Presented by Eugene Beach of the Highland Township Historical Society

PART 2 – THE SETTLERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY

*  Highland’s native environment (topography, geology and flora) and its influence on settlement.

*  Wildlife (bears, wolves, etc.) and its interaction with earliest settlers.

*  Interactions with native peoples; known Indian camp sites and graveyards.

*  Sense of community independent of political boundaries. Churches as a focus of community identity.

*  Township government – how established, annual town meetings, and now-forgotten township officials and their duties 

*  Early infrastructure – Indian trails, earliest roads, etc.  Difficulties in travel generally.

*  Early post offices and postal services.

*  Health – prevalence of malaria; earliest doctors; longevity and mortality; establishment of township’s cemeteries.

*  Attitudes toward intoxicants – beer and hard cider commonly consumed (even by children), early taverns, temperance movements, etc.  First orchards and cider mill.

*  First churches (including a small Mormon settlement in the southeast part of the township.)

*  First schools.

*   Amusements and recreations – cabin raisings, bees of various sorts, hunting, harvesting, etc.  Churches as social centers.