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Independence
Located in Oakland County |
Local History
In 1819, A. Phillips made the first land claim here, but relinquished it. Alpheus Williams made the next claim in 1823.
John Beardslee, whose entry was of 1826, became the first actual settler in 1831. The township was organized in 1837 and named at the suggestion of Joseph Van Syckle who had come here from Independence, New Jersey in 1833.
Thomas Johnson became its first postmaster on May 27, 1837, but the office was transferred to and renamed Clarkston on December 12, 1840.
Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.