Local Salem Township History

John and Joseph Dickinson became the first settlers here in 1825.  George Renwick became the first supervisor in 1832, and Ira Rider the first postmaster on June 4, 1831, with the office named Rider's for him.  When George Renwick became the postmaster on May 29, 1841, the office was renamed Renwick for him, the office became Salem on January 28, 1846.  Many of the pioneers came from Salem, N.Y.  The name Salem was that of an ancient Semitic deity.

The Township of Panama comprised the present Township of Salem and Superior until March 1833, when the following Act, introduced into Territorial legislative by George Renwick, was approved: 'Be it enacted by the legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, that, All that party of the Township of Panama, in the County of Washtenaw, comprised in surveyed Township #1 south, Range 7  east, be a Township by the name of Salem and the first Township Meeting shall be held at the schoolhouse near Jacob E. Bullock's on and after the first Monday in April, next.'