LILLEY

By Terry E. Wantz

Lilley Post Office was established on May 22, 1884, with Edward Keets as Postmaster. Originally this hamlet was founded as a station on the Grand Rapids, Newaygo and Lake Shore Railroad (later the Pere Marquette Railroads), about two miles north of Biteley. Sisson and Lilley Lumber Company established the station there to use for shipping their lumber to market. The post office was named after Francis Lilley, one of the partners of the company. The settlement had a General Store, Feed Mill, Hotel, Saw Mill and several other business building located here. James Simpson became the Postmaster on June 6, 1888, follow by Mary Jane Loveless on December 12, 1888, Albert E. Ketcham April 28 1896, Alice P. LaRue April 13 1897, A. G. Rumels September 20, 1899 and Alfred Ellis in 1906. Alfred Ellis was the Postmaster when the office closed in September 14, 1918. The mail then went to Biteley.