301
1968 46.9% 6,996 37.7% 5,616 15.4% 2,294
1964 40.2% 5,925 59.6% 8,789 0.2% 28
1960 56.8% 8,585 42.8% 6,468 0.4% 64
1956 64.5% 8,899 35.1% 4,842 0.3% 47
1952 64.9% 8,479 34.4% 4,500 0.7% 93
1948 62.2% 5,615 35.4% 3,201 2.4% 216
1944 65.3% 6,566 34.0% 3,417 0.7% 68
1940 61.0% 6,868 38.5% 4,340 0.5% 60
1936 43.7% 4,525 49.4% 5,114 6.8% 706
1932 41.5% 3,994 55.5% 5,349 3.0% 293
1928 70.2% 5,720 28.8% 2,346 1.0% 77
1924 59.9% 4,545 30.7% 2,328 9.4% 711
1920 74.3% 4,498 21.2% 1,286 4.5% 274
1916 46.7% 2,518 49.4% 2,666 3.9% 211
1912 27.1% 1,462 38.5% 2,076 34.3% 1,849
1908 52.7% 3,082 42.2% 2,466 5.1% 298
1904 57.6% 3,150 35.4% 1,937 7.0% 381
1900 51.8% 3,217 45.5% 2,825 2.7% 167
1896 49.1% 3,034 48.7% 3,012 2.3% 139
1892 47.7% 2,731 42.4% 2,424 9.9% 569
1888 50.6% 2,929 44.3% 2,564 5.1% 293
1884 48.3% 2,764 47.9% 2,744 3.9% 221

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The elected county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances.

In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

(information as of July 2019)

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1830919—
18405,710521.3%
185010,90791.0%
186017,72162.5%
187021,09419.0%
188022,0094.3%
189020,953−4.8%
190020,876−0.4%
191020,624−1.2%
192020,395−1.1%
193020,8882.4%
194021,9104.9%
195028,18528.6%
196036,93231.0%
197043,31217.3%
198049,49914.3%
199049,4770.0%
200051,1043.3%
201052,2932.3%
2018 (est.)51,653[14]−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,293 people living in the county. 88.9% were White, 5.4% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.1% of some other race and 3.0% of two or more races. 3.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 25.9% were of German, 10.0% English, 9.6% Irish, 8.1% American and 5.7% Polish ancestry.[19]

As of the 2000 census,[20] there were 51,104 people, 19,676 households, and 14,304 families living in the county. The population density was 104 people per square mile (40/km2). There were 23,884 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.19% White, 6.12% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 2.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German, 11.1% American, 10.3% Irish, 10.1% English and 5.0% Polish ancestry, 96.4% spoke English and 2.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 19,676 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were not family units. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,264, and the median income for a family was $46,901. Males had a median income of $35,546 versus $24,526 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,474. About 6.80% of families and 9.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Higher Education

Cass County is home to Southwestern Michigan College. The college is a public two-year institution of higher education, the college is part of the Michigan community college system. The college is the largest employer in Cass County.

Libraries

Cass County has several library system which operate in the county. The Cass District Library is the largest library in the county, have branch located in 4 cities around the county. Cass District Library is the library system which services Calvin, Howard, Jefferson, LaGrange, Mason, Milton, Newberg, Ontwa, Penn, Pokagon, Porter and Volinia Townships.

The Dowagiac District Library serves the City of Dowagiac, Wayne Township, and portions of Silver Creek, Keeler, and Bainbridge townships. Marcellus Township also operates their own library apart from the Cass District library to service the residence of the village of Marcellus and the Township of Marcellus.

Southwestern Michigan College operates the Fred Mathews Library on its Campus in Dowagiac.

Communities
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Cass County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians reservation within Cass County with underlying local municipal boundaries

Cities

Villages

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Cass County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 71.
  5. Fuller, George Newman (1916). Economic and Social Beginnings of Michigan: A Study of the Settlement of the Lower Peninsula During the Territorial Period, 1805-1837, pp. 244-51.
  6. Fuller (1916), pp. 261-62, 274.
  7. Fuller (1916), p. 275.
  8. McGinnis, Carol (2005). Michigan Genealogy: Sources & Resources (2nd ed.), pp. 199-200. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 0-8063-1755-8.
  9. Benjamin C. Wilson, "Kentucky Kidnappers, Fugitives, and Abolitionists in Antebellum Cass County Michigan," Michigan History, July 1976, Vol. 60#4 pp. 339-358.
  10. Fuller (1916), p. 302.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2009-12-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). Retrieved December 24, 2009.
  12. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  13. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS
  14. "American FactFinder". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  15. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  18. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  19. Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  20. Statistical profile of Cass County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau, Census 2000

Further reading

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