Copyright © Bates Township 2021
About Bates Township
Bates Township has many wonderful businesses
and plenty of recreation for the family. It is home for
many of our residents who have descended from the
township’s earliest Settlers. Our “roots” run deep.
For some, this is the community that you have
chosen for a variety of reasons to call home.
History
Our township is rich in history and our citizens are
strong in spirit! However it
is that you have made your
way here at this moment in
time…we would like to say
- Welcome Home!
Bates Township is one of the original five townships
of the county and was granted organization
privileges in 1885 under the same legislative act that
provided for the separation of Iron from Marquette
County.
The following brief history is compiled from the
records of the Township minutes book of the first
Township meeting and meager bits of information
from early settlers.
The Township enjoyed the greatest early
concentration of permanent farm settlements when
good lands became available through an over-
selection of grant lands. The settlers were mainly of
sturdy Scandinavian stock that made their way to
the frontier stopping center at Norway, Michigan in
1882. Several Polish families settled a short time
later, as did one French Family.
The families were large as a rule and many
hardships were endured in carving the homes out of
the wilderness. The head of the family usually
worked in the mines and cleared lands and built
buildings on weekends, when not working in the
mines.
An election of temporary officers was held in the
home of Olaf Helgemo on April 5, 1885; their
purpose being to organize a Township. One of the
most remarkable things at that time is that these
early settlers could not speak fluent English or read
and write, but they were still able to organize a
Township and keep records.
According to these early records, the same people
held all the offices at different times, as there were
not enough people available who had experience,
which was learned as years passed and as they
held offices.
The early years were very difficult and most food
was taken from the soil. Land had to be grubbed by
hand to plant a meager garden. Later, horses were
used as the farmers cleared more land to raise
livestock, grain, and vegetables.
It is noted in the early minutes that in 1885, ten
births were listed; eight of Swedish parentage, one
German and one French. Also regardless of how
hard times were, the Township always had a Poor
Fund to provide some type of help for the needy.
Another note of interest: The Township Hall was built
in 1907.
Two of the most prominent men in our Township who
held many offices in the Township and later held
offices of high esteem are Carl Lindquist, who has
given a lot of information on the history of the
Township and the late Victor Benson. Both were
State Representatives at one time.
There are many relatives and descendants of former
office holders and pioneer families still living in the
Township.
(Excerpts from the foreword in the Bates Township
Legacy Book 1885-1985 By Walter Helgemo)
OLD MAPLETON BAND, pictured in the above
photograph, which is the property of Roy Peterson,
was once a popular Bates aggregation. Organized
on April 14, 1914, by Dave Erickson, who served as
leader of the group, the band was widely known
throughout the district. Members of the band,
pictured above are: Top row, left to right, Art
Forsberg, Nels Larson, Dave Erickson, Organizer
and Leader; Turie Forsberg and Herman Olson.
Center row, Oliver Forsberg, Jalmer Erickson, Gust
Anderson, Adolph Erickson, Enfred Larson. Front
Row: Herb Shoquist, Arling “Duke” Windsor.
(According to the Iron River Newspaper on June 30,
1966 this photograph was produced by Peterson
when he and Windsor were reminiscing about the
old days in Bates.)
Photo taken at Sunset Lake Pavilion in 1918.
Bates Township is located next to the city of Iron River in
the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bates Township has
so much to offer. The beautiful area offers year round
recreation and enjoyment. So, enjoy this moment in
Bates Township.