Somerset Township is a civil township of Hillsdale County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,532 at the 2020 census.

Communities

  • Bakers is a historic settlement within the township. It served as a station along the Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee Railroad and briefly had its own post office from October 20, 1897 until December 14, 1903.
  • Jerome is an unincorporated community located within the township at . The community was formed when the Detroit, Hillsdale & Indiana Railroad built a line through the area in 1871. Jerome Smith platted the community and gave it his name. He also worked as a railroad agent and served as the first postmaster when the office began operating on April 26, 1871.
  • Lake LeAnn is an unincorporated community and census-designated place within the township at .
  • Somerset is an unincorporated community located along U.S. Route 12 at . Somerset was first settled by James D. Van Hoevenburg in 1832. He sold his farm to Thomas Gamble, who became the first postmaster when a post office began operating here on September 9, 1835. Originally part of Wheatland Township, the post office was named Wheatland then renamed Gambleville on October 17, 1837 when Somerset Township was created from the northern half of Wheatland Township. In 1841, the post office was renamed Somerset and moved to Somerset Center in a more centralized location in the township. The Gambleville post office was later restored and renamed to Somerset in 1898, and Somerset Center retained its own post office.
  • Somerset Center is an unincorporated community located in the center of the township along U.S. Route 12 at . The community was settled as early as 1833 and named for its centralized location in the township. Its postal history is similar to Somerset to the east, while Somerset Center received its own post office on June 19, 1872.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and (6.05%) is water.

The township contains numerous small lakes, as well as the Somerset State Game Area. The Grand River, which is the state's longest river, has its source within the township.

Major highways

  • runs east–west through the northern portion of the township.
  • runs briefly through the township in the northeast corner.

Demographics

As of the census

Notable people

  • George A. Smith, state senator and representative

Images

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File:Jerome, Michigan road signage.jpg|

File:Somerset, Michigan (2022).jpg|

File:Somerset Center, Michigan road signage.jpg|

File:Lake LeAnn (Michigan).jpg|

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References

Sources

  • Somerset Township official website