Koster.com: Homesteading Missaukee

Ever wonder who first homesteaded Missaukee county? Well, here's a place to start.

The US Government kept track of who claimed what land, so we have some decent records. The Homestead Act of 1820 provided for people to claim frontier lands, provided they occupied and improved the land. Other legislation allowed lumbermen to buy land for for its timber. Yet other legislation reserved parcels that touched swamp lands for government use and distribution. The government recorded all these claims in big books, organized by township numbers (sorted by Range, then Township, then section).

This PDF file includes the the entries from the US Tract Books for Missaukee County Michigan. It records all the land claims made by lumber cruisers, swamp landers, and Homesteaders. You'll see some familiar names like Ferris, Vogel, Abbing, Herweyer, Richardson, Reeder, Morey, White, and more.

But who was FIRST? You'll have to wait for the Second Edition of the "Early History of Missaukee: A Reader"!

Download USTractBooks_MIssaukeeCounty

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Stance

The “Stance” sequence shows how a single visual element changes as the worship service unfolds. The mannequin, representing our posture before God, changes positions as the congregation’s liturgical task changes. This sequence also intentionally leaves space for text, but can also serve as a plain banner. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Renewed on the Journey

This Liturgical Sequence was developed for the opening worship of a regional worship conference. The theme was "As people of faith on a journey, we come to be renewed in God's strength." The first four images were the basic backgrounds used. They were designed to follow the major movements of the service. The rest of the images show how the backgrounds were used with text overlaid. Note that the text varies in position and color, depending on whether the words were God's words to the congregation, or the congregation's words in response to God.

Lord's Prayer

This sequence of images is intended to lead the congregation through singing or reciting the "Our Father" prayer. The words follow the lyrics of a song version of the prayer, as found in the "Sing! A New Creation" hymnal. The images provide not only lyrics, but suggest a series of arm gestures that embody the petitions of the prayer. Thus the screen leads the congregation in singing, moving, and praying simultaneously.

Kids' Mosaics

The “Kids’ Mosaics” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. This sequence of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Kids' Paintings

The “Kids’ Paintings” sequence is an example of found art. Children in the congregation had earlier created paintings and paper mosaics during Lent. Several of these were selected and organized to follow the liturgical pattern. They were photographed under even light and cropped. These sequences of photographs became a congregational favorite. These images are courtesy of Jubilee Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Globe & Cross

The “Globe and Cross” Liturgical Sequence is good example of a composite image that builds as the service progresses. Beginning with a nearly blank screen, elements are added to the image at each stage until reaching a final, full image. The images are either darkened or lightened when used as a background, allowing the overlay of white or black text.

Koster.com

The musings and work of Steven Koster, producer, pastor, administrator, innkeeper, and historian.

Homesteading Missaukee

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