History:

Before 1700, the earliest settlements on Beaver Island were of Ottawa (Odawa) and Chippewa (0jibiwa) Indians, comprised mainly of small fishing villages. In 1700, white men first arrived, while fighting in skirmishes in disputes between France and England, but they did not settle on the Island. In the early 1800s trappers and traders arrived, and 1832 marked a visit from Father Baraga in a long canoe from Abre Croche to baptize Indians and set up a mission church. The population of Beaver Island at that time numbered at least 100. Through trapping, fishing, and lumbering, Beaver Island was a growing economic power in Northern Michigan, second only to Mackinaw Island. In 1836, the principal chief who signed a treaty giving sole ownership of Beaver Island to the Indians was Chief Kenwabakise.

Peaine Township was formed in March of 1847, and comprised all of Beaver Island. The first Township meeting was held on May 1st of that year at Alva Cable's store and Indian trading post. In 1848 James Jesse Strang and some followers formed a colony on Beaver Island, building houses and roads and planting crops. As they strengthened their hold, they began to impose rules that drove away the earlier settlers. Strang was assassinated in 1856 and most of his followers were expelled from the Island. Within a few weeks some of the earlier settlers, mostly fisherman, returned to the Island, as well as many newly-arrived Irish immigrants. James Cable, nephew of Alva Cable, also had a trading post at the South End and a dock to supply cordwood to Great Lakes steamers during the 1840's and 1850's.