History:

  Fairveiw was founded by the Chippawa Indians. However, when the pioneers came in the 1800s they started logging the white pine and continued until the 1900s. When these pioneers first came to settle here they bought their land for 4 to 5 cents an acre. Now Fairview is considerd an "unincorporated community," and is now the "Wild Turkey," capital of Michigan.

SCHOOLS:

  Over the years there has been many schools throughout Fairview. Although there has been multiple schools there has really only been two main schools built. However, the first main Fairview school was built in 1921 and the first class to graduate from the school was the class of 1935. This school caught fire and burned in 1953. Another school was rebuilt in 1954, which is the school that is still being used today.

CHURCH:

  The Fairview Mennonite Church was founded on Feburary 2, 1904 and was a member of the Indiana- Michigan Conference. The church began with 35 members and Eli A. Bontrager was the first pastor. By the year of 1953 the church had a membership of 391, under the leadership of Bishop Harvey Handrich. Other ministers who have served the congregation to 1955 included Menno Esch, N. Z. Yoder, L. A. Kauffman, Moses S. Steiner, and Floyd Yoder; the deacon in 1953 was Otis J. Bontrager. Menno Esch served as bishop 1909-1952.

Page Created By: Stephanie Woods and Dominick Dilks

Sources: 

Photo Source: http://library.byways.org/view_details.html?MEDIA_OBJECT_ID=62203