The Federal census shows that Newaygo County in 1860 was a large, but still largely unpopulated area. Its 2,760 inhabitants were concentrated in the lower half of the county, in settlements like Fremont Centre, Bridgeton, Ashland, Newaygo, Ensley, Croton and Big Prairie. With the exception of Barton Township, the northern half of the county was unincorporated, and the current county seat (White Cloud), did not exist.

But it was a fast-growing area. The population doubled between 1850 and 1855, and almost tripled from 1855 to 1860. Pioneers were flocking to the county to take advantage of the boundless opportunities for farming and logging offered by the vast, undeveloped land. In 1860, 77% of the men of the county were farmers, 8% were loggers, and 8% were craftsmen (blacksmiths, carpenters, etc.). The county also had its share of lawyers, doctors, hotel keepers, merchants, and government workers.