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EARLY POSTOFFICES
The first one evidently was Nelsonville. Benjamin Rogers, who came here in either 1866 or 1867 had charge of it in his home, located where Fred Moore now lives, just beyond the Archie Murphy farm. This was in Antrim County at that time. No official appointment was made until April 26th, 1869, when David C. Nettleton was appointed postmaster. Later, the area was changed to Charlevoix County, but government records lack the date. It was changed to "South Arm" on November 23rd, 1874 and discontinued June 30th, 1905 when all mail started coming to "East Jordan."
Chauncey Baker had a postoffice name "Advance" on the farm just east of the Richardson (now SLOOP) farm. This was the first "Advance" postoffice.
Frank Votruba had one in his father's home (John Votruba) in the Bohemian Settlement named "Prague."
There was also a "Mt. Bliss" postoffice in the Robert Webster tavern (now the Craig) farm.
Charles and Rule Chaddock came from Lockport, New York and took up homesteads. Rule's is now the Robert Gunsolus farm. Fred Goodman later came from Lockport and bought the farm across the road from Rule's. A postoffice named "Sedan" was established in his home, with his daughter, Dora, as deputy postmistress. This was in 1877, the year following their arrival.
Another early one was "Intermediate" in the Dan Isaman home on the N.W. corner of Section 35, South Arm Township. It too, functioned for some time before there was an official appointment. This was Eugene A.H. Cole, March 2nd, 1874. It was discontinued November 30th, 1892 and mail was sent to Ellsworth.
July 3rd, 1876, "Rock Elm" was established with Hiram B. Hipp as postmaster. It was in his home, across the road from the Dan Swanson farm. The mail was brought from Charlevoix by boat in the summer, and on horseback in the sinter months. It was discontinued December 9th, 1886 and mail was sent to South Arm.
East Jordan's postoffice dates from May 31st, 1878 and William Fletcher Empey was its first appointee.
Mitchell LaCroix, born in 1828 and died April 9th, 1914, carried the mail on his back for four years, twice a week each way, between Petoskey and Traverse City, beginning in 1871.
In 1882, Charlevoix County had the following postoffices: Advance, Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Burgess, Charlvoix, Clarion, Dot, East Jordan, Horton's Bay, Intermediate, Inwood, Ironton, Norwood, Rock Elm, Sedan, South Arm, Springvale, Thumb Lake and Undine.
South Arm Township had seven school districts, 444 school children, and seven schoolhouses. A portion was in Antrim County.
Mabel E. Secord- 1938
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