Exploring our Heritage through our Ancestors

Ingeborg Eriksdatter Ringsby

Sandin, Erik and Mathilda

Local History

Early in 1870, the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad gave a grant of land to Mellen Smith if he would cut its timber and ship it by rail.  He led in organizing the township, which was named Mellen for him.  When the railroad came through, the agent assigned to depot was Wallace Sutherland.  It was called Wallace's Siding and later just Wallace.  It was given a post office as Wallace with Mellen Smith as its first postmaster on January 30, 1877. 

Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.

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