Chase Township 49623

Chase Township Population: 2000(1194) 1990(999) Change(195)

Chase Township is located in the southeastern section of Lake County, bordering Osceola County to the east and Mecosta County to the south. It is bisected by US-10 to the north.

Its main community is Chase, an unincorporated town, where the Township Hall is located and situated on the headwaters of the Pere Marquette River.

This area is a mixture of small farms and some residential areas that are beginning to grow because of their location to Big Rapids.

This area was first settled by Lorenzo Conklin, who moved here in 1862. The area was then known as Grendale -- a clerical error for what should have been Green Dell. In 1869, Charles Joiner moved here building a sawmill and broom-handle factory. A post office opened here in 1872; a name was required, so Ohio settler John Bigbee offered the name of Salmon Portland Chase, the Ohio governor, and it was accepted.