Southfield in the Civil War

In 1860 Southfield Township, MI was a patchwork of family properties engaged in mixed farming with a population of 1457.  The most populous area of the township was the Village of Franklin.  Social life revolved around church and home.

The more prosperous farmers typically farmed about 160 acres and were able to hire young farm laborers who boarded with their family.  Many of Southfield’s Civil War recruits came from this pool of unskilled young men in their early 20’s, who were eager to see more of the world and to prove their patriotism.

This website is intended to remember the courage of these men and to honor their sacrifices.