Tawas City in Iosco County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Konotin-Iosco
of the county to commemorate
the organization in 1840
of Iosco County
and the establishing in 1856
of the first Post Office in the
county with Gideon O. Whittemore
as Postmaster.
“History is the essence of innumerable biographies”
Carlyle
Erected 1923 by Citizens of Iosco County, Michigan.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 44° 16.107′ N, 83° 31.007′ W. Marker is in Tawas City, Michigan, in Iosco County. Marker is on West Lake Street (U.S. 23) 0.1 miles north of Whittemore Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is a large metal plaque, mounted at ground-level on a large round boulder, located near the southeast corner of the Iosco County Building, and facing West Lake Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 422 West Lake Street, Tawas City MI 48763, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Brass Range Marker (approx. 1.3 miles away); Rodman Water Power Sawmill (approx. 1.3 miles away); Earl T. O’Loughlin (approx. 1˝ miles away); East Tawas Veterans Memorial (approx. 1˝ miles away); Oil House (approx. 3˝ miles away); Tawas Lighthouse (approx. 3˝ miles away); Double Dwelling (approx. 3˝ miles away); Tawas Point Light Station (approx. 3˝ miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Iosco County History. The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kanotin County, and renamed Iosco County in 1843. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1857.
Iosco is traditionally said to be a Native American word meaning "water of light." But it was coined as a pseudo-Native American name by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, an American geographer and ethnologist who served as the US Indian agent in Michigan for several years in the late 19th century. He named several counties and towns during the state's formative years. (Submitted on August 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Gideon Olin Whittemore. Gideon O. Whittemore came to Pontiac, Michigan, in 1826 where he engaged in the practice of law. In Pontiac, he held many positions of trust, was a Justice, Associate Judge of Oakland County, and a member of the Michigan Constitutional Convention of 1850. In June of 1854 he founded Tawas City, and his company, G.O. Whittemore and Co., built a large steam saw-mill, the first on Tawas Bay. He was Probate Judge and Prosecuting Attorney of Iosco County. (Submitted on August 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 20, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.