In the fall of 1835, Rufus Harrison was the first settler in the future Flushing Township. Flint Township was organized in 1836 and included the township areas of Burton, Clayton, Flushing, Mt. Morris, Genesee, Thetford, Vienna and Montrose. Genesee and Flushing Townships were split off on March 6, 1838. Flushing Township originally included survey townships of 7 & 8 North in Range 5 East and the west half of 7 & 8 North in Range 6 East. At a meeting at Ezekiel R. Ewing's house, Dover was proposed by Ebenezer French as the township's name. However, since another Dover Township already existed in the state, the Michigan legislature chose Flushing. With a loss of early records, only the identity of the first clerk, Abiel C. Bliss, is known. In October, 1838, the Township was divided into five school districts and appointed two school inspectors, Abiel C. Bliss and Jarvis Bailey.