i= ~fn, N P ri W — ~-iS~~V~I'I 111~1~71~I FRANK N. TURNER, M.D. INGHAM COUNTY CI HISTORIC MICHIGAN LAND OF THE GREAT LAKES Its Life, Resources, Industries, People, Politics, Government, Wars, Institutions, Achievements, the Press, Schools and Churches Legendary and Prehistoric Lore Edited by George N. Fuller, A.M. (Harvard), Ph.D. (Univ. of Mich.) Secretary of the Michigan Historical Commission and Secretary of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society An Account of INGHAM COUNTY From Its Organization Edited by FRANK N. TURNER, M.D. VOLUME III Published by National Historical Association, Inc. and Dedicated to the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society in Commemoration of Its Fiftieth Anniversary i In the biographical department of this volume the personal reviews are entered in alphabetical order. Preface N compiling a history of any people, the writer must give to readers a picture of their environments and show how they overcame difficulties and obstacles. In the chapter of this volume that gives consideration to the original inhabitants we have given them a proper place, and their development under the French and English rule has been mentioned. The rule of Michigan under the territorial governors has been outlined, and due account is given also of the preparation of the territory to enter statehood. Record is made of the wise administration of General Lewis Cass, with fitting reference to his broad interpretation of the Ordinance of 1787 in connection with the survey of the territory and its division into townships, sections and fractional sections, so as to give both the rich and the poor opportunity to acquire homes. The most important part of the Ordinance of 1787 was that providing for the founding of a freeschool system on the basis of a land grant, the general government making the state custodian of this grant and giving directions as to its care. The University of Michigan, the Michigan Agricultural College and the State Normal School also have been made the subject of specific mention. Ingham County itself was settled by men and women from the eastern and middle Atlantic states, and we have tried to picture by what method, manner and effort they built their homes and carried forward the reclamation and development of their pioneer farm. The removal of the state capital to Lansing, the establishing of the seat of government in the almost primeval forests of Ingham county, the advancement of the capital city and the development of state governmental facilities at Lansing, have been made a matter of special record, together with a survey of legislative acts and the incorporation of reminiscences by the author and his early associates. The Civil war period has been given attention in party-memory pictures and historical facts gleaned from different histories. The after-war development is outlined in information gained from men who took part in this development, and from personal observation of their work. We are much indebted to Mr. Stimson, of the State Journal; to Mr. Fuller, secretary of the Michigan Historical commission and editor of the two volumes of the state history of which this one is a third or supplementary volume; to the librarian of the state library; to various publishing companies; and to all others who have given loyal co-operation and assistance in connection with the compilation of the material for this volume. We have tried so to prepare the volume as to make it of use and interest to all. As must ever be the case in undertaking a work of this nature, some mistakes have been made, for no history can be free from errors. Hoping that the reader may be interested and entertained while reading the subject-matter of this volume on the history of Ingham county, the work is subitted for what it may offer as a part of the recorded history of the great state of Michigan. THE AUTHOR. Lansing, Michigan October 20, 1924 Table of Contents CHAPTER I-INTRODUCTORY REVIEW MICHIGAN INDIANS-ORGANIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY-THE MOUND BUILDERS-INDIANS IN INGHAM COUNTY-CONSPIRACY OF PONTIACINDIANS IN THEIR LAST DAYS-THE INDIAN VILLAGES BESIDE THE RED CEDAR-CHIEF OKEMOS-TOWNSHIPS SURVEYED —DESIGNATION OF COUNTIES -SAMUEL D. INGHAM AND NAME OF THE COUNTY-PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT-WAYS IN WHICH EARLY SETTLERS CAME TO INGHAM COUNTY-LIFE OF THE PIONEER SETTLER-EARLY TOWNSHIPS IN THE COUNTY-COUNTY DEVELOPMENT IN 1838-TOWNSHIP DEVELOPMENT-RECORD OF EARLY SETTLERS-RECORD OF TOWNSHIPS-EARLY ROAD BUILDING-AN EARLY ELECTION IN THE COUNTY-MARCH OF PROGRESS-COUNTY EMERGED FROM THE WILDERNESS ------------------------------------ 17-44 CHAPTER II-INGHAM COUNTY HISTORY ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF THE COUNTY-INDIAN GRANERIES AND STORE HOUSES-ORIGIN OF RED RACE-INDIAN ROUTES OF TRAVEL —INDIAN TRAILS -INDIAN TRIBE AND CHIEF IN INGHAM COUNTY-OKEMOS-CHARACTER OF OKEMOS-CONCLUSION - -------—. —.. --- —-.. --- —------ 45-50 CHAPTER III-TIMBER-MINERALS-GAME-FISH THE GRAND AND RED CEDAR RIVERS-COUNTY TOPOGRAPHY —TIMBERMINERALS-GAME-FISH ----------— 51 --- —------—. ---.- - 51 7 CHAPTER IV-UNITED STATES SURVEY AND ORGANIZATION NAME OF THE COUNTY-EARLY WOOD CRUISERS AND EXPLORERS-CONSERVATION OF REMAINING WOODLANDS _ --- —----------------------- 58-60 CHAPTER V-SETTLEMENT OF INGHAM COUNTY PIONEER FINANCIERS-FIRST PURCHASERS OF LAND-THE YEAR 1832-THE YEAR 1833-THE YEAR 1835-THE YEAR 1836-ORGANIZING OF TOWNSHIPS -FIRST COUNTY ELECTION-NEW TOWNSHIPS ADDED-THE INGHAM TELEGRAPH AT MASON —ADVANCEMENT AT THE COUNTY SEAT-STAMPEDE TO THE CAPITAL CITY IN THE WOODS-EARLY PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MENROADS AND RAILROADS-MICHIGAN BUILDS RAILROADS AND CANALS-COMMERCE AND TRANSPORTATION IN INGHAM COUNTY-PIONEER BUSINESS ACTIVITIES-FIRST HIGHWAY LAW-OUR OLD HIGHWAYS -- -6 --- —---------— 6 1-75 CHAPTER VI-HOME BUILDING-DEVELOPMENT WORK THE FIRST HOUSES-LOG STABLES-LAND CLEARING AND CROP RAISINGRAIL FENCE-HOME TRADES-PIONEER WOMEN-CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLERS ------------- --. --- —-----. ---.......... 76-81 x TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER VII-LANSING MADE STATE CAPITAL TEMPORARY CAPITAL IN DETROIT —PATRIOT WAR IN CANADA-INGHAM COUNTY BEING RAPIDLY SETTLED-BILL TO LOCATE PERMANENT CAPITALCAPITOL COMMISSIONERS SELECTED-THE JAMES SEYMOUR HOTEL AT LANSING-THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL-METHODIST CHURCH SOCIETY FORMEDNAME OF CAPITAL —HON. JOSEPH H. KILBOURNE-FIRST LEGISLATURE IN LANSING-TERRITORIAL AND STATE LEGISLATURES-CHANGE OF FIRST CONSTITUTION-THE NEW STATE CONSTITUTION -------------- ---—.82-90 CHAPTER VII-DIFFICULTIES OF FIRST LEGISLATURE TRANSPORTATION, BOARD AND LODGING IN THE NEW CAPITAL-SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN THE EARLY DAYS-IMPROVEMENTS IN TIHE CAPITAL CITY-FIRST FRAME HOUSE-STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE-FIRST HOTEL BUILT-SOLONS GO IN MIUD — 9.. --- —------------------------ 91-95 CHAPTER IX-INDUSTRIAL AND CIVIC PROGRESS FARMERS MADE MONEY AFTER CIVIL WAR-MIDDLEMEN AND POLITICIANSTHE OKEMOS GRANGE —FARM BUILDING IN COUNTY-MANUFACTURE OF LUMBER-H1OUSE BUILDERS-ARCHITECTURE-HEATING AND FURNISHING-ILLUMINATION-MANUFACTURE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS-TRANSPORTATION -DETROIT, LANSING AND HOWELL PLANK ROAD-PRELIMINARY WORK ON PLANK ROAD-FINANCING ROAD-BUILDING ROAD-COST OF TIMBER-PIONEER FINANCIERS-PIONEER ARCIIITECTURE-THE FIRST NEWSPAPER-THE FIRST CHURCH-RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD CHURCH-BOASTED OF LONG SERVICE -FUNERALS DRAW CROWDS-NEED STRONG DOCTRINE-MORMONS IN INGHAM COUNTY-THE UPHEAVAL-LANSING's FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS-PIONEER PRIVATE SCHOOLS —RECOLLECTIONS OF FIRST WARD UNION SCHOOL-PUPILS AND GRADUATES-PUBLIC. SCHOOLS OF LANSING-FIRST HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGSECOND BUILDING-THIRD HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING-JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLSWARD BUILDINGS-COST OF BUILDING-CHANGE IN INSTRUCTION-SUPERINTENDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS-ALUMNI-INSTRUCTORS IN CENTRAL HIGHCOST OF INSTRUCTION-THE BUTTON SCHOOL HOUSE-SALVATION OF THE RURAL SCHOOL ---- ----------------------------—.. 96-126 CHAPTER X-MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGEMICHIGAN FEMALE COLLEGE FIRST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-FIRST FACULTY AND COURSE OF STUDY-THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SINCE THE CIVIL WAR-FACULTY FROM 1865 TO 1900-RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ABBOTT-REVENUES FOR SUPPORT OF COLLEGE-MICHIGAN FEMALE COLLEGE-BIOGRAPHY OF FOUNDER-BUILDING — CHARACTERISTICS - -------------------------------.. ---- 127-134 CHAPTER XI-RAILROADS AND INDUSTRIES FIRST RAILROAD TO LANSING-FASTIDIOUS PASSENGERS-HOW RAILROAD WAS FINANCED —HIGH COST OF LABOR AND LIVING IN 1839-STAVE FACTORY AND WHEELBARROW WORKS-LANSING WHEELBARROW WORKS-SAWMILLS AND LUMBER-THE JAMES DART MILL --- —------------------------------------------- 135-141 CHAPTER XII-NORTH LANSING PIONEER HISTORY FREDERICK BUSHNELL, JAMES SEYMOUR AND J. W. BURCHARD-PIONEER DAM -THE RACE —THE MILL-PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MILL-PIONEER BREWERY-ABBIE AND ADELIA RODGERS AND THEIR PROTEST --- —------ 142-148 TABLE OF CONTENTS xi CHAPTER XIII-PUBLIC UTILITIES-MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS-LANSING MAYORS-PIONEER GAS FACTORY FIRST GAS FACTORY-ILLUMINATION BEFORE GAS-MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM-DISTRIBUTION-LANSING FIRE DEPARTMENT-WATER SUPPLY- IMPGOVEMENTS SINCE 1900 —CHIEFS-POLICE DEPARTMENT-ELECTRIC LIGHT IN LANSING-EQUIPMENT OF PRIVATE COMPANY-COMPETITION IN LIGHTING -OLDS MOTOR COMPANY DONATION-FINANCE COMMITTEE-LANSING MAYORS -OUR COUNCIL —CIVIC GOVERNMENT AT CAPITAL-MANUFACTURERS-CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-LANSING BOARD OF HEALTH-CHANGE IN CHARTER AND FORMATION OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT-PLAN OF CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WORK OF NEW BOARD-FUTURE OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT -----------— 149-173 CHAPTER XIV-EARLY DAYS IN LANSING IMPRESSIONS IN YOUNGER DAYS-LANSING IN 1856-WHO WAS WHO IN "MIDDLE TOWN" IN 1856-MERCHANTS-PASSING OF TWO OLD LANDMARKSPIONEER CHRISTMAS AND FOURTH OF JULY-VILLAGE AND RURAL CELEBRATIONS-CHRISTMAS-CHRISTMAS IN 1923-CHRISTMAS CAROLS-LYNCH LAW IN INGHAM COUNTY -------------------------------- 174-185 CHAPTER XV-THE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSES THE OLD FRAME COURT HOUSE IN 1843-SECOND COURT HOUSE-THIRD COURT HOUSE-COST OF THE THREE COURT HOUSES-WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OLD COURT HOUSE --- —------------------------------ -------------------------- 186-189 CHAPTER XVI-AFRICA, ALAIEDON, LOCK, LEROY, WHEATFIELD AND WILLIAMSON TOWNSHIPS-WEBBERVILLE A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WILLIAMSON TOWNSHIP, WITH REMINISCENCESREMINISCENCES OF ALAIEDON TOWNSHIIP-LOCK TOWNSHIP —LEROY TOWNSHIP-OTHER SETTLERS-WHEATFIELD —WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIP —REMINISCENCES-WEBBERVILLE -_ --- —---------------------------------- - 190-218 CHAPTER XVII-INGHAM COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR HOSTILE CAMPS-POLITICS AND POLITICAL LEADERS-STREETS IN LANSING IN 1861-62-RURAL DISTRICTS —LUXURIES IN WAR TIMES-SOLDIER RELIEF SOCIETIES-WHAT WAS DONE IN THE OLD WOODEN CAPITOL BUILDING AND AT DETROIT DURING WAR PERIOD —WAR GOVERNOR, AUSTIN BLAIR-GOVERNOR MOSES WISNER-MICHIGAN REGIMENTS IN 1861-ACTIVITIES IN 1862 -YORKTOWN CAMPAIGN, 1862-1864-COLORED TROOPS-ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS — ARTILLERY — ORGANIZATION OF BATTERIES -CAVALRY — FIRST MICHIGAN CAVALRY-FIFTH CAVALRY-SIXTH CAVALRY-SEVENTH CAVALRY -SECOND REGIMENT OF MICHIGAN CAVALRY-FOURTH MICHIGAN CAVALRYEIGHTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY-NINTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY-TENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY-ELEVENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY-FORMATION OF MICHIGAN CAVALRY BRIGADE —GENERAL LEE'S INVASION AND THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG-A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION —HOSPITALS — HARPER HOSPITAL —DEVELOFMENT AFTER WAR -2 --- —------------------------ -- 219-244 CHAPTER XVIII-CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS BAPTIST CHURCH IN LANSING-CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LANSING-CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN LANSING AND INGHAM COUNTY-PIONEER GERMANS AND LUTHERAN CHURCH-METHODIST CHURCH IN LANSING-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN LANSING-THE ADVENTIST CHURCH --------- --------- 24 5-256 xii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER XIX-LADIES' LIBRARY AND LITERARY CLUBLADIES' AID SOCIETIES-ASSOCIATED CHARITIES YOUNG LADIES FORM A CLUB-THE CLUB INCORPORATED-CLUB'S COLLECTION OF BOOKS-AMATEUR DRAMATIC PLAYS-THE NEW CLUBHOUSE —THE STATE LIBRARY-LADIES' AID SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATED CHARITIES —FINANCING ASSOCIATED CHARITIES ----------------------- 257-260 CHAPTER XX-TOWNSHIPS, CITIES AND VILLAGES DELHI TOWNSHIP AND ITS EARLY SETTLERS-DELHI CENTER-OTHER SETTLERS-MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP AND ITS PIONEERS-EARLY SETTLERS IN OKEMOS -VILLAGE OF HASLETT-VEVAY TOWNSHIP-VILLAGE OF EDEN-SETTLERSCITY OF MASON-EARLY PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MEN OF MASONBUNKERHILL TOWNSHIP- STOCKBRIDGE TOWNSHIP- INGHAM TOWNSHIIPWHITE OAK TOWNSHIP-ONONDAGA TOWNSHIP-LESLIE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE-ABORIGINES AND EARLY SETTLERS-AURELIUS TOWNSHIP —EARLY HISTORY-THE WEBB FAMILY OF AURELIUS —ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP-LANSING TOWNSHIP-EARLY SETTLERS IN THE TOWNSHIP —FIRST PERMANENT SETTLERS IN LANSING TOWNSHIP-CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH INDIANS -FIRST WHITE CHILD BORN IN LANSING TOWNSHIP-CURIOSITY LAND MARK -WEST OF THE CITY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT -- ------------------- 261-326 CHAPTER XXI-MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES OF LANSING AND THE COUNTY LANSING THE INDUSTRIAL CITY OF THE COUNTY-A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS-MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES IN THE VILLAGES OF THE COUNTY -LANSING INDUSTRIES IN 1873-CENSUS FIGURES FOR 1880-CONDITIONS IN 1890-PRODUCTION FIGURES GIVEN IN CENSUS OF 1910-LANSING INCORPORATED MANUFACTURING CONCERNS IN 1890-INCORPORATIONS IN 1891 AND 1901-RECORD OF VARIOUS CORPORATIONS-THE OLDS MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANY-THE OLDS MOTOR WORKS-REO MOTOR CAR COMPANY-DURANT MOTOR COMPANY-THE NOVO ENGINE COMPANY-BATES-EDMUNDS MOTOR COMPANY-THE NEW WAY MOTOR COMPANY-ATLAS DROP FORGE COMPANY -FEDERAL DROP FORGE COMPANY-LANSING DROP FORGE COMPANY-MELLING FORGING COMPANY-LINDELL DROP FORGE COMPANY-CAPITAL CASTINGS COMPANY-DAIL STEEL PRODUCTS COMPANY-MICHIGAN SCREW COMPANYA. D. CROSBY, INC.-RELIANCE ENGINEERING COMPANY-THE BEAN SPRAY PUMP COMPANY-IDEAL POWER LAWN LMOWER COMPANY-THE AUTO BODY COMPANY-HUGH LYONS & COMPANY-JARVIS ENGINEERING WORKS — 327-358 CHAPTER XXII-NEW STATE CAPITOL BUILDING THE OLD WOODEN BUiLDING-PLANS FOR NEW BUILDING-DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING -------------------------------... --- 359-362 CHAPTER XXIII-THE STATE JOURNAL RECORD OF LANSING JOURNALISM-HISTORY OF THE STATE JOURNAL -363-365 CHAPTER XXIV-A FINAL SURVEY AND SUMMARY A GENERAL REVIEW OF CONDENSED ORDER _366-369 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY REVIEW Indians in canoes, dipping their paddles silently and leaving scarcely a ripple, so dexterously were they plied, may have conveyed the first white man along the Grand river through what is now western Ingham county and so past where Lansing, its largest city and capital of the state, now stands. One William Atherton, a Kentuckian, has left a rare little volume telling of his experience with Michiga'n Indians, when scarcely more than a lad, following his capture by them after the American defeat, during the war of 1812. From Atherton's statement one can do scarcely otherwise than conjecture that he was taken by canoe up the waters of the Huron to the customary portage to the Grand river, and so by the usual course, down it, westward, to perhaps where is now Tonia, or in that general region. It was a favorite locality with them and certain it is that Atherton did not reach the lake. That Atherton came this way is not highly significant in the history of Ingham county except as there is always feeling for that which is definitely first, however light the touch. There is a degree of definiteness about the record that Atherton has left in his little book to make his advent i'n these parts seem more real than the advent of those early French whc have gone into Michigan annals under the designation of Courier de Bois-runners of the wood. But that some nameless French hunter, or perhaps even priest, came this way long before Atherton's adventure we may scarcely doubt. That the Huron and the Grand constituted a favorite and well traveled way from Detroit to the rapids of the Grand is a certainty. The portage between the headwaters of these rivers was too deeply worn for any to deny the evidence. But for those who are given to a feeling for even more shadowy beginnings it might be suggested, in a word, that civilization put its claim on Ingham from the day that the Cabots, closely following the westward hint of Columbus, sailed the Atlantic seaboard and took possession of all westward in the name of the British king. But such a suggestion is hardly of practical significance. Though pretty well faded now, nevertheless, it must be admitted that the advent of the French in Michigan was of a practical nature. That they came and established actual contact with the soil can never be forgotten. But so far as Ingham county is concerned they left no evidence of ever having been on this territory, though, as already suggested, they likely passed this way. Later, following the French and Indian war, 1756 to 1763, while the driving of the first surveyor's stakes in the soil of Ingham was yet years in the future, nevertheless in this, even, there is a narrowing to particularity of control such as had not hitherto existed. It pointed the 3-2 18 HISTORIC MICHIGAN way to American control which came following the War of Independence. We are accustomed to discredit the continental congress, that measure of unity which the colonies attained during the War of Independence and during the time until the adoption of the Federal constitution; but those interested in Ingham county will do well to remember that it was the continental congress which organized the Northwest Territory, under the deservedly remembered ordinance of 1787, and therein specified almost as George Washington was coming to the presidential chair, that this must be forever free territory and that section sixteen of every township yet to be surveyed should be school land. The effect of that ordinance reached particularly to the wilds of Michigan and laid its finger on the very land where the capital of Michigan now stands. Ingham was definitely claimed for civilization in that act, even though the settlers' acres were yet to be designated. Territory, and applying particularly to this county and every township in it, and to the land on which the state capitol stands, it was decreed that section sixteen in every township should be reserved for school purposes. In that.provision civilization definitely put its claim on the land on which we live and claimed it for its purpose. Organization of the Northwest Territory under the Ordinance of 1787 declaring that it should be forever free territory and that "schools and the means of education' should -forever be encouraged," meant further that the land must ultimately be surveyed. When the metes and bounds have actually been set about the county, and when later such designation of land has been legally named, the history of the county has undeniably begun. Have brought this running account to the place where surveyors' stakes are to be driven in the soil of what is known as Ingham county, it seems incumbent to go back somewhat and examine with a degree of particularity the relics here of the Mound Builders and the later relics of the Indians. With all due deference to the geologist and the zoologist, history of a portion of land is the story of what humankind has enacted upon it. That the Mound Builders left traces within what is designated as Ingham county appears quite indisputable. The present generation is indebted to Orlando M. Barnes more than to any other person, for what is known in a particular way of ancient relics in this county. His testimony in the matter has been properly left among the records and archives of the Ingham County Pioneer and Historical Association. Speaking at the second annual meeting of the association, May 26, 1874, Mr. Barnes said: "That this county was one of the chosen seats of the Indian tribes is indeed well known. And there are in different parts of the county unmistakable evidences of it once having been occupied by that earlier race known as the Mound Builders of America. "A group of these mounds raised many hundreds of years ago existed until recently. Perhaps they still remain. On the northeast quarter of INGHAM COUNTY 19 the southeast quarter of section 25 in Aurelius, the tract originially settled by Joshua G. Bunk, now occupied by Huram Bristol, I first saw them in I839 or I840, when the log cabin of the first settler was beingerected. The largest was five or six feet high, and on it large forest trees were standing. "Recently (i. e. in 1874) this mound was opened by George AI. Huntington and Mr. Bristol, and was found to contain, as is usual with mounds in Ohio, Indiana and other places, human bones, beads and the like. Mr. Huntington preserved the soil found there for some time, but it gradually crumbled to pieces." (What Mr. Barnes intended to indicate by the word "soil" is not clear. Perhaps the word was originally "skull" and has been changed in copying into manuscript or in printing since.) "Two thousand years or more ago its possessor, a chief, or leader of his people, resided with his race in this county. "On the northeast quarter of section 17, in Leslie, there existedperhaps it can be seen yet, my last examination of it was in company with Mr. Huntington-an earthwork, manifestly the work of man, similar in all respects to those found in other parts of the United States. Tt was oblong in shape, one hundred and thirty by one hundred;ind eight feet. The moats, or ditches, were much filled up, and the embankments were much worn away in places, but three or four feet high in most places. Large forest trees were growing all over the enclosure, and some of them on the embankment. No doubt similar structures were found i'n other parts of the county, for they have been found in various places throughout the state. These things are generally believed by thoughtful inquirers to have been the work of an extinct race of men, who dwelt here long before the red man made it his home. In the mound opened by Messrs. Huntington and Bristol remains of the wood structure which originally shielded the human body were found. The judges think this race became extinct at least two thousand years ago." Such is the short and simple annals of the Mound Builders while on the land we now designate Ingham county. If more is ever learned of the extinct race it will be because of the general work of research, which continues to be carried on and can hardly be expected of such meager remains as were once here. The Indians, no less than the Mound Builders, have completely vanished from Ingham county. Strange to relate, though the Indians were seen and personally known by some still living at the end of the first quarter of the twentieth century, nevertheless, there is not much more definite information concerning the Indians than of the Mound Builders. The remembrance of the Indians is without vivid detail and significance for the reason that when the white people came to this county, in considerable number, the Indians had ceased to be significant. They left no physical monuments indicative of their character, and they left no consequential impress on those who knew them. They were a weak and dying race, humored for a time by the settlers, and then they were 20 HISTORIC MICHIGAN gone. The one outstanding exception appears to have been Chief Okemos. Indians of Grand river valley participated in the conspiracy of Pontiac, in I763. They were also interested by Tecumseh in his conspiracy, and were doubtless present at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, where the Indians made their last stand as a race, east of the Mississippi river. It is known very definitely that many Indians from this region were with Okemos in the service of the British during the war of I812. But from such accounts as are left by the pioneers of Ingham county, who knew the Indians in a personal way, it is difficult to associate any such virility with the remnant of the race, such as found here, say from 1835 to 1845, as was displayed by the Indians under Pontiac and Tecumseh. With the possible exception of the view held of Chief Okemos, and his son "Jim," the settlers appear very generally to have looked upon the Indians they found here as a dirty, squalid, weak, and in every way inconsequential passel of fnendicants. The explanation of the abject weakness and inconsequence of the Indians, in their last days here, is the work "drink." Liquor, smallpox and tuberculosis appear to have united to say the final word as to the fate of the Indians. At first, whisky was likely not commonly available, except at those seasons of the year when the Indians left their tribal homes, in spring and fall, to go meet the traders at Grand Rapids, Detroit and other places; but, gradually, the great decimator of the race became more commonly available, and then the Indians disappeared. One of the earliest settlers in Bunkerhill township, on the southern border of the county, tells of an Indian making a journey from southeastern Ingham over into Jackson county to get whisky. It may be said in passing that at the trading post of Jean Batiste, preserved in memory to the present by the name of Batiste lake, was always a ready supply. When the Indian was nearly home, he passed the settler's cabin, and already well mellowed out of his usual stoicism, he attempted to show the settler, by pantomine, the further exhileration in prospect and the jug was smashed. After a moment or two of disgust the Indian started miles back through the woods for more whisky. When whisky was available, the Indians would have it no matter the sacrifice, nor no matter how they might have to mortgage their future to get it. Of course, beside liquor and disease, the fast changing natural conditions were unfavorable to the Indians. Hunting, and a little primitive agriculture, conducted by the squaws, were their means of life. When hunting failed in the sense the Indians knew it, the race had to fail also. Perhaps something deserves to be said favorable to the Indians as a partial offset, at least, to that evidence which pictures them utterly weak and squalid, during their last days in Ingham. Testimony is quite abundant from men who were boys when the Indians were here in considerable number, of how they played with the Indian boys. The common word is that the white and red boys got on well together. There is no suggestion that the white boys held their aboriginal playmates in contempt. Boys, in their relationships, are credited usually with an INGHAM COUNTY 21 insight as to character values, and if the Indian boys had been utterly contemptible there would be word to this day of that finding. Companionship between the Indian boys and the boys of the settlers there undoubtedly was. Whatever may be heard of the adult Indian, no word of contempt is preserved of Indian boys. They were adepts with the bow and arrow, and good at other games and sports. It is pretty commonly accepted that the Indian population in all of North America was never large. As for Michigan, the Indian population here was not up to the number elsewhere. Michigan appears to have been, in quite a sense, a summer preserve. That the Indians made the Traverse bay region a summer resort is well attested. But the chief reason why Michigan was not more thickly populated was because of its nature as a buffer state. Strong tribes on the east and strong tribes on the west would not permit a strong Indian nation in between. As for Ingham county it does not appear that there could have been more than 500 Indians here after the settlers began to know it. There is no evidence that there were ever more than that number here. Other than naming some places where the Indians were most commonly found, it is quite impossible to say just where they lived. They apparently roamed about at will, and even moved their small villages whenever it suited some of their ends to do so. The Indian villages of which there is the most evidence of stability are those beside the Red Cedar, at where is now the village of Okemos, and the village at the head of Lowe lake, in the northeastern part of Stockbridge township. The village of Okemos was unquestionably the Indian metropolis of the county. The village by Lowe lake, when seen bv the first settlers, was a miserable little affair. There is record also of an Indian village beside the Grand river, in what is now Onondaga township. Surveyors in their notes tell also of a collection of huts east of where is now Mason. But, considerable as was the village where is now Okemos, even so it was not always a year-round place of Indian habitation. One pioneer tells of an experience of travel wherein it was hoped that the village at Okemos might be reached before nightfall. When the travelers came there, though they confidently expected to find Indians, they found none. But that village was maintained, well after the time the settlers were here, in considerable number. One of the favorite Indian farms was near Williamston. The wigwams of the Ingham Indians were not so picturesque as the conventional wigwam of fanciful pictures are made to appear. They followed form only in respect that the frame work was of poles set about a circular position and then inclined at their tops to the center where they were withed about to hold them in position. But, instead of being covered with skins on which symbolic figures were colorfully emblazoned, the covering was merely bark and brush and flags and rushes until the whole presented so nondescript a character that the settlers appear to have felt that, these places were habitations of filth and 22 HISTORIC MICHIGAN shiftlessness. And they came to this judgment though they dwelt in crude log cabins themselves. Though a dying race when the settlers came to Ingham, yet, previously, there must have been some interesting considerations attaching to the Indian inhabitancy of this section. When they had what is now Ingham to themselves they undoubtedly occupied a rather strategic position, especially as to east and west travel. Trading contact was important, and the Indians of this locality could strike east or west, with about equal facility. Streams, in the days before the land was in any way denuded of trees or underbrush, were naturally a year-round consideration, much different than today. Lowe lake in the southeastern section of the county has its outlet to the Huron river. While it is quite unthinkable that a rowboat should get from that lake, today, down past Ann Arbor and so to Lake Erie, nevertheless it is quite conceivable that an Indian canoe, drawing only three or four inches of water, should have gone that way. But, conjecture aside, as to the possibility of reaching Lowe lake. or of making portage from the headwaters of the Huron to the southerly extending branches of the Red Cedar, there is the undoubted and indisputable fact of the customary portage from the waters of the Huron, in northwest Washtenaw county, to the headwaters of what is known as Portage creek, which leads westward just south of Ingham county and empties into the Grand river. Evidence of that portage may be found by the closely discerning even to this day. Chief Okemos, as already indicated, was by far the most imposing relic of his race, to judge by the common testimony that is left concerning him. That he had intelligence of a sort, a certain dignity and a quality which commanded some measure of respect from the whites as well as from his followers, there can be no doubt, judged by the evidence of the many statements left concerning him. In his last days Chief Okemos was a harmless old mendicant, but even in his dotage he could be offended. The title of chief was not a mere euphonism. Okemos was chief, indeed. It is quite probable that he was head of pretty much all, if hot all, the Indians that were in this county. There has been a suggestion that the Indians at the head of Lowe lake were not Okemos Indians, but this differentiation has not been clearly shown. Another hint that possibly.not all the Indians here were under Okemos is in the fact that the Okemos Indians were termed "Canadian Indians." This designation arose from the fact that Okemos, himself, and others with him, returned yearly to Malden, in Ontario, for gifts from the British government, which they received because of their service against the Americans, in the war of I812. The fact that those so benefiting were designated would seem to suggest that there was need of indicating two classes of Indians-those who were "Canadian" and those who were not. But, be the possibilities as they may, the preponderant notion appears to be that all the Indians here were under Okemos. INGHAM COUNTY 23 The date of the birth of Chief Okemos is not known. A. 0. Jenison, the pioneer, who has left a considerable statement concerning the chief, and was instrumental in getting him to sit for the only photograph known to ever have been made, stated his belief that Okemos was born about I775. B. 0. Williams, an Indian trader, long at Owosso, and Freeman Bray, an original settler near the Okemos village, unite in the belief that the chief was much older than birth about I775 would make him. Chief Okemos died December 5, 1858. Mr. Jenison believed he was about eighty-four years old; the others think he was one hundred years old or more. There is agreement on the statement that Chief Okemos was born at Knagg's Station, in Shiawasse county, some dozen or so miles southeast of Corunna and Owosso, about where the Grand Trunk railroad crosses the Shiawassee river. The most complete sketch of the life of Chief Okemos appears to be that prepared by Albert E. Cowles, and printed in "The Past and Present of Ingham County," edited by Mr. Cowles, and published about I904. Mr. Cowles not alone knew Okemos, personally, but he quotes from Messrs. Jenison,. Bray and Williams, all three of whom had heard from the chief accounts of his life and activities. The fighting days of Okemos, so far as there is record, appear to have begun in 1791, when he was with the Indians who so crushingly defeated General Arthur St. Clair, at the battle of Miami river, in Ohio. The news of that defeat of the American forces was a severe trial for George Washington, then president of the United States. Three years later, however, Okemos experienced the bitterness of defeat, for it was then, on August 20, 1794, that the Indians under "Mad" Anthony Wayne crushingly defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, on the Maumee river, also in Ohio. That fight pretty effectually put an end to Indian warfare against the whites from that time until the Tecumseh confederacy, and the war of 1812, declared the following year. But between 1794 and I811, Okemos was not altogether occupied in hunting and fishing. There was some fierce Indian fighting between tribes during those years, and Okemos took part in it. He aided in repelling the agression of Indians from Wisconsin. There was invasion also from the southwest to be repelled. Chief Elkhart, the Shawnee, led the raid into Michigan for the purpose of expanding his territory. Chief Pokagon called Okemos and another chief to his aid. The rendevous of the Michigan Indians is said to have been at the junction of streams where is now Battle Creek. Chief Elkhart. and his Shawnees were driven from Michigan. It is stated that Okemos was at the Battle of Tippecanoe. It is likely, for the great Tecumseh had rallied the Indians of the north pretty effectually and was in the south arranging alliances there, when the "Prophet" precipitated the clash between the Indian allies and the forces tunder General William Henry Harrison, in northern Indiana, on the banks of the Wabash. That was in I8II. The second war with Eng 24 HISTORIC MICHIGAN land soon followed, and Okemos, having been among those who escaped from the defeat at Tippecanoe, joined the British forces. He doubtless led his tribesmen with him. It was at the skirmish commonly called the Battle of Sandusky that Okemos received the scars which remained with him so noticably through the rest of his life. General Proctor was leading the British forces toward Fort Stephenson, on the River Raisin, and the Indians were attempting to join the Proctor forces, when they met a detachment of American cavalry. It is related that Okemos, seeing the Indians outnumbered, counciled hiding, but one impetuous Indian took a pot shot from ambush and so disclosed the Indian position. The Americans charged and apparently killed everyone in ambush, but a few, left for dead, survived. It is said that Okemos was found by a squaw and nursed back to consciousness. He returned to his home upon the Grand river where he recuperated. The fight in which Okemos received his saber wound occurred early in the year. By the following autumn he was ready to fight again. He joined the British forces under General Proctor, and with him and his forces suffered defeat at the Battle of the Thames, October 5, I813. He was again badly wounded. Okemos was seen no more after that battle u'ntil some time in I9I4, when he came into Detroit and sought Colonel Godfrey, and through him, as interpreter, arranged a lasting peace with General Cass, territorial governor of Michigan. That peace treaty was thereafter faithfully kept. Chief Okemos appears to have retired to Shiawassee county and to have remained there through most of his remaining virile days. It was apparent as white settlement gained in Shiawassee that he retreated with his people to this as yet unpeopled section. Chief Okemos must well have understood the advantages of location quickly accessible to the long trail from the rapids of the Grand to Detroit a'nd the way to Canada. Chief Okemos left two sons. The older was John, who was chief in his turn and known by the settlers as "Chief Johnny." The old chief relinquished his titular leadership sometime before his death. The younger son was Jim. There is no mention, too, of a daughter, Mary, who one settler says was a very comely Indian woman. How these Indians came by English names has not been stated. The names John and James and Mary would suggest Christian baptism at the hands of the English church, but this is mere conjecture. "Chief Johnny," as he was called, never commanded the respect that was accorded old Chief Okemos. In the estimation of the whites "Chief Johnny" was a caricature of Indian chieftainship. He was much addicted tc drink. There is no evidence that he commanded the respect of his own people. He was last seen, so far as account remains, at Mason, somewhere about I879 or I88o. Chief Johnny is said to have had a son who became a good and useful citizen, farming rather successfully. It is related that Chief Johnny had little regard for his son because he was no hunter. The son Jim is reported to have been an INGIAM COUNTY 25 Indian of some consequence. He became a farmer in Montcalm county, near Stanton. He was last seen about Lansing when he was here to attend the dedication of the capitol. As this is written in 1924, there are at least three men living who knew and talked with old Chief Okemos. There are probably a cohsiderable number of others. Samuel L. Kilbourne, Daniel Mevis and Russell Callahan have each given separate verdicts concerning the old chief, from personal contact with him. In spite of the fact that the chief became a childish old beggar in his last days, nevertheless, there were times, when first known, when he had inherent qualities of strong leadership and aspects of character that commanded respect. He was chief until the last, in the heart and minds of his own people. There is a photograph of Chief Okemos preserved in the State Pioneer and Historical Museum, and from this a somewhat idealized portrait has been painted and given to the Lansing Kiwanis club by Mr. J. W. Knapp. There is a photograph of Chief Johnny, the son, possessed at Mason. Chief Okemos was a small man. One who remembers him well says he was not more than five feet four inches tall, but active and supple and of good carriage. In his more active days he wore a blanket coat, with belt in which was carried a steel pipe hatchet, a tomahawk, and a heavy, long English hunting knife. He painted his face and wore vermillion on cheeks, forehead and above his eyes. Around his head he wore a shawl, twisted turban-like. It is related that Okemos was proud of his ancestry as well as of his fighting powers. He stated that he was a nephew of Pontiac. Pontiac is said to have been of mixed Chippewa and Ottawa blood. It seems likely that in later years the Ottawas, Chipnewas and Potawatomies bad so intermarried that these tribal relationships were pretty nearly obliterated. There seems some reason to believe that the Indians of this locality were Ottawas. The evidence does not appear conclusive as to what tribe they were, or if any distinct tribal characteristic remained. Such familiar testimony as Longfellow's Hiawatha indicates that the Indians in their uncontaminated estate were religious. The general testimony is to that effect. In this connection it may be noted that the first surveyors in Ingham found an evidence they believed had to do with the religious rites of the Indians here. Just to the north of the main traveled road between Mason and Dansville, about where it crosses the Vevay-Ingham townships line, on the Vevay side, there is a considerable hill. Notes of surveyors state that a pathway led to the top of that eminence from the north, and stopped at the summit. Since the trail was solely for reaching the top of the hill, it has been conjectured that the place had religious significance. No evidence in support of this conjecture has been produced. The foregoing concerning the Indians of Ingham states about what the settlers have told. The first comers did not inquire closely concerning the inwardness of Indian customs. Of their religion, of their mar 26 HISTORIC MICHIGAN riage customs, their social customs, and considerations of like nature, the pioneers have handed on no testimony. Before passing from consideration of the Indians of Ingham county, it is necessary to completeness of the record to state how the American government acquired title to the lands the Indians had long held by right of possession. Though the area known as the Northwest Territory, of which Michigan was a part, was ceded to the United States by Great Britain, following the War of Independence, nevertheless the American government recognized that the Indians had tribal rights in the same territory. By just what fiction dual control of the land was explained need not be inquired here. The fact is that the United States perfected title to the land, from which Ingham was later carved, by treaties with the Indians, though, previously, cession of the land had been had from Great Britan by treaty. Indian title in Michigan was extinguished by five treaties. Only two of the five have reference to the area from which Ingham was taken, except as exerting general tendencies. By the treaty of 1807, land was ceded by the Indians south to the Ohio line, and as far west as the principal meridian of Michigan. From this meridian, beginning north of Ingham in Shiawasse county, a line was drawn in a northeasterly direction to Saginaw bay. Thus it was that the land that now constitutes the eastern half of Ingham county passed to undisputed white control. The Indians to make this cession were the Wyandots, Ottawas, Chippewas and Potawatomies. The next treaty, in I8I9, took territory as far west as beyond Ionia and further south than the southerly line of Ingham when that line was afterward surveyed. Treaties in 1821 and 1836 passed all the territory of Michigan to the United States except some minor reservations which were afterward extinguished. What Indian title there was in the land of this portion of Michigan had not long been extinguished before action was taken which resulted in distinguishing Ingham county, as such, from other counties of this part of the state. The general survey of the state, which had been energetically begun by Governor Cass, in I816, appears to have reached Ingham county by 1824. It is difficult to say with exactness, but there is shown, to the effect that the lines, defining the townships of the county, had all been run by 1830, perhaps earlier. In connection with the survey of land, the principal meridian was early extended northward, through the center of Ingham, and became the western boundary of Shiawassee county. In passing, it may be noted that the principal meridian of the state is a line run due north from the junction of the Maumee and Tiffin rivers, in northwestern Ohio, where stood Fort Defiance. The meridian was extended northward from time to time as occasion required. It was surveyed through the center of Ingham in 1824. When townships were surveyed and subdivided it meant that the government land constituting them was ready for market. Settlement and township government awaited the actual coming of settlers. Be INGHAM COUNTY 27 fore the survey there were doubtless squatters in some parts of the state, but it is not likely there were any squatters in any of the townships of Ingham, preceding the survey. Designation of counties apparently proceeded upon a good deal the same principle. For instance, Ingham county was designated as such a considerable number of years before there was need for county government. Ingham was designated a county by act of the Territorial legislature, October 29, I829. There was a considerable number of other counties designated at the same time. They are referred to as the "cabinet counties" because so many of them bore names after the men comprising the cabinet of Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States. The counties designated by the act of I829 were, beside Ingham, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton and Van Buren, and also Jackson, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph. In some of these counties there was quite a population, sufficient in some cases to warrant the organization of county government, but the designation of Ingham meant merely sixteen townships of unoccupied but surveyed land. It is not likely there was a white person in the county. Ingham was attached to Washtenaw for judicial purposes, at the outset, and later the western half of the county was attached to Jackson county for similar purpose. Since Ingham has been referred to as o'ne of the "cabinet counties" it seems indicated that brief reference should be made to the man for whom it was named. Samuel D. Ingham was secretary of the treasurv at the time of naming the county. He was appointed from Pennsylvania, where he was born in I779. His ancestral home was in Bucks county. He came to his cabinet position on the strength of party service rather than because of practice or skill as a financier. Samuel D. Ingham was an ardent anti-Federalist. As such he served in congress for ten years, being once defeated during that time. In congress he was opposed to the congressional caucus system. He was of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather was the immigrant. After resigning from Jackson's cabinet, Mr. Ingham undertook the financing and organization of the anthracite coal business in Pennsylvania. He died at Trenton, N. J., in I860. He had a son living in Philadelphia as late as 1900, and perhaps later. Ingham county cannot be said to have become a theater of activity by white people until 1835 or 1836. In a sense, then, it has no practical history until that time; but in another sense it was bound up with general considerations that were afterward to be manifest in its history. So far as its relationship to the American government and the progress of its people, Michigan was scarcely a considerable matter until after the war of I812. After that war governmental attention was directed here by the desire to give lands to those who had served in the war, but the report on Michigan was so adverse that the government went elsewhere for lands for the soldiers, and Michigan was for a considerable period of years blacklisted in popular estimation in the east. 28 HISTORIC MICHIGAN But the energetic services of Governor Cass, the government survey begun in I816, the correction of the popular impression which had been that Michigan was all one, far-extending morass, and other causes, led to settlement here. From the time the Stars and Stripes went up on the fort at Detroit, there began a tendency of growth that was truly American, but the raising of the flag did not mark off the Michigan of medieval, Indian, fur-trapping days from northern Michigan. The outright and complete break with the past came with the considerable influx of "York state" and New England people. The exact date of the beginning of the new Michigan cannot be set, except to say that, after the influx of settlers strongly began in I83I, Michigan was never again the same. From that time on Michigan grew as different i'n its people and in their habits of life and in the kind of industry as though the old French past of the state had never been. True, in the east, along the waterways, and in the north some French continued to live in a characteristic way, and so persist to this day, but these characteristic few are more like an historic curio than a truly effective part of the present. Ohio was admitted to the Union in 1802, Indiana in 1816, and Illinois in I818. The trend of population followed the course of the least resistence. Michigan began to fill when the way was opened and its lands became the next most easily available. The Erie canal was ope'ned in 1825. Naturally, a little later, vessel traffic on Lake Erie began to develop in a considerable way. The enterprising saw that in Michigan lay a wealth of free land, the products of which could be readily brought to the eastern market. So, quite logically, the rush into Michigan began. Perhaps 1831 may be named as the date when the settlement of the state began in a marked way. The general tendencies soon found concrete expression in Michigan. There was a pushing out from Wayne county. Pontiac was founded in 1818. The settlers were out in Washtenaw in 1824 and I825. Lenawee county began to have settlers at Tecumseh and Adrian. Their presence at these places, though their number was meager, showed where the state would next fill, and it was even as the few in the van of progress indicated. With Lenawee filling up rapidly it was natural that the western development should be along the southern border of the state, next to Ohio and Indiana, already settled. Then, it was quite as natural, building forward from the beginning in Washtenaw, that population should stream westward through Jackson, Calhoun and Kalamazoo, and so on westward. There were similar influences that sent population northward out of Wayne into the Saginaw country. Oakland county early invited to settlement. Livingston county, and even Clinton county, north of Ingham, received their quota of settlers in advance of Ingham. The reason was the densely-wooded nature of this territory. Flowing up from Jackson and Calhoun counties, there was even settlement in Eaton county, to the west of Ingham, before the settlers came here in numbers. INGHAM COUNTY 29 But natural conditions registered in Ingham, in due time, in the matter of the.flow of population. The last township of Washtenaw county, Lyndon, in the northwest corner, next to Ingham, was pretty well settled up in I834. It was logical that population should come next into Ingham county, and it did. Settlers were in what became Stockbridge township, adjacent to Lyndon, in Washtenaw county, the very next year. Stockbridge, as was natural, was the first township of the county to fill in a considerable way. There were three main ways in which the settlers came to Ingham. The Stockbridge way, the way up from Jackson county, following the Grand river, and from the northeast. Those who came from the northeast followed a trail that led northwest from Pontiac, in Oakland county, toward Owosso, the latter place having been earlier of settlement than any place in Ingham. Daniel Mevis, still living in I924, and his father, came that way. A little later some came from Livingston county, moving forward from Howell. This fourth way seems to have been a sort of short cut from the more northerly route. The greater number, it appears, came by way of Washtenaw, leaving the way of travel at Dexter, and by way of Jackson county, striking north from Jacksonburg (Jackson). Few, apparently, pause. to attempt to realize what coming into this county meant in I836, and in the years immediately following. To get objective aid in an attempt at visualization of the experience, one might seek out a still remaining virgin wood lot and immerse one's self therein, out of sight, if possible, of any adjacent cultivated field, and away from suggestion of the near-by highway, on which motor cars are scurrying by, and there try to imagine the whole county, without roads, without fences, without fields, without cities or even hamlets, and everywhere such conditions of forest and underbrush as lie before one. But even this attempt would not give the full suggestion. There are no wood lots where the primeval condition remains. The mire holes and pervading swamps and winding Indian trails are gone forever. One, too, could not sufficiently divest his mind of the knowledge that the road and waiting motor car and comfortable farm homes are only a little ways away. In among trees, winding this way and that, now stopping while a fallen tree and underbrush are cut away, the settlers came through the forest gloom. This forest gloom was no figment of the imagination. Russell Callahon, another pioneer still living as this is written, tells -of the effect upon him as a boy, of the blackness of the forest, northeast of Mason, as he was leaving the clearing at Mason alongside the wagon of his father. Into such forbidding forests the settlers led their ox teams, drawing ponderous, creaking wagons behind them. It is an experience that quite staggers imagination in our day. As for the settlers, once their claim was located, there could be no dalliance, no idle repining. When their land had been found, according to the survey, the battle with the wilderness had merely been begun. They had to begin at once to win sustenance and hew out a place for 30 HISTORIC MICHIGAN home and planting. To fend off the rigors of the climate and win something to eat from that tree-crowded soil was the.first work in order. There is almost nothing in this present day to serve as a measure of such experience. Urge of necessity left little opportunity for the pioneers to indulge themselves in mental anguish because of their surroundings, and that was a mercy. So many generations of pioneering were behind those who came to the Michigan frontier, being as they were pretty much all descendants of those first in America, on the New England coast, that they appear not to have taken their experience as one beyond human endurance. Within a comparative short time crops, sufficient for meager existence, resulted from their efforts. Trees were felled, but stumps were not cleared away before wheat was growing among them. But not the aptitude of the settlers to quickly satisfy the first meager, material wants of themselves and families, is the greatly impressive fact of their coming as compared with their instant readiness to set up the institutions of practical self-government. This readiness, this capability, this inherent self-respect for themselves is a most distinguishing trait of character. The people who settled Ingham and the kind of battle they fought with the wilderness was a very close counterpart of the experience of the parents of Abraham Lincoln. They were poor, poor beyond words almost, in world's goods, and yet never once, in the history of American pioneering are these people found in that frame of mind which characterizes the present day poor of great cities. With all their poverty, they always commanded in their own minds a sense of their own importance. They were aristocrats in the sense of poise and assurance that they were captains of their own destiny. Their respectability, their capacity for leadership and citizenship they never once seem to have doubted. The difference between the pioneer, poorer than the slum habitue is poor, has to be contemplatively appreciated rather than described. Wagons of the on-coming imigrants had already ceased to creak before the settlers were manifesting the social and governmental instinct School districts were organized and schools taught in Ingham county within two years after the settlers came in considerable numbers. Perhaps there were schools and school districts even earlier. *The settlers took steps almost at once for formulating township government. This was not to satisfy an itch for politics or to exploit any hair-brained theories in government. Practical ends of living were the ends aimed at. The settlers realized that roads must be had and that they must be provided in an orderly, legal way. That was the first end of political government as expressed in township organization. If they did not know how the legal formulas of such organization were to be met, they went back into the next settled township and found out. Politics as an end in themselves seems not much to have entered their minds. They first of all wished to organize government, that govern INGHAM COUNTY 31 ment might guarantee to them the inviolability of their line fences. The citizen who kept his line fences up and respected boundaries was long a man to set standards by in pioneer communities. There was little, if any, theorizing as to the abstract political rights of man. Perhaps no better way in which to guage the progress of settlement in Ingham county may be named than to note the record of how township government was established in the county. This record, together with record of how roads were authorized, surveyed and opened, may be taken as something of a gauge whereby to measure the advance of settlement in the county. As for county government there was none. Ingham county consisted of its legally designated boundaries. As has been stated, settlers came first into Ingham at the southeast corner, where the county is adjacent to Washtenaw county. But they were almost as soon in getting into Leslie and Onondaga townships at the southwest corner. But it appears that Stockbridge township, or rather the territory finally organized as such, filled more rapidly. Perhaps, too, its inhabitants had readier means of getting back to the legislature at Detroit and stating their needs. Leastways Stockbridge was designated as a township by the Territorial legislature, March 26, 1836. While Stockbridge had its present borders from the outset, it should be understood that the rest of the townships did not. For instance, next after Stockbridge township, the following year, Ingham township and Aurelius township were organized. Ingham township was comprised of what are now;Wheatfield and LeRoy and White Oak beside its present self. Aurelius was comprised of the entire western half of the county. These two townships were organized il 1837. This arrangement brought all the county under township government with the exception of where are now Williamston township and its neighbor, immediately east, Locke township. These two townships in the northeast of the county, and Bunkerhill, in the southeast, or the township next west of Stockbridge, were left unorganized territory. Why the arrangement that was used for the west half of the county was not used for all the townships of the east half is not apparent. So, then, Stockbridge was organized in 1839, Ingham, four times its present size, and Aurelius eight times its present size, were organized in I837. The county development the next year, or in I838, was in the west part of the township. Big Aurelius township was cut exactly in two with an east and west line. North of the line was the big township of Alaiedon, from which Delhi, Lansing and Meridian were afterward carved; while south of the line four townships were erected, thus indicating that that portion of the county had pretty well.filled with settlers. The four townships to be organized in 1838 were Vevay, Onondaga and Leslie, leaving Aurelius a township cut down to its present size. This was such a degree of reorganization for Aurelius that it was made practically a new township. The next year, in I839, there was township government development in the eastern half of the county. Bunkerhill, which had not been 32 HISTORIC MICHIGAN organized at all, was given township government. The two townships to the north, which had been left unorganized, in this year were legislatively designated as Phelpstown. The north half of Ingham township, was set off and organized as Brutus township, and White Oak also came in for organization, being set off from Ingham township, leaving the latter at its present size. It is thus apparent that by I839 the county had received its present township organization except that in the northwest corner there was still big Alaiedon, from which four smaller townships were to be later carved, and in the northeast were Phelpstown, now Williamston and Locke, and immediately south Brutus, which was later to be divided as Wheatfield and LeRoy. The only township development in 1840 appears to have been the organization of the east half of Brutus township as LeRoy. The west half was organized as Wheatfield, and so the name of Brutus township faded from the map. It was not until 1842, no township action having been taken in 1841, that the present township arrangement of the county became authorized. In that year big Alaiedon was carved down to fts present size, and Delhi, Lansing and Meridian constituted. In the northeast of the county, Phelpstown was divided, the western half remaining Phelpstown and the eastern half being designated as the township of Locke. The only change since is that the name of Phelpstown was changed in 1857 to Williamstown. The progress of township development may be graphically represented, in an easy way, if the reader will. Let him divide a rectangle of an inch or two on a side, into sixteen squares, and number each consecutively, beginning at the upper left hand corner, from one to sixteen. Draw a heavy line about square sixteen, in the lower right hand corner to indicate the organization of Stockbridge in 1836. To indicate development the next year, in 1837, draw a heavy line about the group of squares comprised of one, two, five, six, nine, ten, thirteen and fourteen. Also draw a heavy grouping line about squares seven, eight, eleven and twelve. To indicate the development in I838, draw heavy lines about each of squares nine, ten, thirteen and fourteen. For showing the development in I839, draw heavy lines about square fifteen, and also group squares three and four with a heavy line. By referring to the dates of organization already given it may be seen at a glance how the large townships were cut up as the need of closer governmental arrangements advanced. Before passing to some detailed reference to each of the townships by way of indicating their development, it seems pertinent to say that there is little indication of progress of settlement in the county by noting the date of land entry, that is to say the date at which the land was taken from the government. There appears to have been some government land in the county as late as 1848, but most of it was entered, so far as legal formalities are concerned in 1836. The meaning of this is that speculators had "land lookers" locate land for them and then they sold it in turn, at a small advance, to the settlers. This matter of land speculation was long a sore spot with the bonafide settlers who came to INGHAM COUNTY 33 the county. It appears that the "land lookers" were all over ihe county in a hurry. The names of those making original entries on Ingham land, while interesting in some degree, do not, nevertheless, even approximately indicate the first comers in the county. True, some of the settlers had.their holdings from the government, but the majority bought from those who had first formally entered title to the land. To look at the list of land entries one would get the notion that the county was filled with settlers by the close of 1836 or 1837, but such was far from the case. The census of 1837 accords Ingham a population of 8oo people. This, it would seem, is a very liberal figure. This means fifty people to a township, or, counting four to a family, something like a dozen settlers in each township. The first decennial federal census is that of 1840, which accords Ingham a population of 2,401. This also appears pretty liberal, when it is remembered that early in 1834 there was not a white person in the county, but, of course, the census nmust be taken as authority. Early settlers, however, were naturally population boomers by disposition. It seems probable that there must have been quite a floating population. There is reference every now and then in pioneer anecdotes and stories to numerous "hired men." Then there were early taverns and these all seem to have had an unaccounted quota of hangers on. "Land lookers" were plentiful. Detailed and fairly extende:l mention will be found of each township in the pages devoted to that purpose, but with a view to indicating, at a glance, the coming and speed of population through the county, some brief mention will be made here, immediately following, of the earliest settlers, when they came and what they did, in each township. There appears to have been a settler in Stockbridge township as early as 1833, but he did not remain continuously from that time on. John Davis came for settlement in April, 1834. It would appear that the snow was not yet off the ground, for the habitation Davis was to use was brought into the township on a sled. It had been fashioned so far as possible over in western Washtenaw county, during the winter. So far as can be ascertained, and in all likelihood, John Davis was the first white man to come into Ingham county for permanent residence. Thomas G. Gill came in June of I834, and settled on section 36. It was September of the following year when Heman Lowe came and settled in the northern part of the township. He had been preceded by Conrad M. Dubois, who came June 13, 1835. Other early settlers were Abram Towner and Olney F. Rice, both of whom came in 1836. The first public school held in the township is not definitely known, but it is believed probable that the first school was held in 1837, in the Lowe neighborhood. The township was designated as such by the legislature, March 26, I837. The first meeting of the electors was designated in the act to be held at the home of D. T. Comfort, and the meeting was so held April 3, I837. Over at the southwestern corner of the county, where the valley of the Grand river made a pathway into the county from Jackson, the settlers were almost as early as they were in Stockbridge township. 3-3 34 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Into what is now Leslie township came Elijah Woodworth, in March, 1836. He literally cut his pathway into the county. He relates that when he arrived on his land in Ingham, there was no one north of him in the new county save people at Dewitt, in Clinton county. This bears out what was said earlier in the chapter to the effect that owing to its dense forest settlers went around Ingham and settled more or less on all sides before e'ntering it. Another enterprising early comer to Leslie was D. F. Dwight, who had a sawmill running in 1836. The first official meeting of school authorities was held August 12, 1837. The first school house in the township was erected where the village of Ieslie now stands. That was in the fall of 1837. The name of the first teacher is not known. The second teacher was Mrs. F. Butler. As has been mentioned, the western half of Ingham county was organized as Aurelius township in I837. It was March, I838, before Leslie came to have its present specific existence. The first town meeting was designated to be held at the home of Henry Fiske, where it was held in April. The organization of Aurelius had been affected at the home of Elijah Woodworth the previous year. Oliver Booth has the distinction of being the first settler i'n Onondaga township. He had previously located his land, but came to dwell and work his place in the spring of I834. This advent was early in Tune. Seven days later came Peter F. Cranson. These men were only a little behind the earliest comers in Stockbridge. The first school districts for this region were what were districts three and four of Aurelius. The first log school house is said to have been erected near the place of Jeduthan Frye, on section twenty-nine, probably in I837. The township of Onondaga was specifically organized as such, when Aurelius township was cut up, March 6, 1838. It is interesting to note that Harriet, daughter of Oliver Booth, the first settler, was married to Jeduthan Frye, i'n February, 1838. The ways of life went on in spite of pioneer difficulties. Over in the eastern half of the county the settlers soon pushed beyond Stockbridge. Thomas Clough was in what is now Ingham township in March, 1836. His first cabin had a clay hearth and mud and stick chimney. Marcus Beers settled on section 13 in 1836. During that year there were o'nly three families in what are now Wheatfield, LeRoy, Ingham and White Oak. The early school history has not been accurately preserved, but it is the tradition that the first school was held i'n the region of where is now Dansville, sometime in i840. Catherine Hill, at the age of thirteen, was one of the early, if not the first, teachers. Ingham was first organized with four township areas March II, I837. The township came into its present corporate limits in April, 1838. The first meeting was at the place of Caleb Carr. Over in the west half of the county, Vevay and Aurelius, next north from Onondaga and Leslie, were early to receive the tide of. immigration. The creation of these four townships, in their present size, came in March, 1838. The first settler within the confines of present Aurelius was probably Reuben R. Bullen, but Elijah Wilcox also was an early INGHAM COUNTY 35 comer. He may have antedated Bullen. Wilcox purchased land in April, I836. Bullen built his house in January, I837. Other early settlers were Mr. Wilson in 1837, James and Richard Turner; George R. Webb came in the fall of I836, and then in February or March of the next year moved in from Dexter in Washtenaw county. He cut his road for twelve miles. The first meeting of school inspectors was held May 21, 1837, and adjourned until August, when the south half of what is now Leslie was organized as district No. I. There were six districts organized at that meeting and districts Nos. 5 and 6 were of the south half and north half, respectively, of Vevay and Aurelius. The first bridge was thrown over the Grand river by this township in I840, working in conjunction with Eaton county. The expense to Aurelius was less than the $I50 appropriated. Aurelius came to its present corporate limits i'n the spring of 1838. The Rolfe's were the early comers to Vevay township. Where they settled has forever afterward been known as the Rolf neighborhood or settlement. The Rolfes were Ephraim, Nathan, Benjamin, Ira Hazen and M\anasseh. Nate, Benjamin and Ira located in July, 1836. Other early comers were Peter Lindeman, who settled on the northwest quarter of section four, in the summer of 1836, and William H. Horton, who came May 30, I837. The first school was in the Rolfe settlement. It was a log house built in I840, and taught by Miss Lucy Rolfe. District No. 5 was organized in 1845, and taught by Helen Lowell. Wheatfield dates its i'ndependent history from March 19, I840. It has been told how it was first part of Ingham township, next, with LeRoy constituted Brutus township. Into the territory which constitutes the present Wheatfield, came David Gorsline, June 15, 1836. He brought his family on in October the same year. They experienced a very severe winter. It is told how on one occasion they traveled six miles through snow eighteen inches deep to visit a neighbor. William Drown came in November, I837. David Gorsline and others came over from Livingston county and rolled up a log cabin for Drown. The first death in the township was that of the child of William and Betsy Hammond, which occurred in the fall of 1840. The first school is said to have stood on the west half of the northwest quarter of section thirty-four. Susan Cochran was the first teacher. The date of the opening of the school is believed to have been in 1840. White Oak, the township next north of Stockbridge, began its separate existence within its present boundaries, March 21, 1839. The organization was affected at the home of Daniel Dutcher, April 2, immediately following the legislative authorization of the township. The first school officers met before the month was out. The first school was that of a fractional district with Stockbridge. It was opened in 1836, antedati'ng township organization, and Elizabeth Lowe was the teacher. What was known as the Clements district was the first school district wholly within the township. LeRoy began its independent existence, after successively having been the northwest quarter of the original Ingham township and next 36 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the eastern half of Brutus. When LeRoy was organized within its present boundaries, the first meeting was held at the home of Isaac Coleman. That meeting was June I6, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Ephriam Meech came onto land of the present township, December I8, I836. They came in the dead of winter and had to break their way through snow eighteen inches deep. James Rosecrans came into the township in the spring of I838. He took up I60 acres in section twenty. Oren Dana is credited with having given the name to the township. He came from LeRoy, N. Y. Henry Lee, known as "Squire Lee," brought his family with him and was o'ne of those who cut his way as he came. The first school building was erected soon after the coming of the settlers, and is reputed to have stood on section nineteen. Mrs. Ephriam Meech was the first teacher. Some of the children came three miles to the school, and often the building was so cold that the johnnycake they brought with them to eat, froze, so that it had to be thawed to eat it. Bunkerhill township was never joined with other territory to form a township. Though apparently immediately accessible from the south, it did not fill up as did the neighboring township, Stockbridge, next east, nor Leslie, next west. Bunkerhill was unorganized territory until March 21, I839. The organization meeting was at the home of David Fuller. He settled in the western part of the township in 1837 or 1838. One Bunker was another early settler in the township. His daughter, Mary, was the first white child born in the township. It is said that there was a person by the name of Hill whose name was joined with that of Bunker to constitute the name for the township, but this is not authenticated. Henry Wood was an early comer, as was William Dean, who came in I84I. Wood settled in the northeastern part of the township. The first school district was fractional with Stockbridge. Sections twenty-five and thirty-six and part of sections thirty-five and twenty-six were the Bunkerhill portion of the district. District No. I of Bunkerhill was organized May 7, I840. In the summer of 1841 Sarah Dean taught in District No. I. Delhi came into being when Alaiedon township, which was constituted of all the northwest quarter of Ingham county was reduced to four townships in 1842. Delhi was legislatively designated February I6, 1842, and was organized April 4, following, at a log school house. There is some question as to whether Frederick R. Luther or John Norris were first in the township. So far as the records show Luther wa& on section nine, May 4, I837, and Norris on his land May 22, following. William Wood, Joseph Wilson and Philander Morton came in 1838. George Phillips was on section twenty-three in I837, and kept a tavern there. Roswell Everett was a prominent early settler. He came in February, 1841. The first school was taught in the cabin of George Phillips in 1840, and was conducted by Lydia M. Wells. Another early teacher was Elizabeth Everett. Alaiedon was designated as of its present boundaries February I6. 1842, at the same time Delhi, Lansing and Meridian were constituted INGHAM COUNTY:37 from the territory that had been that of the original Alaiedon. Speculators early had control of most of the land in the township, but, nevertheless, Egbert W. Pattison built the first log house in the spring of 1836. He went back to bring his family, in May, the following spring. Several families came in while he was away. James Phillips settled on part of section thirty, in December, 1836. Joel Strickland was on a portion of section seventeen, in March, 1837. William Lewis and two sons were on section twenty-nine, in September of I837. Eli Chandler was early in the township, and Adam Overacker came in the fall of the same year to section twenty-eight. The town of Jefferson, a speculative venture, at one time a head of Mason, of which there is no present trace, was the site of the first school. It was built in 1837, and Mary Ann Rolfe was the first teacher. Meridian, so named apparently because next adjacent on the west to the principal meridian of the state, was designated by the legislature February I6, 1842. The organization meeting was held at the home of George Matthews in the following spring. The school records previous to 1849 have been lost, but it is known that the earliest district was that centering about the school at Pine Lake. But previous to school district organization a school was conducted at the home of Robert Sowle, on section fifteen. Mrs. George Hutchins conducted the second school in the house of George Matthews, also on section fifteen, and Amy Nutt was the teacher. This was in 1842. The first regular school building was that put up by George Matthews, in I844. Early settlers were the Marshall brothers. They came in I837-38. They sold their holdings to George Culver. James Smith came to section one about 1839, David Matthews came in 1841, and Robert Russell Sowle in 1841. Williamston, up in the northeastern portion of the county, was one of the last townships to be organized, but it deserves to be remembered that it was among the first to have a white settler come within its borders. It is related that Hiram and Joseph Putnam came north into Ingham county early in the spring of 1834, and passed David Rogers, already mentioned as the first white settler in Stockbridge, sledding the house he had been building through the winter over in Washtenaw county, to its permanent location in Ingham county. The meeting of those strangers in the unbroken solitude of a Michigan frontier wilderness may appeal to some as quite off the piece of which frontier romance is made. But though the Putnams came early, the township appears to have been slower than those to the south in filling up. Simon Clay came in the fall of 1839. The Williams brothers, who founded Williamstown, had their grist mill running in 1842. This township, together with the territory that later constituted Locke, were left unorganized until March 22, 1839, when the two townships together were organized as Phelpstown. When Locke was organized in February, 1842, Williamston retained the name Phelpstown until February 17, I857, when it was changed to its present name by act of the legislature. The first authentic school record is that of the school taught by Miss 38 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Amy Farrand, District No. I, the neucleus of the town of Williamston, which was organized April 8, 1845. Locke, comprised of what had been the eastern half of the township of Phelpstown, came into separate existence by the act of the legislature, February I6, 1842. The organization meeting was held at the home of John C. Townsend probably in the spring. David Phelps came into the territory comprising the township in February, 1838. Without trail of any kind and guided through the woods solely by surveyor's marks on the trees he found and settled on section twenty-six. The township was on the wilderness trail over which mail was sent once a week between Howell and Grand Rapids. There is a story preserved of two of the settlers starting off on a honey hunt and coming back with half a barrel full, but in a very bedraggled condition, their buckskin trousers showing the effect of soakings without proper dying afterward. Lansing township, in the extreme northwest corner of the county, was late to fill. As has been told it was originally part of Aurelius township when that township was the entire western half of the county. Next it was part of Alaiedon, when that township was created of the northern half of Aurelius. It came by separate existence February I6, 1842. The land of the township appears to have been early taken up by speculators. Probably more was taken for resale by those who never saw the land than by those who actually settled upon it. The first land entry was recorded in I835. Some land was not taken until as late as I855. The first comers for actual settlement were the Norths, John Jacob Cooley, Coe G. Jones, the Gilkey family, and others. John Jacob Cooley appears to have been the first actual settler. He came in the spring of 1836. He was persuaded to come by Jerry and William Ford, land speculators who had been into the township and laid out "Biddle City." This place is worthy of mention because typical of the real estate enterprise, or attempted enterprise, of the time. There were numerous other such places through the county, "Jefferson City," immediately north of Mason, in Alaiedon township, being another. Some of these places had a bare start, and considerable promotion was expended to make them metropolises of the wilderness. The township was designated as such by the legislature February I6, 1842. The first meeting was held at a big stump near the Cedar river bridge on the Mason road. Credit for naming the township is credited to Joseph E. North, Jr., who named it after his former home in Tompkins county, New York, on the east shore of Seneca lake. The organization meeting was held April 2, 1842. The sum of $200 was appropriated for roads and bridges and other business transacted. In the list of taxpayers of I844 seventeen are listed. Such, in brief, are the circumstances of how the townships filled and became organized. Each has its separate and detailed history, but the foregoing is cited merely to afford a quick glance at the way development came in the county. Another manifestation, showing how civil government was de INGHAM COUNTY 39 veloped in the midst of a complete wilderness, was the coming of the roads. The organization of the townships was brought about quite largely that the matter of road building should be begun in a legal and regular way. There seems to have been realization almost from the first that regular surveyed roads were a prime necessity. For a long time, of course, the settlers followed the old Indian trails, but it is a commentary on their ideals that as soon as the roads became at all practically passable the trails were abandoned for them. Without attempting to be minutely accurate just here, but merely indicating the development of the road system in a general way, it may be said that some of the main arteries of travel followed the natural ways of ingress and egress of the county. It happens, too, that these ways were the Indian ways, but this is not in contradiction to the statement that the settlers abandoned Indian ways for regular ways as soon as possible. For instance, what is known as the Grand river'road is a civilized Indian trail. That there was long a way through the northern part of the county, before the coming of the settlers, is well known. There was also a well defined way southward from Mason. The way into the county from the southeast corner soon became a favorite way. It followed a natural height of land between the Red Cedar to the north and more southerly tributaries to the Grand river. The Shiawassee road, so called, running north from Mason, but bearing easterly, was another early road of importance. The road passing northward through Bunkerhill, Dansville and Williamston, and so on to Shiawassee county is still another old road. Still further east the road leading directly north from Stockbridge and striking the Grand river road just west of Webberville is another old road. Westward from Leslie into Eaton county ran another important early highway. More specifically indicating how early the settlers turned to the thought of road building is the record of actual, official proceedings in the townships. The dates at which these official actions were taken are significant. For Meridian township there is record of the laying out of Shiawassee road as early as October 5, I839. In LeRoy township the earliest road record is that concerning Peck road, the date being May 3, I838. There is mention of the continuation of Dana road in I839. Other roads were surveyed in 1848, 1859, and as late as I86I. In Delhi township the earliest road record appears to be May 19, I838. Next is mention of the Little Rapids to Mason road, July 3, T839. A town line road is mentioned as of June 12, 1844. The "Michigan" (Lansing) to Mason road through this township was ordered located as early as 1845, but record of the survey is May, 1848. The Lansing to Marshall road bears date of 1848. Ingham township was among the early road builders. There is date of October, 1838, concerning West Carr road. There is some evidence that the road east and west along the Red Cedar river is meant by this road. There is record of Park road under date of June, I848. The Rathburn road is mentioned under date of June, 1838. Another road of 40 HISTORIC MICHIGAN that same year is Putnam road, in August. The Geer, Whipple, Pettit and Hendee roads date from midsummer to midwinter, I839. There were other roads in 1841. In White Oak township the early road record is that concerning McKernan road, September 5, I838. Leslie, being one of the first townships to fill, was, of course, an early road builder. There is date concerning the state road, Mason to Jackson, as early as December 7, I838. But, earlier still, is date of survey of the Bellevue road, extending westward into Eaton county, in I837. There is date concerning Meeker road, December 28, I837. Dairy road, Ives road and Gardner road have various dates in I838. Some five roads are associated with early dates in Vevay township. There is date of Parker road, May 12, I838; Smith road, May 3, I838; Hawley road, March 5, 1838; State road, June 27, 1839, and Mill road, April 30, I847. Ingham Center road is an early road in Meridian township. That date is April, 1838. There is mention of a state road with the date of June, I839. The mention of Cleveland road goes with the date of October 5, I839, and under date of 1842 there is mention of the State road, Mason to Owosso. Without date, but manifestly early is mention of what is now known as Grand river highway under designation as the "Military road." The war department at one time undertook some road development in the state as a matter of strategic necessity in case of war. Though well to the north and west, Alaiedon township was active early with its roads. The Strickland road is associated with April 27. 1838. Phillips road is of May 14, the same year. Reynolds road bears date of July 5, I839. The foregoing list of roads and the dates associated with them are by no means complete. Not all the townships are mentioned in the list and much less all the roads, but the list as it stands indicates as was the intention in submitting it, how early the settlers, after arriving in the county, undertook matters of public import. It is evident they thought not of themselves as squatters. They were empire builders from the day their wagons stopped on their claims in the new county. Location of the county seat and the establishment of county government were other accomplishments, done in an orderly way, which well indicated the temper of the men who performed the acts. One gets the notion that here were men building for permanence. There was no evidence on the part of those who did the more consequential work, at least, that they had come upon hard circumstances to exploit virgin riches for a spell and then return to more salubrious conditions. Right from the outset the men and women of Ingham were home builders. What they did in the way of erecting government was apparently primarily done that homes and property might be more secure. Safe guarding of life and property rights was with them not a theoretical but a highly practical and first hand consideration. Boundaries of the county and the name, as has been stated, were provided by the territorial legislature. The empty shell was set up, so to speak, but the act providing for the organization of the county INGHAM COUNTY 41 was an early consideration of the state legislature, following admission. It was on April 5, 1838, that the governor approved the act in behalf of Ingham county, which designated the first Monday in June, following, as the day when the electors should meet and elect all the usual county officers. The act read that the election was to be conducted and held in the manner prescribed by law for holding elections for county and state officers. The word, and the phrase and high sound of the law was always symbol of its majesty even in the rude depths of the wilderness. Due process seems always to have been observed so far as circumstances would allow. The electors of Ingham did meet as the law prescribed and the electio'n was duly held. Those elected were Richard R. Lowe, sheriff; Valorous Meeker, clerk; Hiram H. Smith, treasurer; Minos McRoberts, register of deeds; Peter Linderman, judge of probate; Griffin Paddock, circuit court commissioner, and Anson Jackson, surveyor. The three coroners were Horatio N. Forbes, James Phillips and Henry Wood. The county commissioners, who acted in a capacity similar to that of the present day board of supervisors, were Peter Linderman, Jacob Loomis and Henry Lee. To name these men would not be highly significant were it not that the knowledge that remains of them indicates that their choice by the voters was significant of those times. Richard R. Lowe, the sheriff, was of the Lowe family that settled in the north of Stockbridge township. The family gave significance to that region which has remained until this day. They were the first settlers in their part of the county. No personal description of Richard R. Lowe has come down out of the past, but it is reasonable to believe that he was a powerful man not alone commanding the respect of people of the county but filling their imagination as a man eminently fitted to be sheriff in a day when physical prowess must have counted heavily. Valorous Meeker was another man whose name persists in the affairs of the county because of his worth and service. The name of Hiram H. Smith affords an outstanding example of discernment on the part of the early settlers. Smith won a place of eminence in the field of enterprise and finance, both at Lansing and at Jackson. There must have been that about him which indicated his capacity and bent to the voters. Minos McRoberts, though educated in medicine, nevertheless appears to have been fitted for public duty as the first register of deeds. It was McRoberts who copied from the Jackson county records those entries which pertained to Ingham. Peter Linderman, the first judge of probate, was a justice in his own township as well and also one of the county commissioners who served i'n lieu of a board of supervisors. He appears to have been one of those men to whom neighbors instinctively looked for leadership. Whether he had some knowledge of law does not appear, but, in any event, he married couples and led in matters of the law with equal felicity. Anson Jackson, the first surveyor, is another name that has persisted. There is plenty of evidence that there were too many who denominated themselves surveyors and took money for work never 42 HISTORIC MICHIGAN performed, but the work of Jackson has stood the test of time. So it is quite apparent that the early pioneers were practical in their politics in the best sense of the term. Politics for politics sake did not interest them. They elevated men to office whom they believed possessed capability to perform the work required of them. Time confirmed the judgment of those voters of the first Monday in June, 1838. The ordered industry of the early comers must have been prodigious. It was equal to their venturesome hardihood. Census figures and tables, ordinarily are far from being attractive or understandable, become in quite a degree, vividly illuminating, when considered for early Ingham. The census of I840 was, of course, the first to include data concerning the county. As has been told, there was hardly a white person in the county in I836, yet the census of I840 reports I8,923 bushels of corn, 24,951 bushels of potatoes, 23,I27 bushels of wheat, and 10,147 bushels of oats. Of horses there were 112, cattle 2,516 head, and 172 sheep. Surely, to make this showing in less than four years in a land that had been a virgin wilderness, is an accomplishment that goes quite beyond words. These figures paint the daily life of those times as no rhetorical flourish can. The progress of the next decade is almost equally illuminating. By I850 there were 991 farms i'n the county. The improvements were valued at $I,041,452. The improved acreage of the county is listed at 39,IIO acres. This means that considerably more than the number of acres in a township had been redeemed from the wilderness. Where there were 112 horses in I840, there were 8II in I850. The number of swine did not appear in the census of I840, yet by I850 there were 4,I32. Of corn there was 94,72I bushels in 1850, of wheat there were 88,597 bushels, and of potatoes there were 60,572 bushels. How road building, the accurate location of the bounds of property and the establishment of schools were early insisted upon has already been told. Great as the strenuous industry of the people of early Ingham is indicated to have been, they were willing to take time for co-operative endeavor. Among such people it is natural to expect that religious enterprises had an early start. The records do not belie expectation. It is held as certain that there were religious observances, other than personal devotions, in Stockbridge township as early as I837. The date is less certain for the southwestern part of the county, but it is stated that there was a religious meeting held at Mason as early as 1839, and possibly as early as 1837. The meetings in Stockbridge township were held in settlers' cabins, and in one instance, at least, in the barn of C. S. Procter. Indeed, this practice was no innovation. It was the expected practice to keep open house for the circuit rider and those who came to hear him. Mention is made of Ingham county being attached to the Dexter circuit of the Methodist church organization. So satisfactory appears to have been the way of meeting that it was not until later than might otherwise have been expected before churches or INGHAM COUNTY 43 "meeting houses" were built. The Methodists and Baptists appear to have taken the lead in religious work. Rev. H. T. Fero was an indefatigable Baptist worker and record of his services appears in the records of nearly all the townships of the county. The Baptist actually organized at Mason as early as August, 1839. Formal church meeting was held at Leslie in the same year. Rev. William Finch preached at the log house of William Webb, Sr., as early as 1841. The "boy preacher," Rev. Franklin Blades, was heard by Methodists in Meridian township as early as 1840. A Baptist church was organized at Williamston, June 4, 1841. LeRoy township was another locality with early recognition of matters religious. The above dates are not meant as absolute markers of the advent of religious teachings in the county. They merely stand for such events as were made matters of record. It is easy to believe that the Christian religion came into the county with the advent of white settlers. While Methodists and Baptists early vied for leadership they were by no means left unsupported. Presbyterians were among the early comers, and in some sections the Roman Catholics made community settlements. It is not improbable that the early French missionaries traversed Ingham county during the French control of Michigan, but they left no enduring monument of their presence, so far as known. However, as stated earlier in the chapter, there is some reason to think there were baptised Indians among the Indians of Ingham county. So it was, keeping to the homely ways of the most fatiguing industry; to the tried and practical in statecraft; to the unquenchable insistence on public education; to the regular and sanctioned and lawfortified ownership of private property; to that enterprise and cooperation instanced by public roads and highways; and not forgetting religion and morality as the sound basis of an enduring private and public life, the pioneers came to Ingham. With these conceptions as basis they went forward through the first two uneventful decades of redeeming the wilderness. Then came a stress that tried their souls and their patriotism. Less seasoned people in the practical worth of orderly government might have forgotten their flag in the loneliness of their wilderness home; but it was not so with the pioneer men and women of Ingham county. Think what had been the cost of the wealth they poured out when, in Civil war days, they voted on themselves a tax of a total of $9o,0oo to care for the wives and children, widows and orphans of the men at the front. With the war past, with railroads coming in, the capital surely established at Lansing and the ways of civilization gaining more and more, Ingham county emerged from the wilderness into the beginnings of such a community as we know and see about us today. The years of the '70's and '8o's still seem crude, as measured by the standards of today, and to those just emerging from childhood, those years seem almost as far removed as does 1840 and 1850, but the evidence seems to be that the first two decades saw Ingham county well on its way out of the woods. 44 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Such is the picture of the beginnings of Ingham county. There has been no effort in this introductory chapter to give great attention to detail in laying this background of history in a hasty way. The purpose of this chapter has been merely to sketch in the larger outlines as affording means whereby to guage the relationship of men and events as they shall be told in other chapters in a more detailed way. CHAPTER II INGHAM COUNTY HI-STORY The original inhabitants of Ingham county were Indians. How long a period the red race had occupied it is hard to decide. This race left no written records or monuments except a few burial mounds. They built no permanent dwellings, cultivated only a few patches of ground along the rivers and lakes within its boundaries. They depended upon the forests and streams for food, clothing and shelter. The few plats of ground, cleared by the squaws of small timber and brush, were planted with corn, beans and pumpkins. The fertile bottom lands of the forest furnished them edible roots for vegetables and salads during the growing season. The oak groves and hickory ridges with the beech and hazel furnished them with edible nuts that took the place of bread. From the woods or fertile bottom lands the squaws gathered the wild plum, crab apple, black cherry and wild grape, while the swamps and wet grounds furnished the high and low bush huckleberry and cranberry. In openings of burnt-over places the blackberry and raspberry flourished and produced berries in abundance. These wild fruits and berries were the medium of exchange between early white settlers and Indians. For sugar the red race depended upon the maple and birch. We can trace back to the Pilgrim Fathers the roast turkey and cranberry sauce. Let us go back further and we might find that Indian cooks taught the Puritans how to prepare wild fruits and use them with roasted game. The use of acorns and other edible nuts by original inhabitants of England as bread is authenticated by her historians. INDIAN GRANARIES AND STORE HOUSES The Indians of this county dug caves in the high sandy banks of rivers near their planting grounds and in the fall of the year squaws stored them with dried venison, corn and nuts to last during the winter or from one planting or hunting season to another. These caves were lined with bark to keep them dry and the entrance was concealed by some natural object to keep out wolves and other wild animals and also Indian poachers and thieves. In the high sand banks on the Red Cedar river between Okemos and Williamston several of these Indian caves have been found. Finding these store houses proves that statements about the improvident Indian are misleading and false. ORIGIN OF RED RACE The origin of the red race in America has been investigated by scientists and ethnologists for years, yet no true solution has been found. A few years ago George Bristol of Mason, this county, dug into a curious mound in Aurelius township. He found some parts of a human skeleton, weapons of war and chase, personal ornaments 46 HISTORIC MICHIGAN made from stone and copper. Several scientists and ethnologists who viewed them said they were the remains and relics of a cave dweller or mound builder who lived in the remote past. Early white settlers in pioneer times were too busy clearing land and building homes to study curious mounds in the woods or in fields already cleared. They did not investigate or open graves of mound builders. From the scant records, as flint arrow heads, skinning stones, etc., which we find along old Indian trails that connected the scattered planting and hunting grounds, we can assume that during Indian occupancy the mound builders hunted in the primeval forests of Ingham county. INDIAN ROUTES OF TRAVEL The Indian traveled by water in a canoe. It was his chief method of travel and transportation. He traveled up Lakes Erie and Huron to mouths of rivers, then up river to its source, then carried his canoe and its contents over land to the source of rivers flowing west or northwest into Lake Michigan. The principal water routes in Ingham county were as follows: First, up Grand river from Lake Michigan to mouth of Red Cedar river, then east to west branch of same, then south to its source in Cedar lake, carry across to lakes in Unadilla township, Livingston county, that are the source of Huron river, then down that river to Lake Erie. Second, up Red Cedar river to mouth of Doan creek, then south to its source near Lowe lake, Stockbridge township, then carry canoes across to lake, down the outlet of same to lakes connected with Huron river. Third, up Grand river and Red Cedar to Sycamore creek, then south to near the source of Huntoon creek, carry to this stream, then down same to Grand river, up same to confluence of Portage river to Portage lake, etc. INDfAN TRAILS The land trails of Indians paralleled the water routes. Away from rivers, to connect their trapping grounds in winter, they established other inland trails which became in time good roads over which traveled the Indian pony and the dog sled. These inland highways of commerce were carefully guarded by the resident Indians. From the flint arrow and spear heads, stone war clubs and stone axe heads or tomahawks, many a bloody battle took place at stategic points on trails between Indian tribes in order to possess the same. The principal inland trail entered the county near the village of Stockbridge. zigzagged northwest through White Oak, Ingham and Vevay townships to Mason and thence west to Grand river in Eaton county. This was used when Michigan was a territory by explorers and fur traders and was called Old Territorial road. Part of this old trail is used today. It crosses the State Highway a short distance south from Millville, White Oak township. In I866 there was an old Indian trail on Mullett farm that connected the planting ground at Red Bridge with Pine lake. Indians used it to travel to Pine and Park lakes, then carry or travel across to headwaters of branches of Saginaw river to Saginaw bay or to the source of the Looking-glass river INGHAM COUNTY 47 and then down that river to Grand river. Parts of the trail that ran parallel to Red Cedar river east and west were utilized for the old Detroit, Lansing and Howell plank road. Another trail ran west from Stockbridge to Lowe lake through Bunkerhill and then to Leslie. The trail from Jackson ran north from Grand river in Onondaga township to Leslie, then to headwaters of Sycamore creek, then by this trail (Sycamore creek) down and across Red Cedar river near its confluence with the Grand, then along the east bank of Grand river to Dewitt, Clinton county. The Indians in laying out these water routes and land trails showed some engineering skill and intuitive knowledge of how to overcome obstacles in their routes of travel. There are no flint quarries in this and adoining counties, so the arrow heads, stone hatchets, pipes, etc., must have come from Indians who inhabited the headwaters of Saginaw and Flint rivers, where they found the raw material to manufacture them. They were great travelers and traders and would go great distances to trade and visit with their friends. INDIAN TRIBE AND CHIEF IN INGHAM COUNTY The first white settlers found a remnant of the Potawatomi tribe in this county. This tribe occupied the southwestern part of the lower peninsula and had spread eastward nearly to Lake St. Clair and Detroit river. Before I800 this tribe and the Chippewas, or Ojibwas, controlled southern Michigan to Lake St. Clair and Detroit river. In fact they and the Chippewas or Ojibwas occupied the whole of the lower peninsula. Wars between bands from Ohio and these tribes as well as the aid they had given Pontiac in his conspiracy and the British General Proctor in his invasion from Canada in the war of 1812 had decimated their numbers, so the first white settlers met only a few stragglers of this once powerful band that roamed over Ingham county. General Lewis Cass, the territorial governor, before I820 had removed to reservations provided them by the United States government west of the Mississippi river, all Indians who fought under the leadership of Tecumseh and Proctor. The chief of this small band was Okemos, and the members of it were his family and relatives with one or two white women who at an early age had been adopted by the Okemos family. A short sketch of his life should be interesting. OKEMOS Chief Okemos was born in Shiawassee county, Michigan, in I775. His father's camp at that time was on the banks of the Shiawassee river at a point where today the Grand Trunk railroad crosses the river into Vernon township. Some years ago there was a small railroad station, named Knagg's Station. at this place. Okemos' forebears during the rule of the French in the Northwest Territory were subjects of Louis the Fourteenth. When the treaty of 1763 closed the French and Indian war in the Northwest Territory, all the Indians became British subjects. Chief Okemos, born in 1775, was a ward of England and its government, and was always true to that govern 48 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ment. He served in the British army under Pontiac during his conspiracy, and for his bravery during this war was made a chief and received his title, Little Chief, or Okemos. Okemaw means chief in Indian language, but as he was undersized he was called Okemos, i. e., Little Chief. His family name was John. In the war of 1812 he served under Tecumseh. During the war he was sent by this chief with a band of warriors to Ohio Territory to stop the United States advance. The U. S. cavalry who lead the advance charge surrounded Okemos' band and at the battle of Sandusky all his warriors were slain and Okemos and his cousin severely wounded and left for dead on the battlefield. The squaws that were permitted to bury the dead found him and his cousin alive and nursed them to a slow recovery. When he recovered from his wounds he was held prisoner for years by the United States authorities. The territorial governor (Lewis Cass) finally paroled him and sent him and his family to a small Indian reservation in Shiawassee county. The United States government gave him and his family 140 acres of land on the banks of the Grand river in Bangor township, Ionia county, Michigan, and they were transferred to this place. He named this place Me-shim-me-ne-con-ing. He died in a wigwam north of DeWitt, Clinton county, Michigan, in December, I858, aged eighty-three years. His relatives carried his body back to an Indian cemetery in Bangor township, and with the aid of a white neighbor buried him beside his relatives and children. The Ionia chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in September, I921, erected with proper ceremonies a headstone to mark his grave as a great warrior and one of the original pioneers of Ionia and Ingham counties. In October, 1923, the Ingham County Pioneer and Historical Society with the consolidated schools of Meridian township placed a memorial tablet in the new school building to inform the students and the public that their building was located south of Okemos' corn field on the flats of Red Cedar river, also the village was named in honor of this original inhabitant. CHARACTER OF OKEMOS Okemos was a short, thick-set man. His father was a simple hunter and trapper. For this reason Okemos could not become an hereditary chief of his people. In his youth he was ambitious to have this honor conferred upon him so he took all the Indian tests for courage and endurance that was afterwards tried out on many a battlefield. This training gave him an iron constitution that helped him recover from his wounds, and he enjoyed good health in his old age. After he was paroled he was not contented on his farm in Danby township but traveled from one old hunting or planting ground to another from the Grand river to the state of Ohio, always traveling by canoe or over the old Indian trail previously mentioned. He was always entertained by the earlier white settlers along these routes of travel. When he was served firewater he would give them a war dance, show to the curious the scars on his head and shoulder and tell them in broken English how he fought his last great battle at Sandusky. Old battle grounds have a peculiar fascination for warriors of any INGHAM COUNTY 49 race. The participants have a certain longing in their old age to visit them and live for a brief space of time their lives over again. In I88o a grandson of this chief visited the village of Okemos, and was royally entertained by the old pioneers during his visit. One night he was missed, and when questioned later about his absence he said he had camped on the banks of the Red Cedar river on the camping ground of his grandfather. It is an Indian custom or ceremony for the surviving member of an Indian family or tribe to camp on some place of which they had in the past held undisputed possession. Regardless of the season or weather he would sit by a small camp fire, recall from memory pictures of their past greatness and commune with the Great Spirit. The red race in their religious observance are great mystics. They have a mythology as profound as that of Greece or Rome, a mysticism as fascinating as the mysticism of the Orient. Chief Okemos was never converted, but lived and died a pagan. The Indians' faith in the Great Spirit and the future hunting ground was good enough for him. Before he died he requested his relatives and friends to bury him at the Indian cemetery among those who had a similar belief, i. e., the pagan section of the burying ground at Me-shim-me-ne-con-ing. His totem was the bear. STORIES OF OKEMOS He was a great traveler. Even in his old age he wandered from the camp to white settlements. He being a chief, when entertained by white settlers, always wanted to be served in a regal way. He used to visit James Turner, Sr., at North Lansing. Mr. Turner always gave him meals and lodging when he was at home. Okemos always called Mr. Turner "Big Chief Jim". Once he came when Mr. Turner was not at home and his wife had company, and she gave him a lunch at the door, but he refused it with a wave of the hand and a bow, saying "Okemos once a big chief. No be fed out of hand like a papoose." Another time when he applied for a night's lodging Mrs. Turner gave him blankets and told him to go to the barn and sleep on the hay. He declined and said: "Okemos owned all land here. No have to sleep in barn with white man's ponies and cows. Sleep by his own camp fire." He never visited Chief Jim again. Members of the family of J. F. Mullett were well known to Okemos and the younger brothers played with Okemos' grandchildren around the river, and the old red covered bridge. Once the chief came in a room and saw his face in a mirror. He was astonished by his image. With a look of disgust he turned away, muttering in an undertone: "Ugly bad Indian. "Old chief no good." He realized from his reflection in the glass his age and degraded condition. The early white settlers of Ingham county complained about the begging propensities of the Indians. On the advent of white settlers their game preserves were poached upon. So they had to beg food from their enemies or go hungry. When the Indian had abundance of food the white visitor was always asked to partake, he never begged nor paid for his meals. 3-4 5U HISTORIC MICHIGAN CONCLUSION Much has been written that is not authentic about the Indian who occupied this county and about Okemos. Some have taken pleasure in informing their leader of the failing and bad habits of the original settlers of Ingham county. They think and express their thought in the old fallacy that there was no good Indian except a dead Indian. The present historians and ethnologists who are studying this remarkable race find a similarity of government, domestic and social relation, methods in manufacture and art, and modes of warfare that the aboriginal settlers used in Europe. The Indian methods of recording names or keeping the genealogy of the family or race is similar to the methods used by the oriental nations of Asia. These records were painted on domestic pottery, woven into their blankets, painted on the splint of their baskets or fashioned in some article of their dress or personal equipment. These records are a valuable source of information to the historian. CHAPTER III TIMBER-MINERALS-GAME-FISH When the first white settlers came to Ingham county the ground was covered by a primeval forest. It was not traversed, to any extent, by. large rivers, neither did it have many large lakes. The Grand river enters the county in the southwestern corner, flows northeast for a short distance, then west across the line into Eaton county to reenter the county near the southwestern corner of Lansing township, flowing northeast to the center of the township, thence north through section sixteen, then leaving the county at the northwestern corner of Lansing township. The whole course of Grand river in Ingham county is less than twenty miles. This river was used by the earlier settlers to travel from Jackson and to transport building and other supplies to their settlements and farms in the western part of the county. Materials for the first houses built in Lansing and supplies for the workmen were transported over this route. After the dam was built at Eaton Rapids, supplies from Jackson had to be unloaded and carried past this obstruction, the scows or boats were shot over the dam in high water or carried around when the water was too low to make the passage. The Red Cedar river and its branches were not used to any extent by the earlier settlers for the transportation of freight or travel. From the course of the branches of this last named river from their sources in the interior, we find the highest elevation in the four southeastern townships, namely, Ingham, Whiteoak, Bunkerhill and Stockbridge. The highest elevation is 995 feet above sea level. From this elevation the surface slopes gradually to the north, south, east and west. The waters from rains and lakes on the north and west slope find their way through the rivers of the Grand and Cedar and its branches to Lake Michigan, while all waters from sources above mentioned on the east and south slope find their way by a chain of lakes and rivers, especially the Huron river, to Lake Erie. From the above facts we can say that Ingham county being a central county is also the great watershed of the lower peninsula. There are two curious ridges or hogbacks in the county. These ridges or hogbacks extend from northeast to the southwest. They disappear and reappear. They are composed of large bodies or beds of sand, gravel and small round stones. The one in the western part extends through the township of Meridian, southeastern corner of Lansing, through the center of Delhi and Onondaga. The eastern ridge enters the county in the southeastern part of Leroy township, extends through Whiteoak and Stockbridge and over into Jackson county. This western ridge was used extensively by the Indians as a trail. Today the present highway from Lansing to Mason is built on this elevation and the ridge itself has furnished material for railroad beds and gravel roads for the past fifty years. The eastern ridge has been a source of income to the farmers in the section where 52 HISTORIC MICHIGAN it is located. As no. accurate account has been kept, it is difficult to estimate how valuable this resource has been to the farmers during the past twenty years. The geological formation of these ridges as studied by the geologist are found to be morains of the glacial period. This is confirmed by the boulders or rocks distributed in strips in Williamston and Locke townships. The soil of Ingham county is diversified but fertile. Along the rivers and other streams it is a heavy loam enriched by a vegetable humus which produces today. by careful cultivation and rotation, as abundantly as it did fifty years ago. On the uplands there is a mixture of soils from the light sandy loam to heavy clay suitable for brick. In some sections we can find all these varieties of soil on a mile square. In the southwestern part of Onondaga township we find the primeval forest, estecially along the Grand river, broken by small open places or plains. These plains or open places were called in the early times Montgomery plains. They were a great inducement to the earlier settlers who wanted a farm in the open and not the dense woods. The marshes in the central and southern part of the county that the early settlers thought were only the abode of the fur-bearing animals and the rattlesnake were either covered with tamarack or spruce or peat bogs that will be utilized some day for fuel. The open marshes (hay marshes) covered by coarse grass were utilized by the earlier settlers for hay and pasture for their stock. It is interesting to know that we find in these old hay marshes the remains of beaver dams. This industrious wild animal, after building the dam, used all the timber on the flooded area for food. In fact it prepared the meadows for the white settlers. We can remember when the ground now used by the State Reform School as a celery and vegetable garden was a shallow grassy lake and its only value the muskrat hides that Ike Vanduser, son of the man who kept the old toll gate on the plank road. trapped every winter. TIMBER The forests of Ingham county contained all species of timber with the hard woods predominating. There were no nine except a few around Pine lake and the lake was named accordingly. The timber in the marshes and wet lands were elm, tamarack. ash and spruce. Along the Red Cedar river there were a few red cedar that gave the stream its name. In the north and west part of the county different species of oak, some of maple, beech, elm, basswood. black walnut, white wood, hickory, sycamore, dogwood, different species of ash, ironwood, black cherry. cottonwood. poplar, different kinds of hazel, black haw bushes. with some black gum and red gum in wet places. In the south and east part of the county the principal timber was oak that grew in more open places. called by the earlier settlers oak openings. In the east and northeast part, especially north of the Cedar river in the townships of Locke and Leroy, we find this timber very abundant. Oak timber was one of the most valuable assets of the forests of Ingham county. When the lumberman commenced to realize upon this resource they said Ingham county INGHAM COUNTY 53 produced the finest qualities and the greatest quantities of oak of any county in the state of Michigan. It would be difficult to estimate correctly the number of feet of board measure that the forests of Ingham county produced. Estimators of standing timber sent by the manufacturing firms today to estimate the few remaining belts of timber can give us some idea of the oak that grew in the county. We have some of these estimates today. They vary from four to eight million square feet. The last figure we think is a small estimate. In lumbering any timber there is a loss estimated to be 50 per cent in manufacturing the same. We have no data on the whitewood, black cherry, and black walnut that was lumbered by the first white settlers. Even these valuable woods brought a low price, four to six dollars per thousand, after being converted into lumber drawn by oxen or horses to Jackson, Dexter or Chelsea. Sometimes they received their pay in the wild cat currency that had no fixed value as legal tender. The value of this oak timber will be estimated under the head of the pioneer lumber industry. In 1872 the writer had an interesting conversation or discussion with Mr. Steward, a botanist who lived near White Dog Corners, Wheatfield township. Asa Gray of Boston and Prof. Beal of M. A. C. engaged him to travel over the woods of Ingham county and make a collection of the different species of oak. When he finished the work he reported twenty-seven different species of this valuable timber growing in Ingham county. Other counties in the state north of Ingham county boasted of their pine-can we not say a good word in the behalf of the oak in Ingham county? We always point with pride to the different oak trees on the campus at the M. A. C. which the founders of that institution carefully conserved for the future generation. When Julius Caesar invaded England he found the original inhabitants worshiping this tree. Their altars were erected and meetings held in oak groves. Their rude dwellings were protected by stockades of oak posts. In their dwellings huge beams were colored a rich brown by the smoke from an open fire of oak logs. The boar's head and other game, when cooked, was served on an oaken platter to guests who sat on an oaken bench around a rudely built oak table. Macaulay, the English historian, in describing the court room where the trial of Warren Hastings took place, said it was paneled with Irish oak. Germany after the Reformation used oak almost exclusively in the interior finish of churches and other public buildings. The early pioneers of Ingham county used the oak in describing the mind and character of their neighbors. Such a man had a heart of oak. Another was as strong, his muscles as hard as seasoned oak. A crabbed disposition was designated as bitter as a decoction of black oak bark. When the Republican party was formed in I856 the first meeting was held in an oak grove in the suburbs of the village of Jackson, Michigan. The speaker and organizer of that political party stood under the spreading branches of a large oak while he made his patriotic appeal to the people. With such an environment we can say that it gave to founders and members of that party courage and strength to fight and win in the Civil war. 54 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Andrew Jackson, the Democratic president, was called "Old Hickory" from his rough, unpolished exterior and his unbending will. When public opinion did bend him he was a bow that shot the arrow, "The Union must be maintained at whatever cost," into the ranks of anti-unionists in one of the southern states. The use of oak in manufacturing will be mentioned under early lumbering. The next important wood is the maple. It was found in most all the townships, but the largest groves were in Vevay township. Maple sugar in an early day was a staple product. It was used to pay taxes, buy groceries and, before postage stamps were used, to pay carriage on letters. In 1863 the production of this staple was I90,514 pounds. The population at that time was I7.456 or ten pounds to each person. The value of sugar today would, at 25 cents per pound, be $2.50 per person. The use of this wood for manufacturing purposes will come later under manufactures. Wood used for fire wood could be estimated as follows: Acres of woodland 358,840, thirty solid cords per acre, or a total of I,076,520,900 cords. MINERALS Pioneer settlers found outcrops of mineral coal along the Red Cedar river at Williamston, Sycamore creek near Mason, and in the banks of Grand river in Onondaga township. Early blacksmiths used it and found it of good quality. Since the forests have been cleared away geologists and others have explored areas in above mentioned places and find veins varying in thickness from three to eight feet, forty to five hundred feet below the surface. A pioneer settler, Mr. Adam Strayer, who lived in Meridian township, burnt bog lime in pits for his neighbors. When manufacturers in Eaton county commenced to burn on a large scale he was forced out of the market. Explorers can find these old pits on Red Cedar river near the boiler house built a short time ago for the Female Reformatory east of Lansing. In most all the townships we find clay for brick and tile. There are extensive beds of fire clay at Williamston and near Mason. No iron, except traces in mineral water, is found. There are some statements of finding pieces of drift-copper but they are not reliable. GAME The woods, marshes and waters of Ingham county were to early hunters a paradise. All kinds of game inhabitating the north temperate zone were found within its boundaries. In the bogs and marshes of this county ditches have dug up specimen fossils of mastodons for the museum of M. A. C. These show that in prehistoric times remains of those animals were carried by glaciers into Ingham county. There were numerous bands of elk which the Indians hunted for food. In almost all the marshes we find well-preserved horns of this animal. At the time the white settlers came, elk had become extinct, and we have no record of any being killed by early settlers. Deer were found in abundance. The habits of this wild animal were similar to the domestic animals. They formed paths or trails in the-forest which INGHAM COUNTY 55 connected one feeding ground or drinking place with another. The aboriginal and white hunter captured or killed this animal at above mentioned places. These deer trails were so marked that the early land explorers utilized them for travel or, when lost, to find their way to Grand or Cedar river. Venison either fresh or preserved was the meat of our fathers. It, like the maple sugar, was a staple and extensively used in exchange between Indians and pioneers. Judge Shirias of the United States supreme court has hunted this graceful animal in its native haunts in the upper peninsula of Michigan. His weapon has been the flashlight camera. These beautiful photographs are hung upon the walls of hunting lodges. The artists have depicted the deer's graceful outlines on the seal of the state. The totem of Okemos' tribe was the bear. For this reason they never killed it or used it for food except in extreme hunger. It was sacred. Bears were so numerous that they were troublesome to white settlers. In the early pioneer meetings of Ingham county there was always some gray-headed member who could spice the discussions with a bear story. A huckleberry swamp near Mason was the bears' favorite feeding ground and was designated Bear Swamp. The greatest bear hunter of Ingham county was Uncle Jerry Kent, an early settler of Wheatfield township. His hunting exploits if collected and published would be interesting to all. His stories of this animal became, in his old age, a habit so fixed that when called to give testimony in court he could only remember an incident by connecting it with some bear hunt. The last bear hunt took place in the fall of I866. Fires in woods and swamps of Shiawassee county drove them out and they had to migrate to this county. During the brief period of this migration bands of hunters had glorious sport but not much success, as they had no training, were not acquainted with the habits of this animal and their dogs would not tree or stay by their game when treed. The bear is not a carnivorous animal but during early exploration and settlement he acquired a taste for fresh pork that was destructive to the settler's hogs. When hungry he would steal a promising shoat from the hog pen. Pioneer history of the county has some interesting stories of how a stalwart female with fire and an old fashioned fire shovel drove off these thieves from her pig pens. The wolves who inhabited the thick woods of the county were very troublesome to young men and farmers in early times. Many a young man was chased by wolves on his return trip from seeing his sweetheart. He could tell his girl at the next visit how his speeding and tree climbing skill had saved his life. The wolves were finally driven out and almost exterminated by increasing the bounty, and the judicious use of fire and smoke made them migrate to other sections. A wolf is afraid of fire and does not like the smell of smoke. We will have to relate two stories about wolves to show how the pioneer feared this nightly marauder. In 1842 a young man, drawing logs on an ox sled from the woods near Mason to Danforth sawmill in Mason, drove his team through Sycamore creek to let them drink. His attention was arrested by hearing a snarl from the bridge above him He looked and saw that a large gray dog was making the sound 56 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and crouching for a spring. He shouted and threatened the dog away with his long whip. When it had gone he realized that it was a wolf, so returned to the mill and got his gun to protect himself from another attack. An old resident born in Wheatfield township relates the following. When he and his brothers were small his father had to go to Dexter' for flour and groceries. He would, on these trips, be gone nearly a week. When the stock was penned in its rude stable, window shutters secured, the children would let the dog out to call the wolves. The dog would always succeed, but when the wolf pack got near he would scratch on the door, and when let in would crawl under the trundle bed and be quiet until sunrise. This was an exciting pastime and broke the monotony of their lonely residence. There were some lynx and wild cats in Ingham county but never were so numerous as to be troublesome. All the usual fur-bearing animals were found in this county. The Indian trapper had exterminated the beaver, but no farmer boy within the last forty years but has in his youth trapped the muskrat, mink, skunk or occasional otter in marshes or hunted the fox or raccoon. The largest bird among feathered game was the turkey. It was not a migratory bird but remained in certain localities until commercial hunters exterminated it. Its meat is fine grained and when served with wild cranberry sauce made a dish that graced the table of the hunter and the banquet board of the aristocrat. The peacock served on the banquet table of the Roman senator before Christ did not have the gamey flavor of the wild turkey fatted upon wild nuts and other grains from the woods of this county. We have seen flocks of thirty or forty in corn or stubble fields bordering woodlands ill 886-87. The commercial hunters had. before 1874, killed nearly every bird. Hon. J. H. Forester of Red Bridge in 1878 crossed this wild fowl with domestic turkey. When his chicks were half grown they developed their wild nature and fled to the woods. He could never get them back. For one or two seasons this flock of half breeds furnished great sport to young nimrods of Williamston township. The migratory water fowl in an early day raised their young in marshes and lakes of the county. Many pioneer housewives used to point with pride to their feather beds made from the slaughtered wild geese and ducks. Of all migratory birds the wild pigeon was most interesting. During spring months immense flocks darkened the light of the sun. Their rushing wings 'were like the sound of the wind in pine tops. In I86I or I862 this bird nested and raised their young in a dense spruce swamp bordering Pine lake in this county. Hunters from all over the county flocked to this roost and the slaughter was terrific. Pigeon pie and roast squabb did not use all the bags so one-half spoiled. In I870 this beautiful bird suddenly disappeared and has never reappeared. Ornithologists have studied, sportsmen have written articles about the extermination. but the loss has never been made plain; it is a great mystery. Grouse and quail with some prairie chickens were found and hunted in season and out of season with the same ruthlessness as was the turkey until laws have been passed to protect them from the commercial hunters and game hogs. INGHAM COUNTY 57 The migratory singing birds have been classified and described by the late Prof. Cook of M. A. C. In pioneer times there lived at Bell Oak, Locke township, a pioneer doctor named Atkins. He was an enthusiastic ornithologist and botanist. We might designate him the second Audubon or Asa Gray. He roamed the woods and fields all the time he could spare from his patients. The county newspaper published his interesting articles about birds. His descriptions were of the John Burroughs style. He and Prof. Cook published an illustrated and descriptive catalogue of birds of Ingham county and the state. FISH All species of fresh water fish were found in the lakes and streams. By wise legislation they have been propagated and protected. Other species not native have in the past few years been introduced and protected during the growing season. The largest fish of those inhabiting lakes and streams was the muskalounge. The Indian fisherman before the early pioneers placed dams on Cedar and Grand rivers used to spear them in deep holes. We can remember a large one weighing twenty-eight pounds that was speared by local sports near the old Okemos cemetery. CHAPTER IV UNITED STATES SURVEY AND ORGANIZATION When the territorial governor, Lewis Cass, had concluded his treaty with the Indians, purchased their lands and the United States authorities had removed different tribes to lands west of the Mississippi river, he sent woods cruisers and explorers into the interior of the territory to find out how this newly acquired territory could be surveyed, divided and sold to the white settlers. The government surveyors when they arrived found that they had a peninsula bounded by water on east, west. north'; an irregular indented shore or coast line on three sides. They, to establish a starting point, first ran a line north and south through the center of the lower peninsula. This is the starting point in the United States survey and is called the meridian line. Another line was surveyed east and west across this peninsula at its greatest breadth. The last mentioned forms the southern boundary line of Ingham county and is called the base line or range line. Another use of the range or base line is to test or correct the meridian line. Anyone who has studied geometry will recall the theorem. i. e., "When a perpendicular line bisects a horizontal line the angles formed by such bisection are four right angles." The surveyors using the above lines proceeded to lay out the territory in blocks or towns six miles square east and west from the meridian line. These are numbered and described as townships or towns east and west from meridian line, north and south from base or range line. Anyone who has a deed or abstract of land in Lansing township will find it described as follows: Town 4 North of Range 2 West. From the above description we find that Ingham county was mathematically and geographically in the center of the lower peninsula. This fact was the strong argument that located the capital in the woods of Lansing township in 1847. NAME When the territorial commissioners framed the bill to form a county at the intersection of the base and meridian lines they took eight towns north and east of the point of intersection and eight towns north and west of that point, making a square county of sixteen townships. The space in the bill for the name of the new county was blank. Andrew Jackson was president of the United States. To honor him, this space was filled with the name of a member of his cabinet, Samuel D. Ingham, secretary of the treasury. When the bill passed in 1829 it bore his name and was never changed. It is interesting to notice (luring the organization period how many counties in this state were named after President Andrew Jackson, members of his cabinet, governor of the state, and officers who were in the United States service at that time: Jackson county after President Jackson, Calhoun after John C. Calhoun, vice-president; Van INGHAM COUNTY 59 Buren, after Martin VanBuren, secretary of state; Eaton after John C. Eaton, secretary of war; Branch after John Branch, secretary of navy; Berrien after John H. Berrien, attorney general; Barry after Wm. T. Barry, postmaster general; Wayne after General Wayne; St. Clair after General St. Clair, etc. After the county was organized and boundaries established each town was subdivided into mile squares called sections containing 640 acres. The last was subdivided into lots of eighty acres. The surveyor commenced his work in the northeast corner of the township and numbered the sections from this point, west across the township, then east back to starting place. By this method Section 7 would be under Section 6, Section 12 under Section I, etc. Ansel Jackson was the surveyor that did this work. A description of a deed of land would read as follows: Northeast or Southeast or Northeast or Southwest quarter from center of section, section number and town number. Abbreviation for I60 acres S. E. Y4 of Section 14 of Town 4 north, Range 2 east. We have given above a history of the survey of Ingham county to inform the present generation how their forebears located and bought their lands. They had to learn to read surveyor's records, follow an old survey line in thick woods and also be good judges of soil and timber. In this connection we will describe a method used by early land explorers to test the fertility of soils. Soil experts of M. A. C. will smile at its crudeness, but it was tested and found to be correct. A hole was dug to the subsoil, then earth was carefully thrown back into hole. If the removed soil did not fill the hole the ground was fertile and would raise any crop suitable to the climate. To test the subsoil, explorers would examine soil from deep rooted, overturned trees. EARLY WOOD CRUISERS AND EXPLORERS In the years I830-3I after the county was organized and named and the surveys completed there was a large number of explorers and woods cruisers in the woods of Ingham county. They were the advance guard of the settlers. They worked singly or in groups of two or three because they did not want to be questoned or advertise their finding in the land office. They came from Wayne, Washtenaw, Jackson and other counties in the state, northern Ohio, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania and New England states. The majority of these men came from New York. Some came to locate land for themselves, others acted as agents for their neighbors who wished to emigrate to Michigan. Many of these men were wealthy and influential, but could not resist a speculative tendency or land fever to invest their money in timber lands in the new county. The risks of life and property in this land did not stop these speculators. They left the abode of civilization and its environments, hiked over Indian trails, or paddled up creeks and rivers in a canoe, carried their food and tobacco and camping outfit on their backs along a surveyor's line or by pocket compass, slept on the ground, ate half-cooked food, were eaten by mosquitoes and flies by day or were chased by bears and kept awake at night by the wolves in order to play the land game. They were true sportsmen and laughed and joked about difficulties 60 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and never got disheartened. Some ruined their health and others died in after years from diseases contracted in the woods. Frederick Bushnell, a land explorer who located the land and water power at North Lansing in I836, was a victim of exposure ague, went south to recover his strength, but died at his brother's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in I837. Hon. James M. Turner, who explored a lot of timber lands near Tawas in 1872-3, contracted rheumatism and heart complications-pericarditis. He was sent to Clifton Springs, New York, to bring about convalescence and recovery. Land exploring and wood cruising within the past fifty years has grown to be a science. It has been studied by economists, timber and soil experts, for profit, by the medical profession to restore health and strength to their city patients, by sportsmen to conserve game and remaining wild animals. The youth of the county, campfire girls and Boy Scouts during summer months with their Indian costumes and games enjoy the remaining patches of woodland around our lakes and streams. The timber experts and tree lovers can find food for thought and materials for stories in the oak, poplar and other trees. We think that the rustling leaves of the oak tries to tell the true tree lover how in the past their fellows were manufactured into staves for rum and molasses casks for the West Indies, keel and planks of many a vessel that plowed the waters of our lakes, the sills and framework of our freight and passenger cars, solid frames of our dwellings and barns, the oak finish and furniture of our modern homes. The poplar, or quaking aspen, the gipsy among trees that suddenly appears and disappears in waste places and openings, with its noisy foliage tells the woodsman how many tons of pulp can be made into paper to feed the daily press so writers can record their thoughts on its white surface. In conclusion we can add to the 'appeal of White, James Oliver Curwood and other lovers of nature to conserve and enjoy the remaining woodlands, natural objects and game preserves for those who will care for them; ever remembering the dangers and difficulties our forebears encountered to get them for us. CHAPTF R V SETTLEM~ENT OF INGHIAMI CO()'TY We have endeavored to show in the preceding chapter how Gov. Lewis Cass, territorial governor from 1813 to 1831, had by treaties with Indians, exploration and surveys, paved the way for the early settlers. He was a lawyer as well as a soldier, and had a large practice in neighboring states. In the War of 1812 he left his practice to serve his country. This service was rewarded by the general government, and at the close of the war he was appointed territorial governor. His legal experience and courage as a general enabled him to carve out from the Northwest Territory the great state of Michigan. To assist him in the performance of his task the general government in 1787, when the Northwest Territory was formed, framed laws to govern the same. These laws recognized religious freedom, established our free schools, made provision for validity of contracts, and how government and state expenses should be paid, how many states could be formed out of this territory, and lastly permitting no slavery or slave labor, except for penal offense, to be employed. The governor had not only these general acts but framed others to enable him to make explorations and surveys, appoint committees, with approval of the general government to form counties, select county seats, price the wild lands, etc. During Governor Cass's administration all the counties in the south part of the state were formed and opened for settlers. The governor was assisted in this work by Judge A. B. Woodward, who had been judge in the territory before the War of I812. During the occupation of Detroit by the British General Procter, he (1812-I3) was not removed. Procter recognized his courage, scholarship, and judicial ability and his recognition makes a bright spot in his dark, blood-thirsty military career. PIONEER FINANCIERS When a government formed a new state or county it had to finance it. In order to do this it had to sell land. Wild or uninhabited land is classified under three heads as farm, stone and timber, and mineral lands; also valued per acre according to producing qualities, number of thousand feet of timber it will cut, or tons of mineral that can be mined. The purchaser after locating his land had to estimate cost of clearing land to raise grain, fruits, vegetables and stock, also the cost of furnishing water power or steam to manufacture lumber, and the market price of minerals when mined. Another factor was that of transportation of farm products, lumber, and mine products to the nearest market. In doing this, pioneer financiers used the four rules in arithmetic and common sense instead of modern psychology in transacting business. 62 HISTORIC MICHIGAN FIRST PURCHASERS On November 9, 1832, Erie Pierce of Farmington, Oakland county, this state, entered for purchase the southwest quarter of Section 2I, Town 4 north, Range I west. This was, in the thick woods on Red Cedar river, the only open space, an Indian planting ground used by Okemos. Pierce saw the possibilities of a dam to furnish power and water to get logs to mill and also during spring floods to raft his lumber down Cedar and Grand rivers to the Grand Rapids market. THE YEAR I832 This first purchase was the site of the village of Okemos. The land was afterwards sold, and Freeman Bray built a dam across the river and erected a sawmill. Later Mr. Walker, a pioneer merchant and postmaster of Okemos, built a gristmill on this site. These mills were run successfully for a number of years, but at the present date (I924) have passed away. Several years ago high water ruined the dam and it has never been repaired, the sawmill was moved away and the gristmill became a ruin. Anyone can find parts of the old dam and foundation of the gristmill, and can trace the course of the mill-race or waste water ditch that was dug across Chief Okemos' corn field. The second purchase was also made in the thick woods of the north part of the county. De Ganno Janes of Wayne county, Michigan, December 7, 1832, bought the southeast quarter of Section 25, T. 4 north of range I west. This was another Okemos planting ground on Red Cedar river located on the John Mullett farm. THE YEAR 1833 Another purchase of timber was made May 5, I833, by Sandford Marsh; southeast quarter of Section 21, Town 4 north of Range I west. This was at Okemos, part of Chief Okemos' farm. Timber was afterward manufactured into lumber at Bray's sawmill. The fourth purchaser was Henry Whitney of Detroit. He bought it for timber and site for water power to manufacture same into lumber. The first was east one-half of northwest quarter of Section 29 and north one-half of Section 33, Town 4 north of Range I east. This was the present village of Williamston. His second purchase was on Red Cedar river in the northwest corner of Leroy township. Description was west one-half of northwest quarter of Section 5, Town 4 north of Range 2 east. These purchases were made May 15 and 21, I833. December 6, I833, Joseph B. and Hiram Putman of Washtenaw county. this state, purchased the north quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 36 and north one-half southeast quarter of Section 35, Town 4 north of Range I east. These lands included water power and mill site at Williamston. These brothers in 1834 cleared a piece of this land and sowed it to oats, but returned to Washtenaw county after they had harvested the same. J. Miles Williams and his brothers came to the same place in I839, settled on same land, built a dam and INGHAM COUNTY 63 erected a sawmill (1840). A few years later a gristmill was erected (1842) and same dam furnished power to grind the wheat and other grains of early pioneers. This dam and gristmill can be seen today (I924). The sawmill did business until 1878 or I879, but now is a ruin on the north side of dam. We can see that the above purchasers invested in timber and mill sites along Red Cedar river which were afterwards sold to mill men who built dams, erected mills, and used water power to run them. They used the rivers and streams during rainy season to transport logs and lumber to the nearest market. Men with capital settled near these mills. bought land, sold logs to the mills and when land was cleared made it then into the fine productive farms we find in the north part of the county today. Also they established the thriving villages of Williamston and Okemos. It would be well to notice that the early financiers and settlers used the Indian trails along the rivers to penetrate the roadless woods; also how the old Detroit, Howell, Lansing plank road followed this trail, cutting off some of its windings and sharp turns, laid oak planks on new formed road beds; how these were replaced by gravel when worn out, how the present highway department by work and engineering skill has eliminated dangerous curves and laid a cement pavement from Lansing to Detroit. The first purchase of land in the south part of the county was made June 24, 1833, by Cyrus Jackson, of Detroit, Wayne county. He bought south one-half of Section I and south one-half of Section 3 in Town I north of Range 2 east (Stockbridge township). This first land was located on an Indian trail that ran northwest through the center of the county (Territorial road), and the second was located on another trail from Lowe lake to the north part of the county, also a branch trail. Richard R. Lowe of Washtenaw county, November 5, 1834, purchased Sections 2 and 3, Stockbridge, on or near aforesaid trail, and near a lake which was named after him. In the same year Peter Cranston and Oliver Booth purchased land on Sections 28 and 29, Onondaga township. As these lands are located in the southeast part of the county, purchasers must have traveled over the Indian trail from Lowe lake southwest to their lands. John Davis of Lima. Washtenaw county, purchased Section 36, Stockbridge township. This last purchase was the most important one in the history of the county. Mr. Davis resold part or all of this section to his son-in-law, David Rodgers. who immediately got together materials for a small house. loaded them on wagons and with ox teams transported it from Lima and erected it on Section 36, Town I north, Range 2 east. He moved his family during the year and became the first permanent white settler in Ingham county living in the first frame house erected in the county. During this year (I834) the north half of the county had one purchaser. Stiles Perry of Washtenaw county bought timber land on Red Cedar river in the southwest corner, Section 32, of Locke township. By doing this he secured transportation by water and privilege to build a dam across the river. 64 HISTORIC MICHIGAN THE YEAR 1835 Herman Lowe purchased land in southern part of White Oak, southeast quarter of southeast quarter, Section 33. Luther Branch of Washtenaw county on June I9, 1835, bought eighty acres in the southern part of Bunkerhill, east one-half of southeast quarter, Section 33. Daniel Dutcher settled in White Oak near Lowe lake in fall of I835. December I9, 1835, Abby Dutcher, first white child in the county, was born. August 3, 1835, Ira N. Blossom and D. Essner of Erie county, New York, I60 acres on Section 33, Wheatfield, west one-half of northwest quarter and west one-half of southwest quarter, Section 33, Town 3 north of Range I east. This was the first purchase we had in this township. September 7, 1835, Silas Holt of Orleans county, New York, purchased eighty acres on Section 36, Ingham township. This was the first in this township. September 23, 1835, the United States land office made the largest sale in Town 4 north of Range 2 west, Lansing township. This was sold to William Townsend of Rochester, New York. Description of lands viz: West half of southwest quarter Section 4. East half of southeast quarter Section 5. North half of northeast quarter Section 8. North half of northwest quarter Section 9. Total-320 Acres. A ll of Section 20................................................................................................T otal 640 A cres N orth half of Section 21...........................................................................T otal 320 A cres T o ta l......................................................................................................................12 8 0 A c re s Mr. Townsend bought this land for timber and farming. He realized that it had great possibilities as it was on the largest river in the county and would be the site of a city in the future. A map was outlined that included his purchase. This map included Sections 8, 9, IO, I5, i6, 17, 20, 21, 22, making a three-mile square. November 3, 1835, Wm. W. Harwood entered the southeast quarter of Section 32, Leslie township. November 20th Charles Thayer of Ann Arbor, west one-half of northwest quarter and east one-half of northwest quarter Section 12, Vevay, with other lands in the same township. This entry was one of the sites selected by the commission in the winter of 1835-36 for county seat of Ingham county. Mr. Thayer went with the commissioners and helped them select it. These commissioners were appointed by Gov. Lewis Cass. They were Washington Wing of Washtenaw county, Mr. Brown of Detroit and Mr. Crawford of Livingston county. This was the legal site of the county seat until I840. It was on the county map for five years, and then the new state legislature changed it from the woods to the settlement on Sycamore creek around Judge Danforth's sawmill. October i2th, Nathaniel Silsbee entered west one-half of Section 6, Aurelius township. December I7th, John Montgomery entered south INGHAM COUNTY 65 west quarter and southeast quarter of Section 31, same township, and this was called the Montgomery Plains. THE YEAR 1836 The settlers and buyers came into the county with a rush in this and the following year (1837). They entered the county from'the south and southeast. Those from New York and New England states traveled west from Detroit over the old Detroit and Chicago Indian trail, or parts of it, to Ann Arbor or Dexter, Michigan. From this point some went west to Jackson, but most of them went by covered wagons to Stockbridge and entered the county at its southeast corner, thence north and west or southwest over the old territorial road. January 28, I836, Charles Noble entered lands on Sections 4 and 5, Vevay township. This was an important entry as it became the site of Mason, the county seat. Judge Danforth entered land on section adjoining this purchase and in 1837 erected a small sawmill. This sawmill was a drawing card. Settlers preferred it to Thayer's site on Section 12, three miles east of the rhill. It grew rapidly while the legal site of the county seat remained a wilderness. February I9, 1836 or I837, Daniel Goodwin entered west one-half, northwest quarter, Section I8, Alaiedon township. April 12, 1836, Spencer Markham entered southwest quarter of Section 32, Delhi. Hiram H. Smith, a pioneer merchant of Mason and Lansing, settled in the woods of Ingham township and Judge P. Danforth at Mason. These men came from the state of New York and they were instrumental in developing the county seat, locating the Capital at Lansing, and building plank roads and railroads from it to different parts of the state. Another important entry was made by Frederick Bushnell and James Seymour of Rochester, New York. Bushnell bought the southeast quarter of Section 9, Town 4 north, Range 2 west (Lansing township). Mr. Seymour's lands were Sections 15 and 17. These lands were within the boundaries of William Townsend's paper city. Mr. Bushnell went south in the winter of I836-37 and died at his brother's, in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In that year (1837) Mr. Seymour bought out his heirs and obtained possession in I839. In 1846 he platted North Lansing and named the city Michigamme. This was the beginning of our Capital city in the woods. In the same year (1837) the first township was organized in the county. Stockbridge had the first white settler so it had the first organization. By act of March 26, 1836, it was organized, and the first election held April 3, I837. For some time, this being the only township and having no county organization, it was attached to Jackson county. The years 1836 and 1837 were important years in the state and Ingham county. Michigan was changed from a territory to a state. In Ingham county the townships that had sufficient votes or actual settlers were by act of March 3, 1837, organized to form a nucleus of the county. Aurelius was formed as a separate township. It was a large township comprising all towns west of the meridian line. 3-5 66 HISTORIC MICHIGAN The first preliminary meeting was held at Elijah Woodworth's. By the same act the township of Ingham was organized. This was also a large township. Its territory was Towns 2 and 3 north of Range I east, and Towns 2 and 3 north of Range 2 east. First meeting was held at Caleb Carr's. Leslie township was organized by act of the state legislature December 30, I837. The work of organizing townships continued in 1838. Onondaga, Town I north of Range 2 west, was formed March 6, 1838. Vevay was organized this year about the Ist of April. The first meeting was held in the public house in Danforth's settlement. Alaiedon, containing four northwestern townships (Lansing, Meridian, Delhi, and Alaiedon) was organized March 13, 1838. In organizing this township they got elections mixed with the township of Aurelius by holding both elections in the "City of Jefferson", which as previously stated was on Alaiedon territory. These two elections were ma:le valid by special act of the state legislature in March, 1839. First County Election.-The state legislature on April 5, 1838, passed an act to form a government in the newly organized county of Ingham. The townships to hold elections were Leslie, Aurelius, Vevay, Alaiedon, Stockbridge, Ingham, and Onondaga. Seven townships out of sixteen voted for county officers. The first election was held at Hiram Parker's in Ingham township. Mr. Parker had settled four miles east of the present city of Mason on or near the old territorial road. The population of the county at the first election was 800 inhabitants, and the number of votes cast 159. Officers elected were: Sheriff, Richard R. Lowe; clerk, Valorus Meeker; register, Dr. Minos McRobert; associate judges, Amos E. Steel and E. B. Danforth; judge of probate, Peter Luiderman; county surveyor, Anson Jackson; coroners, Horatio N. Forbes and James Phelps. This election was only preliminary to the general election in November, 1838, at which election the voters had increased so that 260 votes were cast. At this election long-term officers were elected and some of the short-term officers were not re-elected, viz: Sheriff, Amaziah Mitchell; clerk, Peter Lowe; treasurer, Hiram H. Smith; register, Dr. Minos McRobert; associate justice, Amos E. Steel; judge of probate, Valorus Meeker; surveyor, Anson Jackson; county commissioners, Linderman, Loomis and Lee; and representative in state legislature, Kingsley S. Bingham. At the first session of the board of supervisors October 22, 1838, a wolf bounty of $2.50 was passed, and a resolution to make the county seat at Mason permanent so that in the near future buildings could be erected, etc. New townships added to the county in I839 after the government was formed were Bunkerhill, March 2I, and Phelpstown, embracing Locke and Williamston, March 22. First assessment of property in county was taken in I839. Total amount of property values was $867,700. County tax was $2,600, the per cent of tax being not quite three mills per dollar. This shows that the new settlers were prospering. At $I.25 per acre the United States government valuation INGHAM COUNTY 67 had been $460,000, but in 1839, seven years later, it had nearly doubled in value. The work of organizing townships was continued in I840 and I84I. Leroy was taken from territory of Brutus and made a separate township March 19, 1840, and Wheatfield, March 20, 1841. By doing this, the name Brutus was lost. Another important change was made in 1840. By act of legislature the village of Mason was made the county seat or capital of Ingham cou'nty (Act of March 6, 1840) an old site chosen by territorial commissioner in 1836 and 1837 on Sections I and 12, Vevay township, vacated. The population had increased so fast that when supervisors took assessment and census in 1840 it had 2,498 inhabitants. February I6, 1842, the townships of Lansing, Meridian and Delhi were formed out of the large township of Alaidon or Towns 4 north of Range 2 west, 4 north of Range I west, and 3 north of Range 2 west. These completed the sixteen townships. The names of the different townships were given them by early settlers and are the same today (I924) with one exception, Phelpstown was changed to Williamston in honor of the Williams brothers, who were the first settlers, built the dam, and erected a saw and gristmill. This change was made in 1857 by act of the state legislature. The next thing after formation of county and township governments was to erect a building at Mason to house the records of the county and hold county meetings and court proceedings. December 28, 1842, the board of supervisors met and passed a resolution to appropriate $8oo00 to build a court house, said appropriation to consist of $200 real estate and $600 of state bonds. A building committee was appointed and a resolution governing their actions was passed. This last reads as follows: "Resolved, That the committee appointed to receive proposals and make a contract for building a court house be instructed that if they cannot let the job for $800 or less, of twenty-eight feet by thirty-four, with eighteen-foot posts, that they make a proposal and contract for a house as large as can be built for eight hundred dollars." Committee: Dr. Minos McRoberts, Pete Linderman, George Mathews, Benjamin Davis, and Samuel Seadan. This resolution warned the committee to keep within the appropriation and barred out all extra costs, or as contractors say today extra costs plus. During this year a newspaper was started in the village of Mason called the Ingham Telegraph. It was edited by and published by M. A. Childs, who issued the first number in April, I842. It was neutral in politics and for that reason expected to publish delinquent tax lists, but a Democratic treasurer of the county, elected in the fall of 1842, refused to let Mr. Childs publish them. Mr. Childs afterwards moved his printing establishment to DeWitt, Clinton county. Mr. Childs had some of his Democratic friends establish a Democratic paper that published tax lists until the general election in I844, and then an act was passed giving county treasurers authority to publish lists or have them published, but the treasurer elected in i844 was a staunch Whig, so a Whig newspaper called the Herald was started by purchasing the Democratic press and changing its name. 68 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Another important event took place this year (1842). James Seymore sold, in 1841, his mill site on Grand river, that he had purchased of the heir of Frederick Bushnell in 1839, to a fellow townsman in Rochester, New York. This man was a lawyer and wanted to come west, and as an inducement he, Seymore, sold it on time, the price for Io9 acres being $548. Burchard borrowed money of Mr. Seymbre to build a dam and dig a race, and when it was finished he owed Seymore $I,398. Burchard moved to Mason and his family resided there until he could clear a place and build a cabin in the dense woods of the city of Lansing. This was the first house built in the city and was built in 1841. He moved his family there and commenced the dam, finishing it in I843. In June the dam was injured by a freshet and part carried away. Mr. Burchard, in repairing a break in the dam, was drowned. He was the first white settler in the city, and had no neighbors except Mr. North and Mr. Cooley in the south and west part of Lansing township. After organizing the county government, all advancement for a few years seemed to center at the county seat. The building committee purchased lots 3 and 4 of block 17 for the site of the new court house. Judge Danforth and Noble had surveyed and platted the viilage. It was the stopping place for financiers, land lookers and purchasers in other parts of the county. It was the starting point of many doctors, lawyers and other professional men, also millwrights and other artisans, merchants and peddlers who had come from the eastern states and wanted to start in a new, progressive county. Some of these men were so progressive that after they had settled anrl were doing well, they joined the great stampede to the "Capital City" in the woods (Lansing) in I847. They followed the workmen and laborers that were sent to build the' Capitol building on the Seymore and Townsend plat around the dam and Burchard's solitary cabin on Center street east of the sawmill. They followed surveyors and choppers, located lots, mill sites and built homes, stores and shops in the woods along Washington and Franklin avenues, Center and Wall streets. We will mention some of the lawyers, doctors, merchants and others who afterwards became prominent in the county and state. In I843, John M. Longyear came from the east to visit Mason. His father, Peter Longyear, had preceded him and lived on a farm east of Mason. He liked the country so well that he never.returned east. He started as a teacher in the school, but gave it up to practice law. After he started as a lawyer he married Harriet Monroe, daughter of Jesse Monroe, a pioneer of Eagle, Clinton county, Michigan. When the rush to the capital came, he and his wife moved to Lansing. He was elected to congress, serving the district with such legal ability that he was appointed judge in the Eastern District of Michigan, and remained there until he died in I875. His oldest son, John M. Longyear, was born in Lansing, educated in First Ward Union School, Jesuit School at Georgetown, Maryland, clerked in his uncle's drug store at North Lansing, worked with his cousin, Hon. James M. Turner, went to Marquette in 1872 as land agent for the Portage INGHAM COUNTY 69 Ship Canal company and other Eastern land speculators, invested in mineral lands, became a multi-millionaire, and invested in coal land on islands in north Europe. He was noted for his charities and help to struggling young men. He died in Brookline, Massachusetts, in I92I. Judge Longyear's other son, Howard W. Longyear, after a preliminary training in the schools of Lansing and Detroit, graduated from the pharmacy department of the University of Michigan, went to Columbia College and was graduated as M.D. in I875. He practiced with Doctor Farrand in Detroit until he was appointed superintendent of Harper Hospital. While there he visited Europe and took postgraduate work in Berlin, Vienna and Paris. On his return he conducted a lucrative private practice until his death in I920. Daniel Lampson Case was another lawyer who resided and started a practice in Mason. He moved to Lansing and became prominent in the financial and political affairs of the capital. He married Miss Deliah Monroe, sister of Judge Longyear's wife. Hon. O. F. Barnes was another who started in Mason, became interested in local politics and was attorney of first railroads and railroad lands. He was a fine Shakespearian scholar, and while on a trip to England made a fine collection of the works of the great dramatist. Dr. Minos McRoberts was the pioneer physician at Mason. He was Scotch and had all the traits of his race in his early pioneer practice and politics. He became wealthy and died at this place respected by all. Dr. Phelps was a co-partner with Dr. McRoberts, and had a student who was a brother of James Turner. Noah Phelps, a brother of the doctor, married Esther Turner, sister of James Turner, moved to Meridian township, improved a large farm and became a successful, progressive farmer. Dr. Darrow, another doctor who first settled in Okemos in 1855, was a partner of Dr. S. WV. Hammond until he moved to Mason. He was elected register in I866, built the Darrow block, retired to a farm of 640 acres south of Mason where he lived the remainder of his life. He died in I885. The merchants were Harry H. Smith and James Turner. Mr. Smith was senior partner in the firm of Smith & Turner. Mr. Smith was born in the state of New York. He started in business in his native state but failed. Discouraged by this failure he came to Michigan about I840. He called upon an old friend of the east named William Jackson, who lived in Jackson, Michigan. He, Jackson, was a merchant and was starting a branch store at Mason, so to encourage his friend he sent him to Mason with a younger clerk in his employ, James Turner. This venture proved so successful that in a short time the clerks bought the store and stock of their employer. In the rush to Lansing in 1847 they moved thither, and both started stores there, were agents for eastern land owners, bought farms and cleared them, were contractors in road building and filled local political offices. They took a contract to build the Detroit, Lansing and Howell plank road, and the railroads from Owosso to Lansing, Ionia to Lansing and Pere Marquette (Detroit, Ionia and Lansing) to Howell. This partnership was only dissolved by the sudden death of Mr. Turner in 1867 or I868. After Mr. Turner's death, Smith sold his real estate and moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he died 70 HISTORIC MICHIGAN in 1882. James Turner came to Michigan with his father, Francis Stiles Turner, in I835. He was ten years old, but young as he was, helped his father and brothers clear a few acres and erect a log house on a farm near Lima, Michigan. In I836 his father died and left his mother with five children on a new farm. Mrs. Turner had to separate her family. The oldest of the four boys returned to the old home, Cazenovia, New York. The youngest was sent to the home of an uncle in Erie, Pennsylvania, and James went with his mother to visit Mr. William Jackson at Leoni, Jackson county. Mr. Jackson who had been a neighbor in Cazenovia, was pleased when shown some of James' penmanship and ability to handle problems in arithmetic. and gave the boy a clerkship in his store. Mr. Jackson had at that time a large store and distillery in the village. He gave the boy a home, paid his tuition in the village school. and let him clerk in the store to pay for it. He advanced so rapidly that in a few months he was sent out with a horse and wagon to sell to farmers' wives, groceries, dress goods, and Yankee notions. He was a good salesman, always polite and ready to gossip or do some errand for the girls. Another trait was his honesty. He would always point out a defect in quality or quantity of his goods before he sold them, but he always sold. He was nicknamed "Honest Jim". He was only sixteen years old when he was sent with Harry H. Smith to Mason. We find him in the social and political life of the village, and acting as agent to land holders in the east, administrator for James Seymore in the Burchard estate (see File No. 13, Probate Office) before he was twenty-one years old. After he moved to Lansing he entered into the social, political and church life of the capital city, was a member of school boards, church trustees, was elected deputy state treasurer. president of plank and railroads he built, etc; Joab Page and Isaac C. Page, his son, were millwrights. They came into Ingham county in 1840, and settled in Rolfe Settlement near Mason. Mr. Page's daughter, Amelia Page, taught school until she married George D. Pease. In September, 1843, Mr. Page and his son Isaac, son-in-law George D. Pease, Whitney Smith and Alvin Rolfe hired helpers and went to Burchard's dam to repair it. This repair work called for a number of laborers and every available man in the northwest part of the ounty was hired to work on it. The workmen had to be boarded, so Mr. Page cleaned, repaired and enlarged Burchard's solitary log cabin to board and lodge the workmen. This was the first boarding house in the city. His supplies and material for house and dam came down Grand river on flatboats from Jackson. When the house was finished the women moved in and cooked for the workmen. On the Fourth of July. 1844, the Page workmen went to North Settlement and celebrated by raising, with the help of Indians, a liberty pole. The Page women stayed at home and celebrated by being doctor midwives to the first white child born in the settlement. Marshall Pease, grandson of Squire Page, was born July 4, 1844, in a log boarding house in the woods on the east bank of Grand river in the city of Lansing. Judge Danforth was also a millwright. In 1848 he was associated INGHAM COUNTY 71 with H. H. Smith and Alvin N. Hart to build the "Hart's Grist Mill" at North Lansing. He sold his property and mill at Mason and moved to Lansing in I850. He died at Lansing in 1853 respected by all. John Rayner was another pioneer financier who came to Mason in an early day. In order to pay his expenses while finding opportunity for his investment, he worked at his trade of shoe making. His first purchase of land was made from H. H. Smith and James Turner, who were acting as land agents for men in the Eastern states. After the sale was arranged and he had promised to bring them the money in the morning the agents found they had sold the land too cheaply. When Mr. Rayner appeared in the morning with the money they announced to him that they could not sell it for that price. After some discussion he agreed to pay them one-half of the advance price and the sale was made. He paid the agents gold and silver that he brought to their office in an empty paint keg. Mr. Rayner afterwards invested largely in lands, especially tax lands, around Mason and in adjoining counties. He became wealthy, always lived in Mason, and was well known to the early pioneers from his oddity and dress and for his honesty and shrewdness in all business transactions. In the general election in the fall of 1844 there were 949 votes cast in Ingham county. There were three tickets for representative-Democrat, Whig and Abolition. The representative district was Eaton and Ingham counties. Whitney Jones, Whig candidate, was elected. At this election the representative district was changed, Eaton county, instead of Livingston county, being joined to this county to get population enough for one representative in the legislature. President Andrew Jackson had very decided opinions in regard to United States finances, and where money from duties and taxes should be deposited. One of his first acts was to repeal the charter of the United States bank at Washington, where all moneys from sale of lands in new states and territories were deposited. He objected to making the capital, Washington, the money center of our republic. Another fact to be noticed was the growing jealousy between north and south over the question of labor, free or slave. Slavery existed in the Northwest Territory during the French regime. The parochial records recorded marriages of slaves. The English rule was so short that slavery was overlooked and not changed. The "Act of I787" forbade it. Up to the time of the formation of states from the Northwest Territory, the free and slave states were equal in number, but five new states would give free states a lead and slavery would be voted out by the anti-slavery majority in congress. President Jackson by act of congress deposited the surplus moneys in state banks. The early settlers and land buyers of Ingham county took advantage of this distribution and placed their savings, cash received from sales of real estate and other property in Eastern states, in the virgin soil, splendid timber, and undeveloped mill and factory sites of Ingham county. During the territorial period this purchase money, gold and silver, went back into the United States treasury at Washington to remain 72 HISTORIC MICHIGAN until it was sent to state deposit banks to circulate again. President Jackson's plan of distribution worked admirably in state and county until the state convention met in 1835 and I836 to draft a constitution. Speculators in money introduced into aforesaid draft the "Michigan Free Banking Act." This act provided that banks of deposit could be incorporated by individuals, ten or more freeholders, capitalized with not less than fifty thousand or more than one hundred thousand dollars. This capital was anything but money. The same banks when they had a certain amount of hard money-specie-in their safes, could issue bank notes or paper money against said deposit. When the territory was made a state and a constitution adopted there were fifteen of these banks in the woods of the state, and they increased by leaps and bounds in one or two years so that the specie was transported by night from one bank to another ahead of bank examiners. By this means one to five thousand dollars in gold and silver was the traveling capital of six to eight banks. In order to prevent this rapid travel of capital an act was passed in I838 to suspend specie payments. It was forced upon the banks by the "panic of 1837". We have no record of any of these banks being incorporated in Ingham county as the land buyers and settlers paid the money they brought into the county at the United States land office. This office wou'd not accept state bank currency in payment for land. Governor Mason tried to get some money to build railroads and other roads, dig canals, etc., to improve transportation for land buyers and settlers. He. after the Improvement act was passed by the legislature, tried to raise some money to pay for these improvements outside of the state, but could not do it because contractors and workmen refused to be paid in a circulating medium not worth the paper it was written upon. This vicious, worthless money named "wild cat" from its viciousness and worthlessness, brought financial troubles to the new state. The governor and his cabinet had to try something else to restore confidence and credit. An executive conference resulted in the "five million dollar loan" secured by long-term (thirty years) bonds bearing a high rate of interest. At the time of negotiating this loan steam roads were an experiment. In the older settled states there were no railroads. They were building the first railroad from Schenectady to Albany in the state of New York in I837 and 1838. My father worked on this railroad in 1837. It was built in rather primitive way, 4-in. x 4-in. wooden rails with an iron strap on upper side to prevent wear by car wheels. These straps would become loosened and the ends wind up on wheels, penetrating floors of cars, frightening the passengers. In I825, Governor Clinton finished his big ditch across the state of New York and many of the early pioneers of Michigan and Ingham county traveled by this route because there were no railroads. The usual route of the early pioneer from the eastern and middle states in the territorial period was via the Erie canal to Buffalo, then by sailing vessels or steamer "Walk-in-the-Water" to Detroit; from Detroit to interior by ox or horse teams drawing covered wagons, horseback, or on foot over the old territorial road west. INGHAM COUNTY 73 Some of the settlers opened temporary hotels or lodging houses along aforesaid route. Sixty covered wagons have been counted in one night around a settlement of two or three houses during the rush period, I835 and 1836. No cramped quarters or scant accommodations could stop this stampede. "Westward the Star of Empire makes its way." MICHIGAN BUILDS RAILROADS AND CANALS After bonds for the five million dollar loan were sold Governor Mason started to build railroads in Michigan. There were two lines surveyed, first from Detroit to Chicago, second from the Ohio line to Niles and Chicago. A line for a canal was run from Saginaw river to Lake Michigan. After building a few miles of railroad the work stopped, and after digging a few miles of ditch from headwaters of Saginaw river that work was abandoned. The ditch or canal contractor found in the center of the state a watershed with no lakes to act as feeders for locks to overcome this elevation. After railroad construction stopped, the governor called a conference and the committee on construction made their report as. follows: First, they had spent all the money; second, only a few miles of road were built; third, the experiment of state construction was a failure. This report was so discouraging that the property was sold to a private corporation or company who paid two millions for it. This purchaser completed the road. This failure was so costly and the effects so disastrous to all kinds of road building that transportation faci ities were delayed and hampered for years. The state built no roads of any kind, but gave grants of land to private companies or individuals, allowed them to sell stock in roads to raise funds for construction and maintenance until the land could be sold, and to charge transportation rates on all plank, rail and other roads to pay for service, fuel, etc. The first cause of failure was that the experiment required too much money. Those who had charge of funds did not use them wisely or in an economic way, spending too much for overhead, social and political propaganda expense. The second cause was that there was no previous experience or training in financial or constructive work. Governor Mason's experience had been in social and political affairs rather than financial and industrial problems. Third, the inability of engineers and contractors to estimate costs of construction. One hundred years ago constructive and mechanical engineering was in an embryonic state. To get engineers trained in construction or mechanics was almost an impossibility, especially in a frontier state. Effects of failures on commerce and transportation in Ingham county.: The trade, both local and with other states, of early pioneers was done by barter and exchange. The early merchants received for groceries and dry goods, articles that were not bulky, that could be transported at small expense to markets in the east. The pioneer records give the following list: Furs and hides, maple sugar, linen thread. butter, home-manufactured woolen mittens and socks, eggs and poultry, black salts (impure potash from wood ashes), dried 74 HISTORIC MICHIGAN apples and berries, fresh cranberries, tallow for candles, bees' wax and wild honey, feathers, dried roots and herbs for medicine, and whiskey. The stock from the farms was collected in droves and driven to Detroit, Toledo or the nearest railroad. Stock fattened in late fall and winter was dressed on the farm, loaded on sleighs and taken to Detroit, Owosso, Jackson, or some railroad point. Frost was the ice, and the bob sleigh was the refrigerator that carried it to market. The roads of Ingham county were built and maintained by the settlers. They did not receive, after the failure of the "five million loan" any aid, in shape of bonds or money, from the state. The state donated land on which township roads were built to townships that were partially settled. These donations were in fact leases stating for what purposes these strips of land were to be used, the ownership remaining in the state. When the first highway law was framed, we find uses described under the general term, "public carriers", and ownership under the general term, "eminent domain". This system was brought from the east by pioneers and used by them in building roads. In the first elections of newly formed townships a freeholder was elected to take charge of roads. All proceedings to build roads were as follows: First, petition to township board by settlers for road; second, granting or rejection of petition; third, contract to build road. These contracts were let to farmers who did the work when they were not planting or harvesting their crops. They first cut all the timber on a strip sixty-six feet wide, selecting from fallen trees all logs to be used for bridging streams or building over wet or soft spots. To prepare a foundation to build a road across a swamp, logs of uniform size were cut twenty feet long, laid close together at right angles to the line of the road; brush was thrown on top of this foundation, small stones and earth or clay were thrown on top of the brush, and the road was finished. By placing these logs as above described, their rounded surface looked like ridges in corduroy cloth, and the road builders nicknamed them corduroy roads. The stumps in the center of the road were grubbed out, the ground plowed, and a narrow, shallow roadbed formed. Travel over these new roads in early spring or late fall was an experience never forgotten. It was a standard, with weather, topic of all social meetings. It preceded health of family and conditions of crops. Maintenance of roads was paid by poll tax and work on roads by settlers. A work tax or fund was provided in spring election of township. When the county became more populous, roads increased, and each township was divided into road districts with a "straw boss" or pathmaster who was elected at a township meeting to oversee the work in each district. Each pathmaster had his own ideas of highways-how they should be built or repaired. This led to confusion and there was no uniformity. We could find in each township as many different kinds of road as there were pathmasters. This system, people's or township system, born after failure of the "five million dollar loan," maintained by pioneers' and their children's hard work, township orders, cashed by INGHAM COUNTY 75 township and county treasurer, lasted from I838-when the first township was organized-until I905, sixty-seven years. The building of the first plank road and railroad in Ingham county will be told when we give the history of the removal and building of the capitol in the woods of Lansing township. Highway engineers today are traveling in Italy, Asia Minor and Egypt, digging in ruins of old Roman highways, studying the formations and materials used in making foundations which were laid 2,000 years ago. If these same engineers would excavate or dig into foundations of some of our old highways built on Indian trails they would find remains of the original trail packed hard by moccasins and pony hoofs way back to the time the Roman slave laid the foundation of the military road. They would dig up logs in corduroy sections that are as sound today as they were seventy years ago, and study the intuitive knowledge of the Indian in overcoming obstacles and the experimental knowledge of pioneers in lasting quality of materials used in their road building. CHAPTER VI HOME BUILDING-DEVELOPMENT WORK The first houses built in the woods were rude shelters built of brush or small logs covered by bark or any material that would shed rain. They were only temporary shelters to house the solitary inhabitant until he could chop and clear a space for a more permanent building; also a small space to be planted to corn or potatoes. He then returned for his family left in a settlement in the East, or at Jackson, Chelsia, Ann Arbor, or some near neighbors, and moved them to his rude home. This moving was beset with da'ngers and difficulties for there were no roads, he had to cut his own, no bridges, he had to ford streams, detour around swamps and sloughs, carry provisions for his family, tools to build or complete his house, glass for window and material for door, etc. Sometimes the last mentioned had to be left behind. The lumber from some packing case made a door, a piece of canvass or stout cloth was nailed over a window opening to serve purpose of sash and glass. After moving in the home he would build his house larger and add a rude fireplace with stick chimney. When the settler had neighbors he replaced this temporary structure with a larger log house built of tamarac logs or other straight logs of a uniform size. Sometimes these logs were hewn on two sides. When he had all his materials on the site the neighbors helped to put them together, or had a "house raising." The occasion was made a social meeting of general jollification. Refreshments were served and the young danced, or those religiously inclined had a prayer meeting. Roofs were covered with oak shingles or shakes which were split from straight grained oak shaved thin. The floor was earth packed hard, rude planks split or hewn from basswood, of rough boards from the nearest sawmill. Joists or beams for the second floor were peeled logs six inches in diameter morticed into the side walls. Small wooden pins were driven into the joists or beams, and on these were hung sides of bacon, dried venison, strings of dried apples, bunches of onions, skeins of yarn, articles of house furniture and wearing apparel. These log dwellings had no inside partititons, and interior was kitchen, dining room, parlor and bedroom combine-, the second floor being a sleeping room for younger members of the family. To secure privacy in the main room, alcoves were built on the sides, when they could get lumber, and home-made curtains hung in front to conceal beds. Furniture was mostly home-made, but some families brought, in their covered wagon, pieces of old mahogany or black walnut, some of which were the work of English craftsmen or cabinet makers. There were two pieces of furniture that always came, the wooden wheeled clock and family chest. That chest was the strong box of the family. In it were placed household linen, finery, old silver plate, manuscripts INGHAM COUNTY 77 and letters, the family Bible with the family geneology recorded in it, and a "Michigan Bank Note Detector" to tell them about the "wild cat" currency. The cooking was done in and about the fireplace. Bread and other pastry was baked in a tin oven before the open fire or a cavity was left in the side jams of the fireplace for a built-in oven similar to a baker's brick oven. Sometimes a man who wanted to help his wife, especially during the hot season, built her an oval oven of clay and sticks, or lime and sand, on a log platform near the back door. The good housewife did her baking in this open oven. This oven was filled with fine, dry wood, allowed some draft so it would burn quickly and not smoke; the coals and ashes were raked out and the heat tried by a small piece of dough on a fire shovel. If it was the right temperature the bread or pastry was placed in, and drafts closed. Bread and other food baked in these outdoor fireless ovens was very wholesome and nutritious. The stock or domestic animals of the first settlers were housed in rude log stables, but sometimes inability to provide these, or fodder, compelled horses and cows to seek shelter and food in the woods. During winter when snow was deep they browsed upon small twigs of elm, basswood and other low-topped trees. To keep them from wandering away settlers salted them at the yards. To keep cows and other stock from wandering, and enable owners to find them in thick woods, a bell was placed on one of the cows. This practice led to a choice in size and tone of bells so they could identify the different herds roaming the woods. LAND CLEARING AND CROP RAISING There were two methods of clearing land employed by early settlers; oak opening method and thick timber method. First was employed in south and east part of county where oak timber was not thick, or more like the oak parks of England. The different steps in clearing were: I. Cutting small timber and brush and girdling larger trees to kill their growth. 2. Burning the brush and fallen timber. 3. Plowing or breaking the land, gathering all roots plowed up and burning them, harrowing upturned soil and planting. The plow used was a strong one. It had a heavy oak beam 4x8 inches, handles of the same material, mole board of castiron on which was strongly bolted a cutting point or share of wrought iron faced with steel to cut off green roots three or four inches in diameter. To aid in cutting, a broad upright cutter was bolted to beam with a foot fitted into the point of the share. To regulate depth of the furrow a small movable iron wheel was attached near the end of the beam. Two to six oxen were attached to the plow by a strong chain, and two men, driver and plow holder, completed the team. Some of the old timers could not buy an outfit as above described so they had to exchange labor with some neighbor who had part or whole of it. Oxen were the chief motive power of our forebears. Some families who had cattle, raised, trained and sold ox teams exclusively. Young farmers boasted of the power 78 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and quickness of their oxen. Matches were made to test the statements made. These drew quite a crowd and created as much excitement as horse racing did afterwards. Some stories told by ox teamsters are like a tale from the "Arabian Nights." In Pioneer History of Michigan we find the following which a deacon relates. In the story he must have used it to advertise the first iron beamed plow as well as his ox team. He was testing out the new plow, which had a slow sale, and when he was going from the field down a new road his oxen ran away. To stop them he stuck his plow in the ground; it struck a green stump with sufficient force to split the stump and break his ox yoke, but did not injure the plow. Another teamster in boasting of his team and his strength relates the following: "One day I was breaking new ground and my team was so full of pep that when I came to an oak stump I did not have time to turn the plow as the team had straddled it." The team split the stump, went through it, share practically upturned onehalf and he followed the plow. He saw he would be caught but held on, so when the part of stump came back it caught the skirts of his coat; his grip and strength of cloth pulled out the whole stump. The second method of clearing timber employed in the north and northwestern part of county was as follows: The first clearing made by solitary inhabitant was very primitive as he had only an ax and his hands to db the work. When he had chopped down the trees around his shelter, burned the brush and small logs, rolled the large logs to the edge of the clearing, dug up cleared ground with his rude hoe or a sharp stick and planted corn or potatoes or sowed turnip'seed among the roots. When planting commenced to grow he cut off and killed sprouts from brush and stump to prevent second growth from shading and crowding out his planting. When the settler had the help of his 'neighbors and an ox team he did this work on a larger scale. The work was as follows: I. A piece of woodland, five to ten or more acres in extent, was chopped in February or March. All trees which could be used for building or fencing were removed or left. In falling the timber, the chopper heaped it in windrows by partially cutting several trees in a row and then falling against them large trees which bunched them and made the windrow. The chopper was almost always a young man trained to do this work. Some of them were artists with an ax and had learned all about the ax and the grain of different kinds of timber, how to put a handle into an ax, keep their ax sharp, different cuts to make into a tree so their ax would not stick. It was a fine sight to watch a barearmed chopper at work, watch the play of the arm, shoulder and back muscles as he swung the heavy four or five-poun:l ax. How easy it seemed, how skilfully he guided the blow when it struck the timber; how clean and smooth the cut or scaff in the log. Gangs of choppers traveled from one settlement to another. They earned big wages and spent according to their own desires and inclinations. To show how expert some of these men were we will have to mention two brothers INGHAM COUNTY 79 who were born and raised in Wheatfield township, Ira and Chester Caswell. In the spring of I866 they cut thirty acres of heavy timber into windrows in twenty-two days and received $I80. 2. After fallen timber had laid six months or a year it was burned; logs remaining after burning were drawn by oxen and piled by men into heaps and burned. When a man had a large amount of this work, his neighbors helped, or they held a logging bee. When there was a large amount of ashes it was gathered and made into black salts. 3. Preparing ground for seed. It was never plowed by breakingup plow as it was too full of roots; sometimes the ground was scratched over with a home-made triangular harrow or dug up with jumping shovel plow. After this crude preparation wheat or oats was sown broadcast-scattered by hand-and covered by aforesaid harrow. The growing grain had to be protected, until it was harvested, from stock and deer that roamed the woods. This was done by enclosing newly cleared land with a rail fence. RAIL FENCE This kind of fence has a record in the history of our county, state and nation. It is an American invention, and the common laborer, the statesmen and the presidents of the United States have in their youth had training in splitting out material and building rail fences. Abraham Lincoln was a rail splitter and his work made him strong and courageous. He split slavery out of our constitution and built with rails an emancipation fence to shut out lawbreakers. Andrew Jackson fought a duel with a fence rail, criminals in a settlement were transported to more congenial surroundings on a fence rail; temperance orators in early times used the zigzag way the fence was built in describing a drunkard's walk; "He is making rail fences toward home." It would be interesting to future generations to know how this historical fence was made. The tools were an ax, two slim iron wedges, one-half dozen tough wooden wedges, a round knott maul weighing ten to fifteen pounds. A straight-grained tree was felled and cut into logs ten to twelve feet long, hauled by oxen to the line of the fence; the rail splitter in cutting his logs squared the top ends. Work commenced by making a check or mark with blade of his ax directly across the top end so as to divide the log into equal halves. Into this check he inserted his iron wedges and pounded them home, or into the end of the log; when the log showed a crack on top he inserted his wooden wedges and by quick, vigorous blows with his maul split it into two parts. These halves were each divided into quarters, etc., until the workman could split rails of uniform size, or 4x4 inches by ten feet. In laying the zigzag fence the builder used a home-made gauge. When the first rail was laid, a thin block of some lasting timber was placed under end to keep it from the ground. The small, straightest rail was placed on the bottom so as to leave no spaces for foraging hogs to crawl into the field. The largest rail was placed on top to weight or hold the fence in place. Some builders split Ix6x24" pieces of timber, 80 HISTORIC MICHIGAN cut two holes near ends to let stakes through. When the fence was four or five rails high the stakes were set each side of the corner, cap slipped on and held in place by remaining rails. This made the fence stronger and less liable to be moved or blown down. HOME TRADES The trades of the settlers were mostly carried on in the home and the wives of our ancestors were the workmen. In every settlement there were two or three weavers who wove the flax and woolen yarn into stout cloth for the working clothes of both sexes, blankets and bed linen. From a combination of barks from the woods and an old indigo dye pot they gave color to the home-made cloth. Most of the early pioneers brought a suit of broadcloth and beaver top hat into the woods. On special occasions it was no rare sight to see a preacher, lawyer or young swell step from a log house dressed in the height of fashion. The ladies always had a silk dress or shawl, some jewelry or other finery, which they wore at weddings and church socials. There were two things done by pioneer women which are lost arts todaymaking soft soap and piecing bed quilts. We can remember that old leach made of a section of a hollow sycamore; how it had to be filled with ashes, and the number of pails of water it took to keep it running; the old kettle and the wood it took to keep it boiling before the soap would come. It almost gives us a stitch in the side to think of it even after a lapse of sixty years. A story was current in early clays of a young man who was a great admirer of Shakespeare. When visiting a relative he found her dressed in her old clothes making soft soap. It was a critical stage in the making, and she did not return his greeting, but kept right on with her stirring. He was piqued, so he recited: "Bubble, bubble, stirring, stirring toil and trouble, water boil and caldron bubble." Without a glance at him she lifted her hands from the soap ladle, stuck out her thumbs and muttered: "By the pricking of my thumbs something evil this way comes." PIONEER WOMEN The wives of the early settlers were noted for their morality, intellectuality and spirituality. They met all dangers of woods life with courage and fortitude, worked hard to make home life amid rude surroundings attractive and cheerful. They were the cooks, tailors, dressmakers, spinners, weavers, truck gardeners, poultry raisers, cheese and butter makers, teachers, moral and religious instructors, nurses and midwives of the scattered settlements. The first church societies were formed by them and buildings erected from their household funds. When their husbands prepared the wool for clothing they carded, spun on a big wheel spinner, wove, and made it in garments, hosiery and mittens. The fiber of flax was gathered by their help, sorted into tow and flax, spun on a small wheel spinner and woven in their own rude hand looms. They taught these arts to their daughters, and some of them became as famous as "Priscilla the Puritan Maiden." INGHAM COUNTY 81 CHARACTER OF EARLY SETTLERS The men who settled in Ingham county from 1834 to 1849 were educated, intelligent, moral and honest. In fact, we did not get many immigrants from that advance guard of careless, shiftless lawbreakers that went west in states south of the Michigan boundary. Carving out a home in the woods had no attraction; it was too hard work. The Michigan pioneers were law-abiding, court records say, only one murder having been committed and one or two teams stolen during early times. From family letters and other records we find they were very religious and moral. Some of these old family letters are written sermons and show by their phraseology that especially the Epistles of Paul were studied. Many were graduates of eastern colleges and had degrees, could, when garbed in their working clothes, discuss Bvron,Shakespeare, Lock or tell the latest news about Edgar Allen Poe, Gough's temperance and "Emerson's Transcendentalism." Those who came between 1840 and 1850 were closely questioned by the religiously inclined about "Joseph Smith and his golden plates," Millerites and their ascension robes. and the struggles of the new Congregational church. These were the ways they received information and news from the outside world. The sons of these men became famous by carrying on the work their fathers started in the county, state and nation. Lewis Cass started the work with the help of Judge Woodward. It was hindered by the panic of I837 and the "five million dollar loan," but their descendants carried on the work of preparation in labor, social, religious and governmental reform in the first half of the nineteenth century. We, of the third generation, are enjoying the success of their work and their sacrifices in the last half of the nineteenth century. 3-6 CHAPTER VII LANSING MADE STATE CAPITAL The first state constitution made provision for a temporary capital for a period of ten years at Detroit. This city was the largest city in the Northwest Territory. It was founded by Cadillac in I70I. France, by right of discovery and conquest, claimed all the lands west of the Allegheny mountains, east of the Mississippi river, and a fan-shaped strip west of aforesaid river that spread from Louisiana north and west until it reached the Pacific ocean. In 1763, when the war of the "Spanish Conquest" in Europe (French and Indian War in America) closed, France ceded to England all territory west of the Allegheny mountains to the Mississippi river, and north from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. Detroit and Mackinaw being military posts that guarded the Detroit river and Straits of Mackinaw, with all the military posts in the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, came under control of Great Britain. At the close of the Revolutionary war our government came in possession of aforesaid territory. The part north of the Ohio river and east of the Mississippi bordering on the Great Lakes was formed into the "Northwest Territory." (Congressional Act 1787). In 1805 the peninsula between Lake Michigan, Huron, and south of the Straits of Mackinaw was detached from Indiana and made into the Territory of Michigan, and Detroit was made the capital of it. When General Hull, first territorial governor, arrived at his seat of government he found only a heap of ashes. It had been burned by the enemy, or stragglers of the British army, after they evacuated it. The location of Detroit on a river which was the boundary of two governments, made it unsafe from an invading army, in case of war. Another reason for not locating the permanent capital at Detroit was the cosmopolitan population. The inhabitants were Fre'nch, English, half-breeds, and a few Americans. The original French were none to loyal to the British government, and the Canadians hated General Hull and his American army. It was like placing the capital city in a foreign land. The third reason for not making Detroit a permanent seat of government was the "Toledo War." This trouble was between the states of Ohio and Michigan in regard to the boundary li'ne, or rather, two boundary lines. The first was surveyed when Ohio was admitted into the Union, the other when Michigan was formed or made into a territory. These two surveys conflicted and caused trouble for years, and bloodshed was only averted in 1835 by action of the general government. Congress gave the new state of Michigan, in exchange for disputed territory, the upper peninsula. This last named was taken 'from the Territory of Wisconsin. In this case two conflicting boundary surveys were made in a similar way, so today (1924) there is trouble between Michigan and Wisconsin which can only be settled in the United States courts. After the state was admitted into the Union, its temporary INGHAM COUNTY 83 capital was threatened by the "Patriot War" in Canada. This was commenced in Canada over division of lands by the government of Great Britain. Small farmers thought they were robbed of their lands and political status by the large landholder, and started a revolution to gain their rights. Recruiting agents came to Detroit to get supplies and soldiers for the "Patriot Army." The Canadian government sent a protest to Governor Mason, who answered it by enrolling the "Brady Guards." Many young men who sympathized and joined this army afterwards became disgusted by the cowardice of the Canadian officers and resigned. The revolutionary army in Canada was defeated, and retreated to Fighting Island in Detroit river, where they made their last stand. Seeing nothing but defeat and capture in any future action they disbanded and fled to places of safety. Officers and leaders that were captured were tried for treason and inciting rebellion, sentenced to death, imprisonment or transportation. The victorious British general's advance to capture Detroit was only stopped by the combined efforts of the British and United States governments. This ended the "Patriot War." Some of the refugees of the Patriot army who settled in and helped develop our county will be mentioned later. We can readily see from the action of the new state administration that all chances to make Deroit the permanent seat of government were lost. Governor Mason's inexperience, lack of executive ability, hasty action in crises, and the lack of co-operation between hostile nationalities made Detroit unsafe in which to do any executive or state business or be a depository for state moneys or state records. Ingham county and other counties in center of state were, in spite of panics, wild cat money and failure of banks that issued it, the Toledo and Patriot wars, getting a large immigration from east and middle west. Ingham county was being rapidly settled by men of means and brains. The governor elected in 1846 was from the interior of the state, and the members of the legislature from the central and western parts of the state outnumber those electe:l from Wayne, St. Clair and Monroe, the more populous counties in the eastern part. The first action of this legislature when they met in Detroit was to pass a law to remove the capital to the center of the state, and the first copy of the act introduced by George R. Throop, representative of Wayne county, was as follows: "A bill to locate the capital pursuant to section nine, article twelve of the Constitution of this State." The wording and language of the above was vague and misleading. The constitutional obligation is recognized, but its performance, or way it should be done, is not mentioned. This bill went to a committee of the whole, but afterwards put in charge of a special committee with the introducer of the bill as one of its members. The other members of this special committee were Messrs. Chubb of Washtenaw, Arzono of Monroe, Marantette of St. Joseph, J. D. Pierce of Calhoun, Goodrich of Genesee, and Belle of Ionia. In a few days this special committee reported it, without amendments. Joseph HI. Kilbourne, representative from Ingham county to open discussion in regards to the location of the 84 HISTORIC MICHIGAN new capital, offered as an amendment to the bill a communication from James Seymore. In this communication Mr. Seymore offered the state of Michigan a free site on land he owned in Lansing township. Mr. Seymore in describing these lands said they were located on the Grand river, there was on the same a valuable water power and several mill sites that could be used in the future, also the surrounding country and the land was fertile and well timbered. This communication was considered a joke and the farmer who introduced it was laughed at for introducing this communication as an amendment to the bill. For several days the legislature was besieged by offers for a free site for the new capital. Thirteen different villages or embryo cities in different parts of the state submitted free sites to the legislature. The only attention paid to these offers were sites from counties north and south of the base line and near the meridian line of the state. A discussion divided the members from these counties into two parties who could offer railroad communication with the outside world. The feeling grew so intense through this rivalry that a compromise had to be made. This compromise was the substitution of the township of Lansing, Ingham county, into the bill, and the following bill was passed: "An act to locate the capital, pursuant to section nine of article twelve of the constitution of the state. "Section I. Be it enacted by the senate and the house of relresentatives of the state of Michigan that the seat of government of this state shall be in the township of Lansing, county of Ingham. Approved Miarch i6th, 1847." Another act was passed on the same date to appoint commissioners, select a site, plat a city, name this city Michigan, erect temporary buildings for the legislature of I848, the archives and records, and have the same fit for occupancy December 25, 1847. \Vhen the cost of the building was discussed in the legislature, members who were hostile to the new site and the removal of the capital, tried to make the cost of the building so great that it could not be erected, or the state could not afford to place the same in the woods on said site. By doi'ng this they thought the legislature would rescind the act and another site would be chosen. The members who voted for this bill cut the appropriation from one hundred thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars, and the bill passed. The governor appointed three commissioners to select the site and erect the buildings. The following men were elected commissioners: James Glenn of Cass county, Daniel Smart of Wayne, and Alonzo Ferris of Ionia. These men had a difficult task to perform and a short time (seven months) to complete it. They met at Lansing on May 20, I847. On their arrival they found only one or two houses and a sawmill in the thick woods of the new city. These dwellings were located on the east bank of Grand river on what is now Center street. The principal building was the enlarged residence of the late John W. Burchard, who built the dam. It was occupied by Mr. Joab Page, his son Isaac C. Page, son-in-laws, Whit INGHAM COUNTY 85 ney Smith, G. D. Pease and Alvin Rolfe. These men were all voters so the commissioners found a poll list of five votes already in the city. The main house in which Mr. Page and his family lived was built of logs and rough lumber twenty feet wide, forty feet long, and two stories high. The commissioners and surveyors, two days after their arrival, selected section I6 as a site for the capitol building and the state offices. In 1846, Mr. Seymore, knowing the capital was going to be removed, surveyed and platted a village on the land that he had purchased from the Richard heirs. The commissioners in laying the boundaries of the city included his plat. Mr. Townsend, who had purchased lands o'n the west and the north of section I6, and also south of section I6, also platted some lots that was included within these boundaries. Any land-:holder in the city of Lansing in looking over his abstract will findl evidence of three ownerships, first the state which owned section I6, James Seymour who owned part of sections 9, 15 and 17. and \Vm. Townsend, who owned parts of sections 4, 5, 8, 9, all of section 20,;nd one-half of section 21. James Seymour, knowing that the legislature an:l its members wouldl have to be lodged and fed, got busy and erected a large hotel on his property at North Lansing. This hotel was the first hotel built in our capital city. The work was commenced and rushed so it was completed for the reception of the members in December, I847. While building this hotel the capitol building was erected on a square bounded on the north by West Allegan, east by Washington avenue, south by Washtenaw, and west by Capitol avenue. This building burned and the square is now covered by stores and other buildings. This work had to be rushed so it could be completed in the aforesaid time. After the survey was made an army of workmen invaded the infant city. cleared the streets by cutting down the heavy timber, using what thev could for building purposes and burning the balance. These workmen had to be housed and fed, and dwellings and boarding houses made of logs or slabs sprang up like mushrooms all over the site of the city. Smith Tooker, a workman who came to work on the hotel or capitol building, but finding it more profitable to house and board his fellow workmen, erected a (lining hall and boarding house on or near Wall street at North Lansing. This was a hastily constructed, rude building, but was the first boarding house built on the new site of the capital city. This was followed by other structures of a similar kind on Washington avenue. Another on the old Indian trail at the junction of Red Cedar and Grand Rivers. The first dwellings were temporary structures, built in a hurry to withstand the climate during the winter of 1847 and 1848. Building material of all kinds was plentiful in a raw state, but finishing material suitable for house building was at a premium. Most of the finishing material, as well as provisions for the workmen, had to be floated down the Grand river from Jackson to Eaton Rapids on flat boats or freighted in by ox teams over trails and new roads. After the surveyors had placed the stakes for the capitol building there was a 86 HISTORIC MICHIGAN race by some of the young men to find it in the thick woods. George Mathews, Smith Tooker, George Pease, Whitney Smith and J. P. Cowles were the first men that found it. To celebrate their find they cut the brush with their jack knives and played ball until sundown. This was the first game of ball played in Lansing. James Turner and Daniel L. Case built the first store at the north end, but before they finished it a man started a small store in a board pen ten feet square. This man was Hon. Dewitt C. Leech. His stock was dry goods, boots and shoes, and groceries. The entire stock could be moved on a onehorse wagon. He was the first merchant to do business in Lansing. Hte was so energetic that he was elected a member of conventions, representative in the legislature, United States Indian agent, editor of a newspaper at Traverse City, etc. He built a large, square brick house on North Washington avenue that is standing today. The first public school was started before the surveyors had completed their work, in a small shack on the present site of the North Cedar street school. Miss Eliza Powell was the first teacher. (See history of first school.) A Methodist church society was formed with six members in I846. (See history of first church building.) One of the early pioneers relates how a saloon was started in a small tent with a rough board for the bar and a barrel of whisky for stock in trade. This saloonist did not do much business because Mr. Seymour had his stock destroyed and the man ba'nished. Mr. Seymour, when he finished his hotel, found he would have to put in a bar, but refusing to do this, he sold or leased the building. Lansing was not the only free site in I'ngham county that was offered in I847. John Mullett, Sr., who had a section of land in Meridian township ten miles east (Red bridge) with a water power on Red Cedar river, made the commissioners a flattering offer. He had done most of the surveying east of the Meridian line for the state, but did not have time to press his demand or explain the good points of his site. Justice Gilkey, who had located a farm on Grand river in Lansing township, James I. Mead, Hiram K. Andrews, George W. Peck and Captain J. P. Cowles made similar propositions. When the surveyors had finished platting section I6, the state reserved several blocks for sites of buildings and placed the balance in the hands of Joseph L. Huntington, John M. French and Richard Ferris of Ingham county to price or appraise lots for the state. These lots were sold to private individuals. In seven years the cash received was $102,978, and when lots were all sold the above amount was increased to one quarter of a million dollars. Abiel Silver was state land commissioner, and it was his foresight and honesty that kept this school section out of the hands of land grabbers and speculators. This sale of primary school lands was the largest ever made by the state, and was the nucleus of our present primary school fund. INGHAM COUNTY 87 NAME OF CAPITAL Mr. Seymour's plat was recorded in county records under name of "Village of Michigan," and the state plat was the same. By petition of J. H. North, an old resident and pioneer of Lansing township, this was changed to Lansing by act of the legislature in I849. IION. JOSEPH I-. KILBOURNE Mr. Kilbourne was born in Ca'nada. He and his biother-in-law, Freeman Bray, joined the Revolutionary army during the Patriot war, and when the army was defeated he and Mr. Bray escaped, came to the north part of Ingham county, and settled in Meridian township. He was naturalized, became a citizen, and was elected by the Democratic party a representative to the legislature in 1846. His home was in this county, and for that reason he worked hard to have the capital located in Ingham county, and James Seymour, being of the same political faith, was a great help to him in his fight to have the bill passed. Judge Danforth, senator from this county, opposed the site at first, but was won over, so when the bill passed the senate it passed by a majority of eight. Governor Felch was appointed United States senator before the act passed, and for this reason acting Governor Greenly signed the bill. The population of Ingham county had increased in thirteen years from one family to 5,267 persons. In the same time it had organized sixteen townships with settlers in every township to act as officers in the same. These townships had organized a county government, established a county seat; elected county officers, built a building for county and court meeting and a depository of county records and moneys. They also had been instrumental in moving the capital from Detroit an:l placing it in the woods of Lansing township. We have previously mentioned that most of the early settlers in Ingham county 'were of English descent. Those who came from New England states and New York state held to old Puritan religion and were trained i'n that faith. In many instances four to six women in an isolated settlement formed Methodist, Presbyterian or Baptist societies to secure visits and instruction from some traveling minister of their denomination. These missionaries traveled on foot or horseback and endured untold privations and hardships to get to their scattered congregations. These were not the only ones. In Bunkerhill and White Oak townships were quite a number of Irish settlers of Catholic faith. The women of these families were as zealous, hard working, self-sacrificing as their Protestant neighbors in getting traveling priests from Chelsea, Ann Arbor and Jackson to give their children instruction, comfort the lying, and bury the dead. These priests visited these families, overcome difficulties of travel with the same fortitude and zeal as did the missionary priests of old territorial times. We have one instance where one Father soiled his vestments by thick mud in one of his visits and the good wife washed and ironed same before the service commenced. 88 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Another factor in the work of settlement was their co-operation and work with their hands as well as brains. By doing this, rich and poor, college graduate and day laborer, were united in one great democracy. Minister, lawyer, doctor, land speculator, and merchant laid aside their broadcloth with their pride and worked with farmer and common laborer, cut timber, piled and burned brush, helped at logging bees, built log houses and slab shanties, built corduroy and dirt roads. In fact they taught by example as well as precept the great principles of co-operative democracy. By their efforts they made the wilderness and waste places to blossom with beautiful farms and the state capitol a permanent fixture surrounded by other state institutions. Most of these old pioneers are gone. They rest in rural, village and city cemeteries. We can inscribe on the towering monument or humble headstone these words: "You have been a good servant, your work is do'ne, rest in peace." FIRST LEGISLATURE IN LANSING When the state legislature adjourned March 1.7, 1847, after a session of seventy-three (lays, Detroit ceased to be the capital of Michigan. Its name, as such, was wiped off the map forever. The speaker of the house, in his closing address, thanked the members for their courtesy and co-operation, how in his ruling he hadl not been swayed by political partisanship, and expressed a desire that i'n their private or public life in the future they would be friends. There was a tinge of sadness in bidding farewell to that old building and old associations connected with the same. Every member knew he had done his duty, according to the first constitution which had ordered the removal; also the first sentence declares: "All political power is inherent in the people." As servants of the people we think they used that power wisely and did not abuse it. The first legislature in the new capital met in January, 1848. It was an an'nual session called to make appropriations for some new state institutions, etc. There were twenty-three senators and sixty-five representatives in this legislature. TERRITORIAL AND STATE TLEGCISLATUIRES Before we relate what was done in this first session of legislature in 1847 we will take a glance backward, and review what had been done while the capital was at Detroit when Michigan was a territory and state. We will try to show how these earlier legislatures paved the way for those which came later. The first work Governor Hull did when he arrived at Detroit, in 1805, was to provide food and shelter for the inhabitants. Not a house did he find in the whole city. All had been destroyed by fire. Next he formed, a month later, a territorial legislature of men from different parts of the territory. The object of Governor Hull in forming this first legislature was to frame a code of laws to govern by. In a short time these men had a INGHAM COUNTY 89 very efficient code. They worked hard when they had a session, and it is astonishing what scope and number of acts or laws were passed at every meeting. In I808 and I809, fifty different laws were framed, discussed and passed. An act passed was one that recognized capital punishment for murder and corporal punishment for theft; or hang the murderer and whip the thief. When the first state constitution was drawn it abolished these laws, and they have never appeared in any of the later state constitutions. In their place a bill was passed in the legislature of 1838 to build a prison at Jackson, and ten years later, 1848, a reform school at Lansing. The most beneficial acts or laws made by the territorial legislature were in regard 'to educations and schools, however. The act of 1787, in regard to establishing schools in the northwest territory, was discussed, but no action had been taken during the administration of Governor Hull. When Lewis Cass was appointed, Rev. John Pierce, Judge Woodward and the governor met and discussed this act and how they could form a school system that would get the approval and support of the general government. Rev. Pierce and Judtle Woodward divided the work of drafting this system. Rev. Pierce, from his experience as a teacher and missionary, drafted the primary part, and Judge Woodward, from his classical knowledge, professional instruction, and legal training drafted the higher or collegiate and p;rofessional part of the system. This system was adopted by the territorial legislature, signed by Governor Cass, and sent to congress for approval and support. Congress, under act of admission of the state into the Union, gave its approval and certain lands in the new state for support of this system. The donated lands were as follows: Section 16 in every township was set aside and sold to private individuals by the state, and money thus received was placed in a fund to draw interest. This income, or interest, paid expenses of primary schools. There were I,00o,000 acres of these lands in Michigan, appraised at $4 per acre, or $4000,000ooo,ooo. Each section, 640 acres, was therefore sold for $2,560. The school section on which the new capital was located, brought $250,000 after taking out several blocks for sites for new buildings. Congress also donated to the collegiate part of the system (university fund) seventy-two sections of selected lands in Saginaw valley which showed from springs some traces of salt. This allotment waslocated and surveyed by John Mullett, Sr., then appraised and sold to salt manufacturers in individual lots. For the encouragement of agriculture, which was to be the chief industry of the state, there was donated to the new state seventy-two townships of land, 1,658,880 acres. The university had started a building in the recently cleared campus in Ann Arbor during the interval of 1837 to 1848, and a board of three regents was appointed. The first superintendent of public instruction was appointed in 1836. We can see that congress was liberal in donations of lands for educational purposes when Michigan was admitted into the Union. By the efforts of the territorial legislature and the work of Governor Lewis Cass, Rev. J. D. Pierce and Judge 90 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Woodward, the state was made custodian of 5,704,960 acres to be used in instructing the boys and girls in primary, collegiate, professional and agricultural schools of our state. The first four sessions of the legislature in the new capitol in the woods were strenuous ones. They had to locate a site for an agricultural college, clear the site of timber and erect buildings, and do the same for a reform school and a normal school at Ypsilanti, finish University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and provide for and appoint three members to the state board of education, and a state agriculture board of six members. In the session of I848 both houses found they must change the first constitution of the state (constitution of I836), so a committee was appointed to draft a new one or revise the old one. The new constitution was adopted in I850. This new constitution made the officers of our courts, as well as members of state boards, viz: Agriculture, education and regents of university, elective instead of appointive. It changed the meetings of the legislature to once in two years instead of annually. This meeting (1848) lasted ninety-two days and passed 295 laws and fifty-two joint resolutions. This amendment to the new constitution i'n regards to the educational board was a very good one. The election of the aforesaid superintendent of public instruction, board of agriculture and the members of the board of regents, with the state being custodian of the funds and lands, made education the corner-stone of the state government. The state prevented these boards 'using any of this educational fund except to pay interest on the same for instruction and not for building purposes. In the rural communities taxpayers paid for their school buildings by a direct tax on the land of the district where they were located. The buildings of the normal school, state university and agricultural college were builf by appropriations passed by the state legislatures, as the primary funds and other funds could not be used for that purpose. The legislature in making these appropriations changed the primary and collegiate system to conform to the needs and the pocketbook of the people. The legislature of 1848 had to be economical and not extravagant in making these appropriations, so as to restore the credit of the state and not exhaust its treasury. CHAPTER VIII DIFFICULTIES OF FIRST LEGISLATURE There are ample data to show that members of this legislature (1848) met many difficulties in the way of transportation, board and lodging in the new capital. Members from eastern and southern parts of the state came by rail to Jackson, then by stage or private conveyance over corduroy and dirt roads forty miles to Lansing. Members from the west and north came by Indian trail or new-made highways, which at the beginning of the session were muddy and full of roots and stumps. The rate of travel was three or four miles an hour, and the fare to Jackson, without much baggage, $3 to $4. While in the city most of the members had to board and lodge at the Seymore hotel one mile away from the capital. When there was a night session and the men had to travel Washington avenue by light of old-fashioned tin lanterns on a sidewalk of two planks laid on a foundation of mud and rootswhat remarks they made about the streets, hotel accommodations and central location of the capitol were not very complimentary to the members who placed it there. In a number of the first sessions a bill was introduced to change it to some other place, but it never passed. The people cut off or isolated in the wilderness tried to entertain the members by suppers (game suppers), socials, card parties, dances, singing schools, writing schools, lectures, and debates. There were many subjects to talk about, at that period from 1837 to 1857, as there was a great upheaval in the political, social and religious world going on. In politics, slavery, state sovereignty, state rights, and constitutional authority, was debated in all political parties; Emerson, Thoreau and the Concord school were introducing transcendentalism and higher intellectual thought; Hawthorne and his coterie were introducing communism on an agricultural basis at Brook Farm. The religious world was stirred by the advent of Milleritism, Mormanism and Spiritualism. This was a strenuous time. All classes, all conditions of society had to work hard with their hands to gain a livelihood, and equally hard with their brains to defend the principles of democracy, the rules of society, and the faith of our fathers. The singing and writing school were well patronized. All singers were in great demand for concerts and church choirs. Instrument music was mostly stringed bands. Some families whose members were good players were, especially during winter months, always busy. All business men were interested in penmanship, and a teacher in that branch of education was never out of a job. It was the way a young man out of a job earned his spending money. Most all clerks were good writers. We can see specimens of their work in court and other records in our county office. What wonders they performed with a quill pen and home-made ink! Some of their work today looks like copper plate engraving. We will have to tell a story about two writing masters who came to Lansing in HISTORIC MICHIGAN I857. They came by stage from Detroit and stopped at the old Sevmore hotel in North Lansing. They were young, handsome, well dressed, but deaf and dumb. They wrote on paper that they had no money but would like to earn some by opening a writing school. The landlord introduced them to the young people and in a short time they had a large paying class started. Most of the members were girls attracted by their skill as teachers, their good looks and politeness. The writing school was continued for some time, or until one of its teachers became enamored of the landlord's daughter. He forgot the sign language and spoke to the lady. She became frightened by the avowal, told her father, and when the angry parent interviewed the young men he found they were high-toned gamblers. He made them leave a'nd seek another home. Before they left they took all the spare cash of the sporting fraternity in the city. During the years I848-49 and I850 the pioneers and inhabitants of the city, with help from the state on section I6, made great improvements in the capital city. Streets were chopped out, cleared of stumps and graded. Sites for permanent dwellings were cleared and the foundations of more commodious dwellings laid. Frame houses were erected by an army of workmen, brick yards were opened and bricks made. Some of these dwellings have been wrecked during the past five years to make room for modern houses. We have studied the materials taken from them, and find siding and interior finish of white wood, ash and black walnut, with some pine. All this material was taken in a rough state and fashioned by hand labor. There were no planing mills. sash and door factories, in the state or city in those days. These articles were made by hand and the carpenter had to learn how to make them by serving an apprenticeship under a master carpenter and joiner. When the young apprentice went out as a finished workman he had to have a large chest filled with all kinds of tools, planes to smooth rough lumber, to edge boards, to make flooring, sash, mouldings, saws to cut, rip, etc. The first step in building was to select trees in the woods, cut and draw logs to the nearest sawmill, pile the rough lumber so it could dry during an interval of eight to twelve months, then during winter dress lumber and make it into flooring, doors, sash, inside and outside finish, shave shingles, etc. Mr. Seymore's sawmill could not do all this work, and until steam sawmills were introduced later, the builders had to use, in frame work, round timber hewed on one side for joists in the first floor of their dwelling, and small poles hewed on two sides for studding for the frame. We find these in old dwellings that are being wrecked now. Rafters for roofs were made in the same way. The frame of all buildings in those days was heavy square timber; large sills and corner posts, plates and studding hewn out of oak or some durable timber. These timbers were morticed or joined together, making a solid foundation that never leaned or were blown down by wind. We saw the same kind at Lexington, Mass., in 1904, which were erected before the Revolutionary war. They were well cared for, as sturdy and would last INGIIAM COUNTY 9,: a'nother hundred years, or almost as long as the principles of democracy. Some of similar construction were built by Dutch on Long Island in the seventeenth century, are in a good state of preservation now. The first frame house built in North Lansing was framed, all siding and finishing material, doors and sash and other things in its structure made in Mason brought to the city on wagons drawn by ox teams. It was erected on Turner street in I849. This was the James Turner house. The style of architecture used by these early builders was copied from buildings in eastern or New England states. We can divide these different types or styles into three classes: Homes of workmen, homes of well-to-do or middle class, and homes of the wealthy or the aristocrat. The first were almost always built by the workman. They were usually one story or one story and an attic set with one gable facing the street. There was nearly always a shed roofed kitchen attached to the rear of the cottage. The inside arrangement was front room, dining and sitting room, with one or two bedrooms and kitchen and pantry. The second type was two stories with a one-story addition set at right angles and attached to one side of the main building along the front of this addition was a stoop or porch, and the main entrance to the house was from this porch. The third, the type was the aristocratic coloniial style. It was the most expensive and in days of hand labor the most striking in size and outline. The building was nearly always a square, two and a half storied building with dormer windows in the roof, a pillared porch at the front entrance. Sometimes there would be two wings to the main part. They were of the same height, and as long as the main part was wide. These wings were set back from the front of the main building, so the outline was the shape of a Greek cross. The interior of the latter was as follows: Wide hall, extending through the building, open staircase to second or thir:l floor; on one side of the hall were one or two large living rooms with folding doors, a library and parlor, bedroom; on the other side were kitchen, dining room, closets and sewing room, etc. Heating of these houses was done with large. air tight stoves with the stovepipe through the ceiling and drums on the second floor. Some had fireplaces, but these were used more for ventilation than warming. Hot air furnaces afterwards replaced stoves, but they were not a success as on a cold, windy day part of the house or rooms would be warm, but the walls of those rooms facing the wind would be cold. Those early manufactures did not understand radiation as they do today. The high ceilings of those old-fashioned rooms had a faculty of receiving the heat that should have warmed the floors. The inside finish was whitewood or black walnut. The lighter colored wood was preferred as it could be worked easier and covered by paint. The walls were hard finished and ceilings were decorated with artistic designs in plaster of paris. Almost all lighting was by candles set in chandeliers from ceiling atil walls. In some cases whale oil lamps were 94 HISTORIC MICHIGAN used, but kerosene and gas came later. In I849 and 1850 frame stores were replacing the temporary structures on Washington avenue and Franklin street. They were mostly two-story buildings set with a gable to face the street. This gable was square and built as high as the ridge of the roof and used as a sign board. These buildings, when facing south, east or west, had a porch over the front entrance. The old Lansing house, a large frame structure located on the present site of the Downey hotel, was erected in 1849 or I850. FIRST HOTEL BUILT The Seymours built the first hotel. The building originally was 48XI28 feet, with cellar, and two stories high. Lumber and interior finish for the new hostelry were hauled from the Seymour mills at Flushing by oxen over mere trails. Some of the hardware, hinges for doors, etc., was brought from Eaton Rapids by boat as much of the traffic then was on the Grand river. The hotel was built on the city's first cleari'ng. Richard Turner, then an unmarried young man, came up from Mason where his brother kept a store and started to work on the hotel for the Seymores. He often, previous to his death, told his son, Dr. Turner, of taking a Sunday ride one June up river with "Mort" Cole. Mr. Cole was also working for the Seymours, but later went into business when the town became larger. The west bank of the Grand, when the hotel was building, showed not a sign of the white man except occasional marks of surveyors who had been sent here by the government to locate the capital site and survey the town. For miles upon miles west was unbroken timber. Lansing's first hotel had few conveniences, but was shelter and served good meals. It had one convenience not known to modernity, however, and that was a bar., Its lighting system was candles. If guests were sick in the night or wanted anything they "hollered." If the landlord was awake he heard them and responded. If asleep, the guest "hollered" until tired. SOLONS GO IN MUD Planks were laid down here and there for the accommodation of Michigan's early statesmen who lived at the Hotel Seymour, a mile or more from the place where the early legislative sessions were held. Whe'n a legislator who had forgotten his candle or lantern, lost his way and fell off the planks into the mud, the inhabitants heard what they thought of the town. Most all pioneer residents on North Washington avenue heard the mud-engulfed legislators threaten time and again to change the capitol to some other town. But the mud holes on the "avenue" made business for the boys at the hotel who either greased or shined the legislative boots. Legislators generally arrived at the hotel very dry inwardly, but outwardly wet and mud bedraggled. They all wore boots in those days. The first landlord was Jesse F. Turner. He held forth as host from INGHAM COUNTY 95 1848 to 1849. A man named McGlovey succeeded Landlord Turner and listened to legislative complaints for four years. In 1853 John Powell bought the property and catered to the early public until I86I, when Horace Angell, then sheriff of Ingham county, bought Powell's business and the hotel. Dr. Israel Richardson succeeded Angell, and was landlord until 1863. Louis Daman succeeded Dr. Richardson. Finally the property, which was not a very paying investment at the time because of new hotels in the growing settlement near the capitol, passed into the hands of J. W. Hinchey. The name was changed to the "Hinchey House." Thirty years ago George Lovely took charge of the property and conducted it as a hotel for a number of years. Lovely was the last landlord and his regime was the last period the old building was used as a hotel. Some years ago E. S. Porter, owner of the Porter, bought the property and entirely remodeled it. He "veneered" the sides with brick and converted the building into an apartment house. The name was again changed tc Franklin Terraces, and this name still clings. The original frame work of the building, however, is still intact, and much of the lumber formerly cut from virgin forests about Flushing is intact and in good state of repair. The hotel in an earlier day became popular as a stopping place for stages, which plied between Lansing and Detroit and Lansing and northern points. Horses were changed at the old hotel which had a barn of huge proportions in the rear. With the coming of the railroads the stage business became a dead issue. From that period the hotel's patronage began to decline. CHAPTER IX INDUSTRIAL AND CIVIC PROGRESS After the Civil war farmers made money. Farm products were sold for cash, new farms were cleared and timber from the same was sent to factories to be manufactured into farm machinery. Stock raising increased so much that in corn belts the main topics in all rural districts and communities were corn, hogs, and greenbacks: greenbacks, hogs, and corn. This, in a few years, led to over-production and the middleman, or after-war speculator, with the fall in prices, was made the scapegoat. When politicians found that the government was going to resume specie payments in 1873, they prognosticated panics and went among the farmers and workmen preaching the greenback issue. When agents from agricultural implement firms went among the farmers and tried to sell implements at war prices, when grain and farm products were cut 50 per cent, it made the farmers angry. In order to get rid of these middlemen and the politicians, the wealthy, conservative farmers met and discussed the situation. The result of their labors was the co-operative society called the Grange. We don't know why it was so designated or why they gave it that name. We think it was English born. Students and readers of rural life in England find that the land proprietor's place of residence where all the business meetings were held was called the grange. The three things this organization was advocating were: First, financial; buying their own supplies wholesale or direct from factories and selling their own products to the consumer, or acting as their own middlemen. Second, to meet at stated times and discuss different methods of raising grains, and fruits; also to discuss stock breeding, lumbering and the clearing of forest lands. Third, to provide entertainment for their wives and children. The entertainment part was given to the women who immediately proceeded to form Pomona Granges. The growth of any Grange lodge has been the growth of Pomona Grange. Politics was not discussed and at different times (luring the past fifty years politicians have tried to use the Grange for campaign purposes. Their efforts have been censured by officers and charter members of the Grange and in some instances offenders have been dismissed or expelled. The founders contended that their advancement and growth as a co-operative society did not depend upon the rise and fall of political parties, purely political or theoretical economics, the sliding scale of a protective tariff, or investigating officials who have violated election laws. Their time was too valuable. They were investigating the workings of their co-operative finances, they were educating the younger members into the duties and dignities of their occupation. George Washington, the father of our country, was a farmer. He was his own middleman in buying supplies and INGHAM COUNTY 97 selling his tobacco and other crops. His old ledgers show that he was a shrewd buyer and a good salesman. If he wanted one or two cents per pound more than the current market price for his tobacco and flour, precise directions were given to his foreman to hold the same for higher prices. He would have made a good master or agent of a Grange. After the formation of lodges, stores were started and conducted with profit; but wholesale houses were warned by the merchants that they would lose their trade if they sold to Grange stores. This block and mail order houses killed the growth of Grange stores. The Grange, in the past fifty years, has had a slow growth, but it has been a great help to agriculture and to our Agricultural College. To help in education, and to fit students who wish to enter Michigan Agricultural College, primary instruction with experimental work on the school grounds was introduced years ago in rural schools. The success of this work and training depended largely upon the teacher. The Okemos Grange is the oldest lodge in the county and is in a flourishing condition today. Among the members in the past, Hon. J. H. Forester, of Red Bridge, was one of the most active. Mr. Forester was a civil engineer. He had worked for the government on the Sault canal, upper peninsula, made a survey of Beaver Isle during the reign of "King" James Strang, surveyed lands in Wisconsin, etc. When he retired and came to his country residence and farm he entered into all the rural activities. For years and until he died he worked in the Okemos Grange and enjoyed the work. He also joined the Ingham County Farmers' club. His work in both of these organizations was of such a nature, and was given so generously, that he was a friend of all and an enemy of none. Another member, Mrs. Stillma'n, of Alaiedon, was the head of Pomona Lodge and for years was an officer in the same. She was noted in the county for her educational and social activities. Since the death of Mr. Forester and Mrs. Stillman, Charles Hullet has ably conducted this lodge. Williamston Grange, we think, is the second oldest Grange in the northern part of the county. Mrs. Branch was the most active member in that body and the Webbs, her neighbors, were always ready to help. We have lost touch in later years with the members of this Grange, but we think it is doing business and has as large a membership as it did in the past. We do not know how many Granges have been established in our county, but we think we counted ten at one time. FARM BUILDING IN COUNTY The removal of the capital from Detroit to Ingham county, in 1847, with the clearing and building of a city in the woods, acted as a stimulus to all the farmers and rural communities in the entire county. It is remarkable what improvement took place between 1847 and I860. Establishing stage lines and postoffices broke up the isolated settlements and people became more sociable and neighborly. Educated 3.7 98 HISTORIC MICHIGAN pioneers, who had endured for ten to twenty years' privation and hardships of the initiatory period, commenced to aspire and desire the comforts of the homes they had left in the East. Frame houses and barns with outbuildings were erected by scores all over the county. Orchards and ornamental trees were planted near newly erected farm houses and frame school houses were replacing the log buildings. MANUFACTURERS OF LUMBER During the period of building, when there was a demand for lumber, sawmills were located on every stream that could be damned to furnish power. Steam power was used whenever it could be made available. The lumber manufactured was used for covering and inside finish. Mills were started to cut shingles for roofs, and until they were started oak shingles were split, shaved thin, and used on houses, barns and outbuildings until pine shingles replaced them. There were no planing mills in those days. Siding, flooring and inside finish were dressed by hand during winter months from lumber sawed the previous year. HOUSE BUILDERS In most rural communities and small villages there was a carpenter who devoted his entire time to building. Frequently two or three brothers or other relatives worked together and took jobs. When a carpenter worked alone he usually had two or more farmer boys as apprentices, or helpers. These helpers paid the boss a certain amount out of their earnings for instruction received. The usual course of instruction was as follows: I. Selecting and hewing square timber for frame of building, also planing rough lumber for siding, finishing and flooring. 2. Framing or fitting square timber so it could be raised and joined together. 3. Raising the frame and how to manage this operation with a lot of untrained laborers. 4. Siding, roofing and finishing the building. The raising of the frame was made a social event in the neighborhood. Farmers and their wives helped do the work and get the supper. Sometimes the work took one day, or part of two days. It was exchanged labor for the men did not receive cash or money for three or four hours of strenuous work. It was dangerous when the timbers were wet and slippery. A wise foreman would not work or have his gang work in a rain. Hewing timber was a trade followed by Scotch and Irish workmen who were experts, in getting out ship timber. A gang of barn builders was always busy in those times if fortunate enough to have such a foreman. ARCHITECTURE The styles of rural architecture were similar to those in the East. In many instances they were duplicates of old homestead buildings in New York state and Massachusetts. Occasionally we find, when the pioneer came from Pennsylvania, the bank, or basement, barn and over INGHAM COUNTY )99 shot sill. These barns sometimes were immense affairs with high side wall for two driving floors and two story bays for hay and grain. Among the rural buildings of this period we find some brick farm houses which shows that the owners had been brickmakers before they migrated to Michigan. The clay bed or bank was generally located on one's own farm. He moulded his brick, burnt it in kilns erected on his land with fuel taken from his wood lot. Brick he did not use himself found a ready sale among his neighbors. Brick chimneys replaced the old stone and stick chimney of the log cabin period. We notice a dearth of fireplaces in the new houses. HEATING AND FURNISHING The round and square heating stoves, with elevated oven cooking stove replace the fireplace with its tin outdoor oven. This heating and cooking arrangement was a new style then and farmers and their wives were not slow about adopting any labor saving device. The old-fashioned elevated oven cooking range with its long legs, the various uses it served in domestic economy deserves to be mentioned. We found it in the kitchens of farmers' houses a'nd the city resident. The space under this style of stove was utilized for raising bread, drying fruit, as an incubator for young chickens, young household pets, dogs and cats, drying small articles of clothing, wet footwear and a good place to put a young patient with a bad ague or congestive chill. This style of cooki'ng and heating stove is gone from the farmers kitchens. Substitutes have taken their places. We doubt if any of these substitutes will be useful or take the place of the old elevated oven wood stove. The furniture in these houses was made in village cabinet shops or Daniel Buck's shop in Lansing. The styles of furniture were copies of eastern with some changes. Every cabinet maker had some ideas of his own in regard to artistic effect, comfort and utility which stamps individuality on every piece he made. It was the age of the cord bedstead, high back, split bottomed, and of the rush or flag bottomed chairs, the high spindled back settee with movable front and rockers. The last mentioned was used for a cradle for babes, and as an extra bed for the visitor and a hospital bed for the sick or invalid. In houses of the rich we find the haircloth chair and sofa, the black walnut corner whatnot with its companion piece, the high walnut corner clothes press. The cradle of white wood or black walnut with high head piece and cut away sides with morticed hand grips and rockers held the flower of the family for one or two generations and can be found in some of the attics of the old frame houses in our county. ILLU MIINATION The homes of the rural inhabitant as well as dwellings in village and city were lighted by candles. There were some whale oil lamps, of glass or metal with no chimney. The farmer's wife moulded or dipped her own candles. Before winter commenced the good wife made a 100 HISTORIC MICHIGAN supply to last during the short days of December, January and February. Candle making days were as much noted as house cleaning. The supply was kept in a square box with a sliding cover. The grocery stores supplied the people in villages and cities. Candles were as much a staple in 1855 as sugar is today. In cities in the East there were large factories which made nothing but soap and candles. It would be difficult to determine when the first candles were used or made. Illumination by kereosene came in with the Civil war. MANUFACTURE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS From 1848 to I860 we find the farmer busy clearing land and building. His rude home-made plows, and other tools were made in village shops. Foundries to cast plow shares and blacksmith and wagon shops were located in Williamston, Leslie, Stockbridge, Okemos, Mason, Dansville, Lansing and other places. These small shops and factories were enlarged and consolidated and were the pioneer nuclei from which has grown the large factories of today. During this period farm hand implements were improved, grain cradles took the place of reaping hook. Hand rakes for hay and grain were made in shops at Dansville and Lansing. Harrows were made square and contained thirty teeth instead of twelve. Corn cultivators were manufactured to replace hoes, small ax factories were started at Eaton Rapids, artists in wood were making bowls, large and small spinning wheels, reels for yarn and hand looms to weave the gray yarn into cloth. The wool was sent to the carding mill at Lansing and hand cards were thrown aside. This period shows improvement in home manufacturing and movement from home to village or small city. TRANSPORTATION Opening of the Detroit, Lansing and Howell plank road was an incentive to improve all county highways. Roads were graded, ditches were dug on the sides to carry off water, culverts were built of hewn timber and planked at the level of road bed. Bridges were built of hewn timbers, instead of logs, with abutments and center piers of the same. These timber bridges are all gone. They were replaced by iron, and these iron bridges have been replaced by reinforced concrete. Bridge building in those times was a trade and certain carpenters made a specialty of it. The most noted man in this county who built the best and largest was Smith Tooker, of Lansing. For years he and his gang of workmen built bridges. How were these bridges built? The abutments of hewn oak were built as near the stream as possible, high enough to furnish a free passage for ice and logs during high water. Into the space between the bank and the abutment with whigs, was packed earth and stone to anchor it to the bank and form the approach to the bridge. In the channel was placed one or two hewn timber cribs with wedged-shaped end up stream. Those cribs were INGHAM COUNTY 101 filled with stone to anchor them to the bed of the stream. The level of these cribs was slightly higher than the abutments so as to give the water a chance to run from the planking or floor of the bridge to the banks. Two or four sills of oak sixteen inches square were placed on the abutments and cribs. Length of sills varied from forty to eighty feet, but the ends were supported on the abutments or cribs. Beams of the same dimensions as sills were placed at right angles under the sills at a distance of ten to fifteen feet. These were held in place by iron rods anchored in posts directly above the beam. These posts were braced and held in place by horizontal ties or girts. Upon these beams were placed joists of the width of the sills. Upon these joists was laid the floor of the bridge. The floor was of heavy oak plank. Siding of frame work to cover posts and sills for protection from rain and sun was set up. Sometimes this siding was made high enough for a roof over the whole structure. We cannot remember such a bridge in Ingham county, but they were frequent in the southern states. We noticed quite a number of them in good shape in South Carolina in I896. They had been erected half a century and would last, with proper care, an entire century. The cost of a wooden bridge such as we have described would be difficult to estimate as we have no bills of materials and cost of labor. We might find an old relic somewhere in the county that could be measured, and from this measurement approximate the cost of materials and labor and find what it would cost today (I924). We would find our total cost almost the same as a cement bridge. A bridge in any period of the world's history represents the highest mechanical and engineering skill of that period. Improvement in building marks the advance of civilization. Great cities of the past and the present, which are located on rivers have been praised for their bridges while the streams they span are rarely mentioned. Volumes have been written, and will be written, about the construction of bridges. DETROIT, LANSING AND HOWELL PLANK ROAD The United States government in I840 gave to ten states that were custodians of government lands Io per cent of the net proceeds of land sales to build highways in their states; also 500,000 acres to be sold to contractors who built the same. The state could grant the right-of-way for a road through all state and government owned lands, also a bonus of every alternate section of wild land each side of the road for each mile built. The builder could select these sections but must not go farther than six miles each way. The federal government and state did not give title to these lands until the road was finished. This law was changed so the builder could have when he finished ten miles, twenty sections of land to sell and pay for labor. Governor Felch, who resigned in 1847 to enter the United States senate, was an active supporter of this bill for he saw how internal Improvements would be boosted if the measure passed. 102 HISTORIC MICHIGAN PRELIMINARY WORK The best highway, or trunk line, built in the period from 1840 to I865 was the plank road. Oak timber was cheap and easy to prepare and for five to ten years made a solid, smooth roadbed. Legislatures of 1848-49-50 were flooded with bills for "plank road charters". Most of them were worthless as the companies could not furnish the security required. The city needed a highway to Detroit and needed it badly. The eighty-five miles would cost, with cheap materials and labor, nearly $Iooooo. H. H. Smith and James Turner, pioneer merchants in Lansing. with the help of James Seymour and others who were large land holders in Lansing and the northern part of Ingham county, formed a company to build a plank road to Detroit. A bill was presented to the legislature and a charter was granted in I851. Some provisions in the charter were that the roadbed must be wide enough for two tracks, i. e., plank eight feet wide with dirt or gravel track of same width to be used when one track was being repaired and for teams to pass. The right-of-way must be cleared one hundred feet wide. From Howell to Lansing this right-of-way was cleared only to sixty-six feet. The farmers later cleared the balance, or thirty-four feet, and used it for crops and shade trees until I923, when the present highway department ordered the farmers to vacate seventeen feet on each side of the road. The old ninety-nine-year charter had not been repealed, but had until I949 to run before land could be leased to them. Another provision of the charter was the privilege to charge toll of certain rate per mile to the public. For aid in collecting this, gates were placed every five miles with a house for the gate keeper. The greatest privilege was in carrying the United States mail. People in Williamston, Fowlerville, Okemos, Howell and Brighton could hear from friends and relatives cheaper and oftener. Congress in 1847 passed an act establishing postoffices to collect and distribute mails; also introducing stamps to show that carriage was paid. This was the first appearance of postage stamps. The outer wrapper of letters or the envelope came later. FINANCING ROAD Detroit financiers and wealthy men in the state of New York who owned lands in Michigan saw they would be increased in value by this road. The men who built and financed the road from Howell to Lansing-James Turner and H. H. Smith-were helped by donations of work and money from merchants and other business men in Howell, Fowlerville, Williamston and Okemos. The farmers along the line gave work and helped in delivering materials for the road. James Seymour gave land and money and helped Smith and Turner raise money in Rochester, New York-Mr. Seymour's home-by selling to wealthy men some of the wild lands which they possessed after a few miles of road were built. The record of land sales in the fifties INGHAM COUNTY 103 will show that Lampson Bros. of Leroy, New York, Ellis Bros. and others in the East bought these lands. This firm of financiers and contractors, Turner, Smith & Co., by completing this road in two years established a name and reputation so that Quakers in Albany and bankers in New York City and Boston sent them money to be invested in lands, rail and other roads that led to our capital city in the woods. It would be difficult to estimate the amount of money this firm and its associates handled as agents for Eastern capitalists in Ingham and adjoining counties and at Lansing. They had the foresight, ability, integrity and honesty that made them good agents. BUILDING ROAD The surveyors ran the lines and in doing this utilized most of the old Indian trail running parallel to Cedar river. The work of chopping and clearing timber and underbrush was pushed with vigor. All along the line, especially where there was water power, sawmills were erected. These mills were primitive affairs compared with the immense structures erected twenty years later, but served the purpose by running them night and day. The largest only employed three to five men. When they worked nights they used tallow candles to show them what the single upright saw was doing. This gang, or two gangs, could get out three to five thousnd feet of lumber in twenty hours. One thousand feet per man was a good average. This was a great improvement upon the way some of the earlier settlers with whip saw manufactured lumber. It was faster, for the whin saw men would only average two to three hundred feet per man per day of twelve to sixteen hours. COST OF TIMBER There was twenty-one miles of this road in Ingham county. Four houses were built for gate keepers. Five bridges had to be constructed to span Pine lake outlet. Cedar river, and Deer, Doan and Kalamink creeks. Scores of culverts were built. Hundreds of rods of corduroy were used in wet and swampy places. All the above was built of timber. Oak was used for strength and durability. This oak was cut on the right-of-way and sections of state land granted to the company for building the road. How much oak was used in this twenty-one miles? Each plank laid was three inches thick, eight feet long and from eight inches to twenty inches wide, so every linear foot took twenty-four feet of best oak plank. Then in twenty-one miles there was used 2,661,I20 feet of oak. In bridges, culverts, gate houses and corduroy structure there was enough oak used to increase the total to five million feet. In lumbering there is a waste of 50 per cent in manufacture, so we can double the amount and find that ten million feet of standing oak timber went into this twenty-one miles of road. This ten million feet of oak at five cents a foot would make a cost item of five hundred thousand dollars. The grading would cost today five thousand dollars 104 HISTORIC MICHIGAN a mile or $Io5,000. Building bridges and gate houses would run to $50,000, so the aggregate cost of this road (twenty-one miles) today would, at lowest estimate, be $655,000. All this oak was taken from the townships in the northern part of the country. Mr. Turner, in order to be in touch with workmen and building operations, moved to Fowlerville and resided there until the work was finished. Mr. Smith became acquainted with a Miss Waldo in Williamston and married her while building the road. PIONEER FINANCIERS These two men were young. Mr. Turner was twenty-seven years old and Mr. Smith thirty or thirty-five. Lansing at that time was full of young men who formed partnerships in trade, manufacturing, contracting, etc. These firms and companies were optimistic, full of enthusiasm and not afraid of work with hands when necessary to accomplish objects. In their enjoyment these men divided into three groups, North Lansing, "Middle Town" and south end. Each group was always ready to help each other or join in some recreation. After 1855 the young men from Middle Town were quite chummy with the north enders as there was a female college in the north end. They did not like a young man who would not join them or was selfish and stingy. One of these men lived in the north end, a small merchant. He was invited to join them, but would not, so he received a backwoods invitation to leave town. This notice was unique, so we will describe it. He found it one morning in front of his door. It was a long rough barked pole mounted on supports. On this pole was pinned the following: "Mr. Doe: To save your soul Leave this town or ride this pole." As a result of this notice and warning the recipient changed his ways. PIONEER ARCTITECTURE Any one interested in architecture wanting to find out the styles of dwellings that the first settlers of this city built, what they built them of, and how they were placed in regard to streets, etc., should go to the northwest corner of Capitol avenue and Maple street. It is an old-fashioned house that shows the effects of time and the elements. The main part, or upright, stands with its gable facing east, the addition or one-story wing at its north side. It was built in 1851 or 1852. As a devout Mohammedan faces the east every morning, so this old frame house has shown its front to the rising sun for more than half a century. Our forebears always liked to place their homes so they would face the east, which was their former home, and some had a certain mark on the floor or walls opposite an eastern window so INGHAM COUNTY 105 when the rising sun shone upon it the time or hour could be told. It took the place of a clock or timepiece. What peculiarity or distinguishing mark has this old house? The first thing we notice is its shape, the main part being two stories high while the wing only one. As a result the living and sleeping rooms are in the main part, while the kitchen and pantry or working rooms are in the wing with an attic above them for a store room. This style of planning and building a house came with the early settlers from the New England states. What more is peculiar about this house that tells us something about the architecture of the early fifties? The shape of the cornice. You will notice that where the side cornice meets the gable the cornice is carried out over the gable eighteen inches or two feet, and then stops, and we have a boxed-in cornice. Most of the dwellings built from I840 to I86o have this style of cornice. You will also notice that in the costly homes, built during this same period, the cornice is carried across the whole gable, but in the humbler homes the builder stops and boxes it in. This might be the distinguishing mark between the rich and poor dweller. Those who build a home today little realize what it was to build in the early fifties, especially here in the woods. Material, especially wood, was not lacking, but all the material had to be worked out by hand before it was placed into a home. Two years, at least, before building the builder went into the woods and selected the trees to make the covering, cornice, inside finish and window sashes and doors. These trees were felled, cut into saw logs and hauled to the nearest sawmill, there sawed into rough lumber. This lumber had to be seasoned in the open air for one or two years, and then during the winter months planed by hand and made into siding, flooring, cornice, door and window frames, sashes and doors. If there were no shingle mills near, shingle bolts were cut and shingles split and shaved by hand on a shaving horse to cover the roof. A builder in those days had to be master of his trade, not a mere saw and hammer carpenter. The hardware, nails and glass for the windows had to be contracted for six months before used as they had to be brought from Detroit or some lake port by teams. Most of the builders were handicapped as there were no architects and no blue prints, so they had to make their own estimates. No wonder they served a long apprenticeship for they were taught to use their brains as well as their han:s, and these old homes show an individuality that we don't get in our modern machine made homes. Thomas Carlyle, in his reminiscenses, speaks of his father as a master mason, a stone bridge builder, and how his father, when he got too old to work, used to visit some of the bridges he had built and view them with pride. They were his children, creations oJf his brain and hand, so I think if the spirits of these old builders could come back and see their creations, even when built of such a perishing material I, I i I 11 i 106 HISTORIC MICHIGAN as wood that has lasted after their bones have crumbled into dust, they would rejoice. This old house is dear to me and I cannot forget the memories associated with it, for my father built it and in one of the old rooms I was born. THE FIRST NEWSPAPER In 1849, Rev. J. H. Sanford, an evangelist of the Universalist church, came to this city in the woods, bringing with him a small printing outfit. Hle immediately set this up in a small frame building that had been used as a jewelry shop. This building was located in the first block on South Washington avenue. To aid in his evangelistic work, Mr. Sanford published a small weekly newspaper, or magazine, called the Expounder. The first number of this paper was published in the same year, 1849. The circulation increased along with his advertising and job work so that in 1855 (date of bills) Sanford was compelled to enlarge his office, purchase more type, and employ more help. In consulting an old history of Ingham county, I find that in I848 a firm of two men, Bagg & Harmon, of Detroit, started a newspaper, Free Press, to give the people of the state news about the new capital in the woods of Ingham county. After a few numbers had been issued this paper was sold and the name was changed to State Journal. Tihis must have taken place in the latter part of I848 or first part of the year 1849. This paper must have been published in Detroit, as we have no record of its being moved to Lansing prior to 1850. We know that there were no buildings erected at that date that could house anything but a small printing outfit. A reason for want of buildings was the instability of the capital's new location. The old pioneers will tell you how they lived in fear during subsequent sessions of the legislature as its members wanted to move or change the location to Ann Arbor, Jackson or some town where there was a railroad and other conveniences other than the Grand river, Indian trails and muddy roads through the dense woods that at that time surrounded Lansing. From the above facts we can say that the Journal was the second, and not the first, newspaper published here. The third newspaper was the State Republican. Henry Barnes was the first publisher, and its first number appeared April 28, I855. In; few weeks Barnes sold his interests to Herman E. Haskill. Shortly after Haskill made this purchase he met with a great disappointment. He was not appointed state printer. Two men, Fitch and Hosmer, got the appointment, and Haskill sold his interests to them, and they published the paper in connection with the state printing. In 1857, Fitch sold his interests to John A. Kerr, and the firm's name was changed to Kerr & Hosmer. I can remember these two men and the old red building on West Michigan avenue where the state printing and binding was done, and this paper was published. It had a long sign on the roof that informed the passerby that INGHAM COUNTY 107 it was the state bindery and Rep'ublican office. This building was wrecked a few years ago to make room for the present Y. M. C. A. building. One word about the name-Republican. There was no Republican party in I855. History tells us that this party had its brith under "The Oaks" at Jackson, Michigan, in I856. It was formed out of the Old Whig, Free Soil Democrat and Abolition parties. The paper must have borne another name until after the party was formed and then was rechristened in honor of the new party. Certain old bills are a record of the cost of printers' supplies and establish the fact that the workmen had a union sixty-six years a'go called "American Printers' Association." From what I can learn, without a copy of this old paper, it was in favor of a communistic or close communion form of government in religion, education, social and industrial life. Representative democracy and progress made it a back number and the only record we have of its propaganda lies in old scraps of state history. Some of my readers would like to see these old bills and the following is a true copy of one: New York, April I4, I855. Mr. E. V. Sanford. Bought of George Bruce. Dr. 50 lbs. Double Gt. Primer No. 3. 32C......................$I6.oo 34 lbs. I2 oz. Double Small Pica No. 2, 32c................. II.2 22 lbs. 8 oz. Pica No. 6, 32C.............................. 7.20 33 lbs. Five-line Pica Extra Con., 44c..................... 14.52 19 lbs. 2 oz. Double Paragon Con., 36c.................... 6.89 32 lbs. Double Gt. Primer Ant. Ex., 38c.................... 2.16 3 lbs. 9 oz. Two-line Brevier No. 4, 44c.................... 1.57 4 lbs. Two-line Nonpareil No. I, 90oc..................... 3.60 5 lbs. 9 oz. Two-line Nonpareil No. 6, 9oc................ 5.01 3 lbs. 8 oz. Long Pr. Hairline, $I.oo...................... 3.50 9 lbs. IO oz. Brevier Title, 74c........................... 7.12 10 lbs. Leads, 27c....................................... 2.70 Drnaments.............................................. 8.80 ( B rass R ule.............................................. 2 Brass Galleys, $3.00................................... I M ahogany Stick..................................... 5 pair Cases, $2, 3 Job Cases, $I.2I.................... 156 Letter I6 line Pica Condensed, Ioc...................... 225 Letter I2 line Pica Condensed, 7c....................... 225 Letter 8 line Pica, 5c................................. 3 Boxes Battening and Carting......................... I.04 6.oo 2.00 I3.37 io.6o I5.75 II.25 2.20 $I62.40 , I 1;; fl. ii 1 III I I1 I; 108 HISTORIC MICHIGAN The Am. Printing Association. To G. V. Sanford. Dr. May 2I, to balance due on settlement...................... $93.00 To 9 weeks' work since.................................. 90.0 To cash paid John Gould for work same time................ o.o00 To cash paid W m. T. Merritt..............................75 To cash paid for candles and sundries...................... 2.00 To cash paid for ink..................................... I2.00 To cash paid for freight on same.......................... 2.25 To cash paid ink and pail................................ 1.25 $211.25 49.00 $172.25 Credit by cash on probate notices......................... $26.40 Credit by cash on chancery sale.......................... 3.00 Credit by cash of Masons................................ I2.00 Credit by cash of A. Knight.............................. 3.00 Credit by cash of T. Treat................................ 3.00 Credit by cash of Vaughan...............................50 Credit by cash of Abby...................................50 $49.00 TIHE FIRST CHURCH The first church organization in our city was Methodist. In 1846 a small band of Methodists met and formed a society with four members, Joab Page, Abigail Page, Orcella Pease and Eliza Lester. Lansing was a village and three women and one man, realizing the need of religious interest to their families and the difficulties of getting it from the outside world through lack of roads and other means of communication, resolved to help each other, hence the formation of this church society. The first meetings of this society were held in the family residence or boarding house. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Coburn of the town of DeWitt, a Methodist preacher. After Mr. Page had built a dining room to his house, this society had preaching every Sabbath from ministers of Lyon's circuit and Bennington. After the capital was located, and immigraion to the north end commenced this society increased in numbers. Many of the new members were Presbyterians, so when the trustees and minister decided upon a site for church and church building the members, other than Methodists, wanted the buildi'ng part of the time for their own particular services. This was agreed upon and a frame building that had been used by James Seymore for a horse barn, located on lot 6, block 14, facing south, was purchased in 1848. This building was remodeled and was used for church purposes until I865 by both denominations. INGHAM COUNTY 109 In 1865 the Presbyterians withdrew and formed a church society of their own that built the Franklin Presbyterian church on the corner of Washington and Franklin avenues. According to records in the abstract office the Presbyterian society sold its interest in the property in 1858, as we find the formation of first recorded board of Methodist trustees. The names of James Turner, William Dryer, A. N. Hart, Mr. Parmalee, and others prominent in North Lansing business affairs appear on this record. The Presbyterians continued to use the building for religious services until they moved into their new church. BUY PRESENT SITE After the Presbyterians left, the Methodists continued to use the old building for their services until they bought a site on the corner of Franklin avenue and Cedar street, the present church ground, and in i868 built a wooden building that was wrecked a few years ago to make room for the present brick structure. In the early seventies the old church was sold to Henry Southward, who moved it to North Center street, back of the old Mead store where he used it for a stable to house his delivery horses. A stable it was first and last, and finally it was wrecked and used for fuel. This is the beginning and the end of the first Christian church in one city. RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD CHURCII This old building was a long, wooden, one-story structure with windows on the east and west sides and a brick chimney on or near the north gable. It had been painted white, but the paint had faded or worn off in spots so that it had a mottled gray color. There were two entrances on the south or Wall street side. I cannot remember any shade trees near the building. On entering the building a double row of wooden pillars extended to the north end. These were used, not for ornaments, but to support the ceiling and roof. A broad, raised platform extended across the north side, and on it was the pulpit and chairs for the ministers and choir when they did not have congregational singing. The walls were plastered and destitute of decoration. The pews were high-back, home-made affairs that extended across from the center aisle. Sometimes the pillars cut off our small boys' view from the pulpit and gave us a chance to nap or play tricks on the minister or deacon in the pew in front. BOASTED OF LONG SERVICE I went to Sunday school in this building, and James Turner was our superintendent. Members of this church used to boast of his length of service and no absent or tardy marks against his record. He was a great lover of children and never a youngster walked the streets of North Lansing but he formed his acquaintance and invited him to come to Sunday school. 110 HISTORIC MICHIGAN I cannot find from records who was the first minister that preached in this church, but in 1864 old Elder Bryant, who was sent as a missionary minister by the Presbyterian synod to get the Presbyterian members to form a society, preached a series of sermons on the "Prophecies of Daniel." Elder Bryant had a good congregation out to hear him and made many converts. FUNERALS DRAW CROWDS This church was great on funeral services. A public funeral always drew a crowd. It was a great public attraction and divided its honors of attendance with a political meeting. Those who attended funerals outside of mourners and friends went more out of idle curiosity to hear the funeral sermon and comment upon the amount of grief shown by the mourners. Even the departed came into his share of comment as poor, haggard, worn, or peaceful and happy. The sermon was usually a short biography of the life of the dead person with a word of praise for his services to God and his fellow man, with an admonition to the unconverted warning them of the great punishment awaiting them if they died in their sins or without due preparation. This was the Methodist doctrine and that of other denominations fifty years ago. It had to be strong and full of penalties for he who transgressed. The ministers, deacons and members in their experience meeting would openly confess their sins or sinful life and then tell how they were forgiven and regenerated. This was the method used by the early Methodists to get a corresponding confession from a case-hardened sinner. NEED STRONG DOCTRINE Methodism in 1840 to I870 was going through a pioneer experience itself and had to use methods suitable for the times and the people. The pioneers of this church were at that period passing through deep waters of affliction. They did not know whether their experiment of founding a capital city in the woods was going to be a success or a failure. If the legislature moved it, or changed the location to some other city, all their work and expense of building houses and clearing lots was a dead loss. Diseases of new climate, as intermittent fever and ague chills, were making them weak and discouraged so they needed a religion full of strong doctrine, a belief that a loud appeal delivered in public for help and guidance would be heard and answered. Some of the other denominations at that time and since have criticised the way the Methodists conducted their worship. Did these scoffers ever stop to analyze this way and its purposes? It was to attract the attention, set the mind to thinking, and by so doing create in the indifferent, immoral and criminal a desire for something better, more moral, more patriotic, and a desire to prepare the mind or soul for a higher plane when the separation from the body should take place. These pioneer Methodists did this work sixty years ago. They now rest from their labors. The INGHAM COUNTY 1ll churches they established are rich and powerful, so well organized that they have discontinued their appeals about the sins of commission and dwell more on the sins of omission. From I870 to 1885 a band of teachers and preachers went out from our Methodist churches to do this old pioneer work again. They reorganized creed but used the same methods that the pioneers did, and were equally successful-Free Methodists. Christian churches generally employ similar methods in pioneer or reform work. Social, civil and moral reforms use similar means to further their cause, to attract the attention of the people and set them thinking about themselves and their fellowmen. Those who do not want to enter the reform ranks, or act as reformers, give financial support when they see success crowning the reformers' efforts. The first church performed its mission and is gone, but in my opinion the ground on which it stood was consecrated and a suitable marker should be placed to mark the spot where it stood so that future generations will know where this little band of four met and worshipped God. MORMONS IN INGHAM COUNTY At the time the capital was moved to Lansing the Mormons under James J. Strang made a settlement on Beaver island in Lake Michigan. After the settlement started Mormon missionaries were sent all over this state to get converts for this colony. The chief industry of the colony was agriculture, with lumbering and fishing as a means to support members until land was cleared and crops grown. These missionaries worked by pairs in rural communities. They were shrewd and zealous workers, always tried to convert a farmer who had means, so he could help develop, by work and money, the agricultural, communistic settlements at Beaver island or Utah. Several families in Locke and Leroy townships were persuaded by these missionaries to sell their farms and make the pilgrimage to Utah, or Great Salt Lake. Two families we will have to mention from Locke and Leroy. Their faith and zeal enabled them to make the journey by covered wagons to Zion, but when they arrived there no persuasion or threats of the Mormon leaders could make them live as they did. For refusing to do this they were not received into church or colony. They came back to their old neighborhood to take up the life they left with dreams shattered and spirituality gone. In Handy township, Livingston county, there is a rural schoolhouse where Mormons met, that today is called the "Mormon schoolhouse." After a lapse of seventy-five years it would be difficult to estimate the amount of money spent by Mormon converts in investments in settlements and pilgrimages to Beaver island and Utah. One hundred thousand dollars would be a small estimate for Ingham county. The money spent was nothing. Families were divided, neighborhoods engaged in religious quarrels, old friends separated, hatred and revenge took the place of charity and good fellowship. 112 HISTORIC MICHIGAN THE UPHEAVAL The period from 1847 to I86o was in our city an epoch of settlement and advancement, also a period of upheaval and reform. People of all classes who were disheartened by two financial panics, two epidemics of cholera, possessed a mania for tearing down old established rules in society, in politics, in religion, in law and medicine, then handing the ruins over to some smooth-tongued reformer to build a substitute and make people believe it was better than the old. Society was using styles in dress that we ridicule today. Women wore enormous hooped skirts, young men were copying style of Byron and Poe, scholars were making an idol of Emerson and his transcendentalism. Dana and his associates were trying out at "Brook Farm" an experiment in scholastic, communistic socialism on an agrarian basis. In politics Webster, Clay and Douglass were fighting slavery to prevent disunion, trying to overcome the friction between the slave labor and free labor factions in our country. In religion, Catholics, Methodists and other established denominations were waging a fight against Millerites, Seven-day Baptists, Spiritualists and Mormons. In medicine the general practitioner fought Indian doctors, witch doctors, Tompsonians, hydropaths and homeopaths to get money enough to meet his bills. In lay an attorney and judge had to affiliate with the anti-slavery or pro-slavery party to get a practice. We thing, as di:l our forebears, that the Civil war that followed this epoch of unrest did a good thing in clearing the different ranks of society of "isms" and questionable beliefs. LANSING'S FIRST PUBLIC SCI-OOL In April, I847, at the time the surveyors were staking out the Capitol grounds, a school was started in a small shanty located on the grounds of the present north end Cedar street school. It was a district school and North Lansing's First ward has the honor of establishing the first school and organizing the first school district in this city. This was the only cleared ground in the woods and had the largest number of inhabitants and children of school age. Miss Eliza Powell, daughter of John P. Powell, pioneer of Lansing, was the first teacher. Her education and other qualifications fitted her for something higher than primary school, but the helpful spirit the early pioneers showed each other overcame all objections and she accepted the position. Her first enrollment was ten pupils. This increased and at the end of the third month she had forty youngsters on her record. In the fall of 1847 her school had outgrown her room, so the school board was compelled to build a large frame building facing Wall street on the block west (Block 14) for the winter term. Miss Powell's salary was $2.00 per week or $8.00 per month. Some of our grade teachers get more than that for one day's service. From what I can learn on looking over old records, and the talks at our pioneer meetings, the average district teacher received in the INGHAM COUNTY 113 rural districts in I840, $.75 to $I.50 per week and board. In one instance a female teacher took her pay in town orders-subject to discount-at 75 cents per week. In Miss Powell's case I think she appreciated the honor of being the first teacher more than the salary. Before the winter term commenced, anticipating a large attendance of advanced pupils, she resigned and a male teacher named Elihu Elwood was hired to fill the vacancy. Attendance increased so that this building was not large enough. The school board in I851 had to build a larger building on the site of the shanty. It was the first two-story brick school house built in the city. In my opinion this is correct as the capitol had only been located here in the woods four years. The other ward school sites had to be cleared and some at that date had no school buildings. PIONEER PRIVATE SCHOOLS There was a private school for pupils who wished instruction in the higher branches. Mrs. Laura A. Burr, wife of Dr. H. S. Burr, started this school at her home on the banks of the river, now River street. The exact location as to lot and block I was unable to find in any of the records. It started in September, I847, or five months after Miss Powell's school. Some of the wealthy pioneers sent their children to Mrs. Burr to be taught French, the higher mathematics, algebra, geometry, etc. The school was closed by an epidemic of brain fever, contagious cerebro-spinal meningitis, in 1849. Mrs. Burr's husband contracted the disease from his patients and died in April, I849. School was never reopened. This first private school was followed by others until the largest, Lansing Female seminary, was built on the square now occupied by the present buildings of the School for the Blind. The Misses Rodgers founded this school (I855) and ran it successfully for a number of years. Not getting the support of the public and private patrons they made several appeals to the legislature for support. There they had no success as the legislature was busy perfecting an educational system to give poor as well as the rich students opportunities for higher education and training in the professions, law, medicine, letters and agriculture. Another thing that prevented co-operation was that the public school system was co-educational and the Misses Rodgers' school was not. The death of one of the sisters placed too much responsibility on the other. The change establishing a central high school where pupils could receive advanced training at a cheaper rate of tuition finally compelled the surviving sister to close this school. RECOLLECTIONS OF FIRST WARD UNION SCHOOL Before we youngsters on the west side of the river entered this school we had attended a private one taught by an English lady named Miller. She had a small number of pupils at her home in the old Gothic house on North Washington avenue nearly opposite the present Jacob Gansley residence. When she closed her school 3-8 114 HISTORIC MICHIGAN our parents sent us to a second private school kept by Miss Eliza Preston at her home at Capitol and West Franklin avenues. I will let the reader imagine the initiation we youngsters got when we were graduated from this private school and were turned loose in the playground of the First Ward school. We survived the first few days with some torn clothing and bruises. The exterior of the building was square with cupola or belfry on the center of the roof. They had graded the street, so we had to step up to enter the grounds by a gate that must have cost a small fortune to keep in repair. There was a high board fence on the north and east side of the school grounds with a picket fence on the west and south, while a high fence divided the girls' and boys' playgrounds in the rear of the building. The main entrance faced the west and two rear doors on the east side gave access to the two playgrounds. A hall extended east and west through the building. From this hall doors gave access to two rooms, primary on the north side and intermediate on the south. From this hall a wide closed stairway led to the upper room. Under this stairway was the stairs into the basement. The basement was a store house for wood used in the large box stoves. It was also used for athletic and social purposes. The larger boys used to have boxing matches, with the youngsters for the audience, and for sledge card parties to which we were not invited. The younger boys thought it a great treat or privilege to carry up the heavy blocks or sticks of wood to feed the fires in the lower and upper rooms. The ranks of willing helpers were always filled. The stairway to the upper room was also a bridge of sighs. We youngsters were sent up to the principal for punishment. He usually had a rawhide and was an artist in using it to take the dust out of our roundabouts and jackets. I will never forget the time I was sent with two other boys for some misconduct, by our teacher, Miss Limeback. When we got into the hall we were tempted to bolt, but went up the stairs, advanced to the principal's rostrum and presented our note from the teacher. This upper room, by the way, was not divided except at the north end where there were two small recitation rooms back of the rostrum. The culprits had to face the whole room and receive their sentence. In our case we were told to stand and face a blackboard and not turn around until he told us to. This punishment was inflicted nearly sixty years ago, but I can remember that old blackboard and how my legs ached after standing before the whole room two hours. When the principal dismissed the school at noon he called us up and said two of us had been obedient, but one had looked around. We were dismissed but that boy had to go up in the afternoon and serve another spell. The instruction we youngsters received in this old school was a constant drill in the "three R's" and memorizing, especially the multiplication tables. We had to learn up to twelve times twelve and be able to say all the tables forwards, backwards and skip around. The INGHAM COUNTY 115 blackboards and globes, maps, and charts were not used to any great extent except in the upper room by the advanced pupils. TEACHERS I KNEW Daniel Rork was principal and Miss Louise Turner, niece of James Turner, was preceptress and recitation teacher in the upper room. Miss Limeback was primary and Miss Hattie Seymore, a relative of James Seymore, was intermediate teacher. Rork was an Irishman and had all the characteristics of his race, a thorough disciplinarian, tactful and witty. He left the schools to enter the ministry, but after preaching a few years he left the ministry and in 1885 returned to Lansing and established a private school for boys in the old Dart building, chamber of commerce. Failing to get sufficient financial support he had to give up his school and left the city. I never heard where he went or when he died. Miss Limeback married a painter and decorator and lived for a number of years at Franklin and Washington avenues, where Mr. Moore has his drug store today. PUPILS AND GRADUATES Of the many pupils and graduates of this old school the writer can recall a few who served the city and state with credit and distinction. At the head of the list was the late Russell Ostrander, judge of the supreme court. All his education previous to taking up the study of law was obtained in the old Union school. His brother, Arthur, was a bright pupil and a special "pet" of Rork. He always called upon Arthur to make an address or presentation speech, and he was always "there with the goods". For a boy he had a command of language, eloquence, and voice that would win respect and praise in any audience. Charles Lewis, who for years was "M. Quad", of the Detroit Free Press, was another pupil. The older pioneers tell this story about Charley to show how he first was noticed as a humorist. An agent for a medicine firm had decorated the fences in the city with advertisements, as: "For your ills take my pills," or "For chills take my remedies," etc. Charles procured a different kind of paint and painted under each sign: "Be sure you buy your coffins of Daniel Buck." His brothers attended this school. James M. Turner, mayor of Lansing, was another boy. All of James I. Mead's sons and John A. Carr, principal liveryman and hackman in the past, were others. Edward Tooker, Charles Allen and his brothers, the Ten Eyck boys, John Carpenter, attorney, Will Cady, Fred Keith, Edward Parmalee, the Scofield boys, Frank Robson, attorney of the Michigan Central railroad in Detroit, the late Charles M. Turner, Edward Yawger, John Blasins, contractor and builder, are a few the writer recollects out of the scores who attended the school in the sixties. Of the many functions and picnics in the old school yard the writer distinctly remembers the farewell dinner given by ladies of the First ward to the company of soldier boys sent South during 116 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the Civil war. One of these boys was sent back and was given a soldier funeral in Franklin street church and burial in the old cemetery-now East Side park. This was Andrew Calkins and his home is standing today on East Willow street. It is the old house with two spruce trees in front. PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF LANSING After the city was incorporated in I859, the two school districts were consolidated into one district with one school board. 'This was the first consolidation of school districts we find in the history of our city and county. There had been some rivalry between the two districts and after the city was divided into wards, it cropped out into a rivalry between the wards. By this consolidation members of the school board were elected by citizens in the wards. Two members were elected from each ward on alternate years so the board always had a full representation. This reorganization was modified at different times to conform to school laws of the state. In I866 the school board saw the two buildings were too small. There had been two additional wards formed out of the First and Second, i. e., Third and Fourth wards. This made additional members on the board who would wish school houses in their wards. About this time the state board of education changed the grading of our incorporated cities. It found the seminary method of having a primary, intermediate and advanced, or seminary grade, did not give a uniform svstem in our consolidated districts. It also made the school board build a union school building i'n every ward in the city. It also made an alditional expense in supply of teachers qualified to give instructinons in all grades of union or seminary work. The State Normal school at Ypsilanti had changed its courses of study from seminary to primary, full English, scientific and classical, and was instructing and training teachers along those lines, or in Whe new curriculum. The late Professor Emery, who was an old teacher and had taught in the First ward union school, urged the board to change. Other teachers who were graduates of eastern colleges also used their influence to have the school board change to the new svstem. In I868, Lansing, by vote of the taxpayers of the school district, changed to the new system. The old seminary, or union system, went out. The present high school system of primary, grammar and high school courses was installed. By doing this and building a high school building in the central part of the city to receive pupils of advanced standing, the school board would not have to build two or three large union schools and the corps of instructors for this advanced work would be one body instead of three or four separate faculties each with a different method of instructing the advanced pupils. The board foresaw how the primary work could be made more uniform and wards could get along with smaller buildings or rented rooms in different wards. INGHAM COUNTY 1 17 The school period was divided into twelve years, i. e., first five years in primary, next three years in grammar, and the last four in high school. By this form or system of grading the pupil at the end of five years would have the principles of an education fixed so he could get along if he had to leave the school, and those who had to leave at the end of eight years could, or would, be fitted for business or trades,;nd if they completed high school, would be ready to receive scientific andl professional training in the University of Michigan Normal school or college. FIRST IIII SCHOO()()L BUILDING( This was a wooden two-story building on the southeast corner of the present Central high school square. It was the first high school building in the county. It was the only building on the square which had no trees or shrubbery, or baseball diamonds or playgrounds. In vacation time it was as desolate as a rural school house in an open field. The district was poor and the taxpayers thought such things were not needed. There were two rooms on each floor, and a superintendent's office under the stairs. The school library was in this office. When the superintendent had classes he used this office for a recitation room. When his class was large some students had to go into the hall, almost, to turn around. There were no wardrobes or lockers in the halls. Boys hung their caps on hooks, and the girls did the same, but on the opposite side of the hall. This arrangement caused confusion when a mischievous boy got over on the wrong side of the hall. The girls would retaliate and sometimes a boy would go home with no covering on his head. In 1872 the high school room was the north room on the second floor. The south room on the same floor was, with two lower rooms, occupied by the sixth, seventh and eighth grammar grades. In 1873 the school became so crowded that the school board was compelled to build;n addition, or wing, on the east side, two stories high. The lower floor of this wing housed the primary grades from the third ward. In 1874 the board became alarmed at the congestion of the building and complaints from parents and patrons who feared fire from defective heating, so a special meeting was called and taxpayers voted the necessary fund for a large brick building. During the summer the board erected this structure in the center of the square and finished it for the winter term. The old wooden building was moved east to the south side of Shiawassee street, divided into two buildings, or dwellings. After using them for a few years they burned. SEC()ND BUILDING This building had three stories, a basement and a mansard roof. In the seventies mansard roofs were placed on nearly all our public buildings and private dwellings. This style of roof was short lived. Contractors stopped building them when they proved to be leaky and tinder heaps in case of fire. While buildi'ng this school Dr. Orvill 118 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Marshall, of North Lansing, who was an architect and builder, opposed the plan and interior arrangement. He gave the building committee and board in strong language his opinion of their extravagance and folly. We thi'nk he was a member of the school board at that time. Some of his friends relate how, when he saw the building committee was determined to finish the work in spite of his protest, he gave a strong discourse on mansard roofs and resigned. TIIRD HIGHI SCHOOL BUILDING The complaints about the chapel and general assembly room on the third floor, or rather fourth floor, the unsafe condition of the main floors and the danger of fire in the mansard roof of the second building condemned it in I909, and it was wrecked after being used thirty-four years. O'n the same foundation, but enlarged, the main building of our prese'nt Central high school was erected. It is built of concrete and is fireproof. Our school population increased so fast that two or three years after it was finished a large addition was placed on the west side of the main structure. Before I920 the school population had so increased in some of the wards that other buildings had to be erected. JUNIOR IIGH SCHOOLS The first Junior high school was built on the south side of the square where the Kalamazoo street ward school was located. It was started in 19I9, and finished a year later. This has been enlarged. By building this, the congestion on the west side of the river was relieved, but the east side residents, especially in the vicinity of East Michigan avenue, had increased in the same ratio as the west side. They wanted ward schools and a high school. The board purchased land from the state, or part of the south frontage of the Reform school site, and in I92i erected the East Junior high school building. This building is built of brick, is fireproof and up-to-date. The school board found it more economical to build one large building that will accommodate both primary and some high school grades than several small ward schools and send high school students one or two miles to a central building. A large athletic field and stadium have been laid out on the grounds and all school athletic events are centered there. The funds for this last improvement were raised by subscription and a gift from the Reo company. A plan for a third junior high school building on South Cedar street is being considered now. WARD BUILDINGS The first ward building after I868 was built on the corner of North Walnut and West Kilbourn streets. It was a small brick building that had to be enlarged. This has been condemned and since close of school, wrecked, to be replaced by a larger building. It was in point of age one of the oldest buildings in our city. For nearly sixty years it housed and instructed the children of the Fourth ward. INGHAM COUNTY 119 Another old ward building was one east of the Grand Trunk freight house. This was found to be small, inconvenient and in a bad location, so was abandoned and site, with building, sold. The Christency residence near the Reo was purchased, renovated, and is now used for a ward school for children in that part of the city. The largest ward building was built since I9Io on Genesee street, west. By efforts of the local board of health and physicians, the upper floor of this building is used for a fresh air school for tubercular children. Another large ward building is the West Michigan avenue school. Within the past fifteen years the old Cedar street building at North Lansing has been rebuilt, and an entirely new building erected on South Cedar street, while in our outside borders in every direction temporary buildings are erected to accommodate the suburban communities. COST OF BUILDING The cost of the old wooden high school was small. The value of our present buildings is hard to determine as they are not appraised or assessed. The value of both real estate and buildings is approximately several millions. The value of taste, good judgment and intelligence cannot be estimated. The residence and community value can be told in increased population, permanent dwellers. CHANGE IN INSTRUCTION For the past fifteen years the instruction given in our grammar and high school grades has been changed from scholastic to occupational. Industrial activities have compelled the corps of instructors to introduce occupational and domestic training, not by precept and theory, but actual work with tools and other accessories to train the hands of these pupils to accomplish certain plans and explai'n principles in industrial life and domestic economy. The most important item in domestic education is the cooking school for girls. It makes them better cooks and more economical than their mothers. The greatest factor and aid in this work is the lunch room in our Junior and Central high schools. The hygenic training in the larger schools has been of great value to our children, aided by gymnastics, swimming pools in our parks and open air camps. SUPERINTENDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS The first superintendent was Professor Gass. He worked long and hard to popularize the new system and earn his salary. The people were opposed to him and his office. They would not be reconciled to what they considered a waste of money and effort. The penurious taxpayer could and did say sarcastic things about the office and its occupant. The officious hindered him by asking him about or seeking his opinion about trifles. The superintendent in those days was a teacher in the high school. Part of his time had to be spent in the school room. 120 HISTORIC MICHIGAN This part time service instructor and supervisor was the usual duty of the superintendent until a few years ago. The growth of the schools made it necessary, in spite of objections, on the part of the board and taxpayers for a superintendent to spend all his time in supervision. Edward Van Mickle Brochaw was Professor Gass' successor. We were under his instruction so had an opportunity to become acquainted with him. He was a fine instructor. His wife was a substitute principal under him, filling a vacancy of half a year. Domestic cares and the trials of a principal made her a nervous wreck before the end of the year. She became so disagreeable to young ladies under her charge that the junior class and all in her room petitioned for a male principal the next year. A man principal was engaged in 1873, and for the past fifty years a gentleman has held that office. Professor Gleason was, or became principal in 1873, and remained in office until he resigned to accept a secretaryship in the state board of health. He became Dr. Baker's secretary, and remained with him until he (Gleason) died. All of Professor Gleason's pupils respected him. He was a scholar. logical reasoner, and good disciplinarian. He was always ready to explain. with simple direct language, the knotty problems in mathematics or language. He was tall, bashful in manner, and rather awkward in his motions. For this reason his sympathies were with a pupil who showed the same traits. His long service with Dr. Baker, his work while in his office, gave stability and advancement to this new institution, the state board of health, fou'nded in 1872. It enabled Dr. Baker to devote his time to propaganda and experimental work. The drawing teacher in high school in the seventies was a widow, Mrs. Carrier. She also had charge of penmanship.) b)ookkeeping and higher mathematics. Mrs. Carrier was from the East and brought to our school eastern culture, scholarship and tact that made her a pleasant instructor. She always was ready to assist any pupil who showed interest in the subjects she taught. Elmer Carrier was the red-headed janitor, always prompt, pleasant and ready to help a tardy pupil by ringing the bell one or two minutes overtime. In I88I we found him in Bay City, Michigan, working on a newspaper-Bay City Evening Press. He had married an artist and had a son. His sister was afterwards librarian of the school library. ALUMNI Among the pupils were three boys who are middle-aged men how, Hon. Jason Nichols, ex-judge of probate court; Clarence Bement, president of the Novo Engine company, and Charles Emory, chief clerk in the state highway department. These men have lived in Lansing since they attended school in the old wooden building. They have observed the industrial, commercial and intellectual growth of our city. Mr. Bement has, outside of his business, been an active member and president of the State Pioneer and Historical Society, and is one of its INGHAM COUNTY 121 officers at present. Mr. Nichols always enjoys his vacations by hunting and fishing with Judge Weist of the supreme court as a companion. Charles Emory is autoing over the new highways he helped to build, on paper, when he can get away from the office. The graduating classes for years were small. The majority were girls, and now they outnumber the boys. The smallest was the class of 1875 when there was only one graduate. To make a showing the eighth grade was allowed to have graduating exercises with the seniors. Since I885 there has been a rapid increase in the number of graduates so at present we have had to have two commencements annually, one at the end of the first semester, the other at close of the school year. INSTRUCT'()ORS IN CEINTR\AL IGICGI It would be difficult to name all the teachers in our public schools since I868, but we will have to mention a few who have served the public for a number of years. Teaching has been their life work au(l they have enjoyed it. Miss Dell has served in different positions in high school for thirty years. Miss Ella Wilbur has taught in ward school and high school for the same period. She was a modlern language teacher until 1917. Since then she has been an instructor in history. Miss Ida Lamb, who was compelled by illness to resign two years ago, was the third member of this long service trio. In ward schools the Woodford sisters were, in the seventies, the long service teachers of the First ward. Their methods of instruction in primary grade work were used in other schools of the city and state, and introduced into schools of other states. Their successors, the McHenry sisters, who have taught in the same building, showed by long service a'nd executive ability their good qualities as instructors. Miss Shafer has, from length of service, become a landmark in the Walnut street school. In 1872 there were six teachers in high school, and an equal:lumber in two ward schools. Today there are sixty instructors in the high schools and 307 in the wards, or 367 in all. COST OF INSTRUCTION In I868 our teachers were paid small salaries. The total amount was approximately $8,000. Our annual salary budget now is over $400,000. The annual expenses for all schools in the city, public, private and parochial, for instruction, care of buildings, repairs, lighting, heating, etc., is nearly $i,ooo,ooo. The taxpayer grumbles somewhat over the annual school tax, but increase in wealth and valuation makes the rate small and the money is spent at home, 'not abroad. We have nearly ten thousand children of school age in our city. MWe not only educate them, give them industrial 122 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and occupational training, but build up the bodies of the weak in our fresh air and diet classes and keep out laziness and immorality by gymnasiums and healthful games. Schuyler Seager was on the school board in 1883 or 1884. He was a constitutional lawyer. He saw that the board would handle the funds of the district, let contracts, erect buildings, etc. His first work was to incorporate this body of men so they could do business as a school board, and as a corporation. This old corporation has never to our knowledge desolved or surrendered its powers. THE BUTTON SCHOOL HOUSE My first acquaintance with this district school was in the winter of I866. A relative who attended invited my brother and me to visit him and our meeting place was this school. Afterward we visited it several times, and the impressions I received from the school and its patrons I will relate. Of all the district schools I became acquainted with in boyhood days, this was the most noted for the stirring events that happened within its walls. This school was located in the northeastern corner of Alaiedon township. The way traveled to get there was to go south from Meridian Station to the first right-hand corner, turn west and go a mile, then turn south and go to the end of the road and one came to the school house. It was a one-story wooden building facing the north. On the east were the fields of John Butcher's farm, on the west was a forest, while on the south stretched an unfinished road and forest. The building had been painted white, but time and the elements had faded its sides to; dull gray. Its doors showed the effects of hard usage and the step and door sill were worn by the tread of many feet. It was a typical pioneer school building, located so that its pupils could view from the windows the work of pioneers in the cleared fields, and on the other side the forest untouched by the hand of man. Entering the building you find the teacher's desk near the door, a large heating stove, large and small home-made wooden desks and benches facing the teacher's desk. The plastered walls were grimy and broken, decorated in some places by paper wads and the signatures of former pupils. The other furniture was a small blackboard and a water pail and dipper. We would consider it primitive now, but in those days surroundings did not count for it was the rudiments of learning the taxpayers demanded. If they could get them without decorated walls, pictures, maps, etc., why go to the expense of furnishing them? It was a large school. During the winter term-four months' school-two-score husky boys just entering manhood, and blushing, bashful maidens attended school and made the schoolmaster's life a burden if they didn't like him or his way of imparting instruction and administering discipline. The first master who taught when I visited the school was John Blakely. The day I visited he had other visitors, his best girl and her INGHAM COUNTY 123 mother. It was Friday, and the master had speaking and some compositions were read by the older girls to "show off." A Button girl, who resented this, in her composition had a verse of poetry about Master John and his "best girl" that raised a laugh even from the best girl. A few years ago I met John Blakely, and in talking about old times, referred to this school. He said when he commenced teaching he carried a whole arsenal in his hip pocket for protection, but after he became acquainted he left his gun at home. He got tired of carrying irons in his pockets. Many pupils were graduated from this school and made successful farmers and bright business men, with now and then a professional man. Many of the girls married prosperous farmers or successful merchants, and a few of the brightest and best looking got lawyers and doctors in the matrimonial lottery. This school house was not only an educational center for northern Alaiedon, but a religious center. A church society of Wesleyan Methodists used it to hold meetings. In I867, a minister named Hutt was appointed by his conference to this charge. He had formerly been a molder by trade and had worked in the old Turner Brothers' foundry in North Lansing. To arouse an interest in this rural community he started a revival. His methods were those used by the pioneer Methodists, but fromn what I remember he tried to improve upon them by methods he learned in his trade. He melted, or tried to melt their hard hearts with quotations from the Hebrew prophets, cleanse them with hell fire and brimstone and turn them out of the molds perfect Christians. He never finished his work, for a couple of Adventist missionaries who had viewed this field and found it promising, for most of the farmers were rich, began a series of revival meetings in the same school house. In order to drive Rev. Mr. Hutt out of the neighborhood and seals of Revelations. The itinerant zealous Wesleyan minister was no get his congregation, they trapped him into discussing the origin and observance of the Sabbath and the prophetic interpretation of the seven match for the two for he was beaten in all the discussions and had to leave the field. He, with all his zeal and piety, had to bid farewell to his flock, and accompanied by his faithful wife, go to a more promising field. These Adventist ministers formed a society and built a church south of the school house. The ground was broken, the seed sown by Elder Hutt, and all they did was to reap the harvest. I went to a meeting held by them to hear a sermon, but it was a lecture by the minister on church finance. I have to smile when I recall the ingenious way he explained the Scriptural revelation of giving one-tenth of all their income to God-no the church; the story he told of a man in Maine who had a lot of hoops he did not put into his income when he paid his tenth, and how they burned before he sold them, how it was a judgment of God visited upon him. I never learned what effect this story had on his congregation. These Adventists were sincere and strict in church observances. 124 HISTORIC MICHIGAN They loaded barrels of meat of the animal that cheweth not the cud but cleaveth the hoof, took it to town and sold it to the Gentiles. This church, like all rural churches, flourished for a time until a schism arose in the head, or Battle Creek church. A young Adventist doctor had started a sanitarium for his church, and in order to run it successfully introduced surgery, mechanical therapeutics and electricity with his other treatment. Mrs. White, the prophetess of the church, told him surgery and electricity were contrary to the word of God and that he must leave them out. He told her he could not run his institution successfully without these things, and the Adventists were interested in the sanitarium and his work, and stood by him. Mrs. White finally lost her prophetic hold over the people and finally went to California where she died in a few years. This church, in the late seventies, lost some of its members by another religious body which held meetings in the school house and started another revival on their territory. In the summer of 187(i a red-headed Free Methodist preacher from Locke township commenced to hold meetings in the school house, assisted in singing by two sisters namedl Raub. These ladies were beautiful singers, the elder being an accomplished vocalist. This feature of the service proved an attraction and in a few weeks the church was crowded. The following winter the revival was in full session, the young people for miles around went in sleighloads to hear the Raub girls sing and see some hysterical woman have the power-hysterical spasm. Some were wicked enough to call the meetings Golden's religion circus. We remember one service we attended that winter. The room was crowded and ventilation and fresh air were at a premium. It took several songs and an earnest exhortation from the elder to get the confession and experience part of the service in full swing, but when it once started there was no stop until it stopped from exhaustion. The fun commenced. All (lid not go to the meeting to laugh or make fun of a poor hysterical woman, but when Brother Williams prayed we must confess we laughed. We were ashamed of ourselves, but that squeaky voice, long hair and bobbing head would make anyone laugh. The next act on the program was a sister rolling on the floor in front of the mourners' bench, with the power. When some sister took charge of the meeting and in a spirited talk rebuked the young people for their laughter and inquisitiveness by telling us we would wake up in hell and be burned in that fiery lake of brimstone prepared for the wicked, this exhortation quieted us, and we had no more fun that evening. Following these meetings was the "Red Ribbon" movement and many were the meetings and picnic dinners in and around the school house. Many were converted and weaned from the hard cider habit. For years afterwards the farmers made jell of their cider apples or fed them to their hogs. At the height of this movement one of their workers stole some wheat and another got drunk on hard cider, but the movement went forward. INGHAM COUNTY 125 Elder Golden's great revival and dream of a church was lost, overshadowed in the temperance reformers' battle-cry, 'Reform a man first and then convert him." IBefore the close of the temperance crusade I entered college, lost touch with the young people and cannot tell what happened in the time I was gone. Of the many families who were patrons of this school some took a more active part than others in the social, intellectual and religious life. The 1Button family led the social life. It was composed of four young men and two girls. They were noted for their good looks, happy disposition and love of fun. No social function, as a dance, Hallowe'en party, etc., was complete without them. Each boy had a team of his ow'n raising and was always ready to take the girls. Any young person who moved into the neighborhood was introduced into society by one of the Button boys or girls. The three Osborne families led in the intellectual life and had a marked influence on the religious tone of the school. Edward, Leonard and Leontis Osborne were reared and educated in New York, and came to Michigan when young men. They were carpenters and builders by trade and farmers by occupation. Edward and his wife, Nora, were Methodists, while Leonard and his wife, Susie, became Adventists. Leontis had been a soldier and married into the Button family. He was the most forceful of the boys and the best boss in a barn raising. He had that way that took in all classes. His dress, his figure, his voice, his magnetism and politeness were such that all the girls fell in love with'him. It was a good thing he was not a Mormon. Susie, Leonard's wife, was well educated, had no children of her own, so devoted her time and energies to the intellectual and religious work of the neighborhood. She was also a nurse. Darkness, muddy roads or bad storms never kept Aunt Susie at home when there was a sick call. East of the school house lived Charles Marzen and Mary. his wife. Charles was born and reared amid the vine-clad hills of Germany, while Mary was washed and dressed by a peat fire in the Emerald Isle. Charles, with his German industry, raised the best crops, had the neatest buildings and the best stock in the 'neighborhood, while Mary made the whitest, flakiest and most wholesome bread. Charles was also some cook and excelled in German soup. All the threshing gangs liked to (lo Uncle Charles' work so they could eat Aunt Mary's bread and have a dish of Uncle Charles' soup. A small stoop-shouldered man we called Uncle Ira formerly owned this farm, but lost it by an unfortunate speculation in wheat. It was the last year of the Civil war and wheat was high, so he prepared ten acres of good land, fertilized and worked it during the summer months, sowed good seed and raised an enormous crop, a crop that made a stir in the neighborhood, but before he could harvest it a windstorm lodged it badly so he had to cut it with scythes. He got 500 bushels of wheat from ten acres, but falling price, cost of harvesting, etc., amounted to more than receipts and he lost his farm. A word in regard to the future of the rural school. Will it be a thing of the past Will it (lie and be laid away with the old pioneer' 126 HISTORIC MICHIGAN The late Professor Pattengill, during his term of office as state superintendent of public instruction, foresaw this and tried to arouse some interest by the "Red School House" home gatherings. State and United States governments have made concessions of land and required the rudiments of agriculture to be taught. The Agricultural college is doing its bit to save them by forming boys' and girls' clubs. During the past thirty years we have changed our general occupation from farming to manufacturing, from an agricultural to an industrial state, until these interests are getting greater every day. There is hardly a city or large village in our state but what has a factory, or is laying the foundations for one. This growth is a practical one and feeds upon agriculture which furnishes food and men to keep their machinery running. The manufacturer with his demand for labor drafts the sturdy sons of the small farmer by a tempting wage and puts him into a shop, ties him to a machine, and in a few years makes the farmer boy into a machine, one who acts like a machine, thinks like a machine, and whose education is industrial and not agricultural. The small farmer suffers from lack of help and finally gets discouraged, sells out to a richer and more prosperous neighbor. This neighbor in time, from lack of good farm help, rents his farm to a tenant who has no interest except to rob the soil and let the buildings go to ruin for lack of repairs, and the rich farmer wakes up some day with a cheap abandoned farm on his hands. Visit the New England manufacturing states and look at the abandoned farms there and the empty rural school houses, and'then visit the country around Lansing and see if the same process of decay and abandonment is not slowly but surely taking place. It shows first in the rural school. When the draft took place the medical examiners found their best men among the factory workers and the poorest among the farmers, and made rather caustic comments about it. Did they stop to think that these factory workmen were the best of the farm laborers drafted by the manufacturers into the shops and the weak and poorly developed were left on the farm to do its laborious work? One more thought about the salvation of the rural school. The remedy that I think better than consolidation of districts is: Encourage the small farmer to raise more money making crops and not sell his land; discourage the husky farmer boy from entering the factory by demonstrating to him that high wages and high cost of living are never money savers; that no system of heating or ventilation can replace the health-giving, free-air of the farm; that his room at home, though very humble, was not built by a tenant landlord, who for sake of economy mortgaged God's sunlight. Paint the old rural school building, put in apparatus and up-to-date furniture, lay out a plat of ground near the building and let the experimental work be done by a practical agriculturist with some pep, not by a city girl sent out to teach future agriculturists, and then I think the deserted rural school will be a thing of the past. CHAPTER X MICHIGAN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE-MICHIGAN FEMALE COLLEGE We have mentioned the donation of land by the general government to the state to encourage agriculture. This was seventy-two townships, but the state could not sell any of this land until a school to teach the science and art of agriculture, independently of the other professional schools, was established. This establishment was hindered by action of the board of regents of the university and state board of education in trying to attach this college to professional schools or departments of the university with one professor to teach the theory and art of agriculture. Later the state board tried to have it-art and theory-incorporated in primary schools, especially rural schools. The board was going to make it compulsory, make rural teachers take training in the rudiments of art and theory of agriculture before they would be graduated from Ypsilanti Normal. In the territorial period, or in 1817, the legislature passed a law that all departments of higher education must have a separate department of the art and science of agriculture. Our forebears recognized the needs of a progressive agriculture in the new state to clear the land of woods, drain swamps, build roads, understand the chemistry of soils and how to replace certain elements by means of vegetable and mineral fertilizers, have practical knowledge of surveying to lay out grounds and fields to best advantage and combine this with a knowledge of commercial law and bookkeeping. The regents of the university and state board of education in their petitions to the legislature for annexation of a department of agriculture pledged themselves to deliver lectures on the theory and art of agriculture but did not want to be bothered with any farm or give demonstrative work to students. We, who are graduates of one or two state institutions, know that in normal school and professional schools at Ann Arbor and the school of mines in the upper peninsula have always required of their students hard work, in school, in laboratories and in mines before they could be graduated. FIRST AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Farmers interested in agricultural development formed a society with sixty members. The secretary. John C. Holmes, worked hard to get the matter of a separate school before the legislature. He tried several times before it passed both houses in 1852. The new state constitution of I850 made provision for a separate school and provided twenty-two sections of Salt Spring land as an endowment. The agricultural society appointed a committee to look for a location and plan 128 HISTORIC MICHIGAN buildings. President H. P. Tappan of the University of Michigan tried hard to have the donation turned to the university. The grounds and location had to be decided by act of legislature. This led to as much discussion and rivalry as did the removal of the cap)i-o,. Size of farm was too small for some and a section of land too large for others, but finally a section of wild land three and one-half miles east of Lansing was selected. and a bill to establish the site passed. Mr. Holmes submitted plans for buildings which were approved January 2, 1856. S. M. Bartlett, of Monroe, was appointed superintendent of building and the west wing of the college, the dormitory and barn were finished in November, I857. The tract contained 676.5 acres and bordered on the Detroit, Lansing and Howell plank road. The direct road to the grounds was via Michigan avenue, but this crossed a swamp and overflow land and was for years, at times, impassable for mud. When the committee members cleared the woods for the buildings they reserved one hundred acres for a campus. This campus has been improved by landscape gardeners and today it is one of the finest. The original buildings were built of brick. The material for the brick was taken from a clay bank on what is now the west side of the parade ground. The fuel to burn the clay was taken from timber on the farm. The old cast iron water table which protected the lower water table in the old college building was cast in a Lansing foundry. Most of the men who worked on the building were from Lansing and Ingham county. The cost of the land was $o1,500 and the cost of buildings and farm $34,774.I9. FIRST FACULTY AND COURSE OF STUDY The president and secretary of the State Agricultural society selected the first faculty and the following men were their selection: Joseph Ricketson Williams, A.M., president and director of farm; J. C. Holmes, professor of agriculture and treasurer; L. R. Fish, chemistry; Calvin Tracy, M.A., mathematics; R. D. Weeks, English literature and farm economy; Enoch Baker, assistant in chemistry; James M. Shearer, steward. The course of study was carefully planned. The board of control realized that this school was an experiment and instruction would have to be in English and the classics and foreign languages would have to be omitted. For this reason the course of study was divided into English and scientific. The English part was mostly preparatory. The school year was divided into two terms. The first term commenced the first Wednesday in April and closed the last Wednesday in October. The second term commenced the first Wednesday in December and closed the last Wednesday in February. Instruction included natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, animal and vegetable physiology, geology and mineralogy, entomology, veterinary science, mensuration and leveling, political economy, mechanical arts and bookkeeping. The farm work was compulsory. Every matriculate had to do some farm work six days in every week. Usual hours of INGHAM COUNTY 129 work were four or.five every afternoon except Sundays. Wages for this work were graded and for first class work the worker received nine cents per hour; second class eight cents per hour; third class seven cents per hour; fourth class five cents per hour. Slackers had hours charged in their board and tuition bills. If they didn't pay and mend their ways they were expelled. Board in the dormitory was $2.50 a week for the first term and $2.10 the second term. The work on the farm was, for three or four years after establishing the school, largely clearing land of timber and brush. At the end of the first year sixty acres of woodland was cleared and fenced. Some students from cities and large villages hated to cut wood, burn logs and brush, but they had to do it or leave school. Some of these shirkers afterwards boasted that wood they cut cost the state five cents a stick. Some of the old graduates relate how they were compensated for this laborious task by visiting their lady friends in the city and watching by night the meteor in May, 1857, and the comet in September, I858. We can imagine the undergraduate explaining to his best girl how it happened and quieting fears with optimistic language. When the Atlantic cable was laid il September, I858, it gave students another topic for moonlight conversation and we know that it gave them the opportunity to demonstrate to the fair sex how the cable was laid and what a fine thing direct communication was. The work of the farm progressed. In I860 the board of control reported twenty-five acres in wheat, thirty acres in corn, fifteen acres in oats, three acres in potatoes, and imported live stock valued at $1,401. It also reported no field was clear of stumps so all crops were raised by hand labor and no machinery was used. In I86o the board of control was changed from three to six members and in I86I the faculty was changed. Prof. T. Abbott became president, Professor Beal instructor in botany, Dr. James Kedzie in chemistry, Dr. Miles instructor in agriculture and farm manager. Under this new management the general government and state gave the school control of 240,000 acres of the reserve lands to sell and use the interest to pay salaries of instructors and employes. The secretary of the board of agriculture, J. C. Holmes, worked hard to inform the public through newspapers, magazines and books about this experimental school. He also was instrumental in having county fairs installed to show, as they did in Eastern states, the practical part of agricultural instruction. At the beginning of the Civil war school attendance suffered and interest in the scientific part lagged because all interest was centered in the war zone. TIlE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SINCE THE CIVIL WAR During the Civil war the attendance suffered both in number of students and lack of interest shown by its patrons. Farmers and agriculturists were too busy with their own affairs to pay much attention to theoretical systems. In spite of drawbacks it added to its list of instructors and the work of improving the course of study went forward. 3-9 130 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Doctor Beal was engaged to head the department of botany, Professor Kedzie the department of theoretical and commercial chemistry, and Professor Abbott farm engineering and landscape gardening, with English and history. After the appointment of the above the school progressed rapidly. This progress was recognized by the federal government and aided by the gift of more land to be sold and the proceeds placed in endowment. By gift this institution has received one hundred thousand dollars more than has been provided by the state. In agriculture the course of instruction has in its practical work established several experimental stations where certain lines in grain, fruit raising and stock breeding can be demonstrated to farmers. They take the school to the farmer and show him how he can derive pleasure as well as profit in his occupation. Doctor Miles was manager of the college farm. He owned or managed a farm just north of the Detroit, Howell and Lansing plank road. The greater part of East Lansing has been platted on his farm. The grove at the main entrance was planted by him or under his direction in I871. The groups of evergreens on the college campus show his care and taste. He believed no evergreen could grow or thrive when planted alone but must have neighbors to prevent homesickness. FACULTY FROM 1865 TO I900 The growth of Michigan Agricultural College cannot be adequately described without mentioning or describing the work of the faculty. When it was founded in 1855 it was an experiment in practical and theoretical agriculture, in the woods on a section of timbered land three and one-half miles east of the capitol, placed likewise in the woods. Professor T. C. Abbot became president in 1862. He was a scholar, wise administrator and pleasant instructor. During his term of office he gave the college a name and a standing among other educational institutions in our state. Professor Kedzie was a physician, served in the Civil war as surgeon and during his after life was the chemist. He taught this branch to hundreds of students and his son, Prof. Frank Kedzie, has charge of the work today. Doctor Kedzie was a member of the state board of health from I872 until he died. While he worked with the health board he did laboratory and research work that received the attention of scientific men all over the United States and Europe. He tested the explosive quality of kerosene, or coal oil, used extensively by farmers and workmen, and was instrumental in having the state establish inspection of illumination oil to prevent loss of human life and property. He inspected public buildings for deadly carbonic acid gas and provided means for better ventilation and heating. He was also interested in and worked with others in drafting rules and methods to resuscitate drowning persons. One or two deaths from poisoning from arsenic in wallpaper made him examine all paper using arsenic as a color and when there was a report published, arsenic as a color was banished from the state. INGHAM COUNTY 131L He worked on commercial fertilizers shipped into the state, saved farmers thousands of dollars and made subsequent shipments bear the Michigan Agricultural College brand of purity and formula of ingredients with cost. The examination of foodstuffs for feeding cattle, hogs, etc., has been added to Dr. Kedzie's work and the college and faculty members doing this work receive fees for the service. It would be a difficult matter to estimate the value of these services to the farmers of Michigan. Soil analysis was started under his regime and is being used now by progressive farmers. Doctor Beal was a botanist and was one of the immortal trio. His great work while connected with the college was to examine all seed shipped into the state for foul matter or weed. It was surprising how seed dealers imposed upon farmers in the way of Bohemian oats, hull-less barley and beardless wheat and rye. Bohemian oats was a great drawing card with gamblers. It was more profitable than selling goid bricks. Doctor Beal warned farmers to beware of such men. Doctor Beal's great work in classroom and field was entomology. This with grasshopper and potato and other beetles kept him so busy that another entomologist had to be hired to help him. During his work in field and forest he planted or had planted under his supervision the wild flower garden on the campus. This garden is visited, by thousands of tourists annually. They want to see and get in touch with Nature and its vanishing flora. The hothouses for house and tropical plants were his pride during the first few years he was at the college. It was the only place where decorators could get plants for their work. Germination of plants, vitality of seeds, how to gather them and store them was directed by him and explained in college reports. He was a close observer, patient investigator and great writer. We have mentioned a Mr. Stewart and his work done under Doctor Beal's directions. After President Abbott resigned, the state board of agriculture tried several presidents until Mr. Snyder was engaged for the position. He was an agriculturist, great executor, and propagandist. He seemed to realize that the possibilities of M/ichigan Agricultural College must be advertised in a certain way among those interested in agriculture. We had the winter institute, sent instructors and lecturers over the state, but it took the picnics on the college ground to bring the farmers together to eat their lunch under the oaks, to enjoy the music and ball game free of charge and then go home and tell their neighbors what a great school Michigan Agricultural College had gotten to be. For nearly twenty years, or until the Worl:l war, excursion trains and autos have brought thousands of farmers to our college during summer months. The effect of these gatherings has been great. From two or three hundred in the nineties the roll of students has increased to more than two thousand. A city has sprung up around the entrance to the campus that did not exist thirty years ago. The graduates in agriculture receive calls from South America and 132 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the Eastern hemisphere to act as demonstrators and instructors. From an experiment in 1855 it has become a great reality in I924. There has been added to the course of instruction a department of veterinary science and this has lately been making an extensive survey of diseases of domestic animals in order to stamp out tuberculosis. Another department which in time will be of great interest to our lumber industry is the department of forestry. Professor Shaw has spent years and labored hard in laboratory and woods to instruct students, to make lumbermen and to realize the great value of our natural resources and adopt methods of conserving them. Some of the graduates of this department have done much to improve our cities by careful attention to public parks and shade trees. The present city forester, Lee Bancroft, is a graduate of Michigan Agricultural College. The most important department of Michigan Agricultural College is that of engineering and farm mechanics. The college was hindered for a long time after this was established by lack of shops in which to give the practical part of the instruction; also shop instructors to take charge of the work. The state legislature finally made appropriation for an engineers' building and the machinery which had been housed or set up in several small buildings was moved to the new building. When this building burned and the state board of agriculture had no funds to replace it and would not have any until the legislature met to make an appropriation, R. E. Olds, the auto manufacturer, an alum'nus of this college, replaced the building with a large fireproof structure that bears his name. When this building was completed he gave it to his alma mater. For shop foremen the state board of agriculture some thirty years ago hired two Germans. They were brothers and first-class cabinet makers. They were good instructors and scores of undergraduates have been trained by the Kreutels in the wood shops at the college. REVENUES FOR SUPPORT OF COLLEGE The funds are lands and moneys from the sale of same on which interest is paid by the state. There are six sources from which revenue is derived, thus: First, interest from land fund, $70,00oo; second, tax of one-fifth of one mill upon equalized valuation of state, $560,000; third, federal government aid for experimental stations, $30,000; fourth, act of congress (second Morrill act) to pay salaries in certain lines of teaching, $50,000; fifth, another act of congress (Smith-Lever act) for extension work, $73,113.31; sixth, student fees and sale of products from college farm. The total income is nearly'a million dollars. In I9oo the first women's building was erected on the campus. Co-education in agriculture became a permanent thing. A department of domestic science was established and has given farmers' daughters an equal chance with boys. Within the past year another building has been erected for this department. In twenty-four years attendance has increased so rapidly that another building was required. INGHAM COUNTY 133 During the World war Michigan Agriculaural College was the headquarters of the college students' training corps of the state, but for several years before the war military training had been part of the physical instruction. It is now and will be in the future. An officer of the regular army is designated to give this training. In June, I924, the commencement closed the sixty-eighth year of instruction with a large graduating class. This college stands at the head of colleges similarly founded and supported. It will continue to expand. MCIcHIGAN FEMALE COLLEGE BIOGRAPHY OF FOUNDER Miss Abigail C. Rodgers was born in Avon, New York, in I818. To the age of nineteen she struggled to obtain an education. In those times co-education in colleges was a dream. She wanted the higher branches, hence the struggle. At nineteen she was teaching in the female seminary in Coburn, Canada. Not liking the Canadian system of educating young girls we find her, after three years, a teacher at White Plains seminary, Winchester county, New York. In one or two years she accepted a higher position in the female department of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York. In 1847 she came to Michigan to accept the position of preceptress in the female department of Albion college. This college was new and not finding advanced work and adequate pay she resigned and accepted a position of preceptress in the State Normal school at Ypsilanti. Not finding in the state school her high ideal, she came to Lansing in I855 to establish, on her own responsibility and with the support of friends, a college for women. BUILDING She found, especially in the north end, several men from her native state who helped her. These men were Hon. Harry H. Smith, Hon. Daniel L. Case, Hon. James Turner and Hon. Alvin N. Hart. Mr. Hart was a graduate of Amherst college, Massachusetts. These men raised $20,000 as a donation and twenty acres of land on West Franklin avenue. The State School for the Blind now occupies this land. This was quite a donation and these business men were very generous. People who could not give money or land gave work, both team and hand. The first wing of the college and dormitory were brick. The main part and two wings were planned to be three stories high. Only the north wing was erected. The middle and south wing remained on paper. While this wing was building the school was opened with a corps of three teachers, Abigail Rodgers, her sister, Delia Rodgers, and M. A. C. Clapp. After the school was started Miss Rodgers was visited by a nephew from the East. He had recently been graduated from Harvard university. His aunts persuaded him to join their corps of teachers. He remained with them until school closed, then opened a law office with Hon. John Longyear 134 HISTORIC MICHIGAN under the name of John Longyear & James Seager. We will speak of Mr. Seager again. Until the building was ready school held its sessions in the representatives' hall of the Capitol. For two years this school held daily classes at the Capitol except during sessions of the legislature. The school was opened to female pupils of all grades. CHARACTERISTICS Miss Rodgers was tall, of rather masculine build, endowed with lots of vitality and energy. She was a great worker in mind and body and an inspiration to those who came in contact with her. What she lacked in executive and business ability she made up in tact and shrewdness. She was a good disciplinarian and taught morals and spirituality by example as well as by precept. All young ladies under her instruction were made equal to men, independent and not dependent or of the "clinging vine" variety. In her deportment instruction she emphasized the fact that a chair had four legs and a back so must be used accordingly by the young lady who occupied it. Her great work, the work on which she spent her whole life, was the admission of women into the University of Michigan and Michigan Agricultural College on an equal basis with men. She did not live to see this for she died in I869. All women who have been admitted to the University of Michigan and Michigan Agricultural College since her death must remember that Miss Rodgers' lifelong efforts opened the doors of higher education to them. CHAPTER XI RAILROADS AND INDUSTRIES The first railroad built to Lansing was the Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay road. This was built by a corporation that had its offices in Owosso. Judge Amos Gould of Owosso, was president, George C. Monroe of Jonesville and Alvin N. Hart of Lansing were stockholders and directors. The road was thirty miles long and when built was nicknamed "Almighty Long and Tremendous Bad." From its sharp curves it received another name, i. e., "Ramshorn Railroad." It was commenced in 1857 and was built from Owosso to Bath at the close of I86O. From Bath to Lansing, a distance of seven miles, the builders met with obstacles, a bad sink hole on Big Marsh (Chandler's) and a high hill to cut through on Gunnisonville road. A high bridge now spans this cut. From Bath to Lansing a stage was run to accommodate passengers coming to Lansing. This stage road and stage was noted for its mud. Some fastidious passengers walked the seven miles rather than ride in a mud-covere:l stage or have their clothing covered with mud. When it was built to Lansing the company erected a depot, freight house and small roundhouse on East Franklin avenue. The ground around these buildings was always muddy and wet after a rain. This was the first railroad depot built in the capital. The most important thing this railroad brought to the city was the telegraph. Before this date the proceedings of the legislature were sent every day at 4 p. m. via messenger on horseback to Jackson, forty miles away. From there the same was telegraphed to Detroit papers to be published at II a. m. the following day. The newspaper reporter sometimes had to make these trips. When snow drifts or deep mud prevented the messenger from getting to Jackson or Owosso the newspaper would announce or print in its legislative column, "Delays in Transmission". HOW RAILROAD WAS FINANCED Some of the readers will wonder why there was an interval of fifteen years between locating and building the capital and getting a railroad to the same. There were several reasons, the first of which was poverty. The state was poor. When it was admitted into the Union in 1837 we had a financial panic. The free banking, or wildcat money made it worse; also the five million loan did not relieve or clear up financial matters. When we moved the capital in I847 we had another financial panic. Second, the state made such a failure in the first administration in building railroads that it would not build or finance roads for the inhabitants. Third, the general government had to help the state as it did all the states by donating swamps and overflow lands. By act of congress 136 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of September I8, 1850, Michigan received 5,838,775.86 acres in donation. By a provision in the act when these lands were sold, proceeds must be used in draining or reclaiming them. By act of the state legislature of 1851 the state received the donation and fixed a minimum price per acre of seventy-five cents. As in the primary school fund, the state has to be custodian of this fund of nearly five million dollars and pay interest on 25 per cent of it. This interest went into the primary school interest fund. In 1857 the legislature changed the wording of the act so from the proceeds of sales 50 per cent went into the primary school fund. In 1859 this was again changed by the legislature so four hundred thousand acres could be sold and the money used. HIGH COST OF LABOR AND LIVING IN 1839 We hear so much of the high cost of living. Newspapers are full of facts and figures. Our city government is trying to lower the domestic rates of some of the public utilities. Almost all complain and say we are hard up-can't get in money enough to pay our bills, the whole world is going or has gone bankrupt except the United States and we don't know how soon it will. etc. Compare prices with what they were years ago. Go back, if necessary, to our grandfathers' time. Find out what the laborer was paid and what the consumer could buy for his wages. We must remember that our grandfathers did not tabulate or make statistics. They did not have the time or training to find out ratios so have left little or no record of living wages or expenses of rearing a family. What records we have are old accounts of merchants a'nd domestic time books that have been hidden away in garrets and bureau drawers. These accounts and account books are finally given to our historical societies and museums. They are put on exhibition and the curious public views them and comments upon the spelling and penmanship and overlooks the valuable knowledge they convey. It was my good fortune to look over the private papers of an old pioneer of our city who passed away a short time ago. Among these papers were some old bills from merchants in Ann Arbor and Brighton, Michigan, with accounts for work. These accounts were made in 1839 or two years after Michigan was admitted into the Union. This was also at that period when our state was passing through a financial crisis, that is, "Wildcat Bank and Banking." History does not record a worse financial time in our state, a more reckless period of financiering. The merchants in those days-eightytwo years ago-had no railroad to transport their goods or even wagon roads for their freight. Most of the roads were Indian trails, so the cost of transportation must have been heavy. A large percentage of goods was sold or bartered for produce, maple sugar, fur and potash or black salt-something not too bulky to be sent to the nearest lake port. In winter, when there was good sleighing, the more bulky produce was transported by sleighs. To give the readers an idea of what things cost their grandfathers or great-grandmothers, I will reproduce some of the bills: INGHJAM COUNTY13 137 Hardware Bill. Bought of Gust Norris Ann Arbor, Feb. ioth, 1839. 2 window sash-9 lights =i8 at 9c 25 lights of glass 4c 5 lbs. nails Jic 13 6,/i6# Draft chains I/ i Chain $I.12 I.00.55 2.93 1.00 $6.6o Bill for Dry Goods. Bought of Win. Taylor & Co. TO 4 yds. cloth 12/cc 3Y yds. canvass 2/6 3c~4 yds. padding 4/'~i 2 yds. jeans 2/cc5 spools silk -/6 I spool twist -/6 Y4 lbs. thread i i/1-4/12 Doz. Buttons 3/6 4/12 Doz. Buttons i/6 For Sunday suit mnale at home. May 3, 18S37. $6.oo.24.38.37.31I.o6.34.o6 $8.34 Lumber Bill. To 828 feet siding Brighton, Mlich., Oct. 24th, 1839. $9.00 per M. $7.95 Grocery Bill. TO 4# Sugar T3 it2 quarts molasses t / 44 Tea 8/iti Pint Whiskey A'nn Arbor, 1839..62.38.25.o6 I.31 Bill for Work. To T (lay's work threshing wheat it I ccscoringy timber I tshingling (roof) 2 days' threshing Eno Rankin's oats 1 (lay drawing wheat I(lay drawing wheat I tthreshing- Alexanders $1.25 75.75 1.50 1.50.63.75 6.13 Note-Six 'days' wvork on farm in harvest time for $4.63 or 77 cents per day. 138 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Most of the work in those days was farm work and not much money changed hands as the farmers exchanged labor. The above accounts show that our forefathers did not run large bills and the co-operation in labor did not admit of unions or strikes. STAVE FACTORY AND WLITEELIBARROW WORKS OR FACTORY The lumbering industry in Ingham county during expansion period branched out in special lines. One of these was staves. We have already mentioned how Mr. A. Bixby found a market in the East and some of his purchases went to West India and Europe, so a factory was started in Lansing to supply demand for this commodity. Jacob Schultz was the first stave manufacturer in the city. He started a small factory in I869 on the east side of the Michigan Central railroad tracks. This was soon enlarged, a cooper shop added, which, with drying sheds, covered several acres of ground. This factory was located on ground now occupied by the Bates Tractor company. The increased demand for staves induced the company to build factories at Williamston and Webberville, which became good shipping points. The Detroit, Lansing & Northern railroad had connected them with the outside in 1871. These branches did not, or could not, fill the large orders from grist mills, packing houses and apple growers in the fruit sections of the county and state. There was a large local trade from farmers who put up for domestic use, meats, cider, cider vinegar, pickles, etc. All the above farm products went into oak barrels or casks. The small cooper shops could not compete with Mr. Schultz and closed their shops or moved them elsewhere. Some of the younger coopers found employment at good wages in the factory. Mr. Schultz, in Williamston factory, took a partner, Mr. Henning, from Washtenaw county. This factory in Lansing employed more men than any other branch of lumber industry. Men from rural districts or farms found steady employment during winter months getting out and hauling stave bolts to this factory and its branches. The company paid workmen and farmers a small fortune annually for services and timber. Manufacturers in the seventies did not have to fill out detailed reports to bureaus or income tax officials. Approximate estimate of whole business done by this company would be in millions. In I888 a disastrous fire destroyed the factory at Webberville with all its stock. Another fire at Williamston also destroyed stock. These fires, with no insurance, were a great loss to the company. The factory at Webberville was never rebuilt; the one at Williamston was repaired, and Mr. Henning ran same until stock on hand was manufactured and sold, then it was closed. The factory at Lansing was kept open, but on a smaller scale, until I907. Since Mr. Schultz's death his son has kept the small cooper shop running until the present year, but now it is closed. LANSING WHEELBARROW FACTORY For nearly forty years Mr. Schultz made staves. He prepared the way for other factories which were established and gave employment INGHAM COUNTY 139 to the wage earner. Most of these factories made something from wood and were located in the north half of the county where timber was abundant and could be bought cheaply. About the time the stave industry was started there were several small wagon shops in the city. Some of these were combined into one factory known as the "Lansing Wagon Works." The small wagon makers who specialized or made wheelbarrows or hand carts found they could not fill large orders from railroad contractors and builders and compete with other large employers of labor. Some of the younger business men saw great possibilities in a factory that would manufacture such acticles by machinery. The Lansing wheelbarrow factory was financed and started in by local business men or sons of lioneers. From a small factory it has, by additions, grown to be a large plant covering acres of ground. The small sales of a few thousands of dollars to sales amounting to hundreds of thousa'nds annually. No large dividends were paid the first few years, but careful and conservative management has placed it among the best in our city. It makes wheelbarrows and all kinds of hand trucks now as it did twenty years ago, but to supply demand of contractors and excavators it manufactures of steel and iron, run by steam and electricity, power excavators, cement mixers, etc. Since iron enters into structure of their products they have not used the timber as formerly, but it takes over a million feet of best hardwood annually to keep up their supply stocks. Their goods are advertised and sold in all the markets of the state, the nation and many foreign countries. The oldest business men of Lansing are proud of this factory. They are confident that under careful management its trade will increase and in time send out branches to manufacture some of its products, and the original factory be headquarters for assembling and distributing the finished product to the various markets. Hundreds of workmen have been employed by the company who live here, earn their money and spend it in the community. Lately the name of the company has been changed to "Lansing Company." SAWMILLS AND LUMBIER After I863 the twenty-one small sawmills in our county lost the custom trade and most of them went out of business, especially in the country. Civil war did not stimulate lumber business and where it did it was in pineries north of our county. The timber of Ingham county was hardwood, and there was no market or demand for that kind of lumber except for barn frames and cheap furniture. The sawmills at Williamston, Okemos and Lansing furnished work for a few men during spring when the logs were sent down the Cedar or Grand rivers. About I870, Michael Bowerman, a young Quaker from Albany, New York, came to Williamston on a prospecting tour. He was looking for an opening to engage in some paying business in which he could invest his money, and money of his relatives in New York. In after years Mr. Bowerman told the writer how he made his 140 HISTORIC MICHIGAN investment by buying timber from farmers, or having each farmer pledge himself to so many thousand feet of logs for custom work. After he had made and perfected these arrangements he purchased a portable steam sawmill and placed it in the west part of Leroy township. He engaged an engineer named Fred Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell was a master mechanic. He could make an engine, set it up, repair it, fix and file circular saws, line up saw carriage so it would saw even lumber or lumber of uniform thickness, etc. These two men soon became partners in the lumber business, and when they cut their contract in Leroy, moved the mill over in the center of Wheatfield township, and set it up on Mr. Rockwell's farm. While the mill was located there it did a large business for years, or until the available timber in that locality had been manufactured into lumber. This lumber supplied the local markets in the county, some was sold in Jackson, Chelsea and Ann Arbor. Most of the lumber sold in Jackson went to the Prison Wagon company. What was left for their annual cut was hauled to the nearest railroad and shipped East. A fire burned the mill and the machinery was sold and Mr. Bowerman started a land business in Williamston. Mr. Rockwell followed him in a short time and engaged in furniture and undertaking business. Both men were engaged in their different lines for years, or until Mr. Bowerman's health failed, then he removed to a farm between Williamston and Okemos, where he died. Mr. Rockwell was i'n business with his sons until one died, then he sold out and retired. He died at his home in Williamston a few years after Mr. Bowerman. THE JAMES DART MILL In I872 of 1873, James Dart came west to visit his two brothers in Lansing. These brothers, Rollin and Eben Dart, were pioneer residents of the capital city. Rollin was a lawyer, Ebe'n was a merchant, while James was a mill man and lumberman. I-le visited the embryo village of Webberville and became acquainted with the McPherson brothers, founders of the village. He saw a chance for a large sawmill, and the McPhersons promised him timber off of several sections of timbered land they owned near Webberville. Mr. Dart, before he placed his mill, procured a large contract from car works in Detroit for oak lumber or timber. Senator James McMillan of Detroit, was a large stockholder in this car company, the president of which was also interested in smelting works and iron foundries on Detroit river. He had established several charcoal kilns on the railroad east of Webberville to manufacture charcoal used in his smelters at Wyandotte. Mr. Dart sold him his slabs and cull lumber which was made into charcoal at these kilns so he had a market for his waste. It took Mr. Dart several years to fill his contract with the car company, but in the meantime he did quite a custom business and sold some timber, oak mostly, to shipyards of Detroit. It would be rather difficult to estimate the number of car loads of oak INGHAM COUNTY 141 timber, lumber and staves that were shipped from Webberville in fifteen years, 1872 to 1887. In I886 or 1887 Mr. Dart sold his mill to Mr. Schultz, the stave manufacturer. He put in machinery to manufacture staves. This mill burned in I888, and Mr. Schultz never rebuilt it. Mr. Dart, after the old mill burned, formed a partnership with Stearns Hatch, a friend of his, and the Dart & Hatch company bought timber near Webberville, hired it sawed by local mill men and delivered to the nearest railroad. For several years they did quite a business, but the sudden death of Mr. Hatch ended the partnership and closed their office. Mr. Dart went to Mason and resided with his daughter, the wife of Dr. Campbell. Mr. Dart's two sons, Rollin and Fred, were partners in lumber manufacturing in Canada for a number of years after their father's death, but sold their mill and timber interests and now are engaged in other business in or near Maso!n. Mr. Scofield and Metlin were the early Lansing lumber manufacturers. But it is impossible to find any data when Mr. Scofield started his mill or whether he bought out the Seymore interests in a sawmill on the east side of the dam. Mr. Mletlin dug a race on the west side of the dam in I866 or I867, and erected a sawmill at the same time. It is likely both these men did a local and custom business, but sent some lumber to eastern markets after the railroads came. Both these mills were run by water power; the other sawmills run by water power at Okemos and Williamston (lid a fair amount of business in spring and fall when the water was high and they could get workmen. There were several small steam sawmills in the interior of the county, but they were all gone before i880. Stockbridge had quite a large mill, Dansville village, ()nondago had mills, but they disappeared before I900, and heaps of rotting sawdust may be seen at sites of flourishing industries forty years ago. Since I900 the Lansing company has purchased timber from farmers of Inghamn county and cut millions of feet to supply their factory. Other lumber firms have placed small mills in the remaining timber lands of our county and shipped train loads of our future supply to Chicago and other markets. Some conservative means will have to be taken to preserve the growing timber of our county. CHAPTER XII NORTH LANSING PIONEER HIST(RY In I836. Frederick Bushnell, of Rochester, New York, purchased from the United States government several pieces of land in Ingham county. These tracts were in Town 4 north of Range 2 west, Lansing township. Most important was the southeast quarter of section 9 (southeast quarter of section 9, Town 4 north, Range 2 east). The Grand river traversed this tract and in 1837 Cyrus Hewett a civil engineer, came down the river from Eaton Rapids in a dugout, or canoe, and surveyed the tract and took levels for a dam. Mr. Bushnell went to Louisiana in the winter of 1836 for his health but died at his brother's in Rapids Parish in I837. James Seymour, who had purchased land adjoining this tract, also was interested in lumbering, wanting this water power to erect a sawmill. He purchased the above mentioned tract from Mr. Bushnell's heirs. In looking over some old abstracts we find Mr. Bushnell was a single man, and had relatives in Rochester, so there was probate business done with his heirs in Rochester and Rapids Parish, Louisiana. In I839, Mr. Seymour had found the distant members of the deceased's family, a deed of the property was executed and he became owiner. In I84I, Mr. Seymour sold I09.62 acres of this land with water power to John W. Burchard, a young lawyer and mill man, who had recently come to Mason. Mr. Burchard bought this property for $548 or $5 per acre. Mr. Burchard only made a payment of $io on the property and the same year he commenced to build a dam. He first cleared a place in the dense woods on the east bank of the river for a house so he could move his family from Mason. We find the location of this first cabin erected in our city to be on Center street near the southeast corner of East Franklin and Center. This house served for a home and boarding place for his workmen. In order to pay his workmen Mr. Seymour advanced him $300 in 1843 and $500 in 1844. Mr. J. W. Burchard moved his family to the solitary log cabin as soon as he could and commenced to build the dam. He hired all the men he could in the vicinity of Lansing and completed the work in the spring of I843. In June, 1843, there came a great freshet and the newly constructed dam broke and his work was almost ruined. In investigating this break from a canoe, Mr. Burchard and his boatman were drawn into a break, went over the dam and he, Burchard, was drowned. His companion swam to shore. His body was found several days afterwards near Delta, Eaton county. He was buried in a cemetery at Mason. Mr. Seymour, to whom Mr. Burchard was indebted for land and money expended on the dam. took possession of the property and in September, 1843, sent Joab Page and his son INGHAM COUN'TY 143 and son-in-law to repair the dam and finish the race and the sawmill commenced by the Burchard heirs. Mr. Seymour in 1844 probated the property a second time. The widow had a young merchant in Mason (James Turner) appointed administrator. In looking over old files in the probate court (File No. I3) we find that the new courthouse at Mason was not finished, so hearing on this case was at probate court held in Leslie. We also find that court procedure has not changed much since I844. To give the reader the costs of the property to Mr. Seymour this second time we find the final account was $1,449.28. Mr. Seymour had this mill site and some adjacent property platted into 249 blocks in I846. This plat was recorded June 23, 1847, under the name of "Village of Michigan". This was Mr. Seymour's first plat. We have mentioned how Mr. Seymour and William Townsend platted in I847 some lands they owned and this second plat with the first was included in the general plat of Village of Michigan a'nd the name was changed to Lansing by the legislature in 1849. In James Seymour's first plat, the dam and mill sites were all included in block 12. He afterwards subdivided this into seven lots. This subdivision was recorded April 3, 1849. PIONEER DAM It will perhaps be interesting to some of the younger engineers or dam builders to know how our pioneers built a (dan. The only building materials they had were the trunks of trees, stone, and clay. They commenced to lay the foundations as follows: They cut down and partly trimmed a number of trees of nearly uniform size, with as much of the tops as they could conveniently handle, drew them by teams into the bed of the stream, with the trunks downstream and the tops upstream, until they got a layer across the stream. Another layer was put on top of this, then clay and stones were piled on these tops and trunks. When they got a sufficient number and had closed all the spaces between the trunks with the aforesaid material, they built a wall of hewn timbers across the dam near the ends of the trunks of the trees. The timbers were tied and kept in place with long braces that extended in a sloping direction upstream. After this had reached a certain height, it was filled in with earth and stone between the braces. Another bank of timbers was built on this from six to eight feet upstream, so when that reached a certain height. the first timber wall was boarded over to form the step, or apron, of the dam. When the second timbers reached a certain height, the stones and earth filled above upstream were sloped off'and made water-tight and a layer of planks extending upstream was laid and made fast to the second timber wall. The ends of the dam were extended into the banks of the river to anchor the dam fast in the middle of the stream. By building a dam,of this type, the water, when the millpond was full, extending upon this sloping apron and this sloping bedwork 144 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of brush, clay and stones, pressed down and held the dam in place, or overcame the pressure and current of the water above. This same principle is involved in our modern cement dams. To overcome the current and the pressure from above, a cement dam is built upon the solid rock, and instead of being a straight wall across the stream it is built in the shape of a horseshoe, the curve of the horseshoe extending upstream. THE RACE Mr. Burchard, when he started to dig the race on the east side of the river below the dam, was helped by the natural lay of the ground, and a creek that emptied into the river below the dam, called Price's creek. From all accounts that the writer can glean from history and a trapper's account, there was a mole, or ridge of earth, between this creek and the river that extended to the north side of the present Franklin avenue bridge, and the ground for a number of rods back on this mole was a beaver meadow or beaver marsh. The mole was formed partly by the drift from the river and the beavers. In corroboration of this statement, old pioneers who worked or dug into this mole found burie:l in the sand and soil, pieces of timber that had been brought down by the beavers, on which the marks of their teeth were present. So from the above evidence and by the appearance of the first plat made by Mr. Seymour, this race was an established fixture, as I have described. Mr. Burchard took advantage of this natural formation to use this creek as the race, and had, at the lower part of this race, started a building for manufacturing purposes. The mole between this factory and the dam was held in reserve for the location of other factories that should be run by water taken from the race. He placed his factory at the lower end, so that he could dam the water back and fill the race so that they could draw from it without destroying or taking from his power. This race is used today for the same purposes by owners Breisch & Company. THE MILL Among the articles listed by the administrator of the estate was the frame of a mill which was started by Mr. Burchard; also, a lot of iron castings and machinery to be used in this mill. Mr. Seymour bought, with the land, this frame and the machinery, that was intended for a sawmill. After he obtained possession, he sold to other parties a site for a sawmill nearer the dam. It is evident, from this, that this mill site and this framework were located on the same ground as the Breisch mill today; that Mr. Seymour changed it from a sawmill into a gristmill; that he recognized that Eaton, Clinton and Ingham county farmers had to go to Owosso, Jackson or Detroit to get their wheat ground. He saw the need for both a gristmill and sawmill in Lansing. It is evident that he built the walls of this gristmill on the foundations laid by Burchard, as in the past few years, in repairing the OLDI)ST GRIST' MIL.L IN LANSIN; —BUILT ABOUl' 1843 1fENTON HOUSE-LATER EVERETT HOUSE LANSING HOUSE-BURNED 1860 -— LANSING COR. WASHINGTION AND WASHTENAW INGHAM COUNTY 145 foundation, the Breisch Milling company has dug up oak plank and slabs that were placed there to receive the walls, which were brick. Mr. Seymour found that the location of his mill was a hindrance to selling it, as it was built on a swampy foundation, and would have to, although located on the principal street, build approaches before he could sell it; also, that it would be necessary to build a bridge across the river. In 1848, A. N. Hart and some other men came here to buy or erect a gristmill. They did not like the mill that Mr. Seymour had repaired, as it was small and inconvenient to approach, so they bought a mill site on the mole nearer the dam, which is now the Madison mill property, and erected a modern mill, for those (lays. In 1854, Chester Moseley, a miller from Rochester, New York, came to Lansing with his son, Henry, and daughter, Mary Ann, and bought the mill from Mr. Seymour. The writer has this statement from a grand-daughter of Chester Moseley, Mrs. Jay Smith, of North Lansing. She positively states that her grandfather did not build the mill, but fixed it over inside so that he could use it. Mr. Moseley was not satisfied with his purchase because Mr. Seymour could not guarantee to him all and first rights to the water in the mill pond and in the race. For this reason Mr. Moseley refused to pay him the balance due on the transaction until I868. This matter, in regard to the water rights, has been in litigation for a number of years and is not settled yet. PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OF THE MILL The writer has a very distinct recollection of this mill from I862 to I868 and from I872 to I875. It was called the "little old brick gristmill," or "Moseley's mill." It was two stories above the basement in height, and had two runs of stone at that time. The picture of the inside of the mill is just as vivid as it was when he visited it in his boyhood days. It was a custom mill, that is, the miller received from each customer one-tenth, by measure, of each bushel of wheat ground and the customer received for his share forty pounds of flour and ten pounds of bran for each bushel of good, plump grain. They called this "tolling the grist" and the measure was taken from the hopper on the stone in operation. If the miller took too much toll, the farmer soon found it out and the miller lost his patronage. Every gristmill in those days had two runs of stone or more. One stone was always running, the other was almost always lifted off and was being dressed so as to be ready when the other stone had to be served the same way. It was a picture that was very vivid at night, to enter the mill, find it running with one run of stone, and the extra help dressing the other stone with a millpick by the light of one or two tallow candles. This job of dressing stone was a very particular one, and men who were experts at this business traveled from place to place, or from mill to mill, and did no other work except dress stones. The interior of the mill, being old-fashioned and built in an old3-10 146 HISTORIC MICHIGAN fashioned way, when compared with the Hart mill erected in I846, was conclusive proof that this mill was the first mill built, thus the pioneer mill of our city. The mill today has been improved and enlarged; another story has been added but parts of the old frame and the walls are the same as they were when Burchard laid the foundations and James Seymour completed it. Breisch & Company have do'ne commercial work for a number of years and their different brands of flour find a ready market here and in the New England states. During the World war, the same company had large contracts with foreign countries and by prompt deliveries and quality of flour furnished, gained a worldwide reputation. PIONEER BREWERY In this period of prohibition, when the public press and public forum are used to give publicity to the enforcement of the prohibition laws, to extoll the blessings of temperance in public and private life and magnify the evils of liquor, it might interest some to relate my recollections of the birth and growth of prohibition sentiment in this city and how the social habit of drinking was done away with as a social feature in entertainment. Clubs of men, when formed for recreation and entertainment, which have tried to graft drinking, which by the way is not original but taken from Europe, have failed as it has been found that the use of intoxicants lowered the standards of their social and intellectual life. I have noticed that in our progressive, cosmopolitan Western public life, when a foreigner or group of foreigners tries to graft upon our social or public life, something they had or enjoyed in their own country, they in many instances meet with disappointment and failure. In writing about this growth of temperance, I can illustrate it by the growth, life and death of a pioneer brewery at the north end, or North Lansing. Go with me to the northeast corner of Maple and Pine streets and notice that old one-story and a half wooden house with a low one-story addition along its west side. There is nothing very striking about its appearance or its location. There are many old wooden buildings in this city that look like it. It looked better fifty years ago, when at that time it stood in the western suburbs of the north end. What about this old building? It stands today as the ruins of an industry and three score years ago was part of Weimann's brewery. Sixty or sixty-five years ago there drifted into the north end a tall German. He was accompanied by his wife and baby. He showed by his movements and actions that he was full of energy and hard work. In this he was helped by his short, strudy frau. He told the public that he was looking for a location, that he was a brewer and intended starting a brewery. After a time, we find him clearing and building on the northeast corner of Pine and Maple streets. At that time a small spring brook crossed Maple street near the corner of Pine, and meandered down across Franklin street near INGIIHA COUNTY 147 Alfred Bigsby's place and emptied into Grand river, east of our Iresent gas works. This creek could give him plenty of fresh water and the banks could be utilized at small expense and not much digging as a cooling cellar for his brewery. A vacant square just east of his building which had a small grove of maples and other trees on its north side could, if his business was a success and needed expanding, be bought or leased as a beer garden. The creek flats with its dark, rich soil was an ideal cabbage patch. The unfenced commons south and west of his location afforded pasture, with no expense, for his cows. My earliest recollection of this brewery was the present building with its long porch on the east side. The brewhouse proper lay a short distance north and there was a young forest of hop poles along a drive on the eastern side. for German thrift and custom made him raise the hops which Mr. Weimann used in his business, his bustling wife waiting upon customers in the front room while her good mlan was busy with the brewing. Very distinct recollections come to me now of this front room with its sanded floor, the tail hop poles with their swaying vines, the smell of steaming malt, the tinkle of cow bells on the commons and the harsh guttural tones of the German customers mingled with clouds of tobacco smoke from large porcelain pipes. The creek with the (lark forest as its background anld impenetrable swamp, Bogus swamp, that hid the springs from which it had its source, must have stirred memnories in the brewer's mind of the Black Forest in Germany. For the first few vears this industry flourished. but all this time a cloud, small at first but as years passed increased in size and overslhadowed it. What was this cloud? ()On a large square directly west of this industry was an institution whose growth did not depend upon beer or the consumption of it but upon its suppression. What was this institution? An educational institution, the Lansing Female seminary, with Misses Abbie and Adelia Rodgers, owners and instructors. WVhy should these ladies object to the brewery and its customers as Mr. Weimann never peddled his wares on the seminary grounds and always treated the Misses Rodgers in respectful manner when they met? No, it wasn't that, but it was the location of the brewery, for the only driveway to the seminary grounds was a drive that entered the southeast corner of the square and that led directly past the brewery in going to and from Middle Town and North Lansing. This school was a select one and all the pupils were from the first families of Lansing, Detroit and other cities. They had refined tastes, noses and hearing and they came to this school to obtain cultivation and be trained for their future stations in life. How could they do this when they had to pass this German brewery two or three times a (lay. They objected to the smell of the brewing, the sauerkraut naking, the pig pens that contained the pigs fattening on the waste malt and their ears could not take in the beauties of Wagner's drinkinm songs or the "Watch on the Rhine" sung at I2 o'clock at night 148 HISTORIC MICHIGAN by a score of lusty Germans each with one or two quarts of beer "under his belt," so they objected. The Misses Rodgers carried their complaints to the brewer and we can imagine the result. He with broken English and she with authoritative way and mien must have afforded a discussion and a scene that would tempt the pen of an author or the brush of an artist. Miss Abbie Rodgers, as I remember her, was a woman of sterling character, resolute will and active, progressive mind. She was not a believer in co-education. Many striking things occurred in this woman's life, and into my youthful ears stories were told of her birth in a New England state, her migration into Missouri with her sister and their trials and failure to start a select school for girls there; their horseback ride of a thousand miles north and their founding a school here in the woods; how she went before the state legislature, session after session, for means to carry on her work and how death occurred before she could reap the fruits of her labors and life work. Mr. Weimann had to give way and his dream of a beer garden, on the German plan, vanished as well as his profits and customers. I can imagine that in their discussion she told him that beer was a plebian drink-her ancestors drank nothing but New England or New Bedford rum-the smell of his brewery and sauerkraut disturbed her digestion and the nights were too noisy for sleep by the drinking songs of his customers. Her way prevailed and she carried the neighborhood with her, so gradually the smoke from Weimann's brewery was a thing of the past. Miss Rodgers was a pioneer in the anti-liquor movement. CHAPTER XIII PUBLIC UTILITIES-MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTLANSING MAYORS PIONEER GAS FACTORY The first factory to manufacture illuminating gas in Lansing was built in 1872. This building was erected on North Grand street and part of the old building is standing. The Lansing Fuel and Gas company warehouse at 225 North Grand street is the building. A stock company in which the late Fredrick Tholman and E. F. Cooley were the principal stockholders was formed in Ann Arbor to manufacture gas in this city. Mr. Tholman and Mr. Cooley erected the first building, laid the first gas mains, and installed machinery. In pioneer days a deep ravine crossed North Washington avenue near the site of O'Connor's store, ran northeast, crossed North Grand avenue and terminated at the river bank south of the present East Shiawassee street bridge. The banks of this ravine were quite high and full of springs and during the spring and fall rains the ravine was a large creek. This ravine has been filled in and houses have been built. The receiving tank of the factory was located in this ravine, but it was removed some years ago. The factory started to make gas in the fall of 1872. The first public building to be lighted or to use gas was the old state Capitol. Workmen under the direction of Mr. Cooley piped it in January, 1872, for that session of the legislature. After the legislature had convened, workmen were busy during the months of January and February finishing the job. ILLUMINATION BEFORE GAS Before 1873 the Capitol and other state offices were lighted by kerosene lamps. Keeping these lamps clean and filled was no small task for the janitor. Sometimes during a long night session the lamps went out and the members were forced to adjourn in the dark. Legislative journals do not tell us whether darkness broke deadlocks or decided tie votes. Kerosene lighting had only been in vogue ten or twelve years. Before I86I tallow or wax candles or whale oil lamps were used for lighting private and public buildings. When kerosene oil was introduced people were afraid of it. Oil refiners in early days did not understand this distillate of coal.oil. They could not separate gasoline, naphthaline, benzine and other explosive oils or gases from the kerosene. The newspapers were full of accounts of accidents from explosions and of fires as the result of trying to use kerosene as an illuminant. This explosive property handicapped the refiner in selling his product. He called in chemists to help him separate the dangerous gases and other wastes from kerosene. The late Dr. Robert Kedzie was a chemist at the Michigan Agri — 150 ll1STORIC MICHIGAN cultural College. He formulated a test and had a state inspector appointed to test all oils shipped into the state. John Rockefeller, the first refiner on a large scale, condensed these dangerous gases into gasoline, and made from the waste other articles that are used ill homes. In the manufacture of gas there is the same waste, but chemistry is doing wonders with it. The company that installed this plant founl in a few years that electricity was going to be a competitor of gas, so installed a set of dynamos in the factory and commenced to furnish electricity to its' customers as well as gas. In 1885 the water and light board of the city was formed to furnish water and electricity. Not desiring a competitor the board purchased from Mr. Tholman. E. F. Cooley and Hon. O. M. Barnes the pioneer gas factory and its electrical equipment. The city ran it for a short time and then move(i the electrical equipment to a central pumping station at Jay and Cedar streets. The city could not operate the newly purchased gas factory with profit or as a competitor of the light plant, so it was sold to an Eastern syndicate which specialized in fuel gas. Fuel gas was a new thing, used quite excessively in Eastern factories. The natural gas from coal mines was used for heating purposes, but the supply was limited, so manufacturers were using artificial gas. Mr. Geist, of Philadelphia, was president of the syndicate which bought the Lansing plant. Before he commenced to make gas he procured a franchise from the city government to manufacture and sell lighting and fuel gas. This franchise ran for thirty years. When the World war commenced, coal and labor increased in an alarming ratio and the syndicate saw that it must raise its rate to consumers. Mr. Geist saw that under the terms of the old franchise he could not give the consumer eighty-cent gas, so he came before the city government and tried to have the council modify or change the provisions of the old franchise. Mayor Rutter and the council delayed action in order not to arouse bitter feeling between the consumers and the company. They delayed as long as they could and then handed it over to their successors to settle. Considerable feeling was aroused and resulted in the election of a mayor pledged to make the gas syndicate fulfill its agreement in the old franchise or else sell the property back to the city. When Mavor Ferle was elected he brought the matter before the council and found a division. The rate per thousand feet to the consumer was rather high at first, but under a certain provision of the charter and franchise the rate would be decreased until eighty cents per thousand feet would be the maximum rate to the consumer. The new company found the old building too small and the grounds too limited for much expansion, so it bought of Dr. Robertson a piece of land on the river at the end of North Pine street for a new site. Dr. Robertson's neighbors objected to this location and the purchase was delayed for some time. In 1905 or 1906 the deeds were signed and the company commenced to build a large factory and.receiving tanks. INGHAM COUNTY 151 People were using the gas for lighting and fuel, the factories were using large quantities in their shops and the gas company was making money. In I9IO the company put in more capital. The city hired appraisers to appraise the property. When they read the report the price for good will and improvements was too high and the city would not buy it. When it came to fixing the increase in rates, the council, mayor and business men took joint action. A committee of five members was appointed to draft a new charter. When the committee presented this new or amended charter to the mayor and board of aldermen it created a division so that no action was taken only in accordance with the city charter. The provisions in the revised or new charter said that all new or amended franchises must be voted upon by the people before they can become law. At a special election the new franchise was lost. Mayor Ferle tried to amend the old franchise, but new franchise members blocked all efforts of the mayor and members of the council who wanted the matter settled. The attorney of the gas syndicate tried to secure an armistice for the company and people but he failed and resigned. A new attorney for the company was engaged. He, like his predecessor, was a resident of our city and wanted the "'as franchise war" ended. After a conference with Mr. Geist he came before the council and asked permission to place the matter in charge of the state utilities commission. This, after some difficulty, passed the council, but was vetoed by the mayor. The council reconsidered the question and passed it over Mayor Ferle's veto. The state utilities board has it in charge and the factory and franchise are under the control of this body. The state, during the short period that it has been under its care, has made extensions, given good service, paid Mr. Geist a certain per cent of the profits, a'nd has given a lower rate to the consumer. The state will in the future control this franchise and property as long as it pays a profit or until the franchise expires or until a cheaper fuel takes its place. CONCLUSION Frederick Tholman, the pioneer in gas manufacture here, was a miller. He built and operated successfully Tholman's mill at the corner of East Ottawa and North Grand avenue. This was the largest steam gristmill ever erected in this city. It always did a large local and foreign business and is in active operation today (I924) under the control and supervision of one of his sons. Besides his milling business he and Mr. Cooley started the gas factory and installed the first electric light plant in Lansing. He built Tholman's block on North Washington avenue, and other blocks, residences and lodging houses. He was an assiduous worker and tried hard to add improvements to our city. Some were envious of his success and tried in some manner to injure him, but they failed. His old pioneer friends will always remember him as a hard worker, kind neighbor and honest man. 152 HISTORIC MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM Our forebears took their water from springs and open wells they dug on their own property. In rural communities a single spring furnished water for four or five families. When a spring came out of a bank a shallow basin was dug into the bank to receive from one to two pailfuls of water to a barrel. If it was wet and marshy around the spring, an empty barrel was sunk into the soil, stones were placed around it to furnish a dry place for users. To keep out dirt and leaves, a rude cover was placed over the top of the barrel. The wells which pioneers dug were shallow, none more than fifty feet deep. They were circular in shape and the circle was large enough to be lined inside with rough boulders or home-made brick. A platform of boards was laid around the opening and a square curb three or four feet high was placed over the opening. In backwoods, where dressed lumber was impossible to procure, a section of large hollow log served the purpose. There were two methods of drawing water from these open wells. The first is ancient and can be seen in the Nile valley of Egypt today. A long lever made of the trunk of a tree is attached to an upright in such a way that it swings freely. One end is weighted by placing a box of stones or earth on it and to the other end is attached a small pole that will reach to the bottom of the well. At the end of this rod, or pole, is a hook to hold a bucket. The act of drawing water was to attach a bucket to a hook, pull down on the rod until the bucket was filled, then release hold on the pole and the weight on the other end of the pole raised the bucket to the surface. The other way was the* use of windlass and rope. This way has been immortalized in poetry and song, "The Old Oaken Bucket." The two ways seem crude to us, but the pioneers of our county and city procured their domestic and public supply in the latter manner up to I885, with one or two exceptions. An ingenious Yankee invented thc pump. This came into use in the sixties and when used closed the open well. Mr. Allen, who came from Ypsilanti, or Ann Arbor, in the early sixties and settled on North Washington avenue, manufactured a patented pump on his premises called "Allen's Chain and Bucket Pump." This was quite an invention. It was a cross between pump and windlass, but it also closed the open well. After the Civil war many of the doctors who had served in army hospitals in the south came back with ideas of how our drinking water was polluted, especially from open wells. They also had broad ideas of sanitation and how disease could be controlled by pure water and proper sanitary surroundings. They were enthusiastic over results in army hospitals and wherever they practiced, taught their patients some of the principles of sanitary science. Dr. Orvill Marshall, who went from Ann Arbor, his home town, to City Point, Washington, in 1863 to act as helper to surgeons, came to Lansing after he was graduated and was very enthusiastic and emphatic in his denunciation of open wells, and unsanitary condi INGHAM COUNTY 153 tions about homes. He had a number of patients die of typhoid fever one season and that spurred him on to make appeals to the city government to start a municipal water system similar to one in New York City, close the open well and take all supplies from one well that could furnish enough for a ward or community. The Doctor's work did good for a neighbor of his at North Lansing, John Post, a retired farmer, commenced to make wells by driving an iron pipe, one or two inches in diameter, into the ground where there were indications of water. He pumped out sand and dirt that accumulated on the inside of the pipe with a bucket pump. By doing this he shut off surface water and contamination of the open well that had an ordinary pump. Mr. Post might be named the pioneer in the driven or drilled well. In 1872 the state health board was established in our city. Dr. Baker was very enthusiastic and energetic to have an efficient health board in his home town, so Doctor Marshall and other men had an ally in this energetic doctor. From this the reader can see why the council had to take some action in 1885 to establish our present water system. After a board was appointed it made a survey of the city to find in the central part a site for a pumping station and a place where wells could be that would furnish an adequate supply of water, pure and uncontaminated. The present central station was selected for its unlimited springs that came from banks near the river, and a pumping station was built and mains laid in our streets to supply our homes. stores and factories. The first equipment was two and one-half million gallons steam suction pumps that pumped from a large brick-lined open well. Water from this well is yet used (I924). To furnish an extra supply a boiler-iron standpipe, sixteen feet in diameter and 154 feet high, was erected on the bank of the river on Cedar street, south. This standpipe is used today. In the nineties twelve more wells were sunk in station yards. These were not deep, as fifty or sixty feet was the limit. In I895 the pumping capacity had to be increased, so a Holly engine was purchased and placed in the station. In the same year the water supply from the well was inadequate, so twelve wells six inches to eight inches in diameter were drilled to a depth of 150 feet. In I904 a break in the main that supplied North Lansing occurred. and to overcome a similar difficulty an auxiliary station had to be built in the outskirts of the city. The wells that supply these stations were drilled to sand rock. The water from these auxiliary stations was discharged into pipes and mains from the distributing station. In I909 a large auxiliary station was built on South Pennsylvania avenue near Potter's park. It was equipped with the Fairbanks-Morse pumping system and has a capacity of distributing one million five hundred thousand gallons per day. In I9I1 a ten-inch Allis-Chalmers motor centrifugal pump was added to the equipment. The wells at this station are three hundred and fifty feet deep. Six more wells were drilled in I911, but during the dry season there is a shortage of water at this station. 154 HISTORIC MICHIGAN In 1914 the Logan street station began to pump for the Westmoreland section of our city. The city found it would have to have a larger reserve supply on hand to keep pressure in the mains and supply the rapid growth of the city, so several large reservoirs in 1917 were built in the bank east of the river on the west side of South Cedar street and an extra supply is stored west and south from the old standpipe. A ten-million-gallon horizontal cross compound Snow pump was installed in the main station on Cedar street. In 1919 one of the abandoned wells on Cedar street was equipped with twelve-inch pump and operated I.ooo feet away from the main station. DISTRIBUTION There were forty miles of water pipe with more than 4,000 consumers in I896. In I906 five miles more of mains were laid and five million gallons of water were consumed by our people every twenty-four hours. In 1895 there was only two-thirds as much consumed. This year (I924) the system with its auxiliaries supplies sixty thousand people. Since the water board has put in meters it has found it takes nearly eighty gallons per capita each day to supply our wants. Our state board of health and local health board have frequently tested the city water and found it pure and wholesome. It proves that in deep well svstenms we get no contamination as would come from springs and shallow wells. Most of the men on the electric light commission commenced their public service on the water board and have proved they are good, have served the people well and have given the public efficient municipal utilities. Good service made them efficient, economical and useful to the consumers. It would be well to observe the increase in population with increased consumption of water in our city: I86o, Population, 3,047, shallow open wells, 1870, Population, 5,241, shallow open wells and drilled, I88o, Population, 8,316, shallow open wells, many drilled I890, Population, 13,103, water system and drilled wells, 900o, Population, I6,485, water system, few drilled wells, I9IO, Population, 31,229, water system, few drilled wells, I920, Population, 57,327, all water system, no wells. In rural districts, country doctors always reported many cases of typhoid fever in the fall and winter from using water from open. shallow wells, but from I895 to I9IO farmers and villagers were busy putting down drilled wells to sand rock and the typhoid fever disappeared. All cases reported since I910 to the state board of health have been epidemics from resorts or construction camps where workmen or tourists have used water from contanminated shallow wells. We think our municipal water supply is adequate for our present and future needs. If we should have a great drouth or two drouths following each other we can use Jones lake, just outside our limits as a reser INGHAM COUNTY 155 voir. The state has been kind enough to buy most of the surrounding country and will conserve the lake for our needs.,LANSING F[IREI DEPART MENT In pioneer clays our fire department was a crude affair. For several years after the capital was located in the woods, the only protection against fire was a volunteer ladder and bucket company. All citizens were members of it. When a fire alarm was given by some strong-lunged individual all neighbors went with ladders and pails to hell) the owner or occupant of the building to put out the fire. When the building could not be saved the furniture was taken out and in the excitement willing ha'nds did not always make very careful handlers of furniture. From I860 to 1863, nothing was done to improve the department or make property safe. Several large fires in which the old wooden hotel (old Lansing house) burned with all its contents, forced the people to appeal to the council for fire protection. The council purchased a hand engine and some hose and organized a volunteer fire department. The salaries of the men were small and paid only for actual service at fire. Anyone giving an alarm was paid for so doing. In I864 and 1865 there were several fires in the ol:!er part of the city. The hand engine was kept up town and was not used. The two sections-North Lansing and Miiddle Town-were not united on the methods of fighting fire and the use of what apparatus the city had. In I865, action was taken by the city government to purchase a steam pump, hose cart and other apparatus, hire an engineer and fireman, build a fire station on East Allegan street, and to name it Station No. I. The hose men were hired as call men, and the team to draw the steamer was arranged at the nearest livery barn. North Lansing was not backward in asking for the same at the north end. In I866, we find a fire station built on North Washington avenue on the site of the present station No. 2, with a powerful steamer installed with paid engineer and call hose men near the station. WATER SUPPLY The water used in fires was taken from rivers or wells on the premises where the fire broke out. The wells were open, shallow ones, and during a fire were soon drained and neighborhood wells were forced to supply the deficiency. During a drouth or in a dry season the supply from these open wells was a failure as regards domestic pulrposes and the firemen had to fight in order to get their hose into a well to put out a fire. This trouble over water supply for firemen was only adjusted by the city ordering cisterns and underground reservoirs built in streets. We remember one on East Franklin street, near Center, that was filled, or partly filled, by springs from under the old Seymore hotel, and when they failed the reservoir was filled oy pumpi'ng water from the race in the rear of the old Mosley mill. We don't know the capacity of this cistern. It was oblong and deep enough to 156 HISTORIC MICHIGAN keep from freezing and forming ice to clog the hose. The other was built in front of the present Gladmer theater. The North Lansing Station No. 2, having no livery stable nearby, depended upon the general public for horses to draw their steamers and hose cart to a fire. When the alarm was given the firemen would rush out and taker a farmer's team and hitch it on the steamer and draw it to the fire. Farmers would sometimes object but were always ready to receive $5 or $Io for team service. Complaints from owners of teams were so numerous that the city was compelled to purchase horses that were kept at stations. These teams were trained by their drivers so they became very useful and swift in action to get to a fire. The harness was always attached to the steamer and hung suspended so the instant the alarm was given the animals were freed from their stalls and came under the harness, and in a second were harnessed, the doors were opened and the department was on a swift gait thundering down the street to the fire. Some of the teams were kept for years, or until incapacitated by old age or injury. Even then they would try to get into the harness when an alarm was given. The different hostler firemen took pride in the appearance of thir teams. The horses that showed intelligence loved their drivers and tried to do their best in service. The two above mentioned fire stations tried to work in harmony under different chiefs until the city commenced to expand and the water system was installed. The water system was a great improvement over reservoirs, for in spite of the best care and attention they were apt to go dry during a big fire. Another improvement was the electric alarm with its boxes in different parts of the city. IMPROVEMENTS SINCE 1900 In I908 the first auto fire engine made in the United States was purchased and placed in Station No. i, and afterwards transferred to North Lansing. The department continued to use horses at other stations, but finally the teams were sold and auto trucks and steamers took their places. The fire alarm service was for a number of years at Station No. I, but the station was not fireproof so it was dangerous to let it remain there. In I921 a new brick fireproof building was built and an up-to-date keyboard installed with three operators. Since 900o four additional stations have been built: No. 3 at the corner of Hillsdale and Sycamore streets, No. 4 at the corner of Bingham and Prospect streets, No. 5 at the Reo factory, South Washington avenue, No. 6 at the corner of North Pennsylvania avenue and Sheridan street. The number of paid men has increased so now all are salaried. In 1905 the call men were put on a salary, and the number on the roll was ten. Eight of these were at Station I, and others at No. 2. In I924 there are eighty-seven men, including the chief, who draw a salary for services. Each man, when first engaged, is placed on trial and trained for some time in muscular development and his mental INGHAM COUNTI 157 faculties are tested. If he proves normal and satisfactory he is given a place in the station. The department never lacks applicants. CHIEFS The first chief was Abram Cottrell, a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Cottrell was a gunsmith and owned considerable real estate on the north side of East Michigan avenue, between Larch street and the depot. We can remember his residence with picket fence in front, set in the midst of an old orchard, and flower garden aroutnd the old-fashioned residence. After the war he was incapacitated from pursuing his former occupation by a wound, so he spent most of his remaining davs installing Grand Army posts and forming and drilling men for the fire department. Many of the old firemen remember Captain Cottrell and his love of parade and display. Brass buttons and fire helmets with brass shields had to be bright and shining when he was around. All parades and celebrations in our city were headed by the fire department led by Captain Cottrell and his silver trumpet. He was a strict disciplinarian, but the men all respected and loved him. His old trumpet can be seen at Station I today. V. R. Canfield, John Edmons, Thos. W. Wescott, T. H. Sedina, John Eberly and William Wright have been chiefs and gave good service. Hiram Hedges a'nd William Rouse, at the north end, have been assistant chiefs, and Mr. Rouse can relate interesting experiences in the past about fires and fire-fighting. Hugo Delfs, our present chief, has served longer than any of his predecessors, and the fire alarm system has grown and the method has changed from shout by passerby to signal boxes on every block in the business district. We have 214 city alarm boxes and forty-three private boxes. This number is only exceeded by one other city in Michigan, Detroit. Through hard work, care and attention, with co-operation from his men, Chief Hugo Delfs has built up a fire department which is efficient, up-to-date, and an ornament to our city. The grounds around each station shows the pride and care the different groups of firemen take in keeping flowers and lawns in the best condition. For a number of years the fire stations have been used by the city to hold elections and political meetings. We think this should be changed because in case of a general fire alarm the department would be hindered and delayed and serious results might occur. In the writer's opinion it would be better to have elections and political meetings at a distance, just as with the parking of automobiles. POLICE DEPARTMENT The United States marshals, the sheriffs and deputies, the constables in our rural districts, the city marshal in our smaller cities, chiefs of police and lieutenants, captains and patrolmen in our larger cities, and, during the past few years, since auto traffic and transportation has increased, our state constabulary are our guardians. 158 HISTORIC MICHIIGAN\ These endeavor to see that all observe and do not violate the laws of our country. If any citizen, through ignorance or wilfull'ness, breaks the laws, the injured party, or parties, have the right to enter a complaint in the nearest court and the officers must investigate. If sufficient evidence is found he must issue a warrant for the offender. The warrant is a written order for any U'nited States marshal, constable, sheriff, or policeman, or member of the constabulary, to bring the offender to the court where the warrant was issued and to explain why and in what manner he committed the offense. None of the above mentioned officers can arrest any person on his own authority nor jeopardize the character of the offender without such an order unless he witnesses a violation of law. Sometimes in a riot or in case of emergency such officers have a verbal order from the United States court, executive of state, county or city. The above mentioned officers always act except in territory under martial law. Since the state constabulary has been made part of our police system, there has been some friction between this body and the older divisions. We think that this difficulty in co-operation will be rectified in the near future so that all divisions will act harmoniously. Another thought we will mention. All departments of our city government are censured, but the police department in the past has always been made the scapegoat by the ignorant, the lawbreakers, and the silly sentimentalist who is afraid some innocent person is going to be punished or injured. These people visit our police courts to see and hear criminals. They have a morbid desire to visit criminals in places of detention, bring them flowers instead of food, tracts instead of a minister of priest, and then pose as criminologists or proponents of the rights of criminals. Such people cause a lot of trouble and interfere with justice and safety for themselves and their neighbors. LANSING DEPARTMENT Our city in its infancy and growing stage was guarded by a city marshal and one or two constables elected by the voters. The few criminals who drifted into our city and within the borders of our county were arrested by the sheriff and his deputies. The marshal with the aid of merchants appointed a night watchman in North Lansing and Middle Town to report fires and to see that the apparatus to fight fires was in good order and convenient or housed in a central point. After the Civil war, the starting of several large factories with the attendant workmen, the camp followers who drifted north with our soldier boys made it necessary to increase our watchmen and city guardians. Some special service men were hired to do secret service work. Lee Cook, who afterwards served on the force, was one of these men. Our jail, or lockup, was in Middle Town, on the south side of East Allegan street. It was a wooden two-story building, the upper story being used for a council chamber. This was used until the city hall was built on the corner of West Ottowa street and Capitol avenue. INGHAM COUNTY 159 In 1895, the city had increased in population so fast that the council had to form the present metropolitan police department (September, 1895). Of the first police department, there was a chief, John P. Sanford; a captain, James A. Black; a truant officer, Lee Cook, and two inside men and seven patrolmen. The next chief was A. M. Starmont, who was followed by Henry Behrent, who was succeeded by Frank Cole, and on his resignation by Chief Seymore, our present chief. Chief Starmont worked hard to get this department established and fit men who filled the positions with honor and dignity. His successor, Henry Behrent, was a strict disciplinarian, and every man on the force respected him and observed all the rules especially in regard to politeness and dress. In regard to dress, when on duty, every man had to look clean and neat. Chief Henry always set the men a good example as regards neatness and politeness. At police headquarters toilet conveniences and boot-blacking stands were furnished and the chief made the men use them before they passed inspection and were sent to their beats. Chief Cole came into office in rather a difficult period and the force was inadequate to handle offenders. It was small and the men were overworked so they did not show the interest that they should have shown. This the chief thought was punishable, so he (li 1 Unish some. It caused a breach and he resigned. Chief Seymore took office during the World war and worked hard to prevent riots and other disturbances when the anti-German feeling was at its height. There was only one disturbance and that was only a mild demonstration. We think the electric signal and reporting system was placed on our streets at the beginning of, or in I896. The patrol wagon was first drawn by horses, but as soon as autos were used the horses were sold and autos were put in their places. We have 'not yet advanced to mounted police, but have from one to five motorcycle men. The present police quarters in the city hall are too small and crowded to be efficient. This crowded condition could be relieved by having county criminals kept in Mason and not in Lansing, and by building, or rebuilding the jail at that place so as to relieve the congestion. Ex-Captan IDaniel Lewis has a record of twenty years and seven nonths. He entered the service when it was first formed as a patrolman, and was promoted to first sergeant and first lieutenant. Captain Lewis has a photo of the first men. This is his choicest souvenir and he prizes it highly. Captain Lewis is very modest and noncommittal in relating his experiences and always has a good word to say about the men who served under him. George Palmer is another ex-policeman who has been for years city truant officer. He has been very efficient and is the originator, or father, of the "Shoe fund," a fund which provides shoes for needy children and enables them to acquire an education by guarding their 160 HISTORIC MICHIGAN health and protecting their feet during the cold weather. His method has been approved and adopted by other truant officers outside of Lansing. In future years some enterprising business man is going to make George a present for the shoes that made a student instead of a truant of him in his boyhood days. Loren Van Austin was traffic policeman for years at the intersection of Michigan and Washington avenues. In the hottest or in the coldest weather he swung the signal for the autos and other vehicles from his small platform. His commands to the ignorant and careless were always given in firm but polite tones. The traveling public always praised him and never stopped to argue the fine points of traffic control. His work made it possible for his successors to get a shelter for this main traffic station and a better system to prevent congestion during the rush hours on Washington and Michigan avenues. The force has been increased from twelve men in 1895, to fiftythree men in I924. By the hard work of the present chief we have installed an up-todate system of registration, identification by photography, that is a great help to our own and neighboring cities. For the past two years the department has done work for the department of public works in safeguarding dangerous places in our streets and public thoroughfares. The police have also aided the fire department by keeping persons from burning buildings. They have acted the Good Samaritan in many an auto accident by making an ambulance of their auto patrol. In case of suicide or drowning our police are always prompt to render service and to prevent self-destruction if possible. Our health department has recognized their work, and in case of epidemics or contagious diseases has engaged some experienced man on the force to enforce the health laws of our city and state. In this way money and lives have been saved. ELECTRIC LIGHT IN LANSING In I885, the water and electric board was established. Previous to that time the city had paid the Lansing Electric Light company for lighting the streets, and citizens had paid the company for installing lights or lighting systems in their homes. The Lansing Electric Light company was a private company and the members had installed a gas plant in 1872. In 1880 and I88I electric lighting came i'nto use and the gas company was compelled to install in the gas plant the new lighting system after making and selling gas seven or eight years. After the board was established by law the common council authorized a bond issue to install water and lighting systems. The city was bonded for $I25,000 to install a pumping station and build and equip an electric light plant. By act of the state legislature in I89o municipalities had the right to acquire plants to supply gas, electric lights, or other lights as kerosene or gasoline, or use the same if necessary. July I6, 1892, the common council, by ordinance, enlarged the INGHAM COUNTY 161 powers of the water board so it could build or purchase an electric light plant. Up to this time the city a'nd citizens had been using electricity from the private company at the rate of 20 cents per k. w. and $1o4 per annum for each street light. This was a high rate and the water board was confident it could, by enlarging the pumping station, furnish a cheaper rate to consumers, hence the ordinance and power to do the same. The 'name of the board was changed to the board of water works and electric light commission. This board thought it more economical to buy the private plant than to build. After negotiations and delay it bought the old gas company plant on the corner of Ionia street and North Grand avenue with its electrical installment for $45,573.23. The owners were E. F. Cooley, Hon. 0. MI. Iarnes and l rederick Tholanll. Mr. Cooley and Mr. Tholman were the owners and builders of the gas plant. The bond issue for purchase and removal of equipment to the pumping station at Cedar and Jay streets was $60,ooo. EQUIPIMENT OF PRIVATE COMPANY The equipment of this pioneer electric company was made in Lansing by the La'nsing Iron Works, whose shops were on East Shiawassee street where the present Michigan United Railway station is. Some of the old buildings are used by present urban electric railroads. The equipment purchased by the city was: Three go-horse power boilers, three 150-horse power compound condensing engines, two 50-horse power light dynamos, two 35-horsepower light dynamos, one 30-horse powner light Thompson-Huston dynamo, one 130o-horse power light alternating current ThompsonHuston dynamo. In January, 1893, an all-night service or lighting of street lamps was installed and the individual cost per k. w. was cut to I8 cents. The removal of the pumping station took place (luring the year. In April, 1894, the board found it would have to enlarge the plant so an addlition was built and equipped to furnish more light and power to the factories. The public had found it cheaper to use electricity in place of steam in factories for light work. More modern equipment had to be purchased, so in March, I9Io, a I,ooo k. w. turbo-generator from the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing company with two I,000 k. w. generators from the General Electric company and the Allis-Chalmers company were purchased and installed, making a three-unit system. COMPETITION IN LIGHTING The common council, January 17, I898, six years after the city had purchased the private plant, granted an ordinance and franchise to A. A. Piatt, his heirs and assigns, to erect a power house, place poles and wires in alleys and public streets, erect a boiler house and lay steam pipes to heat public houses and individual dwellings. This was a fifteen-year franchise. In this franchise Mr. Piatt pledged himself to use electricity generated for power and heating only, not for lighting purposes. This franchise was granted twenty-five years ago and this 3-11 162 HISTORIC MICHIGAN pledge about not using electricity was the joker that cost the city of Lansing thousands of dollars. Mr. Piatt was a manufacturer. He had purchased flowing rights and option to build a dam on the river to manufacture electricity by water power, and built his steam heating plant on the banks of the same. After he received his franchise he formed a company and commenced to build a dam on the river just south of Logan street, and a power house on the bank at the east end of Ottawa street. The company received a charter from the state, and was called the Michigan Power company. February I, I906, Mr. Piatt sold this company and all his rights and title in said company and it became an active competitor in selling electricity for lighting purposes in our city. Managers of the company contended they did not have to take out a new franchise as long as the old franchise granted Mr. Piatt was in force. The city in I9o6 had $500,000 of the people's money in the municipal water and light plant, and so the city brought suit against the Michiga'n Power company to stop it. This was carried to the supreme court of the state. The higher court decided that the company made the investment under the act of 1905 so could not be stopped by an order of the court. The power company was finally stopped by bond-holders who had received no interest on their investment for years. They had a receiver appointed and he placed it in the United States bankruptcy court (July, I918). Judge Tuttle, of the bankruptcy court, in order to keep the Michigan Power company plant running, sold it to the city subject to a mortgage of $1,030,706.55, and the city and the water and electric light commissioners took possession of it on September I, I9I9. The city found, after it had purchased the plant, that it was overloaded and could not supply demands for electricity for light and power purposes, so had to enlarge it. OLDS MNOTOR COMPANY DONATION Edward VerLinden, president of this company, gave the city nine acres of land just below the Michigan Power company dam on the bank of the river for a site for a new power building so as to accommodate the great (lemand for electricity for power, lighting and heating purposes. This was valuable real estate as the dam could be used for power and the Grand Trunk railroad on the land side of the property could be used for transportation of fuel to generate steam whe'n the water was low. In January, 1920, a meeting was held at the offices of the water and light commission. Manufacturers and business men urged immediate action on this gift of land to increase the capacity of the electric plants. On January 9, I920, Mayor Ferle called a meeting of the cou'ncil for joint action on the gift and plans for a power house, and on January 12, an advisory committee was appointed by the mayor and council to make improvements and develop the capacity of the new plant to maximum power for the future needs of the city. On January INGHAM COUNTY 163 29, 1920, the special committee heard the report of the advisory committee, also the report of the engineer of the DuPont Engine company on a preliminary survey of the situation. The engineer reported on fhe boiler capacity at Ottawa street power house to supply heat and generate units of electricity. This power house was used by the city for above purposes in the winter of 1920-21. The report also urged erection of a power house on the Old Motor company land to be large and powerful enough to generate 40,000 k. w. of electricity. These reports were discussed and a finance committee appointed to raise money to build the hydro-electric plant on the Olds land. FINANCE COMMITTEE The committee had a difficult problem to solve. It was not so much the money as how to group these plants of different companies in different parts of the city and get a uniform service so financiers would advance money. It was too big a problem so they had to send to New York City for a utility engineer. Two came, Messrs. Woodwell and Resler, and were engaged to do the work. These engineers were instructed by the committee to do the following: T. Carefully appraise buildings and equipment in the central station at Ottawa street and at the Logan street dam in regard to the value and usefulness. 2. Prepare preliminary plans and estimates for the hydro-electric power house. When the committee tried to raise money to built it met an obstacle in the shape of the state law which provided that cities or municipalities might bond for all utilities as cater, light, gas, transportation, etc., not to exceed 10 per cent of assessed valuation, but bonds for purchase must be limited to 2 per cent. This was too small a percentage to build a power house, but the Fifty-first legislature, in I92I, amended this act so the limit was increased. This amendment was nullified in general session with other acts and the governor called an extra session to have the nullification removed. Another act was passed, the Ramsey-WoodPenny act, which gives municipalities of ccrtaint class the right to borrow money on credit to acquire, purchase, construct and operate a water works system or dam on 8 per cent of assessed valuation. The third objective was to plurchase or own and operate an electric system on 3 per ce'nt of the assessed valuation. The fourth item was to purchase, own and operate other utilities authorized by law on a 2 per cent assessed valuation-provided money was available or have the city pledge itself or credit for all public purposes not to exceed o1 per cent of real estate and personal property in the city. When this act was approved and passed in July, I92I, it gave the committee power to raise the required funds, so bonds were sold on our faith and credit for $I,64o,ooo for the structure. Work was commenced Washington's birthday, I922, and finished in 1923. Capacity of plants (four plants) with present equipment is 24,500 k. w. per hour. 164 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Members of the water and electric light commission, in 1920, were: Otto Ziegler, president; W. B. Kirby, secretary; A. D. Wilkins, Fred Hayford, Harold Horan, Lee H. Brown, Oscar L. McKinley (now deceased), and J. P. Hopkins. Several of the best business men in the city have given time, service and money to make this municipal-owned utility a paying investment. It is a household necessity to lighten labor and banish darkness. The president and secretary deserve praise and credit from every consumer as they have worked for twenty-five years or more to make it a success. We who have enjoyed the fruits of their labors wish them a long life and much happiness. The pioneers in the gas manufacture and electric lighting were two me'n, F. E. Cooley and Frederick Thoman. They worked hard to install their plants, spent their money and the best years of their lives in getting these every day necessities into every home in our city. The younger persons in our vicinity should always remember what these men did to lighten the burden of household and provide comfort and enjoyment for all. LANS ING MAYORS The first mayor of Lansing was Hiram H. Smith. He was a pioneer who had executive ability, and was not afraid to use or exercise his powers, when occasion required, to gain respect and add dignity to the office. It was rather difficult to change from the old township government which had been used twelve years, 1847 to 1859, and inaugurate the municipal form the citizens were not acquainted with, or knew nothing about. Mr. Smith worked hard to get the various departments of the new government working in a legal manner and various offices filled by business men who were permanent residents, so improvement would be made, homes built, and the city's general appearance changed from three scattered villages in the woods into a small, compact city. His work in office was clearing streets of timber and stumps, grading, building board sidewalks, improving highways entering the city. establishing stage lines and getting a railroad from Owosso or Jackson. His successors continued the work until the Civil war temporarily suspended everything except provision for the soldiers who went South. After the close of the war in I865, the work of improvement was resumed, and has been carried forward by different mayors. Some have been more successful than others, but all have done something to add to the public improvements or inspire respect of our citizens. Joseph Warner was a pioneer showman. While mayor, the civic part of the office was done well and the amusement part was given wide publicity. He advertised his show, and brought other shows to our citv, Merchants, hotels and restaurants always reaped a harvest from show people, for in those days shows did not have their own commissary, and crowds from villages and rural districts did not carry their lunches, but had to be fed as well as entertained. INGHAM COUNTY l(.16 A. A. Wilbur was a furniture dealer and undertaker. His opponent in the election was a doctor. Some of the doctor's friends, after his defeat, gave him a mock funeral with one of their number impersonating the undertaker, his rival. Mr. Wilbur, while in office, was active and always ready to add some needed improvement to the city. The present East Washington avenue bridge was built during his administration. At that time it was the widest, being 104 feet wide. bri(dge in the state. It was the first double arched, concrete structure to sp)an our rivers. Another of the same material and style of architecture was built a few years later on South Washington avenue. During the past four years similar structures have been built across the river at East Shawnee street, Seymore street, and across the Red Cedar river on South Pennsylvania avenue. We now have five of these bridges. The Michigan ave'nue l)ridlge cost $65,ooo. Hon. Russel Ostrander, late judge of the supreme court, served as mayor. While in office he worked hard to put the city government upon a good legal footing, correct deficiencies in the charter, and had the council pass ordinances to give the city a good working code by which improvements and the future progress would not be hindered, but advanced. Ho'n. James M. Turner was the great expansionist. While in office the city limits were extended, new brick pavements laid to replace the ol(1 ce(lar blocks, and the present city hall was built. The new United States postoffice was erected. He was a friend of labor, and gave all classes a chance to work and earn something through city employment. He declined a salary for services except a dollar which he placed in a frame and hung in his office. John S. Bennett was a druggist who served two terms. During his incumbency many needed improvements were made and two public parks addled to the city, Riverside drive, gift from J. H. Moores, and Potter's park on the south side of the city on Red Cedar river. Gottlieb Rutter was a meat dealer and had a large market on South Washington avenue. His market was neat, his meats displayed in a tasteful manner, and his salesmen were of the best. W~he'n elected he carried into office his business rules and artistic taste. The state had two unimprove(l blocks bounded by North Chestnut street on the east, North Pine street on the west, West Lapeer street on the north, and West Shiawasee on the south. These unimproved squares were used for a dumping ground as they were low and marshy. Mr. Rutter was instrumental in getting the state legislature to pass an act leasing the land to the city for a park. Governor Ferris helped and the city improved the tract and made the dumping place into a park, or rather two parks, as North Chestnut bisects it. Through the energetic efforts of Mr. Rutter, the work of grading and planting trees progressed rapidly and in a short time the two blocks were a thing of beauty instead of an eyesore. During the World war he was busy helping workmen and school children plant gardens on unoccupied lots in the city: also in establishing a piggery where city garbage could be utilized to advantage. The 166 HISTORIC MICHIGAN disposal of garbage had been a vexing question before the council for years. Our present piggery is paying dividends. Although out of office he is always ready to help the council an the people in efforts to lower the tax rate. Jacob Ferley was a factory worker. His fellow-workmen before his nomination and election had trouble with the Lansing Fuel and Gas company in regard to rates for gas. This trouble became worse when the gas company refused to lower its rates while operating under the old franchise, but wanted a new franchise and an increased rate. After Mr. Ferley's election the council became divided, and this division delayed action. A compromise was effected and a committee appointed to draft a new franchise. When this was passed by the council and presented to the mayor for his approval, he vetoed it. This caused a breach between the mayor and the council. The latter passed the ordinance over the mayor's veto. When the new franchise was presented to the people they also vetoed it. The action of the people in upholding the mayor's veto widened the breach between the council, gas company, and mayor, and a deadlock was formed. The matter was finally adjusted by mutual agreement between the council and the company, and the franchise and control passed into the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission. Mayor Ferley served his first term, was re-elected a second time two years later, but died before the second term expired. During his second term he worked hard to consolidate the different power plants and build one large power house near the Olds automobile factory. He was also active in paving streets and extending and enlarging the water system. His funeral was, with one exception, the largest ever held in Lansing. OUR COUNCII Among the pioneer aldermen were Hon. A. U. Hart and Amos Turner, of North Lansing. They served the city for a long time and both were elected at the same time, so were partners in office Mr. Hart's learning, executive ability, political sagacity and business interests made him an ideal alderman. His counsel was respectfully received and heeded. When the city removed the cemetery to its present location, Mr. Hope, he fought for a long time to overcome objections to such removal. Mr. Turner was younger than Mr. Hart, so in matters of legislation for their ward he always gave the senior alderman his support. Upper Town had in early days some business men who were as worthy as those mentioned. Among this group was Daniel Buck, John Robson and L. B. Jones, the father of our shade tree ordinance. Since I900 the First ward has been represented by Hon. F. L. Dodge, Hon. Edward Ramsey and Lee Brown, and the Upper Town by Peter McKinley, William McKale and others from the other wards. The first, or 1859, charter was changed in I9Io, and the present charter granted by act of the legislature. The new charter recognizes INGHAM COUNTY 167 that all legislative power comes from the taxpayer and qualified voter who elect the aldermen and mayor irrespective of political affiliation. Under its provisions the different departments of city government have been formed. Some parts of the charter provisions have been strengthened by ordinance. Lately efforts have been made to change it to some other form, but when submitted to the people they have given a negative vote. Civic GOVERNMENT AT CAPIT.\L The government of the new city was late in organizing due to the instability of location, rush of work in clearing, building and getting state business stabilized. There is a record of township control from 1847 to 1859. The supervisor of the township was chairman of city and township meetings. Joab Page was elected first justice of the peace and held court in his boarding house in North Lansing. Hon. John W. Longyear, a young pioneer lawyer, tried a case before him. Mr. Page was succeeded by Alanson Ward. John Godley was elected first constable. Under this township rule two school districts were organized. The first was on the east side of the river, the second on the west side. We have mentioned in "First School" how it was started and where the building was located. The second was located on the present side of the Townsend street school. The first buildings were of wood and wTere afterwards replaced by brick. The school boards for these two districts were educated men and to provide for future growth they combined the primary and academic courses for the schools. This course divided the system into three grades, primary, intermediate and third, upper, academic or seminary. IFrom this union the schools were designated, First Union school and Second Union school. When the city was incorporated and wards were formed these schools were called First Ward Union school and Second Ward Union school. The township system of government made the inhabitants clanish and divided the city into three parts, or groups. First was the north end, made up of the settlers who came first and located business places and homes on James Seymore's plat. Second comprised the group which settled on the State plat (Section I6). Third came the last group which settled and built at the junctio'n of the Red Cedar and Grand rivers in the south part of the city. In short the citizens were called "North Enders," "Middle Towners" and "South Enders. This grouping is occasionally used today. iAI\ N U FA CTU R1ERS In the twelfth century crusaders brought back from the Orient arts and sciences not known to nations in northern Europe. They also brought back a broader view of the world and how different peoples lived, worked and enjoyed themselves. 168 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Can we not say the same of our soldier boys in the nineteenth century? They came back with a more definite knowledge of the immensity of the United States, extent of territory it embraced, what the people outside of the state did, how they accomplished certain things, how machinery and effort saving inventions lightened the hand of labor in the house, on the farm, and in the factory. They also perceived how the southern section of our country lived by and on the soil, the same soil that had been robbed and kept back by slavery. The slave owner was invariably against any invention, except the cotton gin, to do away with hand labor or slave labor. Soldier boys also saw when slavery was done away with how the planter in the South would have to introduce agricultural machinery in order to compete with European nations and so regain the markets they had lost in four years of war. They also saw farm products increase in value. Ingham county had the timber to build agricultural tools and machinery and factories could be erected cheaply. Lansing had the only available water power in the county to turn wheels. In I866 and for a number of years afterwards the tide of immiigration into our state was not from New York and middle Atlantic states but from Ohio and Indiana. Ingham county received its share of this immigration. There came to our city in I866 a manufacturer from Ohio named Bement. With him came his familv of three sons. He saw there were great possibilities in his line, agricultural implements, in the hardwood timber near the city. Our railroad connections were fair and in time would be of the best. This man started a factory on the river near North Grand avenue. It was very modest and near it an old Episcopal church had been moved and used for a marble cutting shop. This factory, or foundry, can be properly called the pioneer ol the expansion period. By wise management in a few years the plant had grown to one of the largest in central Michigan, employing scores of men and the farmers on new farms found a market for their timber. formerly wasted or used for firewood. This factory introduced the manufacture of stoves, something that had not been made in Lansing before, and it was operated successfully for years. This factory's products found a wide sale in the state and the northwest. The plant also manufactured lumbermen's supplies as sleighs, tools, sawmills and sawmill equipment that went into northern Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and western Canada. As business increased the father and his sons incorporated a company. Stock was sold to workmen and other individuals. The failure of two local banks, overproduction and the stringency in financial circles in I806 forced this large concern to sell its factory and its machinery. In the meantime father and one son died and the burden came upon the youngest boy, who could not carry on. Since 1912 another son has (lied and the youngest has for the past twelve years been connected with the Novo Engine company. HIe is at present the president of the company and is interested in various manufac INGHAM COUNTY 169 tures in our city. His various duties keep him traveling in the South and East much of the time. A factory, even if it from force of circumstances has to cease activities, is to be judged from the standpoint of benefits to the community. What a factory puts into buildings and machinery is a small item compared with wages. Locally it benefits the merchant or professional man or land owner very little directly, but the workmen are the distributers of their wages through local channels of trade. So we can the same of Bement and Sons. They did much to build up and improve our city. CHAMB I R OF COM()MERC In 1900 Lansing having grown so rapidly, its internal improvement having made such progress and several new factories having located here, the business men decided to give its central location publicity through an organizedl bureau or "Chamber of Commerce." (Other cities in the state were doing the same, especially those which were manufacturing automobiles. They decided to give local men, especially R. E. Olds, who was born near our city, W\. K. Prudden, a graduate of Michigan Agricultural college, AMr. Bates and his partner, Mr. Edmond, Mr. William Newbrough and other Lansing manufacturers more encouragement. Half the trade of merchants was from workmen and their families. Architects and builders would have more work to do in designing and building factories, nulblic buildings and homes. This Chamber of Commerce or publicity organization since it was organized has been a success. It has been working hard to get results. It has got results that give Lansing first place among all its competitors. Since 1907 the Durant company has built a large factory in the city, two drop forge companies have been established, two Morton wheel companies have been consolidated into one large corporation, Geir Pressed Steel company factory building erected, two large iron foundries have come and are doing well, a large steel screw factory built, small auto body factory enlarged so it employs from 1.200 to 2,000 men, Fisher auto body factory built, Novo gasoline engine factory enlarged and put on a solid commercial and financial foundation. Smaller factories, as brass foundries, aluminum castings, auto accessories, garages, auto top factories, have sprung up like mushrooms. Lansing has become a manufacturing city. These factories have increased wealth and in ten years, I9I0-1920, population has doubled. In I930 we will have a permanent population of one hundred thousand (Ioo,ooo). The city directory this year (1024) indicates an increase to 85oo000. The factory worker is a wanderer, but most of them who live here are home owners and not floaters. The office of secretary of the Chamber of Commerce is important. The president and other officers direct, but the secretary executes. The first secretary of Lansing Chamber of Commerce was Bert Chilson, who had served for several terms as chief clerk in the Michigan senate. During his term of office in the senate he had become acquainted with representative business men from all parts of the state. 170 HISTORIC MICHIGAN In his duties he was always polite and tactful. He knew how to handle men and get them interested. He was a great social leader and knew how to banquet and entertain his patrons and friends. He never let a group of visitors leave the city without a factory site or lots on which to build homes. In his entertainment no one went home hungry or dry. Moreover a friend of his who was an architect was always ready to furnish sketches, plans and estimates of factories, public buildings and homes. Another friend was a doctor and secretary of the state board of health. If there was any question about unsanitary surroundings, good ventilation, good air and water, etc., his doctor friend would be consulted. Mr. Chilson was a stickler for home talent and wanted every investor to leave his money in Lansing. His large signs on all roads entering our city brought scores of business men and investors to the city. His printed circulars of "Larger, Lovelier Lansing" which looked sentimental in 19IO have become a reality in I924. Since they were printed citizens, manufacturers and council have added parks, boulevards, better sanitary and lighting systems, and miles of pavement to make it so. When Mr. Chilson resigned another Lansing man was appointedCharles Davis. Mr. Davis has been as efficient as his predecessor in getting investors to locate in our city. He saw the need of a public building for his department to hold municipal gatherings and conventions, so William Prudden undertook and built the au:litorium. A large private dwelling was changed into office and reception rooms. With the aid of some of the fraternal societies, a large banquet hall has been added. Mr. Davis has added another attraction to Mr. Chilson's entertainment plan. This is the amusement feature. All pul)lic carnivals and shows which exhibit in the city get their license from him or his approval. Mr. Davis was formerly publicity agent for a large show. His experience makes him a good judge of the financial and moral effects of traveling shows. An immoral exhibition is always barred. His efforts to give lectures and concerts in the auditorium at a nominal price have been a great success. He has also been successful in having political conventions use the municipal building. All these meetings were formerly held in the state capitol. The Chamber of Commerce has shown results and deserves to be supported. BOARD OF HIEALTH OF LANSING After I865 several physicians who had served in the medical department in the Civil war located in our city. Their service had been a great training school in advanced medicine and surgery. During the war the causes of infectious diseases were studied and there were devised methods of prevention by better sanitization and quarantine through the medium of hospitals erected to separate and segregate the different infectious and contagious patients so they could be treated in mass or more rapidly. In army hospitals gangrene, that scourge of army surgical wards, was almost eliminate:1, and the study of disease germs had passed the kindergarten stage. The compound microscope was improved a'nd used in all up-to-date offices. INGHAM COUNTY 171 Dr. Baker, an army surgeon, in forming the "State Board of Health," formed or had in each township, village and city a branch board similar to the state board. A legislative act made it compulsory in each township, village and city to appoint a health officer after each election. This health officer was a doctor or medical man, but to accommodate the township that had no doctor the law provided that the supervisor could act as health officer. What Dr. Baker wa'nted was an official who could keep the main office informed concerning the general health of his community. The above explains how the first health board in Lansing was established under the old health laws. Dr. Baker was assisted by the army physicians in our city who had served in various hospitals in the south. Among these were Dr. Orvil Marshall, of North La'nsing; Hull, Bartholmen and Shank, of Middletown, an:l Dr. Robert C. Kedzie, of Michigan Agricultural College. Associated with Dr. Baker and Dr. Kedzie was Irank Wells. a druggist. This trio were all residents of Lansing and for years devoted much of their time to health work. The first health department in our city was founded and maintained by these men. When the support of these men on the state board of health was lessened or removed by death of a member the minor boards in cities and villages suffered, and in some cases died from lack of interest. In other cases, where the health officers were appointed by village trustees or city board of aldermen, the appointment of city health officer became the football of political parties, and a lot of politicians, not doctors or scientists, got the plum. In some cases the health officer was not a freeholder and pai:l no taxes, still by virtue of his office he could order costly quarantines, the cost of which had to be paid by the taxpayers. This officer was not required to give bond for services but could force a municipality to bond for money to pay quarantine bills. After the resignation of Dr. Baker, of the state health board, and the death of Dr. Kedzie, the appointing clause in the law was not change:d, nor was it in the new charter that our city adopted. The framers of this new charter had to be guided by old law in this, so no change was made, that is, only that the board of health must be composed of one senior alderman from each ward; that this board should order all quarantines on houses and buildings; they should appoint some physician health officer. This was not much different from the old township system. In fact, the office of health officer was made more a political and financial one than a medical and scientific realty, also the salary was so small it prevented the board from getting any reliable men to accept office when appointed. In the city this state of affairs co'ntinued until I916, the charter having been adoptel in I9Io. The senior aldermen were busy in providing for large increase in population, health matters were neglected, the meetings of the board, after regular meetings, were given to auditing bills and not clearing the city of contagious and infectious diseases. This board ordered all quarantines and before they lid they would send a member 172 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of the board to the ward where the outbreak occurred to investigate and find out whether it was a fake. This took time, with the result that human life was placed in jeopardy and money squandered. It did not stop there. Many who thought they or their families were unjustly treated by neglect to quarantine at the proper time or who had been imprisoned by quarantine for measles or some childhood disease, we'nt to the mayor with their complaints. This proved so troublesome to the mayor that he wanted it change:l, and the opportunity was ripe for a change. CHANGE IN CHARTER ANI) F()RMATION (F EIIALTH DEIPART MEINT1 In the winter of I9I5 a commlittee from the Inghamn County VMedical Society met with Dr. H. Bartholomew, health officer at that time, to plan for a health department that should be a distinct separate entity, like the police department. One of the members asked permission of the mayor to prese'nt a plan to the city council at a regular meeting. This petition, with plan, was presented to the council and by vote of that body, was placed on file. A committee was appointed to consult with the medical society and a:ol)t this plan or amend it to formi a department of public health in the city of Lansing, as follows: PLAN OF CITY HE.ALTII DEPARTMENT Ist. An amendment to the charter by which the nmemllers of the health board should be elected at regular election by the people and that o'ne should be elected from each ward. 2d. After the board was elected they shoul:t meet and choose one of their number as chairman, and also appoint a secretary. 3d. That the health officer should be appointed by this board and he and the board should work to form a set of rules of government for the best means of quarantine and stopping epidemics of contagious diseases, etc. 4th. The board should prepare a budget to council for future expenses. 5th. The council a'nd mayor should have control over this department, the same as other departments in city government. The amendment passed by a good majority and the new department was established. WORK OF NEW BOAR1) The members of the new board had to work hard to establish rules, etc., and to get the working machinery so it would run without too much heat or friction. They made some mistakes that took them a long time to rectify. They also appointed some unreliable health officers. These were 'non-residents and did not know the practical application of our code of state health laws. One of the best officers we have had was a Michigan boy from an adjoining county, he having served in the World war. The practical knowle'!ge of sanitary science that he had obtained in France enabled him, after he was appointed, INGHAM COUNTY 173 to finish our new emergency hospital a'nd establish the same in a modern way. A short time ago, during an epidlemic of influenza, some of our aldermen thought our health deplartment was not providing properly for some poor people under quarantine an:l proceedled to take matters into their own hands, to gain political 'notoriety and cast reflection on the department. When they presented their bills to the board of supervisors they were told their bills were not legal and that they would never be reimbursed if they had already pai(l these bills. This quieted their working and they have since given the department no trouble. FUT REI OF HEALTH DE)PARTMF NT The department is a fixture. No city government wants to take the time or expense to change back to an old and ineffective system. This could only be done by special act of the legislature. In the meantime we must remember that the state health laws are amended and changed so that the chief officer or secretary is no longer the servant, but the executive officer of the department. This state health department is one of the ad!ministrative departments in our state g-overnment and from present indications, no special legislative act will be permitted to compete or block the action of the state law. The present health commissioner, Dr. Olin, has been to our health department a great help by supplying antitoxin and smallpox vaccine without any expense, also by examining pathological specimens in the state laboratory, for the benefit of resident physicians. This encourages the workers in sanitary science and health work, and they and the health board will make renewed efforts to make the "Lansing Health Department" a self-supporting institution under the protectitngi care of the state board. CHAPTER XIV EARLY DAYS IN LANSING By Dr. F. N. Turner, Lansing Impressions received in our younger days are very lasting and we like to review them and with the judgment of mature years to revalue them. This is a human trait, and even among barbarous nations and semi-civilized tribes they have their story tellers and sages. In order to tell something about the early days in Lansing, the city of my birth, my home during my boyhood and the residence of my mature years, I will have to take you with me and try to show you what the city was fifty-five years ago. Let us take a walk, and describe some things. We see some spots that are now covered with buildings and factories of an up-to-date capital city. We will start at Franklin street bridge, North Lansing. Time, one day in May, I864. The bridge is built of wood and from the beams and floor extends an upright framework of 2 x 8 plank in the form of a lattice work; where the planks cross, there are wooden pins inserted to hold them together, and this lattice work extends across the top, binding the frame together. These two frames separate the foot walk on each side from the main driveway in' the center, and help to brace and strengthen the beams below. This was an up-to-date bridge in those (lays. On the south side as we go west, we notice a log house and large frame barn in the rear. This house is the only log house left in this vicinity and is occupied by Mr. Van Gorder. In the barn he keeps a mule of the masculine gender that voices his plaint for green fields and clover pastures. Some passing ladies do not recognize the voice of this animal and stop to inquire. On the north side is Mr. Yegger's residence and his large garden which takes up the whole block. There are no buildings on the south side of the corner, hut just south on the east side is Nichols' cooper shop, and we hear Mr. Nichols and his workmen hammering at the barrels. Crossing Washington avenue we notice on the northeast corner that they have broken ground for the new Presbyterian church. Elder Brvant. a missionary preacher, has been laboring for the past year and has formed a society and they are going to build a brick church on this corner. \Vest of this corner we pass two or three small houses until we come to Dan Van Auken's large house, the best in this block; Dan is one of the principal merchants in the north end. Diagonally across this corner west is the frame house of Lewis Preston, a surveyor who did most of the surveying in the city. West of the Preston house are one or two small houses and then the large house of.Mr. Summerville, the principal harness maker in North Lansing. West of the Van Auken house on the next block is the home of Van Aiken, our city treasurer. West one block and we come to the home INGHAM COUNTY 175 of Alfred Bigsby. The broad walk here crosses Weiman's creek, and as the street has not been graded the walk is put on stilts to cross the ravine made by the creek. Opposite this block for about half a block is a row of houses, six in number, built to rent by D. L. Case. Going on west from Bigsby's we find two or three small frame houses, but the square south is vacant and on the north side is a grove. This grove and square is fenced, and used to pasture cows, hold picnics and Fourth of July celebrations. The last square on the north and south has no house but is fenced and planted with corn and potatoes. The end of the street brings us to the grounds of the Lansing Female seminary. We find at the corner of Capitol avenue and Willow Mr. Narmore's large house and barns on the north. Mr. Narmore is the pottery manufacturer of Lansing and has his factory on Center street. He has to draw his clay and other material to his factory with teams, also distribute his wares through the surrounding country the same way, so has to use a lot of horses. West of Mr. Narmore's on the corner is a small house which in after years belonged to Mr. Root. Further west is Deacon Calkins' farm, then the Borden and Smith farms. People in the north end used to buy milk, butter and other things there. This was convenient for the consumer as he did not have to pay any transportation or charges for cold storage. There was no milk peddled in the city. Jacob Risley was the first milkman at the north end and he did not come to Lansing until I865. We will now go back to the end of Franklin avenue, and before we enter the grounds we notice Weimann's brewery on the northwest corner of Maple and Pine streets. We can smell the malt, so he is making beer today. The south side of the seminary grounds is into wheat and the north side is planted with fruit trees, and some of the ground is used as a garden. The Misses Rodgers are not believers in co-e(lucation. but we notice one or two bovs with the rirls. ()One of these boys is E. B. Ward's son from Detroit. MIiss Rodgers has broken the rules of admission in the case of these boys, sons of rich men of Detroit. After passing through the grounds we are in the country, as there are farms on both sides of the road. There is only one house from the grounds for a mile and a half, or until we get out to the Dryer farm. Turning to the left, first turn, and going south we come to Mr. Ford's farm which used to be the H. H. Smith farm. I was on this road a few days ago and noticed that a fragment of the old farm home was there yet, but the farm barns across the road have been gone for years. West on Warner street nearly opposite Richard Turner's farm house we come to a small farm of four acres planted with fruit trees owned by Lindsley, and Ponder we see his son with an ox team that does all the work on their farm. He told my father that he did not injure his young fruit trees by plowing with oxen. H. H. Smith was an Eastern man who came to Mason before the capital was located and in 1849 came with James Turner, Dan Case and my father to the city in the woods. He engaged in business with James Turner and cleared himself a farm. As he had no capital 176 HISTORIC MICHIGAN he had to. work with his men to cut timber, brush and logs before it could be sown to wheat, etc. He kept his own cows and used to drive them from his home on North Washington near Maple street up to the woods i)asture-work all day and drive them home at night. He retained some of his pride for he always wore good clothes to his work and then back when he returned home. One day when it rained he placed his good clothes in a hollow log to keel) them dry and a fire got into the log some way and burned them up. 'That night he went home after dark for he did not want his neighbors to see him looking like a coal heaver or charcoal burner in his working clothes. Mrs. Smith waited for him until sun-down to milk the cows as her baby and the small children were hungry, and she was forced to borrow some milk from the neighbors. She told the neighbors that the cows had come home before sun-down but that she could not milk. She had never learned but remarked that all her children would have to learn and she made her word good, for that part of domestic training was not neglected in her home. Going south from the Ford farm we come to the road running west; on the corner is the Rapp place where Jake and George Rapp lived with their mother. Turning east we skirt the forty acres of timber called Bennett's woods. To the south there are a few houses, but mostly commons where the middle farm people pasture their cows. There are a few houses on North Chestnut street near the new Catholic church. but the largest house as we approach Washington avenue is on a hill in the center of a square between North Chestnut and Seymore streets. This is Dr. Wood's house. When we come to the avenue we find the Halfway house kept by Mr. Mevis on the southeast corner. Turning down the avenue north we pass the Mort Cowles home, D. L. Case and H. H. Smith's white house; while on the east side we see the brick house of Dewitt C. Leach, state Indian agent, and I.. Watkins' home, the hardware merchant at North Lansing. Glancing across the river we see the Scofield mill running and the river above the dam is full of logs. Hart's mill has a crowd of teams before the door and the old Turner, Walkins and Tompkins iron foundry is taking off a heat. Our walk ends here, but our vision travels back and we see Henry Morley is whispering some business into his father's ears across the street from where we stopped. Mr. Morley is the deaf miller at the north end of the city. It does us good to think over the old times. LANSIN( IN 1856 The autumn of 1856 is remembered by the pioneers as the "smoky fall". All the marshes and woods in Ingham county and central Michigan were burning. There had been a severe drought the preceding summer and farmers and others clearing land improved the opportunity to burn brush and logs, but had carelessly allowed the fire to spread until it was beyond their control. — I..r. -in tQ | Xast —s ad t — is O-E ()IO LANIN(;'S IR1 R.T STREE. T'' CAR _~ ~~~.~...._._ _.' _=~ iI CITY BOOKSTl.-OJ AMERICAN EXPREx S cP {'T~eS -W"- NW UYIWI I ~I)1MWA w ware4 *w.~r EU''~ OLD VIEW OF LANSING ---CORNER WASHINGTON AND MICHIGAN AVE. INGHAM COUNTY 177 During this smoky period people got lost, cows that were allowed to pasture on unfenced lands entered enclosed gardens and foraged upon cabbages and late vegetables without being seen or driven out. This pall of smoke lasted until fall rains came and quenched the fires. Let us take a walk as the air is clear and sun is shining. Our stroll will be along Franklin and Washington avenues. Starting at the Seymour hotel, North Lansing, we find Horace Angell, landlord. Across the street is James I. Mead's new frame store with its new clerk, John Robson, just from the country. As we travel west we notice James Turner's store at Turner and Franklin streets and nearly opposite the south side of the street is H. H. Smith & Company's store with young Daniel W. Van Auken the company. Turner, Walkins & Tompkins' foundry on the race just south of the street is doing quite a business manufacturing plows and other tools for the farmers. John Tooker is working at the foundry as apprentice. The Hart gristmill farther south is doing a good business under the management of Ben Hart, son of the owner. Judge Hart still lives in Lapeer, Michigan. On the corner of Turner and Franklin is the Mosley gristmiil. run by Chester Mosley & Son since 1854. We now come to a wooden bridge across the river with high sides painted red. Turn south on Washington avenue and notice the temporary shacks erected in T847 and i848 have been cleared away and substantial wooden residences are taking their place. In the first block is a residence built by Hon. J. W. Longyear. Deacon Tooker, Richard Turner, H. H. Smith, the Lewis home (M. Quad's birthplace) occupied the second block; in the third block is a Gothic house built by Horace Angell, while opposite L. W. Walkins is erecting an aristocratic home. The foundation of Hon. D. C. Leach's new home is nearly ready for the brick work. In the fourth block we find F. Mortimer Cowles has commenced to clear the woods in the entire block, now Durant park, for his brick house and a brick mansion erected two years later. On the opposite side of the street is the dwelling of Elder Armstrong, the Presbyterian minister. James Seymour is the minister's father-in-law. When we arrive at the corner of West Saginaw street and Washington avenue we notice on the southwest corner the Halfway house, or hotel, of Daniel Mevis' father and on the opposite corner the home of Mr. Alton and his cooper shop with a deep gulley across the avenue that has been partially graded and filled. We will find another ravine crossing the avenue. We also notice the avenue has been more improved and the roadway does not wind around the stumps as much as toward the north end. Two blocks south of Saginaw street we find more dwellings and we are entering "Middle Town". On the corner of Genesee street and Washington avenue we find on a hill on the west side the residence of Joseph Bailey, the banker. The front yard was disfigured by,rading, but he has terraced it and left some forest trees so that it looks fine. These grounds can be seen today (1924) with the old house slightly remodeled. On the corner south, also on a hill, is the 3-12 178 HISTORIC MICHIGAN First Presbyterian church. This is the second church building in the city. Elder Armstrong is pastor. This church is a wooden structure built in Gothic style and is patronized by the "Middle Towners" and members of the legislature. In the next block we find Dan Buck's factory and nearly opposite is the home of Mr. Bennett. This house and ground occupied almost the whole block. The house was built on grounds below the level of the street and the back yard was a deep ravine. Mr. Bennett's house was low, rather rambling, with wide porches. The grounds had been cleared of forest trees and planted to fruit trees and flowering shrubs. It was one of the show places at that time. Mr. Bennett was a large landholder in the city and owned forty acres of land on West Saginaw street that today is an important addition to our city, Englewood park. In the next block we find the stores of "Middle Town". F. Mortimer Cowles has a brick store at Ottawa and Washington and in the next block is another brick store building, the Merrifield building and the Benton house. The second union school is in a one-story building near the Free Will Baptist church. Two years later (1858) the new brick building was built on the site of the present Townsend street school. We notice that River street has a number of wooden residences. People were anxious to build on the banks of the river so they could have large gardens or wildwood lawns bordering the stream. There were wooden bridges across the river at East Main street and at East Michigan avenue. These two bridges connected the city with the Mason road, built on the line of an old Indian trail which ran along the east bank of the river. Beside the Benton house we find the Lansing hotel, a frame building located on the block opposite the present Hotel Downey. J. M. Shearer is the landlord. The Columbia house was another hotel directly opposite the state capitol building. On a side street east near the site of the present central fire station was the Ohio house, kept by C. C. Darling and which was used (I856) as a dormitory for Miss Rodgers' pupils, who are using the state capitol for a school room. John Horner, one of Miss Rodgers' instructors, is boarding at this place. We notice in the Benton house posters and time tables of the stage line to Detroit over the Detroit, Lansing and Howell plank road, via North Lansing, stopping at the Seymour hotel. Close connection in twenty-four hours with all railroads in Detroit; also night and day stage via Eaton Rapids to Jackson to connect with Michigan Central trains to the East and Chicago and the West are announced. Also we notice advertisements of several livery stables where rigs and saddle horses can be hired. We also notice in the business section that Washington avenue has been cleared of stumps and partially graded. also that hitching posts have been set on each side of the street for ox and horse teams and saddle horses. The state house square has all the stumps taken out and a fine lawn started in front of the building. To keep cows and other domestic animals from the lawn, the whole square was enclosed by a picket INGHAM COUNTY 179 fence painted white. This lawn is used to hold picnic dinners and the young patriots of "Middle Town" one Fourth of July got up a picnic dinner and had tables set on the lawn. This preparation for free lunch attracted the Okemos band of Indians and when they were invited to partake did so, but did not leave anything for the palefaces. We now cross the street to the postoffice near the capitol building and ask Van Murphy, the postmaster, something about the new stamps that are being used in place of the old carriage fee. WHO WVAS WHO IN "MIDDLE TOWN" IN 1856 Most all business and professional men in the city were young men from the East or middle West, full of enthusiasm and ambition to make a fortune. These young men of 1856 had as many different ideas, plans, and dreams as young men have today. This called for hard work to overome obstacles in a pioneer capital city. The chief obstacle in I856 was transportation and, second, communication with the outside world. The third was environment. The stage lines partly overcame the first obstacle, but the young men wanted a railroad and a telegraph line and they got it in I862 by the hard work of Orlando M. Baens. prosecuting attorney of Ingham county in I856. A change in environment came with the work of a young woman, Miss Rodgers, who was starting the Lansing Female college. Another member of the legal profession was J. W. Longyear, who had two brothers, Ephraim and Stephen D. R. C. Dart was a student of the Longyear brothers. One became a banker, the other a doctor. Their offices were over Bailey's bank. Another lawyer, George W. Peck. was called a star. He delivered a Fourth of July (1847) oration in a grove on Washington avenue near the present site of R. E. Olds' residence. Dewitt C. Leach was publishing a newspaper in a wooden building in the rear of the Hudson house. Dr. H. B. Shank was principal physician as Dr. S. W. Wright kept a general store and Dr. Russell Thayer was a druggist. Colonel Jones, Judge Wiiliams, Judge Pinkney and S. D. Bingham were politicians. At the capitol, Byron G. Stout was speaker and young Zack Chandler was up for United States senator to succeed former Governor Lewis Cass. Senator Ferry was in the senate then. MERCHANTS Burr and George Grove were hardware merchants and their place of business was on the corner where the present Prudden building stands. John Thomas and Major Merrifield were conducting a dry goods store next door south. David Ekstein kept cigars and toys. Lederer Brothers kept a clothing store. Harley Ingersoll was about ready to start his large store. I. Gillitt sold jewelry and worked as an architect. Mr. Viele was bookseller with Mr. Baker, father of Ray Stannard Baker. the author. Among the best known young women were Lelia Parmelee, Mrs. A. Bigsby, Fannie Foster, Mrs. A. E. Cowles, Anna 180 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Post, teacher in the first union school, Mrs. Daniel Van Auken, Miss Mary Horner, Mrs. George P. Sanford, Miss Sarah Darling, Miss Charlotte Dexter and others. Let us ramble across the Michigan avenue bridge and walk down North Cedar street. We can see the new building of the reform school in the woods. Theodore Foster is superintendent and Seymour, his son, is attending school at the first union school in the north end. We also notice the brickyards on Cedar street are doing business and Mr. Narmore's pottery is getting ready for business. We have arrived at our starting place and enter the Seymour house to rest and listen to the latest news. The Detroit stage has just discharged a lot of passengers and we can hear whether the new political party formed under the oaks at Jackson is going to win the fall election; also if Stephen A. Douglass will be a nominee of northern Democrats on his "state rights-free soil-slavery" slogan. The weather and smoky time came into the discussions and returning merchants were discussing business and prices of goods in the Eastern markets. Merchants made trips to New York City or Boston semi-annually, bought goods on credit of six months or one year and sold to their customers the same way. We must go home and as we pass some of the stores we find the keepers are locking doors and putting shutters over windows and locking them fast with iron bars and padlocks. PASSING OF TWO OLD LANDMARKS Recent months have witnessed the obliteration of two old landmarks at the north end, the moving of the old James Turner house on Turner street, and the tearing down of the old-fashioned brick house at the corner of Clinton and Center streets. The James Turner house was built in 1849. The sills and other parts of the frame were hewn out of hardwood; the siding, flooring and cornice were dressed by hand, and the first shingles were riven with an old-fashioned hand frow by workmen in Mason, then hauled by ox team over the hogsback road through the almost unbroken wilderness to the few months old Capital City. Mr. Turner's brothers, in July, 1849, cleared a place in the woods and erected the first frame dwelling in North Lansing. While the workmen were erecting this building they had to fight deer. flies, mosquitoes, snakes and other pests of the wilderness. I remember one of them told about killing two moccasin snakes that came out and sunned themselves on a log in a cat hole just north of the house. He said they were real snakes as the men had nothing to drink but spring water. If the walls of this old house could speak they could tell of many remarkable events that took place in the early pioneer days. This house was the meeting place for all the Turner families. Brother James kept open house. The Methodist ministers, when they came on the cir INGHAM COUNTY 181 cuit, never neglected to call as they were always sure of good cheer and good beds at the class leader's home. Sometimes the preacher brought the whole family and the more there were the heartier the welcome. The bashful youth brought his blushing sweetheart there to be married and to meet Brother James, who always had a word of good cheer to give them. The good wife always had a wedding cake baked, or in the oven. Chief Okemos and his band always got hungry. when they arrived at "Big Chief James'" house. The Quakers from Albany, New York, who were investing money in Michigan lands, always stopped with James, because he was their agent as well as the agent of the Seymours, Wadsworths, Danforths and other New York financiers. What a tale those old walls could tell of the conference between these men and their agent about the future growth and development of this city in the woods and the prosperous farms that were to surround it. We can imagine a grave Quaker listening to the agent's glowing description of the future growth of the capital city, and finally saying, "We will leave the matter with thee, James, and trust in thy good judgment." In those days the agent thought more of the trust and confidence bestowed than of the percentage he was to receive. The brick house on the corner of Clinton and Center streets was built by Richard Elliott in the late fifties or early sixties. The bricks show that they were moulded by hand and the square sills show signs of the broadax. The laths were split with an ax and nailed to the studding with old-fashioned cut nails. The workmen found in tearing it down that pioneer workmen put walls up to stay, as the mortar is as hard as the bricks, and the rough stones in the cellar walls are woven and tied together so they have to be picked apart with a pickax. Mr. Elliot came from Ohio to Lansing and opened a small store on Center street. From this he branched out into the grain and real estate business. He operated the old North Lansing elevator, east across the railroad tracks from the Breisch Milling company's present elevator. He was quite a builder, for I remember a row of houses he built on Center street, south of Wall street. Another old pioneer built a row of houses on West Franklin street, between Walnut and Chestnut streets, similar to Elliot's houses. In one of the houses on Franklin street lived for years an Episcopal clergyman, his two daughters and son. The son ended his career with a shotgun in Mark's livery barn, this city. These houses on Franklin street were built on four by eight rod lots, which were considered small in those times. Most of them had timber for the house frame and wood for fuel after the house was built. The younger generation, accustomed to reinforced concrete buildings with all the modern conveniences of sanitary plumbing, steam heat, electric lights, etc., little realize the work and sacrifice of their forefathers. 182 HISTORIC MICHIGAN PIONEER CIRISTMAS AND FOURTH OF JULY Young people and children, especially those who are interested in pioneer history, want to know how, in what manner their grandparents observed Christmas fifty years ago. We will have to depend upon our memories in giving certain facts a'nd relating certain events which took place in the past. Some of the old pioneers have lived in rural communities, small villages and among lumbermen and miners, so we can tell how these different groups celebrated these important events. Among the workmen in small villages and farmers there is a similarity i'n the ways of observing public and church holidays. We will have to mention both in order to appreciate the historical part of it. VILLAGE AND RURAL CELEBRATIONS Fifty-eight years ago the last battle of the great civil war was fought that decided whether we were a league of states or a Union. After peace was declared, the people were intensely patriotic and intensely religious. Hence it followed that they were divided into two groups in celebrating public and church holidays. We have, then, the two ways: First, the church or religious way; second, the patriotic way. Fifty years ago religious exercises were held in country school houses as well as rural churches. A Sunday school was also established i'n some communities. Two of the great attractions to get children to attend were the midsummer picnic at some lake or grove, and the Christmas tree. This attendance was also stimulated by offering prizes for memorizing verses from the Bible and for vocal music. The teachers in the Sunday school worked hard to have their classes win the prizes. The expenses of the picnic were small as all the mothers prepared the food and the fathers furnished the horse teams, set the tables and paid for boat rides. Some obliging musician usually looked after the instrumental music and singing. At all times the teamsters tried hard to have the best horse team or the best looking load of children. Some of the younger men were so bold as to surprise the crowd with a finely decorated four-horse team. These picnics were enjoyable events and were conducted in a safe and sane manner. In those days we had no shoot-the-chutes, merrygo-rounds, tippy canoes or public bathing beaches. The patriotic groups of young people had a mid-summer celebrati9n. That day was the Fourth of July. The week before the Fourth the young people of both sexes were busy in getting their classes out to these gatherings and awarding the prizes. Those who had grown up and were not in regular attendance would go to dances, especially the girls, and would go with the boys who wore stylish clothes and drove trotters. Those who did not go to dances made a noise or burned gunpowder. To make a loud noise they used blacksmith's anvils. This was before the invention of toy cannons or dynamite firecrackers. CHRISTMAS At Christmas time country and village churches worked hard to make their Christmas tree and celebration a success. Some donated the INGHAM COUNTY 183 tree, a young man went to the woods or huckleberry march and cut it and delivered it to the superintendent of the Sunday school, who set it up and helped to decorate it. The training of those who took part in the exercises and the selection of presents to hang on the tree was a iob that the whole school took part in. The presents were never expensive. Sometimes when they lacked gifts to make a display some poor kindhearted father or mother presented the other members of the family with a suit of clothing, a wash tub, etc., and it was used to supply the deficiency. This gathering was a great social event. The minister was always present and was always remembered with money, food and fuel. What remained unpaid on his salary was made up by a donation afterwards. Among the German people, each family had a tree. It was set up in some room and trimmed with presents. The presents remained on the tree a week. Every night the candles were lighted and the tree admired. In the South, both races, church-going and non-church-going, rich and poor, devoted a whole week to the Christmas festivities. They commenced Christmas eve, and ended New Year's eve. During that week no work was done. Families and friends visited each other, feasted, frolicked, and had a good time. The patriotic young people celebrated Christmas with dancing. More preparations were made for this function than for the Fourth of July dance. The cutter, or large sleigh, had to be cleaned and painted, sleigh bells bought, dance halls in hotels and other public places cleaned and decorated, new dance steps practiced, country musicians hired and pledged to practice some new dance music other than "Money Musk" or "Turkey in the Straw." This public (lance was the red letter event in the social functio'ns that closed the year. Its success or failure left its mark on many a pioneer family. Lately the charity ball has taken its place. It has not proved a success as it has catered to only one class some contend. This class has, in the name of charity, made it a place largely to show wealth in the shape of fine wardrobes and jewelry. CHRISTMAS IN 1923 Since I9oo our manufacturi'ng interests have broken up the rural communities in our state and the old way of celebrating this important event is a thing of the past. The grandchild of today cannot be made good by grandma's story of how Santa Claus is going to reward or punish him when he comes down the chimney. Children of today are wiser than they were fifty years ago. The middle-aged of today are making more mental and spiritual preparation so they can teach the children how they may enjoy and not lose sight of the historical and other influences that mark it a great day in our calendar. CHRISTMAS CAROLS Among the Welsh and Cornish people on Lake Superior carols are practiced and su'ng under the windows and at the doors of their friends and neighbors. It is an old and beautiful custom. A Welsh male 184 HISTORIC MICHIGAN quartet or a trained group of Cornish children can put lots of harmony, feeling and music into these carols. They can almost make the religious see the Star in the East and the wise men before the manger. To the skeptic, their music as it comes in waves on the frosty air, awakens in them sentiments of charity, respect and thankfulness. To the student of history it may mark the beginning of a new civilization. LYNCH LAW IN INGHAM COUNTY The early pioneers of Ingham county were from the New England and middle Atlantic states. They were law abiding, and up to the close of the Civil war the criminal record at Mason, our county seat, records only one murder, which occurred at Jefferson City. The murderer was arrested and convicted and sent to Jackson for life. Jackson prison in those days was called the Tamarack stockade as the outside walls were made of tamarack logs set in a trench. At the close of the Civil war a colored man named John Taylor, who had been a slave in Kentucky, a camp follower of a Lansing company, came with the company to Mason when it returned home. To get rid of this follower who depended upon the charity of members of the company for food and clothing, he was told to get some work and to provide for himself instead of depending upon the men. After some delay he was taken on trial by Daniel Buck, a Delhi farmer. Mr. Buck's family consisted of his wife, daughter, eleven years old, and Mrs. Fisher, his mother-in-law. After the colored man had been with Mr. Buck for a few days, Mr. Buck found that he was lazy, ignorant, and vicious; that he could not trust him nor leave him alone with the female members of his household. He ordered him off and told him he could not give him any pay outside of his board, for his work. The colored man went to Lansing and stayed with a colored family until they ordered him away. From Lansing he went to another colored family in Bath township, Shiawassee county. The same thing happened there, as in other places. All camp followers of Civil war times, both black and white, had an idea that the people of the North should support them, furnish them food, clothing, and lodging for their former service in the army or for their hard labor in slavery. When the colored man's friend at Bath would not house or feed him but turned him out, he returned to Mason, visited Mr. Buck and tried to collect some of his supposed earnings or wages. Not succeeding, he, John Taylor, in anger, resolved to burglarize the home of Mr. Buck, also to injure the female members of the family by criminal assault. Taylor, to carry out his plan, went to Mr. Buck's residence at 10 o'clock p. m. while Mr. Buck was away, took an ax with him, and forcibly entered the sleepi'ng room of the eleven-year-old daughter. Her outcries awakened the grandmother, who lighted a lamp, but was struck down by the ax as well as the girl and mother. Their outcries frightened the negro and he fled. A posse was organized on Mr. Buck's return and the colored man was soon captured near Bath. He was INGHAM COUNTY 185 brought back to Mason and lodged in jail, to be arraigned for burglary and attempted assault and murder. The news of this tragedy soon traveled all over the county and adjoining counties. Those in favor of slavery took this opportunity to raise a race war. Law abiding citizens, alarmed by the threats of the relatives of the stricken family, sent a committee to the sheriff, Mr. Moody, and requested him to move the prisoner to Jackson. Mr. Moody refused to do this, but assured them ample protection to the prisoner. That night, August 23, I866, an armed mob overpowered the sheriff and his officer, broke i'nto the jail and took the prisoner out and hung him. This was the first and only lynching that ever occurred in our county. It was a disgrace and the persons who took part in it did so through hatred and fear that the law would not punish the colored man as colored criminals were pu'nished in other sections of the United States. All law observers condemn mobs and lynchings. It is an insult to constitutional and statuatory law. CHAPTER XV THE COUNTY SEAT-COURT HOUSES The old frame court house built in 1843 at an expense of eight hundred dollars, two hundred in money and six hundred in bonds, was too small for our growing county. No provision was made for a probate court, which was held in Leslie in 1843 and I844. Complaints were made also about keeping the valuable county records in a wooden building. The board of supervisors in annual session in 1855 voted to buy a site and erect a brick court house with vaults and safes to house the records and provide rooms for circuit and probate courts and county offices, including a residence for the sheriff and a jail. A building and finance committee was appointed to select the site of the building and to finance the same. In I856 the committee reported that it had selected the present site and that three thousand dollars of the estimated cost had been raised, but the balance, three thousand five hundred dollars, would have to be raised by a loan or by bonding the county. At a special session of the board of supervisors on April 17, 1857, it authorized the building committee to negotiate the loan and commence the building on the site selected; but before it commenced to build, to procure a deed. either by gift or by purchase of the real estate. The board was very careful about erecting a building on land that did not belong to the county. The bond funds were not sufficient to finish and furnish the building, for we notice that at the annual meetings of the supervisors in 1857 and 1858 there were bills from the contractors for extra work or material used in finishing and furnishing the structure. The brick and wood used in the building were procured in or near Mason. In those times bricks were molded by hand and the inside finish was sawed in the rough at the local sawmill, dried and worked by hand labor. It is interesting to read in the old county records about the finances of the county during the time they were erecting this building. The committee from the board of supervisors in settlement with the county treasurer, reports for one year (1857 to I858) all receipts from taxes, etc., to be sixteen thousand one hundred thirty-seven dollars and sixtyeight cents ($I6,137.68). This sum included money raised on the loan, etc. Today, in 1924, or sixty-six years later, the county has increased in wealth and population so that the annual receipts from taxes, etc., are more than one million dollars. THIRD COURT HOUSE This second building was used by the county until 1900, but in 1898 or 1899 it was declared unsafe, and court business had been partially done in Lansing since an act of the legislature in I883 had ~~-~:::"::: '~~ NEW AND OLD COURT HOUSES-INGHAM COUNTY INGHAM COUNTY 187 required one-half of the court business to be done in that city. But the residents of Mason did not want the entire business moved to Lansing or the present court house site abandoned, so petitioned for a new building and for the privilege of bonding the county for forty thousand dollars to build the same. This privilege was granted by the board and a committee was appointed to visit all parts of the county and hold public and private meetings to influence the voters to vote favorably on this loan. They worked hard and the loan was granted. At a special session of the board of supervisors, a building committee was appointed with power to decide on or find a modern court building, to have an architect draw plans and submit them for bids for construction. The work was let and the contractor commenced to build. After the work was partially finished the contractor and director made some changes that took additional funds. This necessitated another loan of twentyfive thousand. dollars. This second loan caused some dissatisfaction and the voters in the election that followed voted it down. It had to be resubmitted and by hard work on the part of those interested in keeping the court business at the county seat, it carried by a small majority. After the building was completed the supervisors had to furnish it and grade the grounds by a direct tax on the county. When this occurred the board found that the method of assessing taxes on the county was faulty and the funds in the county treasury at the annual meeting were not sufficient to pay the bills that had accumulated (luring the year. To overcome this deficiency, the treasurer had for years been compelled to borrow several thousand dollars until the annual county tax was paid to the county treasurer by the several township treasurers. By using this method Ingham county was always in debt, always owing bonds for money borrowed in order to pay the county bills contracted during the last half of the year. When the board of supervisors was considering this tax to furnish the new court house the matter was discussed and the board decided to lay a tax to pay the indebtedness, furnish the new court house and provide a cash balance so that the treasurer would not be compelled to borrow. Otto Ziegler, supervisor from Lansing, worked hard to have this plan adopted. He was opposed by some of the rural members who wanted to keep the rate of tax as low as possible. He demonstrated to these opposing members that it was a poor method of financing the county and an injustice to taxpayers as they had to pay interest on the December tax. The new plan worked better and was an improvement on the old method of borrowing money, but the growth of the county and especially the rapid growth of our capital city made it almost impossible to keep a cash balance or to estimate the amount of tax that would be needed for the next year. The fault was in the yearly audit of county bills. The most difficult item in this audit was quarantine bills in epidemics of contagious diseases. During the flu epidemic of 1917-18, the quarantine bills sent into the county clerk's office amounted to over one hundred thousand dollars. The board of supervisors in I9I5, especially mem 188 HISTORIC MICHIGAN bers from remote rural communities, did not want to allow some bills when the annual expenses for quarantine and medical attention amounted to only six thousand dollars for 1912 and 19I4. The only remedy for this accumulation was to change the auditing and paying of bills annually to monthly. This plan of monthly auditing was adopted after much discussion and hard work on the part of the county clerk, V. Brown, and the county treasurer, Andy Edwards. In a recent conversation with one of the county officials, we found that Ingham county has a large cash balance in its treasury. COST OF THE THREE COURT HOUSES The building in I843 cost eight hundred dollars, two hundred in cash and six hundred in bonds. The second building in I857 with furnishings cost approximately seven thousand five hundred dollars; three thousand five hundred dollars in bonds, three thousand dollars cash raised before the building was commenced, fifteen hundred by subsequent tax plus donations, making eight thousand dollars, instead of the estimated seven thousand five hundred. The cost of the present building is hard to approximate. The building committee never made a complete report, only fragmentary reports on the work done and the amount of money spent in building and furnishing. It would be a conservative estimate at one hundred and ten thousand dollars. Eighty-five thousand dollars was in bond issue and the balance direct tax. The present court house is convenient and up-to-date and with some needed improvements in the sheriff's residence and the jail, could be made sufficient for all the county business. By doing this our municipal offices could be relieved of their crowded condition and the city officers would be given more room to expand their own civic powers. As it is now, the city departments have to share with the county, floor space in the city hall that they need themselves. It would also cut down transportation bills which are a direct tax upon the people. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OLD COURT HOUSE According to old pioneer records some funny things happened in the old wooden court house. Hon. John Longyear relates how a witness in a hog case described the hog as a "sandy complected shoat". In the old brick court house two attorneys who were brothers and were noted for their loud, eloquent pleas, were assigned a county case. This case was to defend a backwoods farmer who stole some hogs. He, the prisoner, had been arrested and kept in jail for some time or until the county had tired of boarding him. The clerk visited him and told him he would be tried the following day. He also asked him if he had any money to pay a lawyer to defend him. The prisoner answered in the negative and the following conversation took place. Lawyer: "If you have no money the county will hire a lawyer for you." INGHAM COUNTY 189 Prisoner: "Will the county pay my lawyer?" Lawyer: "Yes, and you have the privilege of choosing the same." Prisoner: "Well, if I can choose my lawyer, I choose Dick Montgomery. I hern tell if you fee him up perty well he will beller like a bull in a summer fallow." We don't know whether Lawyer Montgomery took the case on this recommendation or whether he passed it over to his brother. In the spring of I875 we visited for the first time the circuit court of the county. The case on trial was a slander case from Leslie. Judge Gridley presided and Lawyer Shaw from Eaton Rapids was attorney for the plaintiff. The prosecuting attorney was young Henderson. He had read law in Mr. Shaw's office. The preceptor and pupil were opposing attorneys in this case. On cross examination Mr. Shaw's witnesses were given a rather poor showing before the jury. This aroused the anger of the older attorney and he forcibly objected to the questioning. Finally he became so incensed that he arose to his feet, leaned over the table and shook his long forefinger in Henderson's face and exclaimed, "Young man, I taught you ali the law you ever knew!" Mr. Shaw was a tall, slim, elderly man with cross-eyes and a fringe of red hair. When he blazed forth his eyes gleamed and became more crossed so the jury, judge and loungers in court seemed to come into his vision. This produced such a comic effect that all laughed and the sheriff had to restore order before business proceeded. The judge and attorneys who served Ingham county from 1843 until 1924 would make quite a list and will have to be related in the sketch of the Ingham county bar. We of the second and third generation of the pioneers are apt to criticize and ridicule the rather crude way of financing and building our county buildings. We think we are depending too much on our board of supervisors and their activities. They are the legislative body that does the county's business. Some of their business ways are rather old fashioned to do business on short credits and cash basis, but these faults have been corrected and under the state's new accounting system for counties and the reforms introduced by Messrs. Otto Ziegler, Brown and Edwards, the county's business is in safe and conservative hands as regards credits and cash in the treasury. CHAPTER XVI AFRICA, ALAIEDON, LOCK, LEROY, WHEATFIELD AND WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIPS-WEBBERVILLE This is not the continent in the Eastern hemisphere but a school district in Williamston township. The older inhabitants always told me that during the Civil war most of the inhabitants of the district were strong abolitionists and strong anti-slavery men, so they named it the district of the African sympathizers, or Africa. It was located on the north bank of the Red Cedar river on a road running east and about one and a half miles northeast of Red Bridge. West of the schoolhouse, which stood in an open plot, was the cemetery where most of the pioneers of fifty years ago now sleep. Whel this schoolhouse was built, and who its first teacher was, I have not been able to find out. The building itself was the usual type and was of wood. I remember that a Miss Pyper taught there during the summer of 1867 and at the end of her term married George Wells, a farmer in that neighborhood. In the winter of 1876 and 1877 President Frank Kedzie of Michigan Agricultural college commenced the winter term, but did not finish it and the writer of this succeeded him. It was a large school and unruly, but I finished with only one knockdown. Of the pupils that attended, some are dead and the rest are scattered, so I think there is not a dozen of the forty pupils left on or settled on their paternal acres. Of the numerous families that settled around this schoolhouse we might divide them into family groups. The largest was the Webb group-John, James, George, William and their brother-in-law, Winslow. This family came from Washtenaw county, Michigan, and two other brothers that I have not mentioned settled in Dansville, Ingham county, where they practiced medicine for a number of years. Although this family was thrifty and prosperous there were no children, except those of John, and Mrs. Winslow and their families were composed of one child. The next was the Meade and Branch group. Mr. Branch's sister married Meade. These families came from Ohio, bought this land, cleared it and made it into fine farms. Mr. Meade lived just west of the schoolhouse, and Branch the first house east. Both had large families, but death entered Mr. Branch's family in the early sixties and out of eight children, only three were left to grow, one to manhood and two to womanhood. I remember with what sorrow the father told me of their death; how an epidemic of bloody dysentery had swept them away so that in forty-eight hours five died; how the grandmother died from the shock of the loss and there was a funeral with six coffins in one day from this household. I can see Mr. Branch as I write, a short, thickset man with side whiskers, sharp, black eyes that always looked into yours with a fearless, INGHAM COUNTY 191 honest look. His movements were quick and he made no false motions. He was a good, up-to-date farmer and always took a great interest in his farm stock, especially horses. This weakness for fine horses led to his financial downfall. His son-in-law persuaded him to raise trotting horses. In a short time his grain fields were converted into pastures and meadows, a track was built, stables turned into loose boxes for brood mares, etc. The social aspect of the home was also changed-instead of the farmers and their wives, horsemen, breeders from Kentucky, track touts, and the general product of the breeding and training stables predominated. All this cost money and in a short time the partnership between Mr. Branch and his son-in-law was dissolved and the latter moved away. The track is left as a reminder that the dust from behind a fast trotter is not always golden, but hides a bad dream and financial ruin. His love for a good horse and his delight in driving one finally led to his own death. His horse ran away and he was killed by a passing train on a crossing near the county farm. Mr. Meade had a large family. I remember five stalwart boysNathan, Charles, Newton, Myron and Edward; three girls-Alma, Louise, and Emma. Mr. Meade's farm contained three hundred and twenty acres and his sons were a great help to him in working the place. Three of the sons followed in their father's footsteps. One, whose tastes were literary, graduated from the Ypsilanti Nornial school and is now engaged in teaching in Detroit. His brother, Edward, entered the government service and was inspector of customs in Detroit. Troubles arose in this large family and the farm was divided and sold so that now none of its broad acres are tilled by members of this family. North and west of the schoolhouse, on a crossroad, lived two men who were quite prominent in pioneer times, Mr. H-all and Mr. Stone. They were enemies and were always fighting each other. The milk of human kindness had been soured by the thunder and lightning of legal battles over a line fence, and neighborly love had been turned into hatred. They never met but each gave. or strived to give, the other a lick with the rough side of the tongue. Mr. Hall in former years had been a juror, a hanger-on of the police court in Detroit, and had picked up some law, enough to defeat his neighbor in every suit, but that did not stop the issuing of summons, for they were always "lawing" until the Hall family moved away. One of the Hall boys was graduated from the University of Michigan medical department and practiced medicine in Oakland county when he became involved in a criminal law suit that attracted the attention of the whole state. After serving a sentence in prison, he drifted west and finally died. Mr. Stone, or "Little Jake Stone," was a Dutchman. He was a good, honest, hard-working farmer. His struggles to pay for forty acres and to raise a large family should be commended. But some of his other habits overshadowed these good ones and he was censured. He was quick tempered, loved his beer, and was said to have been a tyrant in his family. His symbol of authority and rod of 192 HISTORIC MICHIGAN punishment was-he always used oxen on his farm-his ox whip. When under the influence of beer he would always correct his family and say "Jake be boss". His oldest boy, by instigation of the neighbors, one day snatched the whip away and gave Little Jake a severe chastisement. After the howling stopped he found his whip and with a polite bow handed it to the son and said, "You be boss, Jakey be boss no more." He knew his Kaiser rule was gone, never to return. I remember Mrs. Branch as a mother to the whole district. Her domestic sorrows and trials never seemed to mar her cheerful disposition or to shake her Christian fortitude. She was always ready to go and cheer the sorrowing, help in every social or church meeting, write an article for the newspaper that would explain the qualities of every new social or moral movement. Her influence was widespread and left a lasting impression. One boy, who attended my school, I have watched with marked attention through the intervening years. My attention was called to him during the first week. His figure was striking and made me think of "Shocky" in "The Hoosier Schoolmaster." He was tall, not very strong, light haired, quiet, studious, drawled his words, never became angry when he was jostled by the stronger boys and never was boisterous in his play. His early manhood was a struggle, but patient work and earnest endeavor always won. He married and he and his wife were appointed superintendent and matron of our county farm. This was a trying position for a young couple, but patience and hard work have wo'n for them in this humble position and today he stands without a peer in this kind of social and charitable work. Many a poor wreck in the social and financial battle of life has been encouraged to renew the fight and take up the battle again. Some of them have been cared for and their last (lays made easy by their kind ministrations. He and his good wife, without exploiting, have done a great work for the poor and unfortunate in Ingham county. I can say, knowing him as I do, that his work, although on a small scale, will compare very favorably with the work of Jane Adams in Chicago. Many will bless the day when Elmer Fuller looked after their wants and ministered to their ailments. He was the rock on which they leaned before they crossed the dark river. REMINISCENCES OF ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP My first recollections of this township date back to I862 and 1863. I remember visiting with my mother William Leeks' family and his sister, Mrs. Laylin. It was in summer and mother combined business with pleasure, for she purchased currants and other small fruits of these two families who had them in abundance. These farms were the oldest and their predecessors had been wise enough to plant currant bushes and fruit trees as soon as they had cleared a piece of ground in the primeval forest. Although quite small, I can remember those cherry trees and currant bushes. INGHAM COUNTY 193 I have some faint remembrance of the old Leek schoolhouse and the cemetery. There was a sawmill at the foot of the hill just before we reached the schoolhouse and it was doing business in 1872 or 1873, when it stopped running. William Leek's wife had boarded at our house in Lansing while attending school there, and going to the Leek district to teach, met William and married him at the close of the term. In those days "schoolmarms" from the city most always married young good-looking farmers before they left the community. They did not lack for gentlemen company at the social functions in the neighborhood where they were teaching the young the three R's. William's wife's name was Sarah. In the sixties he got dissatisfied with Michigan and emigrated to Iowa. After father moved to Williamston township in I866 we were surprised one day by a visit from Mr. Leek and his wife. They told us that the prairie was too wild and woolly, that they had sold out and were moving back to our neighborhood. He bought a small farm south of the Akers schoolhouse, without any buildings or cleared fields. He cleared a piece of ground, built a log house and tried for a few years to make a living by working for the neighbors, but got discouraged, sold out and moved to Bridgeport, Saginaw county, Michigan. In 1883 my brother and I visited his family in Saginaw as he had moved there, and since then I have not seen or heard from him or his wife. I can remember visiting Mr. Leek in the winter with my mother and grandmother after this summer visit. While there, my grandmother slipped on the ice and sprained her wrist and we had to cut our visit short in order to have a doctor treat her. Also I remember a sleigh load going one day in winter to his house and having a big oyster supper. This supper was a surprise and those who planned it did not want a certain family to know of it, but before the last oyster was eaten they knew. They did not need telephones in those days to let people know what was going on in the different families. Their powers of observation and sense of hearing were keenly developed. Of the families in this community I can remember three or four very distinctly-A. Doby and Nelson Laylin, because Mr. Doby's daughter married a cousin of mine and Mr. Laylin from his being the model farmer of his neighborhood. When he was in his prime, he led the band. His crops and his stock were the neighborhood topics that were always discussed. Looking at it in the light of those days, there was a progressive rivalry between these two families. Mr. Doby was a Scotchman and Mr. Laylin was a Yankee, so it was Scotch thrift against Yankee shrewdness. I don't remember who won, but think it was a tie. Mr. Strickland, a neighbor of Mr. Leek, I remember was one of the pioneers, and Mr. Keeler I will always remember as another, from his temperance speeches at the Button schoolhouse during the Red Ribbon days. Alaiedon township is purely agricultural and the fine farms and up-to-date buildings we see today are the result of the hard work 3-13 194 HISTORIC MICHIGAN f and privations of the early settlers. Their descendants and the farmers who occupy the farms today have a rich inheritance. The large cities and manufacturing centers are offering great inducements in the shape of high wages and greater social advantages to leave your inheritance, but be wise, young farmers, and stay on the farm. A wage earner is a paid servant. He has not that freedom of speech or liberty of action that a farmer has. He is, in this machinery age, a slave of the bench, the drill press or other piece of machinery on which he earns his daily wage. He is often the victim of bad ventilation, unwholesome food and machinery accidents. A visit to one of our progressive factories will tell any observing man that the machine operator must work and study for years before he makes his particular machine his agent or slave. For the producers and consumers, the labor and food questions will have to be solved. The farmers and labor organizations must help solve them. LOCK TOWNSHIP Lock township is in the northeast corner of Ingham county. Because of its location, it being tucked in a corner away from the great highways and railroads, and having no minerals or great commercial woodlands to be exploited, it will probably always be an agricultural community with nothing but a rural postoffice and a country store. It has fertile soil which makes fine farms and prosperous farmers whose prosperity will be noticeable in good farm houses, large barns and outbuildings. Its intellectuality is shown by its numerous school houses, and its morality by its country churches. Its pioneers were mostly from New York and Ohio, with a sprinkling of Scotch and Irish from Canada. These pioneers were able to purchase land or homesteads and had some means to make improvements and to build their homes, so they did not endure the hardships and struggles of their less fortunate neighbors. Those I became acquainted with were the Wrights, Rowleys, Spencers, Fishers, Chamberlains, Dunkles, Williams, McKees, Langs, Coles, and McCrearys. My first journey into this township was in the winter of I875-76. I was teaching school in Alchin district, Leroy township, when I heard that a school friend had charge of the Bell Oak school. I hiked over to see him, walking the distance between Webberville and Bell Oak. I noticed that the bridge across the Red Cedar was built on piles, and I knew from its structure and shape that it was constructed by Smith Tooker, of Lansing. My friend, Elmer Carrier, took me to dinner at his boarding place where I met Dr. Atkins' family. The doctor was away and I did not have the pleasure of meeting him. From I876 u'ntil I888 I never traveled in this township and knew nothing of its inhabitants only as I came in contact with them at Williamston and other market towns or attended meetings held in other townships by preachers from Lock. In I888 I commenced the practice of medicine in Webberville, and my country rides took me into Lock township nearly every day for INGHAM COUNTY 195 twenty-two years. From this long acquaintance I can recall many lasting friendships and can tell something about the inhabitants of this purely rural township. Some of the early pioneers worked hard to improve their farms and to improve the moral and intellectual tone of their neighborhood. We might divide the people into groups. It was intensely religious and the largest groups were the Methodists and United Brethren. Another group was composed of the irregulars, nonbelievers and free thinkers, while the third group included those who believed in muscular Christianity and pleasure not marked by sobriety. The leader of the religious group was Elder Hodgkiss, and his coworker Elder Martin. Elder Hodgkiss had been a chaplain in the Civil war, and afterwards a chaplain in Jackson prison. I always wondered how a man of his learning, his eloquence, his great logic, could content himself in a farming community. He was a second Henry Ward Beecher except that he did not have his ambition to speak to a large cultured audience. He was content to commune with nature, to walk in the quiet paths of rural life and to give his message to those who followed the plow. The first time I met him he wore the blue army overcoat, his armor of military service, and the chaplain's hat, his badge of office. His great heart went out in pity to the sorrowing so he was always invited to preach and to say the comforting words at pioneer funerals and Decoration day exercises. His co-worker, Elder Martin, was a quiet, unassuming book-worm. I have stood in his library and wondered how he ever found a book from his jumbled, over-crowded shelves. When I recall his short figure, smooth face and long hair I am reminded of that preacher in Felix Holt, the radical. The likeness was similar. Another man in this group of religious teachers was Elder Cunningham, the United Brethren minister. He is the only one living and could, no doubt, relate interesting experiences. Some of the early Methodists, the shouting kind, seceded from the mother church and formed a society under the leadership of a red-headed preacher named Golden. Under his leadership they went to certain extremes in their form of worship, became fanatical, brought discredit upon themselves and were scattered. Some of their proselytes afterwards were taken by a band of Salvation Army workers and drilled into other forms of God's worship. The muscular Christianity group had as its leader "Big George" Tuttle and his brothers, while under their banner were enrolled the three West boys and some minor lights. The usual meeting place was Williamston on Saturday afternoons. After a visit to the saloons and after coming in contact with the White Dog band, from Wheatfield, and Iee Corner's band from Leroy township, the fun commenced, and the appeal was made for the best man in wrestling, runni'ng, jumping or boxing-fighting. This title, or crown, never rested or remained with one man very long, but "Big George" Tuttle wore the fighter's belt for a number of years, or until he was cowardly assaulted and almost killed in a brawl 196 HISTORIC MICHIGAN in Fowlerville. After the influx of law and order and the coming of business men from Dansville the bands were scattered and the Saturdays and Saturday nights were quiet and peaceful. The village marshal's work was now not so strenuous and he could retire to unbroken slumbers at 12 o'clock. Most of "Big George's" band in after years experienced religion, became good churchmen, and used their surplus muscular energy in breaking new land instead of heads, chopping four-foot wood, etc. The radical free thinkers were a class small in numbers and could not agree among themselves so for that reason they were never able to combine or to leave any lasting impression upon the neighborhood where they lived. Among the medical men who lived in this township was one who chose the new country instead of the crowded city for his life work. I never was personally acquainted with him, but many of my friends were always ready to relate something of Dr. Atkins and his practice. He was an old style doctor, went horseback, had his saddle bags, and believed in bleeding and blistering. From necessity he was forced to use barks and herbs. Because of his great knowledge of medical botany he was able to gather from the woods and fields his remedies. He made a concoction of white poplar bark take the place of quinine as an anti-periodic. Many of his old patrons told me how he cured the shakes on them with this concoction. Dr. Atkins was a naturalist and his great study was ornithology. He was a second John Burroughs. He had all of Burroughs' keenness of observation, noticed the flight of our migratory birds in season and time of passage, and would even stop when going on a call to examine a new found nest or to notice the habits or appearance of any strange bird. His articles on birds frequently appeared in the local newspapers and his book on birds was published with Professor Cook's of the Michigan Agricultural college. The doctor's work took in after years a practical turn and he tried to tell the farmers to utilize the birds as insect destroyers instead of slaughtering or killing them. The politicians were George Dunkle and John Cole. Dunkle was a Republican, and his right hand man was George Chamberlain, who had voted for John C. Fremont. John Cole was a Democrat of the Jefferson type, and believed in hard cider and state sovereignty. He had construed state sovereignty to mean township ditto and would always stand on his rights to speak in political gatherings. Nothing could silence him, no threats to corral or seat him had any effect in a political convention. John McCreary was a farmer, but his love for mathematics made him a surveyor, and his artistic inclinations made him a worker in wood instead of soil, so he became a cabinet and pattern maker. He was a great reader, a student of history and astronomy. At one time, when confined to the house with a broken leg, a neighbor visited him to cheer him up or to offer assistance. He found him in his usual cheerful frame of mind patiently waiting for his leg to mend. In their chat he said, "Harvey, if I had a telescope I could, on my sleepless nights, INGHAM COUNTY 197 point it out of the window and count the rings on Saturn." Harvey did not have a telescope to lend him so the hint was lost. Among the descendents of the early pioneers are many sterling men and the development and reputation of the township rests upon them. LEROY TOWNSHIP Honorable Lawton Hemans, of Mason, who wrote a history of the state of Michigan, said Leroy township was named after an auditorgeneral who was serving the state at the time the township was organized. The first settler was Ephraim Meech, who built a log cabin in the southwest part of the township and moved his family there in January, I837. This was the first house built in the township. Mr. Meech, when moving, cut a road for eight miles in order to get to his land. This kept him busy from 8 a. m. until sundown, or over an hour in traveling one mile. Mrs. Meech's first visitors were two Indians who wanted whisky to keep them warm. They were told that they did not keep any whisky so they never asked for it again. After the first visit Indians from the Okemos band visited them and traded venison and other game for flour and other things. Chief Okemos came and made them a social call and he and his band never were troublesome or did them any harm. The second year Mr. Meech tried to raise some hogs but bears killed them. Mr. Meech shot a large bear, dressed it and used it in place of pork or bacon. His wife got five gallons of bear oil which she used in place of lard. A neighbor settled a mile from them the second year, and he was followed, in 1838, by several families. Mrs. Meech was in her new home eight months before she saw a woman or heard fromn the outside world. With the advent of settlers came missionary Methodist preachers to give them a word of cheer to break the terrible homesick feeling. The wolves were quite troublesome for two or three years, but the light and smoke from the fireplace kept them from entering the home. Mr. Meech raised the first crop of grain in the township. In 1838 he went to Mason on business and found it a village of three log houses, one frame structure partly enclosed, and Judge Datforth's sawmill. Mr. Meech had to go to Dexter, forty miles from his home, to reach a grist mill or doctor. In 1843, Mr. and Mrs. Meech moved to Mason, where for a short time Mr. Meech was a builder. The old house that replaced the log one can be seen today east of the Meech school house. OTHER SETTLERS In 1838, James Rosencrans from Ohio, Henry Lee and Oren Dana, from Genesee county Michigan, settled near the west line. They were followed by Daniel Wilcox, Lee and George Rouse, Richard Putman, Oliver Geer, Daniel Knapp, A. F. Horton, Harley Bement, Calvin Wilson and others, who settled in the west part of the township. This 198 HISTORIC MICHIGAN part was settled first because the Kalamink creek, the outlet of Mud lake in the north part of White Oak township traversed the middle of the township and topographically divided it into two parts. In the early days the course of this creek was through a low tamarack swamp nearly a mile wide on the south line, and diminishing toward the Red Cedar river where the timber changed from tamarack to black ash and elm. This creek and swamp was a great bugbear in pioneer days, being a breeder of chills and fever. Within the last thirty years a certain supervisor of the township used it in a political way to keep down the valuation by reporting to the board of supervisors that Leroy township had much swamp land unfit for cultivation. He was shrewd and would tell his political opponents that he had been a friend of them by lowering their taxes. I cannot remember how many terms he served by this political scheme. One word about this land. Today you can travel over the township and find this worthless la'nd drained and made into dairy farms that overflow with milk and honey, no cream. They furnish most of the milk for the condensed milk factory at Webberville. In the early forties Edmund Alchin, Daniel Herrick, and his brother-in-law, Nathan Pament, Alex Monroe, Albert Gunsolley, Levi Dean, Robert Cole and Sidney Murrey braved the dangers of the shakes and fever and settled in the eastern part of the township. They crossed the Rubicon-swamp and creek-and changed the virgin forest into fine farms. The southern and southeastern parts of this township remained unsettled and undeveloped for a number of years. It was the terra incolgita, the abode of wild animals and ague. The extreme southeastern part was broken by a range of sand hills and was crossed by the west branch of the Red Cedar river. The McPherson brothers, of Howell, bought this land in I874. A German who worked one of their farms wanted land, so they sold the first farm to John Risch. This German sent word to the Fatherland and in a short time Charles Risch, his brother; Fred Foreman, his brother-in-law; later Fred Meindorph and other relatives, Herman and John Matteison, neighbors in Germany, were located on adjoining farms. By hard work and tireless energy, backed by frugality, these men have changed this almost worthless section into fine farms. The sand hills proved to be storehouses of building sand and gravel. When opened up during the recent highway development, they were mines of gold to their owners. John Risch for many years was the business and financial director of this colony, but when the younger generation got old enough and were educated into the mysteries of business, he was told that his services were not needed, they could do it themselves and save the fees he charged them. The descendants of these farmers are all prosperous. Some have taken unto themselves Yankee wives and are located on farms near the paternal acres. Across the swamp, west, was another German, Jacob Stroble, who has carved out a farm and fortune. These German settlers were helped by a ready market for their timber at the coal kilns and Dart sawmill. In the northern section of INGHAM COUNTY 199 the township, along the plank road, there settled Silas Alger, who was succeeded by his son-in-law, Hugh Webber; Mr. Kin'ey, the York family, and the Turrills, with Luther Smith farther in the extreme east. All these different neighborhoods were handicapped for a market and grist mill until 1872, when the railroad was built through the northern part of the township, and they had direct communication with Detroit and other cities. From this period the growth and development was li'nked with the growth and development of Webberville. In describing the farmers' sterling quality and their influence upon the development of this interesting section of Ingham county, I will begin with the settlers in the western section. Oren Dana had three sons, James, Hiram and Edward. Oren was justice of the peace for years. Hiram worked his father's farm and added to the paternal acres so that at his death he was the proud possessor of five hundred and fifty acres of rich land. Since his death his sons have sought other fields of labor and the paternal acres have passed into strangers' hands. Hiram was the best type of a progressive, prosperous farmer, good neighbor, and kind father. James, his brother, was a soldier in the Civil war. He left in the Southland his good right arm, so he was unfitted to follow his brother's occupation. Edward Dana was the historian and was always called upon to tell something about pioneer (lays at social meetings. He always claimed to be the first white child born in the township, but John Rosencrans maintained precedence. I never knew how the dispute was settled. A. F. Horton came from Ohio. He and his wife had a hard struggle to carve out his farm of three hundred and twenty acres from the wilderness. He was a horticulturist and his orchards the best in that section. He was supervisor of the township and served several terms. M1r. Putman left three sons, Gilbert and the twins, Dan and Dave. Gilbert I never knew, but Dan and Dave were prosperous farmers. David's son. Jude, was a great lover of trees and the parks and streets of Lansing show his good judgment and artistic taste. East and south of A. F. Horton's, on a cross road, lived Warren Haskill, a veteran of the Civil war. He had been a lumberman and had worked near Tarvas. His son, William, had worked with him and the woodsman traits he acquired in the pineries clung to him all through life. In habits, dress and speech he was the Diogenes of Leroy township. His mother was noted for her fine bread and for her energy in behalf of the Woman's Relief Corps. Edmund Alchin and his good wife were English. He farmed his land with all that thoroughness and detail.that you would find on a farm in England. He taught all his sons to love the soil and drilled them to become as successful as he, and they were all progressive, up-to-date farmers. His claughters married farmers, and his grandsons are all farmers. In the early seventies a timber contractor came into the Alchin neighborhood to buy timber. IHe liked the country and neighborhood and purchased a farm. He married a school teacher who had taught in the Alchin school, and William Beazan became a permanent settler. He was Canadian-English and it was my very good fortune to become 200 HISTORIC MICHIGAN intimately acquainted with this couple. They both were English, or of English descent, and a Yankee is apt to call the people of that nationality or descent cold, hard to get acquainted with, and undemonstrative. They are, to inquisitive strangers, but to their friends they show a depth of feeling and tact, a quiet humor and capacity to endure sorrow, and an affection that astonishes the modern man. William Beazan and his wife were of this type. Our boys in khaki who were welcomed by English mothers, mothers whose hearts were full of sorrow, who had lost all on the plains of Flanders, can tell you something about how their grief never was paraded before the stranger's eye. Mr. Beazan was an ideal farmer. He was an artist with a plow and a breeder of Ramboulette sheep. His sheep were the apple of his eve and no fair went by without a pen of these sheep on exhibition. Mr. McWithey lived on the opposite corner from the Alchin farm, and T used to think there was a rivalry between them as to who could raise the biggest crops. One mile east of Alchin's corner was the Herrick neighborhood. Daniel Herrick was born near Plymouth, Michigan, and came into the woods of Leroy to carve out a farm, rear his family according to the rules of the Methodist church, and get as much enjoyment as possible in this life. His home was the social center of the neighborhood and all the church socials, etc., were held at Uncle Dan's. His neighbor and brother-in-law, Nat Pament, was a good helper as he was a musician and played the bass viol. When there was a party Uncle Nat was there with his music box to accompany Uncle Dan's beautiful bass and his wife's soprano. Nathan Pament was born in England nand learned the stone mason's and plasterer's trade there. Many walls he laid in Leroy and adjoining townships, and hundreds of rooms were made snug and warm by his deft trowel. His buddy, or helper, was an Ohio man, Dan Kingsbury. These workmen were as full of practical jokes as schoolboys. Many stories were told of their pranks, and I will relate one or two. They were building a wall under a barn for Hugh Webber and his hound bothered them by getting in the way. They told Webber he would have to take care of it or they would wall the hound under the barn. Mr. Webber told them the dog could care for himself. They finished the job and were leaving when the dog commenced to howl. He was walled in. Mr. Webber wanted them to tear down the wall but they told him they had built the wall so it could not be taken apart and left him to get his hound out the best way he could. In a conversation with Uncle Nat he told me his struggles to learn music and how it kept him out nights and his thoughts from his trade. His father objected and told him, "Nat, wingers and singers are little home bringers." Alexander Monroe, who lived in the Herrick neighborhood, was the type of farmer we find in New England, tall, rugged and with a slight twang in his speech. His wife was a hopeless, childless invalid that he had to care for and look after as a child. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and so by my efforts he was admitted as an original INGHAM COUNTY 201 son, the only one in Ingham county, to the Detroit chapter of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution. Sidney Murrey's family consisted of six daughters and one son. Mr. Murrey was the model farmer in eastern Leroy township. His fences, crops and stock were always in apple pie order. No weeds or bushes grew in his fence rows or along his roadside. His good wife was an ideal housewife and mother to the whole neighborhood. I always thought that there was a rivalry between Mrs. Herrick and her as to which could perform the most kindly acts, such as nursing the sick, comforting the sorrowing, and helping the destitute. Mr. Murrey's son was not interested in farming. For several years he tried various occupations, but finally he found that rural auctioneering filled the bill. It gave him a greater opportunity to travel, mix with different classes in rural communities and to display his oratorical powers and eloquence. Today he is a peer among auctioneers in this part of the state. I have known men who attended sales with no intention of purchasing, to be swayed by his eloquence and to go home with ordinary cows that they had purchased under the impression that they were great butter makers and had pedigrees as long as an arm. George Frae, who lived in this neighborhood, was English born and came to this country i'n the sixties. He purchased a farm near "Hogsback," in the southeastern part of the township. When he was not busy on the farm he built barns and other buildings for his neighbors. His large family was, with one exception, made up of girls who married prosperous farmers. Frances married Joe Briggs of West Handy; Mary, George Jacobs of White Oak township. Mr. Frae's only son, Thomas, married Miss Graham, and reared a large family. This family was remarkable, as there were three sets of twins. All are married a'nd are living near their old home. Hiram Rix, another old settler, lived west. He was a Canadian by birth, but his wife was born in Genesee county, New York. In 1842 this young couple came to Leroy township and settled on eighty acres of land on section 8. This farm had a small clearing, and the man who cleared it had built a small log house. Mr. Rix returned or moved to Washte'naw county, Michigan, in 1843, after living a year on his new farm, but seven years later (1850) he came back and made the Leroy township farm his permanent home. Ten children were born in the Rix home. A son, Hiram, Jr., served in Company D, Sixth Michigan cavalry, during the Civil war. Afterwards he was elected supervisor of the township, was married to a Miss Neal, and reared a large family, the members of which became prosperous farmers and farmers' wives i'n Leroy and adjoining townships. Hiram's sister, Hattie Rix, xws a writer, and the county newspapers have given the public poems and historical sketches she has written. In the Pioneer History of Ingham County she has given us a history of the village of Williamston; the early roads, including Old Detroit, Howell and Lansing plank road. She tells us that her father paid three hundred dollars in tolls for the privilege of traveling over it while it was in existence (1853-1873). She has written about the 202 HISTORIC MICHIGAN village of Phelpstown (Podunk), one and a half miles east of Williamston, the school and postoffice, Mr. Rowley, the first postmaster, and fifteen-year-old Lodima Tobias, who taught the first school. WHEATFIELD In writing about this township and what we remember of fifty years' acquaintance with it, the early pioneers we have known, the influence and impressions they have left, we will have to describe it in sections, not land sections, but neighborhood sections or settlements. In regard to the name, I think that it was rightly named, for from I866 to I890 it was a wheat field. Wheat was the principal crop. The township had a fertile, virgin soil adapted to growing wheat, and the farmers got good returns for their labor. During the decade preceding I890, the great wheat belt in Dakota was opened up. The millers were compelled to put in the roller process instead of the old stone process to grind this hard spring wheat. Bakers bought this flour because it would absorb more water than the flour from winter wheat, and for this reason they could bake more loaves to the barrel. The wheat farmers of Michigan were ruined by competition and Wheatfield suffered. The farmers were forced to raise other crops and the large wheat fields of this township are go'ne with the pioneers. A field of ripening wheat is a beautiful picture. It is a source of satisfaction to the grower, for he sees in it dollars for yearly expenses and bread for his family during the following year. The student of economics sees in it supplies of food for millions of non-producers and wage earners, and the artist recognizes material worthy of his brush. I have, in my boyhood, watched the nodding heads and moving grain, seen the lark on fluttering wings poise above it and break into sweet songs of praise for its well-spread table, giving sweet melody for the stored up bread for mankind. The rabbit paused at the edge of the field and with pointed ears listened for enemies beyond its sheltered home and little ones. The quail from the top rail of some corner fence called to its mate "more wheat" or "some more wheat." The kernel itself with its enfolding coverings, like a military sentinel wrapped in his cloak, guards the delicate germ and the starch cells from moisture and insect enemies. It makes beautiful picture material for the scientific student and the dreamer. Poets cannot describe in words its beauties and domestic utility. The northern section of Wheatfield was settled by Germans, or people of German descent. Among these were the Linns, Stoffers, Lotts, Zimmers, Rohbachers, Emmers, Rehles and Karns. The oldest pioneer in this section was Mr. Caswell and his four sons, Adelbert, Charles, Chester and Ira. I have listened with interest to the stories of Mr. Caswell's early struggles in the woods. He used to pack and carry his flour from Dexter on his shoulders during the early days. One of his sons told me how, during his father's absence, he used to train the family watch dog to call the wolves. The trained dog used to howl until the varmints got near, then he would whine and scratch on the door. When it was opened he would s'neak under the bed and INGHAM COUNTY 203 remain quiet until morning. His share of the evening's entertainment ended then and he rested from his labors. The Caswell boys were choppers and took jobs of felling timber for the surrounding farmers. Each was an expert with the ax. They knew all the good points of that tool as an expert worker knows his hammer, plane or chisel. The artist among them was Ira. Many times I have watched him on a fallen log swing of five-pound ax, seen the flying chips and timed his cut. How easily the great shoulder and arm muscles worked! How smooth his cut! The blade was buried in the cracking wood with hair-like accuracy. He and his brother, Chester, cut thirty acres of heavy virgin forest in twenty-two days in March, I866. My father let them the job and paid them six dollars an acre. Nicholas Emmer was a typical, hard-working farmer. By his own efforts and German frugality he accumulated a fortune. In after years he retired but he told me he did not enjoy himself as he did when he got up at 4 o'clock in the morning, worked until IO at night, and came home so tired that he slept on the hard kitche'n floor beside the stove. He said he rested better and was more refreshed than he was after a night on a spring mattress during his years of ease and affluence. Mr. Rehle's son, Charles, was a schoolmate in the Williamston schools. Of all my boyhood friends I don't remember another who possessed the sterling qualities with which he was en(lowed; but that dread disease, appendicitis, claimed him and he "went West" in the pride of early manhood. His brother, Jacob, has been sheriff of Ingham county. Nicholas Emmers' rival in farming was Peter Zimmers. For years each strived to be the best farmer in this section, and only the death of Nicholas ended this struggle. Mr. Zimmers met with a greater disappointment after the death of his rival. I-le had tried for years to make a priest of his eldest son, but the boy chose law instead of theology for his profession, and by so doing nearly broke his father's heart. In the eastern section of this township were two brothers who came from New York, the Dennis boys. Lemuel, the older, had four sons, while his brother's family was composed of girls. He was a hard worker and left a large estate to his sons. These boys afterwards added to the paternal estate, farms, so that this family owned land from Williamston to the brick school house five miles south. Most of them were in the live stock, elevator and banking business in Williamston. Three of these men at the present writing have passed away but have left behind a good record, a faithful stewardship of their inheritance. On the opposite side of the road lived David Gosline, another prosperous farmer who-has left sons that have inherited all their father's sterling qualities. North of the Gosline farm and adjoining it was the Hammonds, or Sunnyside farm. H. Hammond was a progressive, prosperous farmer who had all the comforts and blessings of an indepe'ndent farmer's life, but in the midst of his prosperity he went to Williamston, engaged in manufacturing, failed and lost all his property. He drifted west in hopes, no doubt, that he could start anew and 204 HISTORIC MICHIGAN make another fortune, but in this he was disappointed. He came back a few years ago and died. In the western section Jacob Stoffer stood at the head. He was an ideal farmer, progressive and up-to-date in all his operations. He came from Ohio or Indiana, and brought with him a certain type of barn. I know his bank barn, with overshot sill, two double floors, one above the other, created a sensation when built in the neighborhood. It was a Pennsylvania bank barn such as one sees in Burks county, Pennsylvania. In the center of the township lived the Coles, Henry, John and Frank. They came from New York.' We boarded with Frank during the winter of I878-79. I never was acquainted with a happier family. The father's laugh and his wife's happy disposition could not be duplicated. After a year's absence I visited them and all was changed. Death had entered the home and had taken the only son. The father had met with financial losses in building, and I found him gloomy and sorrowful. In a few days the sad news came to me that he had ended his life. The ending of life was a hereditary curse to these boys so we must draw the curtain of Christian charity over their deaths. I can always remember him as a good neighbor, kind father and devoted husband. Near the White Dog school house lived Mr: G. Stewart, the florist and botanist. For many years his flowers were admired at the fairs and other places where he had them on exhibition. In my conversations with him I always found him ready to talk on botany, his life study and hobby. He had that clear, scholarly way of showing you all the wonderful structures and various shades of color in plant life. He told me, on one occasion, that Asa Gray, the professor of botany at Harvard university, engaged him to make a collection and classification of the oaks in Michigan, and he found twe'nty-seven different species. If I remember, he also said that Professor Beal of the Michigan Agricultural college, had recognized his reports of researches in botany. His neighbors were uneducated, hard-fisted farmers who could not see the beauty in flowers, shrubbery, and lawns, so his efforts to educate them were lost and he met with disappointment in a financial way. In religion he was a Spiritualist, and this aroused dislike among his orthodox neighbors, so he was like Robinson Crusoe on his lonely island. He had only his flowers to talk or commune with and his adopted daughter to cheer his lonely fireside. With his great knowledge he could discern as a transcendentalist the great creative spirit in every swelling bud and opening flower. Among his class he would have been honored and respected, but in this rural community he was scoffed at and called queer. Having met with financial reverses he sold his farm, moved over into Leroy township, where he died. His handicraft was cabinet making and he was an expert in this for when he felt the day drawing near, he, with trembling hands, made his own coffin and was buried in it. It was made of black walnut. No other lumber, in his opinion, was good enough to enclose his mouldering remains. His great love for plant life had made him worthy of his last overcoat. INGHAM COUNTY 205 Mr. Spaulding, who lived in the south section, I never knew. In the Westgate school district I became acquainted with the Kents, Simeon and Seth. Their father was one of the old-timers, a mighty bear hunter and rail splitter. Many stories I heard while teaching in this district about Uncle Jerry killing a she bear and two cubs with a knot maul and an ironwood hand spike. He was once called as a witness in a lawsuit over some hogs, and his testimony was unique. He was sworn and asked by the lawyer to tell his story. He commenced, "Seth and I were hunting the cows when Tige, his dog, treed a bar. I told Tige to sic him and sent Seth to tote me old Betsy, the rifle." At this point he was interrupted by the other lawyer who told him to confine his remarks to hogs and not to tell "bar" stories. His lawyer objected to this and finally Uncle Jerry was allowed to tell his story in his own way, but he had to loosen his tongue and warm himself up with the "bar" story before he shot the other testimony across the bar of justice. In the Pollock district lived Myron Pollock, the country schoolmaster, justice of the peace, and on some occasions, preacher. As a teacher he divided his reputation with a Mr. Westgate in an adjoining district, but when the latter branched off into medicine he was without a rival. Wheatfield had no country churches, postoffices or blacksmith shops. The people went to Mason, Dansville or Williamston for their newspapers, to shop or to get repairs, tools, etc. I noticed that a country church had been built near the Westgate schoolhouse, but when I passed it, it looked lonely and forsaken. During my terms of school. religious services were sometimes held in the school houses, and the two or three families of Spiritualists held services in their homes. From the farms have come many men and women who have made a success in other walks of life, in the business, professional and industrial worlds. From its broad acres and fertile fields have come the nuclei of many fortunes. Under the stimulus of a daily mail and automobiles we may expect a large immigration of worn-out city people who want to try the beneficial effects of a quiet rural life. WILLIAMNSTON TOWNSHIP My first acquaintance with, or first visit to this village, was in April, I866. The earlier history of this settlement and its pioneer days before I866 has been written by members and friends of the Williams family, the founders of the village of Williamston. My father was repairing his farm house, and for shingles he had to cut shingle bolts and draw them to Williamston to be cut into shingles. My first visit was with my father to get a load of shingles at Wm. Steele's mill. The mill was situated in the west part of the village on the ground now occupied by Frank Glasier's residence. Mr. Steele had a small foundry in connection with his shingle mill, where he cast plows and their accessories for the surrounding farming country. We approached the village by a turn in the plank road half a mile west, crossing a small creek east of the J. B. Haynes farm. On both sides of the road were 206 HISTORIC MICHIGAN woods, with the exception of one or two small clearings on the north side, until we got to Deer creek bridge. The road angled, as it does today, toward the east. We crossed the bridge and continued for a distance on a plank causeway until we reach the higher ground near the mill and foundry. This long causeway was built on piles across the flats of the Cedar river and Deer creek. In after years this low ground was filled with earth, the road today being on that embankment. The older inhabitants said they could tell by the sound of the vehicles crossing this causeway whether it was the stage, a loaded wagon or a fellow out for a lark. East of the mill was the old Western hotel. This building was a long two-storied building, its side to the street and its gables pointing east and west. Across the street was the hotel barn built so its gables pointed 'north and south. In the eastern part of the village was another hotel, the Lombard house, with a long two-story porch extending across the entire front. In the rear was the barn on the banks of the river. Beyond this hotel the plank road angled southward and you left the village and entered the country to the east. The length of the village in those davs was from Bill Steele's mill to the Lombard hotel. South one block on Putnam street was a long two-story building that faced the east. It stood flush with the street, had no ground surrounding it except a small plot in the rear. It was painted brown, looked like a factory, and a visitor glancing at it would say it was a furniture or chair shop, but instead it was a temple of learning, the Williamston public school. In those cays it was also used for a church. Williamston had no church building in I866. I remember a Unitarian minister, Rev. Mr. Olds, residing in Lansing, held services there once or twice a month. His wife was a sister of Charles Lewis-M. Quad, of the Detroit Free Press. My father and mother were acquainted with Rev. Mr. Olds, and they used to visit us in their journeys to and from Lansing. He had a small congregatio'n, but his pastoral work was too hard, his health failed. and he stopped preaching in Williamston. On the south side of Grand River street was a large two-story wooden building with an imposing cornice, the Waldo Brothers' store, while on the north side of the street was the store of Mr. Horton. Mr. Horton was a retired farmer and started in the mercantile business with his son-in-law, Charles Beardsley, who succeeded him in after years. In Waldo's store I remember a good-looking young man, a relative of the proprietor, named Shuble Olmstead. On the bank of the mill pond north and west of the Lombard house stood the gristmill-it is there now-where the farmers had their flour and feed ground. My first impressions of the streets of the village were that the buildings were stuck in the mud on the flats of the river. The streets were always mu:ldy in wet weather and dusty in dry. This condition of the streets and buildings was not changed until they built additions on the higher ground east and west, north and south. I think from what I can remember of the original village, for convenience to hotels and mills it was built in a hollow, on a mud flat on the low INGHAM COUNTY 207 south bank of the river. On the east, west and southwest during ordinary times, in the fall and winter, the flats were covered with water. When the railroad was built in 1871, the volume of traffic and travel changed from the old plank road to the higher ground south near the station, and business commenced to get away from the mud and dust. Of the many people I became acquainted with, the lasting friendships I have made during the past fifty-three years, I have a keen remembrance. I regret that I cannot mention them all. I can only sketch from memory a few that I think are the most striking, made the greatest impression on me, and left, or will leave, good results on the entire village. I will divide the people I came in contact with into two clans, and in that way describe them. The largest clan in the sixties was the Waldo-Beeman-Taylor clan. These families were rich and influential, had endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer days until they had money enough to enjoy the pleasures of life. And they did enjoy themselves. Their life was largely social. No churches, no schools or debating societies entered into their scheme of enjoyment. The convivial habits of pioneer days were not forgotten, nor were they carried to excess. No socials, dances, political meetings or Fourth of July celebrations'were complete without them, as they put "pep" into these gatherings. Their sway continued until 187I, when the building of the railroad brought the Crossmans, Dakins, I-Iealds, Whipples and Jessopps from Dansville. Another clan was formed by the newcomers who believed in schools, churches, newspapers, etc., in their scheme of enjoyment. So the old clan was broken tip and its members scattered. The next clan was the Williams and Cases. Their leader was Miles \illiams, one of the founders of the village, who looked after the credit and financial growth of their infant city. This clan formed the granite foundation which financial storms never disturbed. Many a business man went to them for counsel and aid and, if deserving, always received it. During the later development period, 1871 to 1885, they gave freely for the building of churches and schools, and were glad of the opportunity to invest their money in something that would lift the village out from the entanglement of social life and pleasure into the solid and more lasting things. The clan that led the musical talent was the Loranger family. Every member was a musician, and for years, or until the death of Eli, the oldest, the Loranger band furnished the instrumental music for all the dances and entertainments. I can see Eli with his violin tucked under his chin, his rapt countenance, eyes looking far away into the dreamland of chords and cadences producing sweet harmony from his drawing bow. Captain John A. Elder, in his own estimation, was a clan by himself. He taught the school and tried to drill his rough pupils with a rod instead of a musket. Some of his pupils informed me that Mr. Hilliardl who succeeded him, took the shine off the captain's reputation in regard to government and discipline. 208 HISTORIC MICHIGAN When the new school building was completed a young man who had worked on a farm for John B. Haynes was hired as principal. It was my good fortune to become acquainted with and receive instruction from George B. Warren. He was an ideal teacher, a self-made man and a loyal friend. He told me some of the trials and hardships of his early life. His father was English, born in Canada, a ship carpenter by trade, and his mother was Scotch-Irish. She died in his infancy, but an older sister brought up the family. He was forced to work on a farm when very young to help furnish funds for the family expenses. His father was uneducated, but had taught himself to figure accurately so that no problem in arithmetic frightened him or prevented him from giving the correct solution. George was ambitious and determined to get an education, and the lack of funds did not stop him. There was one time in his college life that his funds got so low that he was forced to board himself, and all he had to eat for three weeks was potatoes. His health failed before he left Williamston and he went to California. When I was finishing my senior year at Ypsilanti, in I88I, he unexpectedly returned to Williamston, and we renewed our friendship. This conti'nued until he returned to California in I883. He again visited Williamston in 1893. The first church built in Williamston was St. Mary's. There were a few Catholics in and around Williamston, who, under the leadership of Father Van Dress, of Lansing parish, got together and built the church. This thought comes to me as I write, "Did the Catholics lead in church building in pioneer times?" History reveals the fact that in all their explorations a'nd pioneer home building the church was the first thing built. There was a man who made Williamston his summer residence and Georgia his winter home for a number of years, in fact until he died. He excited my boyish curiosity and attention. He had been a colonel in the Confederate army, but did not lose all his property when he surrendered his sword. He had a large tract of land bordering on the south side of the old plat of Williamston and extending into Wheatfield. He always boarded with Uncle Dan Stuart, landlord of the Western hotel. He was convivial in his habits, a keen sportsman, loved a good horse and fox hound. In appearance he was short and smooth-faced, wore his hair long, never wore a vest or suspenders, and with his soft collar and Byronic cravat and slouch hat was a typical Southerner in appearance. He was very polite and well educated. I recall a conversation between him and a merchant when he was buying some writing paper. He remarked that his son in college had written him about attending chapel. His son thought chapel encroached upon his hours of recreation and pleasure, but his father had written him to observe the rules, for in college as in the army, discipline must be maintained. He did not love the Stars and Stripes, and on one occasio'n when the Republican club raised a flag pole in the village the top splice broke and the flag could only be raised to the break, he remarked that it was a signal of distress, as it was only at half mast. His friend and boon companion A; I t6 -4 o" L - -- I a;~ I Wm_, c (fl plj It t, 011 IC "I uj Jr' IID II:i INGIHAM COUNTY 209 was Dr. Leasia. They were always together. I think from the enjoyment they took in each other's society that it was a play of French wit against Southern satire, French politeness against Southern chivalry. I recall a conversation I had with Dr. Leasia once when home;on vacation. I was in the store and he was questioning me about my work in college, when in his abrupt French way he said, "Did you know Col. Owen?" "I was slightly acquainted with him," I replied. "Did you know he was a well educated man?" "No, I (lid not," I answered. "Well he is, and I found it out in this way. Some time ago when I was reading the works of Telemac in the original French he cale along, stopped, and chatted with me. Noticing the book, he asked. 'Doctor, what are you reading?' I told him. He asked for the book and I gave it to him and he read aloud the English translation better than I could the French. I asked him, 'Colonel, where were you educated?' 'Paris,' he answered." "To think," the doctor continued, "that old drunken Owen was educated in Paris!" I think Dr. Leasia wanted to impress on me that all collegiate learning must be completed by a knowledge of French, and to obtain it I must go to Paris. I was too poor in pocket to take this advice seriously, however. Another story the doctor told about the colonel. I had been living in the Saginaw valley, and the doctor had been asking me about the drinking water there. He remarked that he and the colonel were visiting Saginaw and the colonel early in the morning took a drink from the water pitcher instead of his pocket flask. The doctor looked at him in astonishnment and said, "Colonel, is it not dangerous to drink that water full of germs of disease.? The colonel promptly replied that he could drink enough whisky before night to drown or kill all the germs. The doctor wanted to impress on me the fact that alcohol was a great germicide, but I have found that you must use it on germs outside the bodv to be effectual. Dr. Leasia was a Frenchman, the only son in a large family, a graduate of Oberlin college, who came to Williamston after graduation, married and built up a large practice i'n pioneer days. He had the happy faculty of adapting himself and his language to all classes of society. He was original in expressing himself and possessed a satire characteristic of the French people. He hated an inquisitive person and his replies to their questions were original. A patient of his in Leroy township was sick with pneumonia. On a visit he was questioned by the neighborhood gossip and the following conversation took place: "Doctor, that man is awful sick." "Yes," the doctor replied. "Do you think you can pull him through?" "Hope so," the doctor answered. "Well if you do it will be a feather in your cap." "Feather, feather," the doctor repeated, then looking the woman in the eye, he said, "Madam, I want you to understand I am doctoring this man for cash, not feathers. Good night." He was a great stickler for politeness, and none of his rough acquaintances dared to take liberties with him, a fact of which I was witness on one occasion. A slightly intoxicated person came by, locked 3-14 210 HISTORIC MICHIGAN arms with the doctor, who was standing in front of his office, and said, "Doctor, come with me to the hotel a'nd have some supper." The doctor gave him a stern look as he said, "I always eat my supper at home. If I should be seen eating with you I would be under obligations to ask you to dine with me, and that I will never do." Daniel Crossman was clerk in the state legislature when he moved from Dansville to Williamston, and he continued in that office until his health failed and he was forced to resign. He and his relatives took an active part in the business life of the village. He started the Exchange bank, built a gristmill east of the station and a fine residence near the new school buildings. William Heald came from Dansville with the Crossmans. He had been in the manufacturing business, but bought a farm and started a store. changing his occupation to merchant and farmer. He has written several articles for the Lansing State Journal and other papers about his early pioneer life in Dansville. Besides Dr. Leasia there is another medical man who came to Williamston in the sixties and is living now. For over fifty years he has looked after the sick in Williamston and the surrounding country. Many doctors have come, stayed awhile and drifted away during his professional life. My acquaintance of half a century gives me the liberty of writing a few sentences about his work and its influence on the social and intellectual life of Williamston. Mathias Coad was born in Massachusetts, and was graduated from the old Berkshire Medical college. Just before, or just after, graduation he enlisted as assistant surgeou in the army during the Civil war. He was stationed for a short time in Louisiana as surgeon of a colored regiment. After the close of the war he married and came to Williamston where he has since remained. In the practice of medicine he made a success, for he was a reader; a student who was up-to-date in every great advancement or new discovery; a sure diagnostician he was always called as counsel in difficult cases by his fellow practitioners; a careful surgeon who for years did all that kind of work for Williamston and adjoining communities. Many young practitioners have had the benefit of his experience and counsel, which was always cheerfully and courteously given. Besides his work in medicine he has done a great work in music. He was always ready to sing and help with his beautiful tenor voice in social and church circles. Outside of the two things already mentioned, his greatest interest, his hobby, was education. He was always a member of the school board. Williamston school and school buildings are a lasting memorial to his untiring work for years. The high grade they have attained is due to his life-long efforts. I visited him a few weeks ago and noticed his physical weakness. He said he was suffering from the infirmities of old age but his mind was strong, his reasoning powers as keen as ever. In conversing with him about things in medicine I noticed his diagnosis was as logical and analytical as in the years gone by. He does not practice now, but is patiently waiting for the summons to INGHAM COUNTY 211 come that will call him home. I can say, his long life has been full of labor, and his efforts were always to make his fellowmen better, to enjoy the serious and uplifting things of this life or endure sorrow and trials with fortitude and hopefulness. Although not a pioneer, I must mention another man whom I became acquainted with in the last twenty years. He was a Catholic priest and I a Calvinist, but we formed a friendship I will always remember with pleasure. He was broadminded, and had a happy faculty of adapting himself to all conditions in life. He was always ready to give his services at every political or social gathering; a true patriot, who preached and lived those great principles that are the foundation of our democracy, viz, "The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man." This was Father Sharp, the priest of St. Mary's parish. What will be the future of Williamston? For the last ten years the rapidly growing industrial and commercial activities of Lansing have had a depressing influence on Williamston. Workmen, under the stimulus of higher wages, have flocked to the city, and after working some time in the factories have moved their families there. Some of the younger merchants have grown restless, dreamed of a larger and more profitable business and gone with the workmen, only to find in a few years their dreams shattered, their profits gone in the war of competition, high rents, ten-cent stores and basket groceries. Some of the disa)ppointed ones are now drifting back to their home town to commence anew their mercantile career. A few years ago efforts were made to revive the coal industry, and utilize the fire clay deposits, but the younger men have looked more to the big profits than to the slower development that brings lasting profits. I hope, in the future, some of the younger men will develop the idle resources, and, in so doing, give Williamston, with its fertile farms surrounding it, a revival similar to that of 1871 to 1885. WEBBERVILLE In 187I, the present railroad was built from Lansing to Detroit, making a direct route between the capital city and the metropolis of Michigan. Before this (ate the only direct route was via the DetroitLansing and Howell plank road. Between Williamston and Fowlerville, a distance of eleven miles, there were no country villages on the line of the railroad except the small postoffice at Podunk, two miles east of Williamston, that could be used as a 'nucleus for a village or market. The farmers of Locke, Leroy and White Oak wanted a market for their timber, grain and stock nearer than Williamston or Fowlerville, Dexter or Owosso. The railroad company informed them that they would pledge themselves to build a station and elevator if some farmer along the line would donate the land for a site. Hugh Webber, one of the largest land holders in that part of the township, offered to donate a harrow strip between the old plank road and the railroad track, but it could not be platted for a village of convenient size or shape. George H. Galusha, a builder, bought land of Mr. Webber, platted a few lots, and 212 HIISTORIC MICHIGAN built a house on the proposed site. Mr. Webber owned the hotel or road house, and there was also a school house and sawmill on the proposed site. For a short time it looked favorable, and Mr. Webber was ready to plat and sell lots whe'n a competitor stopped him. McPherson Brothers, larger land owners than Mr. Webber, owned the land east of him. They saw great opportunities to sell their timber and land, so offered the company a better site and more ground to plat a village, so the station was located half a mile east of the first site. Part of the ground at that time was virgin forest, but the McPhersons cut roads through the brush and timber, laid out sites for public buildings and platted 143 lots. They also built the first wooden store o'n the corner of Main and Grand River streets. This store was afterwards burned and rebuilt with brick. The plat was recorded in 1872 as 'McPherson':; Plat of the Village of Leroy." It was called Leroy but a short time. There was another village by the same name in the state. The mail, express, etc., for this new village was sent to the other town, wandered around two or three weeks before it was delivered to its owners. This caused so much confusion that the name was cha'nged to Webberville, as a compromise to Mr.. Webber. The village will probably always retain his name in memory of the Webber family. Most of the family and their decendants have died or left this section. In 1872, James R. Dart, a lumberman, influenced no doubt ly the AMcPhersons, built a sawmill south and across the track from the depot. The railroad company had, in the meantime, built a grain elevator anil finished the lower floor of same for a passenger room, telegraph office and place for freight. This was used for a waiting room, etc., for a number of years, or until the company built the present depot. There was a large tract of oak timber near Webberville, and Mr. Dart's mill did a large business in sawing this timber for the car shops of Detroit and tBuffalo. He also enlarged his mill and built a factory that nmanufactured barrels for the packiug houses of Chicago. For a number of years Steve Smith, from Canada, made pipe staves and heading for sugar and molasses hogsheads from oak timber near Webberville. Even as late as I890 gangs of men hewed large oaks, too large to be sawed, into ship timbers that went to the shipyards of Detroit and other lake ports. Frank Fellows, another lumberman, had a gang of me'n in the tamarack swamp hewing out ship knees for the ship yards. Webberville for the first fifteen years grew rapidly from this lumbering interest and had a population of 600 people at one time. I have heard some lumbermen boast that Leroy and White Oak townships had the best oak in this state. Mr. Dart sold his mill to Jacob Schultz, of Lansing, in 1887, and Charles Schultz, his son, succeeded. He changed it into a stave mill. In i888 fire destroyed this mill, and a week later another fire burnt all the staves and finished stock. It was never rebuilt. Mr. Dart and Stearns Hatch, his partner, lumbered on small tracts of timber near Webberville for a number of years afterwards. The pioneers, or inhabitants, of Webberville who traveled much on the railroad or Great Lakes never thought they were riding in cars whose INGHAM COUNTY '213 sills and frame work were made of oak that grew in Leroy township, and that their own hands had manufactured in the rough, or when riding in the cabin of a lake steamer their lives were safe, for the frame work and planking of their vessel were made from oak grown on their farms. A short time after Mr. Dart built his mill the Detroit Furnace company built several large charcoal kilns at the side of the railroad one-half mile east of the depot. This was a successful investment for the company and a source of revenue to the farmers, for they could sell their timber that was 'not fit for lumber and the sawmill man could dispose of his waste. Before this the timber was burned or sold to the railroad for wood. Senator James McMillan, the president of this company, sent James Little to superintend this work, and he remained until the timber was used up and the kilns sold. The furnace company bought on an average of 5,000 cords of four-foot wood every season while the timber lasted. This charcoal was used in smelting Lake Superior iron ore. The young farmer of Leroy township who used many'nails could make a rhyme, for he could say to the sound of his hammer, "Rap, rap, you are made of good Michigan iron; rap, rap, smeltedl with Webberville charcoal; rap, rap, charcoal made from timber that grew on my father's farm." The first gristmill was built in Webberville in the seventies by Egbert Reeder on ground just east of the depot. This mill was a great convenience to the farmers as it did a custom work, grinding for onetenth of the wheat received. In 1884 or I885 it was purchased by Oscar Nichols and the Harris Brothers, who installed the roller process and made patent flour. In the '90s this mill was lestroyed by fire and never rebuilt. About this time the western millers, in order to get the flour market, shipped their product into towns that manufactured flour and sold it so low that they got the trade away from the local manufacturer. This was done in Webberville, so there was no incentive to rebuild. Another thing, the large millers wanted to corner the bran and feed market, which they did, and bran that had been wasted or sold for $Io.oo per ton, in a few years sold for $20.00. The wheat grower, by not having a local gristmill, was forced to sell his wheat at a wholesale price and buy his family flour at the retail price plus the freight. The first creamery and cheese factory was built in Webberville since 900o. It was a co-operative affair and was superintended by a man from Williamston. Governor Fred M. Warner bought the building and business in I9o6. I-e ran it as a cheese factory for a few years. It was one of a chain of small factories he owned at that time. He, so it appeared, wished to control the cheese market, and after the control was established shut up the smaller factories. The local industry was killed in the name of big business. In I908 a Toledo firm sent a committee to investigate the dairy business and was induced to build a creamery and condensed milk factory at Webberville. It has enlarged its plant and the business Js permanently established. The village has increased in population since 214 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the factory was built a'nd the rural population has profited by finding a ready sale for milk. The grain elevator business was purchased by Thorne Rupert in 1884 from the Lowe Brothers. In the late 'gos this building burned. For a few years Mr. Rupert bought grain at a great disadvantage, as he had to load it into cars or store it in warehouses not convenient to the railroad tracks. The railroad company would not rebuild so Mr. Taft, of Howell, leased the site from the company and built the present building in I898. In I904, Mr. Rupert, Mr. Taft's competitor in the grain market, bought the building and owns it at present. In I9Io Mr. Rupert had another competitor. Mr. Andy Edwards built another grain elevator, just east of the depot, but the competition was shortlived as this building burned in I9II, a'nd has not been rebuilt. For four years, or until I876, the school was kept in the Webber schoolhouse, one-half mile west. In I876 the frame building on Main street, in the northeastern part of the town, was built and used for school purposes until replaced in I9II by the present brick structure. Henry Silsby, the contractor who built the prese'nt building, had been principal in the old building. ~ The Baptist church was the first on the grounds, but the Methodists built the first church in I88o. The Baptists afterwards built a church one block east on the corner of Main and McPherson streets. This building burned and was replaced by the present building. The same year the Methodists built their church, Rev. C. B. Ludwig, from Williamston, orga'nized a Congregational church society, but it never built a church. During the eighties the Latter Day Saints organized a society and laid the foundations of a building on George Fry's property in the eastern part of the village, but never erected a church. Among the fraternal societies the Odd Fellows, established at Belle Oak in 1892, moved to the village and occupied the third floor of the Odd Fellows block. This was built by George H. Galusha, a prominent member of the order. A lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah was established and occupies the same building. In i886 a camp of the Maccabees was formed and was conducted with success until the great camp was reorganized. Then it lost most of its members and surrendered its charter. A Grand Army post for veterans of the Civil war was formed, but after death had depleted its membership so there were not enough to fill the offices, the charter was given up and the Decoration day exercises were not observed. In I916 a Freemason's lodge was established in the Patrick block at the corner of Main and Grand River streets, and has a growing membership. The first hotel was the Plank road house that stood on the north side of the road on Grand River street, the second was the Kelley house, and the third the Bennett house. The people of Webberville were mostly American born. In describing them I will have to use my twenty-two years' residence as a stage or moving picture. I have no choice of background, no Oriental scenery or flowery robes or Indian costumes to deck my characters. INGHAM COUNTY 215 To the casual observer the life in a country village is dull and commonplace and a residence there is only fit for commonplace people, but to the artist there is always some hidden beauty, to the historian some interesting biographies that only need the brush of an artist or pen of the historian to reveal their hidden qualities. Among the first merchants was Frank Lansing, who had a general store in the McPherson building. He was followed by L. W. Mills, who was in turn followed by Asa Whetstone and John Dunn, then by Clarence Randall, then by James and John Dunn, all in the same building. The Dunn Brothers purchased the building from the McPherso'n Brothers and own it today. Mr. Lansing and his wife were great workers in the church, social and temperance fields. When they left, the work was carried on by L. W. Mills and his wife. Mr. Mills' family were all musicians and he had charge of the Methodist choir for years. His musical talent also helped in the Sunday school work. The latter was his hobby as he had been a teacher in the public schools before he entered mercantile business. After he moved to Mason he did not give up this work until failing health compelled him to stop. Asa Whetstone's forebears were Pennsylvania Dutch, relatives of the Sudenbackes, and he inherited some of their traits. He was village marshal, merchant and deacon in the church, and always voted for prohibition. The Du'nn Brothers were Canadian English, brought up on a farm until they reached manhood. Each of these boys clerked for some time before he entered the mercantile business, but by hard work and careful attention to all the details of a general mercantile trade they, in twenty-five years, made a modest fortune. John, the elder, was a hard-working, quiet, unassuming man, good father and kind neighbor. For several years he suffered from an incurable disease, but with a fortitude characteristic of the English he "carried on" until he "went West". These boys by hard work and honesty have left a name that will live after they are gone. J. O. Hitchins, another merchant, was a Con'necticut Yankee and had some of the peculiarities of the "Down East" people. He was old-fashioned and conducted his clothing trade in the same way. Lowe Brothers, who had a store in Webberville, had sold out their business before 1888. Mr. Younglove had a small grocery and tobacco store on the north side of the street in I888, but failing health compelled him to turn his stock over to a supervisor, and he, in the absence of relatives, provided a home for his decli'ning years. William Demorest and Alex McCabe were druggists. They were opposites in temperament and character. Alex was quiet, hard working, always at his post during business hours, while Will was a hurly-burly, full of life and excitement. Will's buddy was Otis Towne, the station agent. They were the funmakers of the village and when they were together there was something doing all the time. Otis was short and sturdy while Will was tall and slender. It would take a small volume to tell of their pranks and stunts. The only way I can describe them is to tell the reader to read "Mutt and Jeff" for they were those two characters personified. Lafayette Gordon had a meat market in the building that is now 216 HISTORIC MICIIGAN used for a telephone exchange, when I first went to the village, but afterwards sold his market and put in a stock of boots and shoes. He had been a district school teacher and local preacher in his younger days. He was noted for his extreme neatness in dress and in his place of business. Some of his old pupils told me he scrubbed out his school room every night, and if a pupil spat on the floor he got his jacket dusted with a blue beech rod. He would have made an excellent sanitary inspector for a large city. Horace Whitehead was the local mail carrier and drayman. For more than thirty years he carried the mail from the depot to the postoffice and delivered freight to the merchants. When he "went West" a few years ago everyone missed him. From early morning until dark we could hear his whistle. He was the village lark a'nd nightingale. He was an artist in sorting and handling freight. Every piece went to its place to the whistled strains of "The Girl I Left Behind Me" or "Old Black Joe." His horse made extra efforts to pull a heavy load under the stimulus of a waltz tune. He was a hunter and fisherman, had a practical knowledge of the habits and haunts of all small game, and was a delightful companion for an outing. He was a good shot and always gave a wounded bird the other barrel to end its sufferings. When fishing he always talked. This talk was always addressed to the fish and the expressions were homely and quaint, as "I will have to take you in out of the wet for we are going to have company and I will need you as we have lo meat at home," etc. In sickness he was a careful nutrse, always readly and willing to cheer the most despondent with his pleasant chatter and homely philosophy. Thorne Rupert kept the hotel and finally became the grain buyer of the village. He was fitted for this position. It was exciting enough to admit of speculation and offer problems that the greatest economists and mathematicians have 'not yet solved. The grain problem is a knotty one to solve for it is our daily bread and food for the unborn millions. In talking with Mr. Rupert a few (lays ago I made the remark that some of his statements made years ago were true although they do not solve the problem. The statement that when the purchasing power of the gold dollar was high, food was cheap, labor and wages were low and speculators were crying over-production, but when the purchasing power of the gold dollar was low, as it is today, food is high, wages, are high and speculators are crying there is a scarcity of food and labor. Supply and demand does not enter into the problem as a means of transportation and speculation are such that unscrupulous speculators can create an artificial supply and demand. From Mr. Rupert's long experience a'nd study we could name him a second Henry George. James Little was a Canadian Irishman and was superintendent of the charcoal kilns. We will have to pair him with another JamesJames R. Dart. They were warm friends, always together, and seemed to enjoy each other's company. Their friendship lasted all their lives. They were the modern Damon and Pythias. They belonged to the same political party, the same fraternal lodges and social clubs. After INGHAM COUNTY 217 the kilns shut down Mr. Little was out of a job, but while looking for one, employed his spare time in studying law and politics. He informed his friends he enjoyed his studies, spoke of Blackstone as an old friend, and his every (lay conversation had a legal tone. James was appointed notary public by Fred M. Warner. served o'n the school board, and Congressman Sam Smith appointed him village postmaster. All of these positions he filled to the credit of the village and honor to him — self. His three sons were all railroad men. Frank Percy Little, the only one living, is now traffic superintendent of the Pere Marquette system. James has "gone West," and Mr. Dart preceded him, but frie'nds will always remember them. George H. and J. N. Harris were brothers that came from the state of New York when young men, married Webberville girls, and engaged in the hardware business. John "went West" in the prime of early manhood, but G. H. and his son are still engaged in the same business. From their long experience in one locality the firm is well known in eastern Ingham and western Livingston counties. TEmmett Monroe was a farmer that lived on the eastern border of the village. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that section. -He was interested in the growth and welfare of the village, especially ihe schools, a'nd served for a long time on the school board. While on the board he was always elected treasurer. [Te was always opposed to high taxes for school pl)trl)ose' ( )iler mlembers who wanted to spend money for modern conveniences always had a battle with Tncle Emmett. Some who tried to influence the people so he would not be re-elected failed because the average taxpayer is generally opposel to a big school tax. Mr. Monroe, in campaigning for office, made low tax his strong card. He met his Waterloo when the public school money and mill tax paid the running expenses and the high tax cry became an obsolete echo. One of his sons went to the University of M1\ichigan and was graduated with honors from the literary department and has been for years a professor of French in a college in Kentucky; furthermore, four of the grandsons are now attending the University of Michigan. In the early '8os Mr. Dart hired a Canadian boy to work in the woods. The boy showed some ability and was promoted to the position of teamster. By careful financing he purchased a team and logging outfit and became a small contractor. When the lumbering interest went he sold his team and clerked for John Sweet, also peddled groceries in the country. When Sweet went out of business he bought his stock and became a merchant, built a store and enjoyed a large trade with the patrons of the village and surrounding country. This man, James Frazer, is postmaster now. Among the many who taught in the school and who afterwards reached high positions in the educational world, were Professor Fred Searl, who was Ingham county's commissioner for several terms, and Charles LeFurge, now principal of Lansing's high school. The pastors of the Methodist church during my residence became prominent in village affairs, Elders Roedell and Magee. Elder Roedell was young 218 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and unmarried, and his beautiful, accomplished sister held sway in the parsonage. From such a combination all the young people flocked to the parsonage as well as the church and, as a result, he always had a large congregation. Elder Magee was Scotch, and his ancestry showed in every sermon. The old John Knox theology would creep out in his discourse. I always thought he never was at home in the Methodist church, his place was in a free kirk in the Highlands of Scotland. Dr. Geo. W. Langford was a soldier i'n the Civil war, and when it closed was graduated in medicine, came with his young wife to Belle Oak, and started a practice in the woods. When the village was platted in 1872, he removed there, built a one-story building for drug store, office and dwelling, on the corner of Summit and Grand River streets. He became postmaster, and for a short time kept the office in the drug store. He afterwards built a store and dwelling o'n the opposite side of the street. In I889 he moved to Williamston where he lived until he (lied. The doctor had a large practice and was esteemed by all his patrons and his comrades in the Grand Army post always elected him to some office. Dr. E. D. Mills was a student of his. Dr. Theron Langford, his son, is now practicing in Jackson or Ann Arbor. I'n 1875, Dr. R. B. Smith, a graduate of Detroit Medical college, hung out his shingle i'n Webberville. He was a student of Dr. Sherwood of )ansville, Ingham county. By hard work he built up a large practice that he enjoyed until 1887, when an unfortunate accident crippled him for life. In April, i888, I visited him, and having just been graduated, the doctor employed me to look after his practice. I agreed to stay two weeks, but became his successor and remained twenty-two years. In I888 there were quite a number of old soldiers residing in and around the village, but only two or three are left. They are all "gone West." They left an impression on the younger men, and during the World war sent their quota of boys to Europe. The first soldier in Tngham county to give his life to democracy was Thorne McCarthy, a Webberville boy. Among the old soldiers were Charles Smith, Charles Turrell, S. S. Rhodes, Chester Barber, Jacob Steel, Albert Haskill, Daniel Kingsbury, Norton Monroe and others. Daniel Kingsbury was postmaster at Webberville and afterwards county treasurer. Charles Smith was born in Lansing and his father was one of the pioneers who helped build the Plank road. Since the milk factory was built many new families have settled in Webberville, an electric light plant has been built, an auto factory has been installed, and the quiet village has commenced to take on city airs, as shown in new buildings and bungalows. A fire on July 4, last year, destroyed some of the old wooden buildings on the south side of the street, but I notice they are clearing away the rubbish and replacing them with modern ones of brick and cement. An exchange bank was built before I left in I9IO, and is doing well. CHAPTER XVII INGHAM COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WNAR The Civil war, in I86I, temporarily stopped the advance in the development in our city and Ingham county because it took the young men from their work and business and was a stumbling block to social advancement and good fellowship. It changed all grades of society into two hostile camps. Politics and political leaders were every day exalted by their friends or execrated by their enemies. Abe Lincoln was, before and after election, called the "Rail Splitter", "Story Teller", "Homely Old Bean Pole," with no style, no education, or manners. Stephen A. Douglass was admired by his political friends for his dress, oratory and Free Soil principles. He was aided and assisted in the political campaigns of I856 and I860 by Lewis Cass and other Free Soil Democrats of the Northwest Territory. These men knew that slavery was forbidden in the Northwest Territory or states formed out of this territory by the Act of I787. This act was fortified and built up against slavery by the divisions of public lands into townships, sections and divisions of sections under control and sale by the general government. The Homestead act also prevented a slave owner from acquiring any large territory on which to plant a colony of slaves. The determined political action of these two men caused a split in the dominant party, but prevented their political future advancement. The great Republican party was a third party formed by Whigs and Abolitionists to win against this division. For thirty years this anti-slavery feeling between the North and South had been growing, getting more hostile. Compromises, as the "Fugitive Slave Act," "Omnibus Bill," and "Missouri Compromise" only quieted for a time the slumbering volcano of civic strife. A justice of the supreme court was appealed to, to decide the slave's position in law and society. Justice Tawney hesitated for some time before he wrote his decision. He realized that there was a crisis in our government, also that he had to give his decision in plain language to the people and according to the constitution, law and acts of congress. His decision was in three parts: I. Slave's position in society. 2. Slave owner's duties and obligations. 3. Slave rights in law. Under the first, Judge Tawney declared the slave was a chattel or piece of property that could be bought and sold as a horse or ox ii the owner desired. If the slave was lazy or insubordinate the owner could punish said slave as he would a horse or ox. Under the second, the owner must, from an economic reason, in order to get work or service out of his chattel, feed, house and clothe him, furnish hours of relaxation from severe labor for the aforesaid chattel in the same manner as for a domestic animal. To increase the number of chattels the owner had the right to use such means and ways he employed 220 HISTORIC MICHIGAN with domestic animals. Third, he declared, the slave, or chattel, had no rights in law because he was not a human being but a chattel as an ox or cow. The judge was blamed by the anti-slavery party for calling a human being a chattel, by the pro-slavery party for exposing the great evils of slavery. One writer of fiction, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, wrote and published two novels that had a great influence on the public as they give a vivid picture of the evils of slavery. These were "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Dred; a Tale of the Dismal Swamp." These books made interesting reading but rather unreliable history as anyone who has traveled in the South and observed the relationship between the white and black races can see. President Lincoln, in his inaugural address, advocated peace and told pro-slavery men he would have to enforce the laws in case they violated them or aided insurrection or rebellion. STREETS IN L\ANSING( IN 186-62 The first news of civil war and the insurrection was a paralyzing blow upon our growing city, our rural progress. Some of our business men were pessimistic. could only prophesy ruin and overthrow of the government from any armed resistance on the part of the antislavery forces. Some sold their business at a sacrifice and regretted afterward for the stocks sold in one or two years, under war prices, increased in value and made purchasers wealthy. James I. Mead was one of these men who was so pessimistic that he sold his store and stock to his clerk. John Robson, and his brothers, Charles and Robert. They worked hard, paid Mr. Mead's debt, became prominent and respected by all. John served the state as senator of this district and his brothers built fine homes, were prominent in society and filled offices of trust in the commercial life of our city. Two of Mr. Robson's brothers enlisted and served their country. Other men in the city and county, who were optimistic, met with the same success. When the president's call for seventy-five thousand soldiers came to the city and county, scores of young men from the farm, shop and office were eager to enlist. They realized that the question of union or disunion had to be decided by force of arms, not by arbitration or compromise. Political differences and rank in society were thrown1 aside and forgotten. The helpful, courageous optimism of a universal democracy, to put down rebellion and save the government, took the place of pessimism and dismal foreboding. James Jeffries was a young architect and contractor with wife and four small boys. He built several buildings in the city. He was a rising man. His last work in the city was the D. L. Case residence-Judge Weist home-on North Washington avenue. It has never been rebuilt, but stands today as an example of the architecture of the war period. When this work was finished he enlisted, was promoted to captain, but sleeps in a Southern cemetery. Streets were used, in place of hall, to drill troops and young solliers were very anxious to attend exercises. The first troops sent to INGHAM COUNTY 221 _c~ mustering camps were taken on stage or by teams in I861 and I862, as there were no railroads in the county at that time. WVe can remember the partings and farewell dinners given to the different groups as they left the city. The funerals of boys sent home are also remembered. Some of the stay-at-homes, with pro-slavery sympathies, ridiculed the cause, or sacrifice, and. secretly rejoiced at the defeat of the federal army. Friends and relatives made them flee from the city to escape mob violence. We have intimated that declaration of war temporarily stopped progress of certain kinds of pioneer activities, but in a short time the wheels of progress commenced to hum with renewed action, but in a different way. For four years, from i86I to 1865, MNichigan, Ingham county and our capital city were very active in providing for soldiers in the South or war center. Food, clothing, medical care and money had to be provided for our soldier boys. Everyone was busy. RURAL DISTRICTS So many young men were called from the farms that farm labor and wages increased so rapidly that machinery had to take the place of hand labor. Mowers and reapers took the place of scythe and cradle. Revolving horse rakes and sulky rakes took the place of hand rakes. Horse forks took the place of hand forks. Four-horsepower sawing machines were used in place of ax and saw to cut firewood; te'n-horse-power threshing separators were in,lemalnd and old-fashio'ned grain separators were thrown aside. Wool sold from farmers' wagons in the raw state for one dollar a poun(d. Poultry and dairy products increased in value and brought fabulous prices. Grain, especially wheat, was in great demand. Two or three elevators on Rams Horn railroad were erected at the depot at North Lansing as soon as the road was completed and gristmills were running twenty hours out of twenty-four to fill orders for army contracts. Sawmills were springing up like mushrooms all over the county to supply lumber for local factories, the wagon and machine shops at Jackson, South Bend, and the McCormick implement works at Chicago. Drovers were busy buying hogs and cattle to be made into bacon and corn beef, to be shipped South. Everyone was busy and making money. LUXURIES IN WAR TIMES The crops grown in the South, as cotton, sugar and tobacco, were not marketable in the North as all the ports in the South and he railroads were closed as fast as possible by the government. Farmers raised crops of sorghum (northern sugar cane), and several mills for crushing and extracting juice from cane were located in the south part of this county. What sugar was shipped into the city came in large hogsheads from Cuba and the West Indies. The maple sugar industry flourished. Tobacco was also raised in different townships where soil was suitable. We can remember Mr. Parmalee had several acres on his farm west of the "Female College"; also observed some farmers raised their 222 HISTORIC MICHIGAN own supply in their gardens as late as I890. Factories in the East got their cotton from Europe. Coffee from the South was hard to get and the Confederate government found it as difficult as all cargoes were captured before entering Southern ports. Substitutes among the working class were barley and rye grains roasted, ground and prepared the same as coffee. All were rationed. Some people from motives of economy and taste continued to use these substitutes for years after they could get coffee. We think the Postum manufacturers got their idea of their product during the Civil war. The expenses of the war were heavy and had to be paid by the people, producer and consumer. The Eastern states, with states formed out of the Northwest Territory, paid most of this tax. The first tax was designated "internal revenue tax," and was laid on tobacco, malt, distilled liquors, wines, medicines, sugar, matches, etc. Everything that entered into, or was used for, food, clothing and fighting disease was taxed. The railroads were taxed, not on their lands and equipment, but on their earnings. This tax was placed in the state treasury to pay interest on the primary school interest fund held by the state. This tax was a special privilege tax and caused trouble after the war was over, for railroads had lands, personal or other property that did not pay any tax while other individuals and corporate landholders were taxed. SOLDIER RELIEF SOCIETIES When the first news of wounded soldiers or sickness was received by relatives and friends of soldiers in the city and county, parents went South or sent relief in the shape of food, clothing or money to the sufferers. Transportation to and communication with the South in I86I and I862 was in such a chaotic condition that a large per cent of relief was lost or never reached its destination. When parents visited sons they came in such numbers that army headquarters and base hospitals could not lodge, feed, or entertain them. The medical department of the army had to be re-formed after the war commenced. It was formed on a larger scale. As quickly as possible the medical, quartermaster and transportation departments of the army formed a separate department called the soldiers' relief department. They, to do work in an orderly manner and get supplies and relief quickly, subdivided work into three groups: First, transportation and communication. This, in the last year of the war, increased so heavily that special'railroad trains were run to all sections where Northern troops were quartered. Special telegraph wires were stretched to get messages to friends and relatives quickly. Second, the medical group to get nurses and supplies for wounded and sick men was formed. Army doctors were hindered by mothers sending all kinds of indigestible foods as pastry, fresh fruit and vegetables, which by slow transportation was spoiled before reaching their destination. This caused so much trouble that societies were formed in every county and in large cities to receive all food from senders and INGHAM COUNTY 223 tell them what would bear shipment and what was most suitable to wounded or sick men. These local societies were made up of women who worked early and late in office and store rooms to collect and ship supplies. Besides these duties they did a lot of missionary work among the mothers in regard to kind of comforts and food to be sent to their sons in base hospitals and convalescent camps. We can imagine it rather difficult to convince a nervous, anxious wife or mother that the recipient would be benefited more and encouraged by receiving condensed milk, dried fruit or home-made preserves, jelly, apple butter, maple sugar, relishes in the shape of pickles, etc., than by mushy pies, birthday cakes, patent medicines; how their sons or husbands would be made more comfortable with home-made socks and underclothing with some simple toilet article than with costly smoking jacket, costly toilet articles and thin kid slippers. These women worked to convince mothers and wives that rumors of immorality in camp could be counteracted by frequent encouraging letters from home with a lot of good news-not scandal-with good literature, patriotic, not trashy fiction. These women who had charge of local relief work were aided during the last year of the war by army nurses, who were invalided home but who were anxious to help. The local relief groups, after the war, were gathered together with wives, widows and daughters of soldiers in that splendid organization, the "Woman's Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic." It would be a difficult matter to tell or estimate the amount of money these relief groups handled and more difficult to state on paper what the acts of kindness, charity and devotion did to encourage patriotism and love of country. WHIIAT WAS DONE IN TIIE OLD WOODEN CAPITOL BU-7IIDING( A\ND \T DETROIT DURING WAR PEIRIOD FOREWORD In the preceding chapter we have tried to tell what was done in Ingham county and Lansing to prepare for war, how the people lived, how they helped each other, with what Christian fortitude they bore all sacrifices and met all difficulties, with the true spirit of democracy. What the state did during this same period is so interwoven with the history of our city and county that we will have to give it together. There is too much detail, too much repetition of certain acts of the legislature and speeches. What Governor Austin Blair, his advisers, our members in congress, our senator, Zack Chandler, did is recorded in a volume of war history, Michigan in the War. This history is very complete and instructive. It has been compiled by men who took part in the great conflict. They were men of authority and after the war were instrumental as state officials in helping repair the ravages of war. We will have to relate how we helped the state and general government during this dark period in our history. We will relate as briefly as possible the matter of preparation in the state and in Ingham county, then take up each year of war in detail. 224 HISTORIC MIICHIGAN PREPARATION Michigan is a border state. The great and powerful empire of Great Britain has a colony that is only separated from this state, Ohio, New York and New England states by boundary lines on land, narrow rivers and inland lakes. At the close of the war of 1812, the English government surrendered territory to our government; also all hopes of acquiring any territory west and north of the Mississippi when President Jefferson purchased land from the French government and Napoleon I in 1804. Some acts of the state government in giving aid to fugitives in the so-called Patriot war in 1837 almost caused another war, but the general government at Washington reprimanded Governor Mason and restored peace by refusing to propagandists aid in their rebellion against the British government. We can say that the Canadian government always remained neutral during the Civil war and when there was a propaganda formed by some who sympathized with the Confederate States of America to raid and free prisoners it kindly informed our government, so we captured the ringleaders and imprisoned them. For some years previous to i860 and 1861 the state government had recognized our defenseless position and had provided a state militia composed of twenty-eight companies of infantry. These companies were loosely organized and met once or twice a year. The total number of officers and men was 1,241. To meet expenses of encampment and equipment the legislature gave three thousand dollars per year. This small pay was not much of an inducement to young men to join the service. Col. F. W. Curtenins, who was a state official before the war, recognizing our apathy in regard to military matters, also our exposure as a border state from raids from a foreign power, or want of power to put down or overcome rebellion within our state, enlisted and equipped in Mason at his own expense a company of infantry. This was the "Curtenins' Guards of Mason". John R. Price, of North Lansing, also raised and drilled a small company of young men in our city. The above mentioned military companies, loosely organized and poorly equipped, with the independent companies in large cities, was the only equipment for a four-year war. WAR GOVERNOR Austin Blair was elected governor in the campaign of I86o. His courage, hard work, patriotism and executive ability carried us through the trying scenes of civil strife. He was always optimistic and encouraged all his helpers in the dark days during the years he remained in office. Governor Moses Wisner, in his farewell message in January, I86r, warned the legislature of trouble and urged it to make preparation for it. Governor Blair in his inaugural message pledged the state's support to the general government. April i6, i86I, after receiving news of the capture of Fort Sumpter, he went to Detroit and called a meeting of the prominent citizens and military heads. He also laid INGHAM COUNTY 225 the president's message before the meeting and took the initiative in raising funds for the support of troops. Detroit pledged $50,000. Before this meeting adjourned $23,000 was paid. President Lincoln in his message called for one regiment fully equipped to enter the service. Our state treasury was empty, but the governor gave the order to spend one hundred thousand dollars to pay for equipment and support of this regiment. Notice for an extra session of the legislature was sent out and when that body met May 7, I861, the members endorsed all acts of the governor and ordered ten regiments to be enlisted, trained and equipped for future service. A loan of one million dollars was ordered spread on the tax rolls of the state for food, equipment and transportation. A military contract board was appointed to aid state officials. General Jabez H. Fountain was appointed quartermaster general of the army or troops enlisted in Michigan. He held this important office from March I, I86i, to March 25, I863. Our boys who served in the quartermaster's department in the World war know how important this department is in an army. General Fountain's record of service was very efficient. Another act passed by this extra session was the soldiers' relief law. All wives and widows of soldiers who had families could in case of need draw fifteen dollars per month for one year. Supervisors in townships, cities and villages handled this fund so it was spent only on those who were worthy of this relief. MICHIGAN REGIMENTS IN 1861 The First Michigan regiment, called the Rifle regiment, was first to arrive in Washington from the West. This regiment received many compliments for its promptness and fine appearance while passing through Ohio and other states. President Lincoln called for only one regiment of infantry, but Governor Blair always had two or three regiments in reserve for future calls from the general government. The governor was hindered by many patriotic men in private life raising companies at their own expense and then offering them to the state. This caused so much confusion that the governor had to locate training camps and receiving stations in different parts of the state to receive and train these independent companies. Some ill feeling was caused by the refusal of training camps to take or accommodate these contributions, but this was all forgotten as war progressed. All men who wanted to serve did have an opportunity before the war ended. Some who in I86I boasted they could whip the South in sixty days were drafted in I864 and I865 and told to prove their statement. Some men were so anxious to serve they went to other states and enlisted. Some officers came from other states and re-enlisted in our state. General Custer was one. He was an Ohio man, but enlisted in our state and from his date of enlistment became a resident of Monroe. A fine monument has been erected at this place to show our appreciation of his services in the civil and Indian wars. The individual record of each soldier that went from Ingham county has not been written and no doubt never will be written, for 3-15 226 HISTORIC MICHIGAN many of them served in regiments outside of the state, some served under assumed names, a few deserted and lived in other counties in our state. The military record of officers has been kept and we will mention some of them. The Third Michigan infantry had one company of Lansing men. This was Company G, with John R. Price captain, Robert B. Jefferson first lieutenant, James B. Ten Eyck second lieutenant. The Seventh Michigan infantry has one company from Mason and townships near Mason. This was Company B and Philip McKernan, White Oak township, was captain. Mr. McKernan's father was an early pioneer in White Oak township. John Q. McKernan was a brother of Philip who went to Houghton, Upper Peninsula, when young and grew up with the country, was elected to the state legislature and served one or two terms. Another brother was elected sheriff of Ingham county during Governor Winans' administration. The Seventh Michigan infantry was a fighting regiment. It was sent in September, I86I, to Virginia and before it was mustered out fought thirty-five battles. All veterans who belonged refer to this regiment with pride. The total number enrolled was 1,393 officers and men. The total loss including those who died of disease was 338 men. The song, "Michigan, My Michigan," is dedicated to this regiment as a war song by its author, Jane W. Blent. The Eighth Michigan infantry followed the Seventh to the seat of war. It has a record of being the "wandering regiment". It was in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia in I861-62, Mississippi and Tennessee in I863. It was part of the Second brigade or expeditionary corps under Gen. W. T. Sherman. It took part in thirtyseven engagements. It numbered 1,792 officers and men, of whom 404 were killed and died of wounds and disease. Abram Cottrell. of our city, was captain of Company E. The Ninth Michigan infantry did provost duty at Chickamauga September 19 and 20, I863. The Tenth Michigan was recruited and drilled near Port Huron and Saginaw. so we find no men from Ingham county. This regiment made the quota of the state. All regiments not called out by the federal government were ready to go in February. 1862. After the battle of Bull Run, or Manassas Junction, President Lincoln called for more troops from Michigan. In his second call for 500,000 men, Michigan's quota was IT,688 men. The recruiting had been so rapid that the state had formed by December 31, i86I, thirteen regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry and five batteries of artillery, in all a total of 16,475, or over five thousand more than the government quota. This was not all, for men had gone to other states, as previously mentioned and were serving in other regiments. ACTIVITIES IN I862 The recruiting in the spring went forward rapidly. There was a great rivalry between regiments. This led to speculation and trickery. Some recruiting officers would induce men to leave their own regiments before they mustered and join theirs. This led to investigation INGHAM COUNTY 227 and certain officers were reprimanded by their superiors.. Five more regiments of infantry were started. Three batteries of artillery and one lancer regiment with three companies of sharpshooters were formed. The Eleventh Michigan infantry was sent to Kentucky and Tennessee. At the close of the year (I862) it had been busy trying to capture the Confederate general, John Morgan, but he proved too elusive and was not captured. This regiment was also stationed at Nashville, Tennessee, to stop the advance of Bragg, who was trying to break the line of defense and capture Louisville on the Ohio river. Twelfth Michigan Infantry.-We notice that Dr. Robert C. Kedzie, of Michigan Agricultural college, was assistant surgeon of this regiment and Company G was most all from Lansing and vicinity. Capt. Isaac M. Cravath was from state offices. First Lieutenant George H. Gassimer was a young contractor and builder of Lansing. This regiment was hurried via Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee rivers to take part in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh Church) April 21, 1862. This regiment was attacked at Middleburg, Tennessee, by General Van Dorn's cavalry the (lay before Christmas, December 24, 1862. The Thirteenth Michigan infantry was organized at Kalamazoo. The Fourteenth was organized at Ypsilanti and we notice James J. Jeffries, of Lansing, was captain of Company D. He died at Chattanooga, Tennessee. July Io, I864. The Fifteenth infantry was organized at Monroe. In the Sixteenth infantry we notice that Jacob Webber, of Lansing. was first lieutenant of Company G. This regiment was originally known as Stockton's Independent regiment. It was organized by Col. I'. W. B. Stockton, of Flint. In February a com)any of sharpshooters, known as Capt. K. S. Dygert's sharpshooters, was attached to the regiment. Colonel Stockton was taken prisoner in July and held until August 12. 1862. His health was so bad after this imprisonment he resigned and Lieutenant Colonel Welsh was promoted to the head of the regiment. At Gettysburg this regiment fought around Round Top and helped drive out the enemy from their strong position. May 3. I864, another company of sharpshooters from Detroit was assigned to this regiment. making two companies. On July 2, 1862, the president made a third call for 500.000 men. General McClellan's Yorktown campaign to capture Richmond was a failure. The sevenday battles before the Confederate capital from White House Landing on the Rappahannock river had convinced the federal war board that the enemy's capital could not be taken by direct assault on its fortifications on the north and east. General Grant, who succeeded General Meade in command of the Army of the Potomac. thought he could, but after losing thousands in the battles of the Wilderness, Fredericksburg and Cold Harbor. he had -to carture Richmond via Petersburg. and only by a year's siege could the Northern army.enter. Over sixty years have elapsed since the Yorktown campaign was planned and tried out on the ground our forefathers fought the last decisive battle of the Revolutionary war. 228 HISTORIC MICHIGAN YORKTOWN CAMPAIGN, I862 We will have to explain why this campaign failed to capture Richmond. Some of the old veterans of Ingham county and Lansing who fought under this general and Grant demand it and an explanation is necessary. General McClellan was criticized for his action, or the well conducted retreat after he found he could not take Richmond. Foreign officers who were with the Northern army to observe the latest thing in military strategy praise McClellan's masterly way of conducting his army. McClellan, after the war was over, wrote an article that was published in one of the magazines. The article was corroborated by other papers from other generals both in Northern and Southern armies for strategy, military knowledge and experience displayed. What was the plan? When McClellan gathered the first army of the Potomac together after the first battle of Manassas Junction, he spent nearly a year in drilling and organizing it for this campaign. When the army was ready for the field in the spring of I862 he had several conferences with the president and war board in regard to the campaign in Virginia. In these conferences we find two plans, viz, first the war board wanted the army sent down the Potomac river and Chesapeake bay up York river to White House Landing and from there to Richmond. By so doing they would have the army of offense and defense between the two capitals and a water as well as a land communication to keep the supply stations and camp in close touch with each other. The objections to this plan were both the topography and water communication. The valley of the York river was swampy, muddy and difficult to move artillery and a large army rapidly in the face of an enemy, which would hinder the advance. The York river was a shallow stream and subject to floods and low water so boats of light draught could only navigate it to transport troops and supplies. A volume could be written about this advance. We have heard soldiers from Ingham county relate how they marched in rain, how they walked in mud, ate mud and slept in mud. When General McClellan was ready to march from White House Landing on the Rappahannock to attack Richmondl he found he would have to shift his supply base and water transportation to James river right in the face of the attacking army. How this was done has been told in many meetings of the Grand Army of the Republic. The second plan was General McClellan's and army officers'. They recognized the same points of objective and defending same in their plans and pointed out how the Confederate capital got its supplies from the south. Its base on the James river was not guarded properly and the James river was a more navigable stream and could be used to transport troops and supplies from Washington down the Potomac river, Chesapeake bay and up the James without landing soldiers or shifting cargo. By doing this they would get in the rear of Richmond and cut all lines of communication to the south. They pointed out the fact that war vessels guarded the mouth of the James river and Chesapeake bay; also the fact they would INGHAM COUNTY 229 have to move quickly and destroy all forts on river banks and armed vessels the Confederate government had built and placed on the river for defensive purposes. The fears that if reverses followed and Washington be left defenseless were quieted by the size of the army left to guard the capital. The war board, especially the secretary of war, and one or two others were arbitrary about the matter and the commanding general had to yield to them, so it was conducted according to direct assault from the north and east. President Lincoln's call for troops in'July, 1862, was to replace three-month volunteers and to guard our capital from raids from a victorious enemy. Michigan had recruited the Seventeenth Michigan infantry. In thirty days six regiments of infantry were recruited, equipped and sent to Washington. These were the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty-third. The reverses of the Peninsula campaign alarmed all the governors of the Northern states, and New York and Pennsylvania sent out a memorial to all governors to have President Lincoln call out enough troops to crush our enemy. The officials found that a rebellion could not be crushed by more troops but only by careful planning and skillfully handling a well drilled army in the field; also by letting commanding generals fight according to strategy and not be bound down by orders from an arbitrary secretary of war. Another order was issued by the governor apportioning to each of the six congressional districts certain regiments. The Eighteenth regiment was assigned to the first district and the Twenty-fourth to another county in the same district. This was the oldest settled county in the state and had the largest population. We notice no officers in this from Lansing or Ingham county. This regiment was first sent to Kentucky and for the balance of the year was skirmishing a Confederate army under General Pegram. The Nineteenth regiment was assigned to the second congressional district. Hon. Henry C. Gilbert was colonel and most of the officers and men were from Branch, St. Joseph. Cass, Berrien, Kalamazoo, VanBuren and Allegan counties. This regiment was also sent to Kentucky and spent the balance of the year (1862) with Colonel Coburn's brigade, Baird's division of the Army of Kentucky. In March, I863, this regiment had to surrender to the enemy after a very sanguinary engagement at Nashville, Tennessee. Soldiers were paroled and sent north and commissioned officers were exchanged. When Colonel Gilbert offered his sword to the Confederate commander he was told to keep it for his bravery and gallantry. The Twentieth Michigan infantry was raised in the third congressional district. The colonel, Adolphus A. Williams, was from Lansing. The first lieutenant was Dennis C. Calkins, another Lansing boy. We find a young man from Ann Arbor captain in Company D who after the war became a judge of the supreme court of Michigan, Claudins B. Grant. This regiment was sent to the Army of the Potomac. For the balance of the year it was at Pleasant Valley, Maryland, to watch the Confederate cavalry under General Stuart. The Twenty-first Michigan infantry was assigned to the fourth congressional district. Hon. J. B. Welch was 230 HISTORIC MICHIGAN commandant of its camp at Ionia and Ambrose A. Stevens was colonel. In September it was sent to Kentucky and at the close of the year participated in the battle of Stone River. The Twenty-second regiment was raised in the fifth congressional district. Ex-Governor Moses Wisner was colonel of this regiment. The balance of officers and men were from Oakland, Livingston, Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer and Sanilac counties. Governor Wisner died from disease in an army hospital at Lexington, Kentucky, the following January 4, I863, and Governor Blair in his annual message to the legislature referred to his death as a great sacrifice to freedom. This regiment was also sent to Kentucky and took an active part in the campaign of I863. The Twenty-third regiment came from the sixth congressional district. Col. David H. Jerome, who was afterwards governor, was commandant of the camp at rendezvous at East Saginaw. This regiment was also sent to Kentucky. The Twenty-fourth regiment was raised exclusively in Wayne County. Its rendezvous was at Detroit. In July a mob broke up a street meeting at Campus Martius in Detroit. When the prominent patriots of the city heard of it they attended a second meeting, held a few hours later, and by their presence frightened the ringleaders so all subsequent meetings were never disturbed. The colonel was Henry A. Morrow. This regiment was sent to the Army of the East or Potomac and did guard duty at Frederick City, Maryland, for the balance of the year (1862). Colonel Morrow was wounded, but did meritorious service and got to be brigadier general before the war closed and served in the army after I865. The Twenty-fifth regiment was made up of companies that could not be mustered into the six regiments which were required to fill the quota, so it might be called a reserve regiment. It had its rendezvous at Kalamazoo with Orlando H. Moore colonel. It was sent to Louisville, Kentucky. The Twenty-fifth did not take all the surplus companies, so another regiment was formed-the Twenty-sixth. These were not quite enough, so two more companies were recruited to fill the ranks. These units had their rendezvous at Jackson and were sent, December 12, I862, to Alexandria to do provost duty. This was the last regiment raised in 1862 and sent to the seat of war. The year had been a strenuous one for Ingham county and the state of Michigan. All business and other activities seemed to gravitate toward recruiting a large army and sending it to the South. Other states had been active as well but we had in eighteen months recruited and equipped 45,569 men, not including men going to other states. The Michigan contingent in 1862 was largely made up of men who enlisted for three years or to the close of the war. Governor Blair from the beginning was cognizant that it was going to be a long and bloody struggle to overcome the rebellion and that there iwere no three-month volunteers who could end it. The morale of the troops could only be established by large number recruited, placed in receiving camps and drilled by officers who knew something about INGHAM COUNTY 231 the art of war. Until this was done the men who were sent must be obedient and patient and act on the defensive, in fact learn from the enemy something about its methods, and its way of doing things. At the close of 1862, Michigan saw that a draft would be necessary to fill the vacancies caused by loss from casualties in the field and by disease in camp, and for new regiments in case the president called. A draft commission for each county was formed in December, 1862, and Lemuel Woodhouse, of Mason, was appointed commissioner from Ingham county with Dr. Jesse B. Hull examining surgeon. Another commission was also appointed to raise funds for our sick and wounded in Southern army hospitals. Prominent people all over the state gave their time and means to raise this money and see that it was economically spent. In 1863, $20,000 was raised and spent. Twenty-five thousand additional was raised by the patriotic men and women of our state during 1864 and T865. The recruiting in the winter and spring of 1863 went on. To stimulate it the legislature passed the state bounty act, March 3, I863. Every recruit was given fifty dollars in addition to his pay. This was increased in 1864-65. According to official reports Michigan paid $I35,250 in I863. This was to avoid a draft, but it came before the close of the year. The Twenty-seventh regiment was partially raised in the Upper Peninsula, at the same time the Twenty-eighth was being raised at Port Huron. The recruiting was so slow in these two regiments that they were consolidated and mustered into service. April Io, 1863. Two days later it was sent to Kentucky. 1864 The Twenty-eighth regiment was raised later near Marshall. We notice George L. Montgomery, Lansing, was captain of Company F. The Twenty-ninth regiment was raised in the sixth congressional district and mustered into service October 3, 1864. The major of this regiment was Alpheus M. Beebe, of Lansing. Hon. John F. Driggs, of Saginaw, was the organizer. It broke camp and was sent October, I864, to Nashville, Tennessee. The Thirtieth Michigan infantry was ordered recruited by General Joseph Hooker, November 3. I864. to guard the Canadian border. In his order he urged Governor Blair to have it raised and equipped before the Detroit river was frozen over. We notice that George Fowler, of Fowlerville, Michigan, was first lieutenant of Company F. This was the last regiment organized. We will now consider briefly the other divisions of the army raised or recruited in Michigan, the engineers, artillery and cavalry. COLORED TROOPS The colored citizens of our state wrote the secretary of war for permission to raise a regiment. The request was sent to Governor Blair and he gave his consent. It was called the One Hundred and Second regiment, United States colored troops. This regiment was commenced in I863, but was not finished until February, I864. The total number of officers and men was 895. This regiment was sent 232 HISTORIC MICHIGAN to guard the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Florida. They made good soldiers for the malarial regions along the coast. This was Michigan's first experience with colored troops and every man did his duty. ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS The war department authorized one regiment of engineers from Michigan. The governor appointed Gen. Wm. P. Innis, of Grand Rapids, and gave him full power to designate his officers. This officer was a civil engineer and his knowledge was useful and his service beneficial to the government and the state. There were twelve companies in this regiment. It was sent to the Army of the West. When it reported to General McCook the companies were split up into several groups and each group was attached to some division of the Army of the West. January I, I863, Colonel Innes with 315 officers and men was sent to guard bridges in the rear of General Rosencrans' army at the battle of Stone River. Here they were attacked by Confederate cavalry under Gen. Joe Wheeler with an army of three or four thousand. Three times during the battle General Wheeler sent a flag of truce for them to surrender. Three times was the offer declined. This gallant action saved the rear of the army and baggage train. General Rosencrans in his report praised the colonel and his men. Mr. Greely in "American Conflict" recognized the brave defense. In the "Annals of the Army of the Cumberland," the author speaks highly of the conduct and bravery of men and officers. This regiment built bridges, repaired railroads and had full charge of the building of boats to navigate the Cumberland river. The total number of men and officers was 3,200, and losses 349 killed and by disease. A monument is erected on our state capitol lawn to these men. ARTILLERY The First regiment of Michigan light artillery was composed of twelve batteries of six guns. The colonel was C. O. Loomis. By character of service the regiment was never brought together as a regiment. The nucleus was formed before the war and was known as "Coldwater Light Artillery" and was recognized as a part of the state militia. In i861, Captain Lewis of this battery, with 0. B. Clark and other prominent citizens of Coldwater, offered the services of the battery to the government to suppress rebellion, Mr. Clark agreeing to furnish necessary horses, which he did, and was afterwards paid by the state. General Wool accepted the offer as an addition to the quota of Michigan troops. The battery was sent to Detroit, but when it arrived it was ascertained that the government did not want it as the Eastern states had supplied all the batteries the government needed. Governor Blair and others induced the government to recede from its decision and after some delay it did accept its services. This dilatory action on the part of the government caused dissatisfaction in the company and many of the men refused to be mustered. The battery was quickly INGHAM COUNTY 283 reorganized and the officers and men enlisted for three years instead of three months. They wanted to stick to the guns as long as war lasted. It was mustered into service May 28, I86I, with Cyrus O. Loomis as captain. It was sent to West Virginia May 31, I86I, with six brass six-pounders and a complete equipment furnishe:l by the state. This battery was constantly employed in scouting and was always sent with the advance army to prevent enemy forces taking a position to attack. For its boldness and effective service the Confederate generals hated and feared it and did all they could to annihilate this battery. In February, 1862, it was the efficient work of this battery that caused the enemy to evacuate Bowling Green, Kentucky, the western Manassas of the Confederacy. October 8th it saved the right wing of the northern army. It fired the first and last shots of this engagement. Loomis was ordered to hold his position as long as possible, then spike the guns and save his men. He declined, said he would hold on and if captured preferred to be taken with his guns. With heavy loss of men and horses he succeeded in bringing all the guns when he retreated. At the sanguinary battle of Stone River this battery held the key to General Rosecrans' position. For his bravery and service in this battle Loomis was praised by Mr. Greely, who wrote the "Rebellion Record". At Chickamauga, September 19, I863, the enemy tried hard to capture this battery and did capture all but one gun. The officers and men mourned this loss. There seems to be a love for a piece of artillery, that has been useful and effective, which the horrors of war can't destroy. These old veterans clung to this one gun saved, like a mother to a saved child. They did not mourn long for one was recaptured the same day and in the morning they found two more had been taken from the enemy. These recaptured guns had been rendered unfit for service by the enemy. General Rosecrans recognized the service, thought the battery should have a furlough, so ordered it to Chattanooga. ORGANIZATION OF BATTERIES Battery E.-This battery was recruited at Marshall and in December, T86T, was sent to the Army of the West, did some scouting, but was kept as a reserve battery. Battery F.-This was the third battery organized at Coldwater and was sent as others to Kentucky. It did about the same duty as the others. Battery G.-This was another battery from Branch county with rendezvous at Coldwater. This is known as the Lamphere battery. It left the state in February, 1862, and was sent to Kentucky. It did service mostly in Mississippi near the coast. Battery H.-This was raised in Monroe county and was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, and served under General Hallock in the Mississippi valley. Battery I.-Organized at Detroit. We notice its equipment was four parrots and two howitzers. It was a reserve artillery of the Army of the Cumberland. 234 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Battery K.-This was another Grand Rapids battery. It entered service rather late in February, 1863. It was also assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and was used as a reserve. Four detachments were detailed for service. Battery L.-This was another battery from Coldwater. It left the state in 1863 and went to Kentucky. One section assisted in the capture of Morgan and did garrison duty at Knoxville, Tennessee. Battery M.-This was recruited at Mount Clemens. It was sent to Indianapolis in July, but came back as its service was not needed then. In September it went to Kentucky and was held in reserve with few engagements. This completes the twelve batteries of the First regiment of artillery. There was an independent battery formed in Grand Rapids that was mustered into service in I864. After the assassination of President Lincoln it assisted in the capture of Harold and Mudd. Another was the Fourteenth, organized at Kalamazoo, which entered government service in i861.. It served in and near W\ashington, D. C. CAVALRY History seems to have recorded that a mounted soldier is more efficient, can fight to better advantage with more safety to himself and can act as a bodyguard to his brother, the foot soldier, and if surrounded by the enemy, fight his way out and retreat in safety to the rear. The expense of equipment of a mounted soldier prevents officers and war boards from using this efficient arm of an advancing army. In wars where they have to use cavalry the governments make the officers and those who can afford this extra equipment pay for it out of their own pockets. From the reports of the United States quartermaster general's department the government paid Michigan during the war for 33,050 horses, amounting to $3,667,252 and for forage $331,697. This does not include the horses that private individuals used or gave to their friends. The early pioneers rode horseback. They could only travel that way or on foot on the narrow roads and Indian trails. The southern counties were noted for saddle horses. Our forebears from Ohio and Indiana had brought into the state the offspring of sires from Kentucky and Tennessee. The noted horse that Gen. Phil Sheridan used on his ride to save Winchester and stop the Southern raid was raised in St. Clair county, this state. The horse General Baker rode through many engagements can be seen at the museum. The horse lived many years after the war and when he died a taxidermist secured the hide and mounted it. Lovers of the horse can picture or dream what this old effigy was in war time. Forty years ago doctors and ministers made their calls on horseback. We well remember Doctor Palmer, dean of the medical department of the University of Michigan visiting his patients about the city on a high-bred chestnut horse. We also remember an old-fashioned minister who used to ride his circuit. Many times we have watched him pass the old homestead, observed his preoccupied countenance, his lips which were silently moving, rehearsing the sermon he was going to deliver to his waiting con INGHAM COUNTY 235 gregation. His horse seemed to catch the spirit of the occasion and move in a slow pace until it was finished, when his rider pulled on slack reins and his horse would break into a brisk trot to get to the end of the journey. FIRST MICHIGAN CAVALRY The First cavalry was recruited at Camp Lyons, near Detroit, and was mustered into service September 13, I86I. It had I,144 men and officers. The colonel was Thornton F. Broadhead, of Grosse Isle. Most all the officers were from the vicinity of Detroit. It was sent to Frederick, Maryland, where it spent the winter of I86I and I862 in camp. After General McClellan was given command of the Army of the Potomac General Banks was placed in command of an army north of the Potomac, ordered to cross the river at Harper's Ferry, make a raid down the Shenandoah valley and cut off all communication of the enemy's capital in the rear or west. The First Michigan was ordered to help him in this raid. In February, I862, they crossed the river and commenced to scout in the valley, making their attacks in the vicinity of Winchester. Stonewall Jackson's small force had to retire, but by so doing laid a trap to cut off this. or Banks' army, by using the hills to march his army on one side and get in the rear or between it and Harper's Ferry. General Banks' army was not large. He had to place it on an extended line reaching from Washington via Manassas Junction to the valley of the Shenandoah. He was also deceived by the Jackson retreat, thought Jackson was too prudent and did not have men enough to make an attack. March 23, 1862, his army in the vicinity of Strasburg was attacked by Jackson's army, 20,000 strong, with cavalry and sixty pieces of artillery. Opposing them the portion of Banks' army was only about five thousand, including cavalry, with sixteen pieces of artillery. The Michigan First cavalry did heroic work in stopping the advance and protecting the rear. General Banks, in his report of this engagement, speaks of the bravery of the Michigan men. A General Taylor, of the Confederate cavalry, in his report said the Yankees had to be strapped on their horses and wore breast plates for protection as they did in olden times. After the battle of Strasburg this regiment was sent to do scouting for General Pope. At Orange Courthouse and Cedar Mountain it did its work, but Banks was defeated at Cedar Mountain by the superior force of Jackson, Ewell and A. P. Hill. Banks had to retreat to Manassas Junction, where in August the second battle of Bull Run was fought. In this battle General Broadhead was mortally wounded and died. In 1863 the regiment was engaged in guard duty near Washington. Out of 3.244 officers and men ten officers were killed and nearly 400 died of wounds and disease. FIFTH CAVALRY This was raised under authority of the war department and Detroit was the meeting place. Joseph T. Copeman was colonel. It was mustered in I862. 236 HISTORIC MICHIGAN SIXTH CAVALRY Was organized at Grand Rapids under permit of the war department to Hon. F. W. Kellogg, member of congress. In the Sixth we notice a second lieutenant in Company D named Horace B. Rodgers who was from Lansing. SEVENTI CAVALRY Was formed in the same place by the same authority in 1863. SECOND REGIMENT OF MICHIGAN CAVALRY This regiment was organized by Hon. T. W. Kellogg, of Grand Rapids, on approval of the secretary of war and governor. Recruiting was completed in October, I86I. Men and officers numbered 1,163. Command left for St. Louis, Mo., November 14, I86I, and the commander was Colonel W. C. Davis. During 1862 and 1863 it was scouting in Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, and took part in the Battle of Pittsburg Landing under the leadership of Colonel Granger, but after the colonel was made brigadier-general, Capt. Phil H. Sheridan was appointed to his place. When Sheridan was made brigadier-general and went east to the Army of the Potomac, A. P. Campbell took his place. They were with General Rosencrans at Chickamauga in 1863. May I, I865, it was stationed at Macon, Georgia. In August, I865, it came back to Jackson and was mustered out. The Third Michigan was organized at the same place and bv the same man as the Second cavalry. When it was mustered in, it was sent to the Army of the WVest. Most of the service in I86I was in states west of the Mississippi river. F. W. Kellogg was appointed colonel of the regiment, but did not receive a commission from the state or the consent of Governor Blair. Soon after appointment he was mustered out of service, and Lieutena'nt-Colonel Minty was placed in command of the regiment. In March, 1862, Captain John K. Mezner, United States army, was commissioned by the governor, colonel of the regiment and assumed command. It moved with General Pope's command and did scouting for both Pope and Grant in Tennessee and northern Mississippi. In November, 1862, lines of communications between General Grant at La Grange and General Sherman at Memphis were cut. Regiments of cavalry tried to open the way, but Company K, Third Michigan cavalry, carried the messages and united the lines. During 1863 the regiment was on the move, scouting for the Army of the West in Mississippi and Tennessee, in fact preparing a way for Sherman's march to the sea in I864. In January, I864, a re-enlistment took place in Tennessee and 592 men re-enlisted and mustered in as veteran volunteers. In March the whole regiment was reorganized (Third Michigan cavalry), with Colonel Mezner as commander, and sent west into Arkansas. In November, 1864, and January, 1865, it did garrison duty in INGHAM COUNTY 237 Arkansas and the southwest. While in the southwest it was part of the First brigade, First cavalry division of the Gulf. In I866 it returned to Jackson, Michigan, and was mustered out of service. FOURTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY This regiment was raised in Detroit. Colonel R. H. G. Minty, lieutenant-colonel of the Third regiment, was appointed colonel. It left the state in August, 1862, with 1,233 men and officers. It was sent to Kentucky where Morgan's cavalry was its chief opponent. A detail for picket duty under Captain Abeel was surprised and captured by the enemy on Murfreesburg pike. The several companies of this regiment were brigaded with Kentucky cavalry and did heroic service in and around Murfreesboro in I863. Of all the cavalry regiments this one saw the most active duty and its reports are among the best in the whole army history. Colo'nel Minty called attention of the commanding general of the army to the gallant conduct of officers of this regiment at the Battle of Chickamauga. At a bridge (Reed's) it held the enemy for days from crossing the Tennessee river. The Confederate general, Joe Wheeler, found the men fearless riders and bold whenever he met them. In I864 the various divisions were with Sherman in his march to the sea. The division under General Kilpatrick was noted for its bravery and quick action. In an action a corporal with twenty-three men was attacked by General Joe Wheeler with a force of 8,000, but would not surrender and made a safe retreat. In October, I864, the regiment was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, for re-organization. It was sent back into the Armv of the West. On May 7, I865, this regiment was sent to pursue and capture Jefferson Davis and his party who had fled from Richmond, south. (n May Io, I865, one hundred and fifty-three of the best mounted men in the regiment surrounded the camp of the Davis family in a woods a few miles from Irwinsville, Georgia, a'nd at daylight the members became prisoners of war. This regiment captured four pieces of artillery buried in a cemetery at Macon, Georgia. These guns are in the armory at Lansing. July I, I865, it was mustered out of service and the men paid( at Nashville. EIIG-ITH MICHIGAN CAVALRY This was a Mount Clemens regiment. It was late in getting into service, mustered in May, 1863, with I,I17 men and officers. The colonel was John Stockton,of Mount Clemens. It was sent to check General Morgan's raids into Ohio and Kentucky. Morgan was finally captured near Salineville, Ohio. Major N. S. Boynton, of "Maccabee" fame, was at this final capture, July, I863. After the capture of Morgan this regiment was attacked by a force of I5,ooo under Forest and Wheeler, but made such a stubborn resistence that the enemy retreated. In 1864 the regiment was surrounded by the enemy while making a raid near Macon, Georgia, and lost in prisoners 215 men and officers. The portion that escaped were employed as ferry pickets in the South and tried to prevent General Hood from entering Kentucky. The last 238 HISTORIC MICHIGAN two weeks' service in the field in 1864 were filled with hardships. The regiment was mustered out in September, I865. NINTH MICI-GI(AN CAV\I,RY Organized at Coldwater in the fall of 1862. This was an offspring of the First regiment. It took part in the Battle of Gettysburg. It was split up into several detachments and used as scouts and helped in capturing Morgan. It was an exception to other cavalry regiments from Michigan as it was the only one which had the honor of marching wtih General Sherman's army to the ocean. TENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY This was another Grand Rapids regiment. It, like the Ninth, was late in recruiting and did not enter the service until November, 1863. In the campaign of I864 this regiment was constantly engaged in scouti'ng in eastern Tennessee. Some special duty men and convalescents in a garrison at Strawberry Plains were attacked by a large force under command of General Wheeler, but made a successful defense and saved the garrison and bridge across the Holston river. A large Confederate army attacked eight men who were guarding McMillan's ford on the Holston river. They were captured, made prisoners and later paroled. General Wheeler of the Confederate cavalry asked the leader, a farrier from Company B, named Alex -I. Griggs, of Greenfield, Wayne county, Michigan, the following questions: General Wheeler-"My man, how many men did you have at the ford?" Griggs-"Seven, sir." General Wheeler-"My poor fellow you are wounded and confused, but tell me the truth." Griggs-"I am telling you the truth. We only had seven men." General Wheeler-"What did you expect to do?" Griggs-"Keep you from crossing." General Wheeler-"Well you didn't do it." Griggs-"We did until I was wounded, then our force was weakened so we could not prevent it." General Wheeler-"Are all the men in the Tenth Michigan cavalry like you fellows?" Griggs-"No, we are the poorest of the lot. We are horse farriers and blacksmiths and not accustomed to fighting." General Wheeler-"Well if I had three hundred such men as you I could march straight through h-l." In I899 we were in Detroit attending a national meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution. General Joseph Wheeler was one of the delegates. During a boat ride two subordinate officers recognized the general and were bold enough to introduce themselves. They approached the general a'nd the following conversation took place: Officer on boat-"How are you, General Joe?" INGHAM COUNTY 239 General Wheeler-"Quite well, but you have the advantage of me. I don't recognize you!" Officer-"Well, we belonged to the Tenth Michigan cavalry and met several times during the war. Sometimes to your disadvantage." General Wheeler-"Well I am glad to meet you again for I always knew all boys in the Tenth Michigan cavalry to be good fighters and fi'ne gentlemen." These two men chatted for some time and parted the best of friends. The latter part of 1864 and the winter of i865 this regiment remained near Knoxville. In the spring of I865 it joined the army under General Stoneman in North Carolina. After Stoneman's raid it returned to east Tennessee. During the pursuit of Jefferson Davis it did guard duty at Lenoie Station and Sweetwater. In November, I865, it was mustered out of service and returned to Michigan on November 15, I865. ELEVENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY This last regiment of cavalry was recruited at Kalamazoo. It was mustered in service in December, I863. Colonel Simeon B. Brown, of St. Clair, was commander. In Company K the first lieutenant was James Ward, of Lansing. The regiment was ordered to Kentucky, December 22, 1863. In the latter part of 1864 it was kept busy in clearing a section of Kentucky and Tennessee of guerrillas. In January, I865, it was stationed at Lexington. Kentucky. In the spring of 1865 it formed part of Stoneman's expedition through east Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Georgia. In July it was consolidated with the Eighth Michigan cavalry. Michigan should be proud of her cavalry. It did its work in a creditable way and with great bravery. Many soldiers from Ingham county speak of this branch of service with pride. Besides these eleven regiments there were four companies organized that joined a regiment in Missouri, "Merrill Horse.' or the Second Missouri cavalry. The Lancer regiment, from Canada, was composed of a fine body of men principally from Canada. It was raised in 1862, an(l commanded by Colonel Arthur Rankin, of Windsor. It was disbanded by order of the war department contrary to protests of Governor Blair, who wanted it to serve. Chandler Horse Guard of Coldwater. Major Hughes recruited four companies, but on account of some irregularities it was disbanded before it left the state. CONCLUSION Michigan furnished during the four years a total of 90,747 men. This was a good showing for a new state that had only been in the Union twenty-four years (I837-I86I). Ihgham county furnished 2,097 men. There is no official record of any navy recruits from Ingham county. The official record is as follows: 240 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Number enlisted, 2,097; number drafted, 122; number excused from draft, 51. Population of county in 1860 was I7,456. Population of Lansing in 1863 was.4,ooo. Value of real estate in I86o was $6,Io6,798.00 (for the whole cou'nty). Ingham county's aggregate expenses for five years, 186I to I866, was $203.985.0o. For relief of soldiers' families from I86I to 1867 there was spent $II0,547.25. The relief to families which expected private relief from relatives and friends is not as large as in other counties, but we did our share in lifting the burden. Henry Crape, of Flint, was elected governor at the election of I864, and Governor Blair retired to private life after four years of strenuous service. In his farewell address to the legislature in January, 1865, he gave his soldier boys to his successor in a very patriotic, courageous address. His predecessor, Governor Wisner, enlisted, and died in a Southern hospital. The greatest loss, both for Michigan and Ingham county, was at Gettysburg. State and county's loss was 3,559 men and officers. Numerically Michigan and Ingham county was third in mortality of this decisive battle. In proportion to population it was first in this great sacrifice. FORMATION OF MICHIGAN CAVALRY BRIGADE The government at Washington formed this brigade by reorganizing and consolidating the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and after a time the First, under one commander. This was done to make the cavalry mbre efficient and get a uniform report of service. General George A. Custer was afterwards appointed commander. The war board at Washington knew that Gen. Robert Lee, commander of the Confederate army, was going to make an invasion into the North and try to capture Washington. General McClellan's failure, his successor, General Hooker's subsequent failure as commander, General Banks' retreat from the valley of the Shenandoah cast a gloom on the northern Army of the Potomac, but had given the Southern army under General Lee an inspiration that it might win. GENERAL LEE'S INVASION AND THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG What was General Lee's plan that was approved by Jefferson Davis and the general's staff? First, to make a demonstration against Washington from the south. Second, plans called for forced marches, sending the main army down the Shenandoah valley, across the Potomac river at Harper's Ferry, then north through the valleys west and parallel to the Blue Ridge mountains until they got into Pennsylvania. From there turn east through some natural pass in the mountains, then south, and threaten Baltimore if the Union forces concentrated too much on their advance. Another was to outflank them and get to Washington on the north, which had fortifications and a defending army to stop them. General Mead had taken the place of Banks as commander-in-chief. He knew a counter invasion into Virginia would INGHAM COUNTY 241 place the capital of the Confederacy at his mercy, but the people and war board wanted him to stop Lee and capture and destroy his army before he got to New York City or Canada. Michigan's First cavalry brigade was sent with General Hooker to scout in Pennsylvania and report to headquarters. Copeman's command arrived at Gettysburg June 28, 1863. This was the first Union army to arrive there. The commander found that one corps of Lee's army under General Early had arrived and passed through and was on the way to York. Copeman's command rested and passed the night at Gettysburg, knowing that General Longstreet's corps was following Early and his command was in jeopardy of being captured by the two corps of the Confederate army. By doing this he was relieved of his command the next day and General Alger was placed in command of the Fifth Michigan cavalry. General Joe Hooker was superseded by General Mead. This with the Sixth Michigan cavalry was finally united under General Custer. General Copeman, while his command rested at Gettysburg on the night of June 28, went back to Frederick to report to his commander, General Stahl. On his way back he met General Reynolds, who, with two corps (First and Eleventh) of the Union army, was marching to Gettysburg. General Early turned back on his way to York and occupied the village, repulsing the army under Reynolds. Reynolds was killed in this battle, or skirmish and the main army under Lee had time to catch up with the other two divisions. July I, these two great armies were encamped around Gettysburg, The Michigan cavalry under Copeman and Custer had (lone their work in protecting the advance of Union forces and cutting off and taking prisoner of stragglers from the Confederate army. They had helped stop the advance of Lee's army and brought face to face the two great armed forces which were going to fight the decisive battle of the great Civil war. BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG Sixty-one years have passed, on July I, 1924, since this great decisive battle was fought. Many who took part in this three-day engagement are dead. Only a few who are left can recall from memory the great struggle, the suffering and suspense of those terrible days. History records another great battle that lasted three days on the plains of Poitiers in France which decided whether Europe should be ruled by the followers of Mohammed or by the followers of the cross, so this great battle decided the question whether we should be ruled by the stars and bars of the Confederacy or the stars and stripes of a union, "one and inseparable." The Michigan troops, infantry, artillery and cavalry, did their part in winning this great victory. A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION —HOSPITALS This body of women and men were from different churches. It was organized to look after wounded and sick soldiers and unsanitary conditions in army hospitals in the South. The funds and supplies were 3-16 242 HISTORIC MICHIGAN dispensed by their own agents or those appointed by the commission. The government did not handle either.money or supplies as it was more than rushed during the last two years of the war to supply surgeons and nurses to serve in the army hospitals. Those who served worked without pay for six weeks before they were relieved. These Good Samaritans dispensed, after the Battle of Gettysburg, $21,725.20, with an additional $Io,ooo in supplies. There were fifty-seven delegates in this commission who served six weeks. A ladies' aid society of Kalamazoo held a large sanitary fair. The building was decorated with flags from the battlefields to remind the visitors we were preventing disunion at a great sacrifice. Temporary hospitals were established in all cities where regiments were i'n rendezvous or were organized. HARPER HOSPITAL The largest army hospital in Michigan was organized in Detroit in 1863. Colonel Charles S. Tripler, medical director stationed at Detroit, influenced by Governor Blair and military authorities of the state and ably assisted by Dr. David 0. Farrand, assistant surgeou United States army, and Colonel George W. Lee, after annoying delays, got an order from the secretary of war to erect a general hospital in Detroit. The hospital was commenced in I864 under superintendence of Colonel Lee, chief quartermaster in Michigan. Eleven one-story wooden buildings were erected on Martin Place, with capacity of eight hundred patients. The cost of buildings was $60,ooo. This was more money than was usually spent on a general hospital, and the extra cost was for a supericr water supply, better drainage and ventilation. It was the best army hospital in the West. Dr. David 0. Farrand was superintendent during I864 and 1865, and was transferred to a hospital at Fort Wayne. After his term of service he opened an office on West Fort street, in Detroit, and had a large private practice until his death. He not only served the government and state, but trained several students among his patrons and friends who afterward became noted physicians, among them Drs. H. W. Longyear, Tappey, Sherrill and others. James Harper and Nancy Martin were the Good Samaritans who gave the government the land on Martin Place for the hospital. They were of Irish descent. For years they had been partners in a truck garden and sold truck in a stall in Central market on Cadillac Square, Detroit. Neither had children and so their.earnings went into land in and about the city. Aunt Nancy's sympathies were with the convalescent and sick soldiers who came from the army camps and hospitals in the South. She spent most of her earnings and time in individual relief work at depots and docks in the city during 1862 and 1863. DEVELOPMENT AFTER WAR The fact that Ingham county and the capital city are not credited with any complete regiment of state troops is due to lack of transportation. We could not move a large body of men except by stage lines INGHAM COUNTY 243 and private conveyance. The short spur line railroad with one train a day was no help, as the soldiers went South instead of North. The first troops sent out in 186I did not have this railroad transportation, as the road was not finished until the fall of I862. Telegraph connection was nearly as bad. Governor Blair had to make his headquarters in Detroit the first two years of the war, as there was no telegraph line to the capital until I862 or 1863. Even the capitol building itself proved too small for the vast army of clerks to do the war business. The hotels were few, hastily built and inconvenient. The old wooden hotel occupying the same site as the Hotel Downey today, burned the second year of the war and had not been rebuilt. The old Seymour house at North Lansing was doing well and had a good patronage during the war under three or four landlords. The old yellow hotel occupying the same ground as Rikerd's Lumber company today did a fair business with patrons of the "Detroit, Howell and Lansing Plank Road." From the above mentioned inconveniences of our capitol building and city, the old cry about moving the capital to some other place was renewed. In order to quiet discussion, the business men in our city and representatives in the legislature and congress helped by introducing bills to build a new capitol building, newe railroads and other needed improvements. The first railroad built was to extend, in I866. the "Old Ram's Horn" to Jackson. By doing this it gave us railroad connections north and south. The next railroad built was the Ionia and Lansing. James Turner, Sr., assisted by H. H. Smith and James F. Joy, of Detroit, was the company that built this road. The same company built the eastern extension of the Ionia and La'nsing railroad, and it was named the Detroit, Lansing & Northern, as it not only connected the railroads north of Ionia with the east, but it gave Lansing or the capital city, a direct connection with Detroit and Grand Rapids. In 1871 Lansing had a railroad communication with all the larger cities of the state. Where it took fifteen years to get a railroad to Lansing (1847-1862) before the war, it only took six years (1865-187I) to get three railroads to our city, or a branch or new road was built every two years. Ingham county and our capital city were not exceptions in those days. Other counties and cities in our state were as anxious;nd eager to get railroads and railroad transportation. The legislature of I867-1869-I871 and I873 was flooded with bills and petitions for charters for railroads. During the above sessions thirteen different bills were presented from as many companies to enter Lansing with; new railroad. The method of furnishing capital to build these railroads, that is, cities furnishing a certain amount, farmers buying stock in road, and where railroad was built through state land, have state grant company so many sections of wild lands to construct same, was not much used in Ingham county after the war. Most all of the railroads through the county, after I866, were financed by money from the East. Eastern capitalists who had made some money during the war were eager to 244 HISTORIC MICHIGAN invest it in Western railroads. The period from I866 to I880 was a period of railroad building and expansion all over the United States. It was also a period of speculation and financial ruin to many. During the period of railroad building the plank roads were paralleled by steam roads, lost their trade and surrendered their charters to the state because the tolls did not pay expenses. The county and township roads were improved some, but improvements were not uniform and services rendered township commissioners were not good or very efficient. These rural roads continued until 1909, when a new method of transportation came in and the old township system of building and repairing highways was laid aside. James Turner and Hiram H. Smith, who built the old Plank road to Howell in 1853, were contractors for the same number of miles of railroad between the same places. Mr. Turner never lived to see the completion of the road. He died quite suddenly in I868. His partner, H. H. Smith, finished the contract in 1871, and retired from business. Mr. Smith, after his retirement, removed to Jackson, where he died in 1885. CHAPTER XVIII CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS BAPTIST CHURCH IN LANSING There were three different Baptist societies formed in Lansing in 1848. This was when the pioneer capital was a year old. The first Baptist society was organized April I, 1848, at the home of Robert Derry and the following trustees were elected: E. Canfield, S. S. Carter, T. L. Taylor, E. S. Tooker, T. W. Merril and D. P. Quackenbush. E. S. Tooker was grandfather of Edward Tooker, deceased, of North Lansing. D. P. Quackenbush was also a missionary minister who took Mr. Tooker's place. He held services at the first church built on Wall street. This society in I855 built a church on the corner of Capitol avenue and Ionia street, the present site of the Universalist church. The second Baptist church was the Freewill Baptist. It was organized at the home of Richard Walton. Lorenzo Quackenbush, David Groome, Warren Briggs, O. F. Olas, Nathaniel (Than) Glassbrook, and Richard Walton were named trustees. They held meetings at various places in "Middle Town" and in a few years built a church on the corner of West Kalamazoo street and Capitol avenue. This was afterwards sold to the Odd Fellows and used as lodge quarters until they moved. Then the church was wrecked and an automobile garage now occupies the site. A few years after the First Baptist congregation commenced to build the present church on North Capitol, a branch church was erected on North Pennsylvania avenue. The third Baptist society that was organized, October 3, 1848, either joined the other two or after one or two years died from want of members or funds to build a church. We cannot find any history subsequent to its organization. We were personally acquainted with Than Glassbrook and his family. He married Elder Tooker's daughter and had a large family. Mr. Glassbrook was a workman in the pioneer foundry at North Lansing and afterwards he became the proprietor of it. For years he was a member of the fire department, being engineer of steamer No. 2 at North Lansing. He moved to Kentucky in I880 and Lansing lost an industrious citizen and the church a great worker. The Baptist church societies, social and charitable, compare favorably with similar societies in other denominations. From three weak, pioneer societies has grown one large strong church, a large congregation and four branches. The Baptist church work is most democratic. It does not specialize on any one activity, but gives service in all lines. When the Baptists meet for worship, they welcome the stranger and unbeliever and try to make his hour of attendance as pleasant as for one of their own members. 246 HISTORIC MICHIGAN When the different pioneer Baptist churches united to build the large church on North Capitol avenue, church rules were modified and members of different denominations united to make the membership large enough to support a minister and pay running expenses. Dr. Price was pastor for a number of years. He was a scholar, hard worker and strong organizer. His specialty was Y. M. C. A. work and before and during the World war filled places in the highest offices in that organization. He became so interested in work among our troops that he resigned his pastorate and devoted all his time to Y. M. C. A. work. He also became interested in charity work in our city and helped the struggling Associated Charities develop a plan of action and helpful methods of relief. CATHOLIC CHTRCII IN LANSIN(G There were Catholics among the pioneers in our county and city. In the county, especially in Bunkerhill and White Oak townships, there were quite a number of Irish Catholics and the first Catholic services were held in Bunkerhill before Lansing was founded. The Catholics who settled in our city in 1847 and I848 were weak in numbers and all their earnings went to support their families and pay for their homes, so they had to be content with occasional visits from a missionary priest sent by the bishop at Detroit. In I86o or 186I this group had increased by immigration so some of the leading ones sent an appeal to the bishop for a priest to form a parish and build a church (I86o). The first priest sent was not successful and left. After an interval of one or two years Father Van Dress, a Belgian priest, came (I862 or 1863). Father Van Dress was a young man, a great worker and good financier. His first work after his arrival was to get acquainted with his people and the citizens of our city. He not only got acquainted with them but was respected by all with whom he had dealings. In a short time he built a commodious brick church on North Chestnut street and was instrumental in having chapels built in Woodhill township, Clinton county, and Bunkerhill township, our county. In a few years after the church was built the congregation which attended it was among the largest in our city. When he held services in the country he drove a small pony to an open buggy. Father Van Dress and his pony were seen in all kinds of weather going to and from the distant churches. In his business dealings he was a good buyer and paid the cash. Business men of other denominations liked to deal with him. He was an investor in real estate and showed sound judgment and wise discernment in his movements regarding the future needs and location of the church, also the growth of the city. After his residence was built, he used it for a schoolroom for the children of the parish. In a few years his house became too small to accommodate the pupils, so he persuaded the members to build a parish school building, thus establishing the first parish, or parochial, school in the city. To assist him in his teaching, some sisters were sent as instructors. This school was well attended and some of our best business men INGHAM COUNTY 247 were pupils. After thirty years of hard work in the parish, Father Van Dress was relieved and sent to a theological school in Ohio. While there he was instructor to the young men in the convent school. He left many friends in our city. They were from all classes and denominations. Some of the oldest pioneers speak of him with respect, and wonder how he did all his work in the church, in society and among the business men of our city. Father Slattery succeeded Father Van Dress, but only remained a short time, when he was sent to another parish. Father Brancheau, a French priest, was sent to fill the vacancy. This man, like Father Van Dress, was a great worker and he worked hard to build up the parish, to promote harmony among the members and to provide a new, up-to-date school building on North Walnut street. During his ministry the old church building with the school was sold and the present large commodious church on North Seymore street was built. While it was being built the school chapel was used for church purposes. Father Brancheau worked hard among the workmen when building this church and financed it so that all were paid and when it was dedicated there were no unpaid bills or indebtedness against it. Shortly after the dedication Father Brancheau died, respected and loved by all. Father O'Rafferty is the present priest and for the past three years has been actively engaged in parish work and educational work in the parish school and has been helping the Sisters of Mercy to build the new St. Lawrence hospital. This church some years ago tried to establish a hospital in the old Daniel L. Case residence (Judge Wiest's home on North Washington avenue), but did not receive much patronage, so it was given up. The present hospital was endowed by the late Lawrence Price, but before his death, or in I918, Dr. Lang's private hospital at the north end of Washington avenue was rented by the church and the Sisters were placed in charge of the institution. The church has grown in membership since the city has increased in population, so that now there are two chapels, one on Barnes avenue, St. Casimir, under charge of Father Szyboiwsz, and another on East Michigan avenue, the Church of the Resurrection, with Father Gabriel as pastor. This church was, in pioneer times, slow in starting, but has made rapid progress. CONGREGATIONAL CIIRCII IN L.\NSIN(; AND ING(HAM COUNTY This church originated in the Puritan church of New England. At the time this church was formed the Presbyterian church was started to do the same work, only in a different way. The difference was in church organization. The Presbyterian organization grouped members into local congregations, subject to an elder, presbytery, synod, and general assembly. The Congregational church is an association of independent, equal, 248 HISTORIC MICHIGAN fraternal, self-complete and self-governed believers, who assert that all ecclesiastical power resides in the individual memberships of local churches or assemblies. They recognize Christ as the head of the church and the bishops and deacons as His servants. The early Baptists had rules similar to the Presbyterians and Congregationalists. It is difficult for the historian to decide which of the three has the best government. The first societies of this church in the Northwest territory were too small to build a church or support a minister, so joined the Presbyterians or Baptists and were lost in the stronger organizations. Like the pure democracy in our civil government this pure ecclesiastical democracy did not thrive in the northwest. Missionaries from the East worked hard, endured all kinds of hardships and privation to plant the seeds in the woods of Michigan, watch them germinate and take on growth which was often overshadowed by stronger dogmas more suitable to the people and environment, then wither and die. We have a record of the formation of a church society of this denomination in 1846 or one year before the capital was located here. It was small and so could not build a church. In the seventies, Rev. Mr. Prudden was sent to Lansing to gather the members together, who were worshiping in other churches of different denominations, build a church and place the society on a permanent financial foundation. After laboring for some time he finally succeeded in establishing the church and raised funds for the building of the present church home on West Allegan street. Rev. Mr. Prudden worked hard to get the scattered Congregationalists interested in a church. They thought among the older established churches they would not get much of a following; also that the cost of a separate society and church would be too heavy on the members. When they did raise the money for the purchase of a site, another church society nearly got it away from them and it was only by a gift from the East that they came in possession of their goal. From this church and church society have sprung two other thriving societies and churches, Pilgrim, on South Penn avenue, and Mayflower, on West St. Joseph street. The first society named its church Plymouth. The names of these churches show their Puritan origin and indicate that like the original Puritans they have come to stay, finding a lasting place in our city and state. The ministers of this church are, as a rule, as well educated, as zealous, and progressive as other denominations. They seem to have the ability of presenting to their congregations the problems of everyday life And interpreting them and endeavoring to solve them by simple rules, not dogma or helpless dependence upon the Great Creator. We can see in this offspring of the old Puritan church. a growing, progressive infant that does not call for the stern methods of its parents. Religion and religious instruction for the past fifty years INGHAM COUNTY 249 have become not a rod of correction but a firm, gentle hand that leads into green pastures, not deserts. PIONEER GERMAiNS AND LUTHIERAN CHURCH Among the pioneers of 1847 and 1848 were a number of Germans. They were ideal pioneers as they were industrious, frugal and honest. They represented all walks or stations in society from the common laborer to skilled workman, merchant to professional man and artist. Some of their children and grandchildren reside in our city today and occupy positions of trust and are respected and esteemed by all. These descendants are enjoying the property and wealth their forebears, with sacrifice and hard work, accumulated, and are adding to the same by safe investments of their savings. They are home makers and some of our fine residences, churches and stores which add to the appearance of our city are results of their efforts and careful planning. Where they have settled in rural districts we find productive farms and prosperous farmers. We will mention some of these Germans who settled in our city. Those we remember were those who bought homes in North Lansing. Jacob and Gottlieb Berner were brothers. They were blacksmiths and wagon makers and had a shop on the south side of East Franklin avenue. A branch of the American State Savings bank now occupies this place. These brothers did a large business until they separated. Bauley Brothers had a similar business on the west side of Center street north of East Franklin avenue. Part of their building can be seen today. Mr. Straugh was a butcher and had a meat market on Center street between Wall street and Franklin. Mr. Breisch and sons were also market men and had a meat market up town. Mr. Walter was a grocer and his place of business was on East Franklin avenue. The Rikerd lumber office occupies this site now. The Engleharts had a grocery on the corner of Center and Franklin avenue where the Hotel Digby is today. Mr. Sadler had a grocery in the same building on Franklin where a restaurant is now located. L. Sadler, his son, owns this building. The Yeiters and Weimanns were brewers. Mr. Troster was a gunsmith and had a shop and salesroom on North Washington avenue near Daniel Buck's furniture store. Rapp brothers were farmers and lived on the corner of West Saginaw and North Logan streets. Mr. Blacius was a plasterer and bricklayer and his, John, became a successful contractor and now resides on South Larch street. Mr. Sendlinger carved out a home for his large family on Seymore street west of the old Lutheran church. Mr. Eckstein was a merchant and had a store in Upper Town. When the central part of our city began to develop in the seventies, Mr. Frederick Thoman built his large gristmill on North Grand avenue which his son manages now. Fred Shuble built a blacksmith shop just west of Mr. Thoman's mill. He afterwards built a store in the front of the shop on North Washington avenue, sold his shop and became a shoe merchant. His sons are in the same business 250 HISTORIC MICHIGAN place today. One of his boys became a soldier in the Home Guards, was promoted to captain, served with distinction in the SpanishAmerican war and came home a colonel when the war ended. Mr. Hermann and his sons started in the custom tailoring business just north of Mr. Shuble's shoe store. From a small beginning this has become the largest in central Michigan. Across Washington avenue we find the large hardware store of the late Jacob Stahl. Mr. Stahl worked hard to establish this up-todate hardware store. He added a toy department which was the finest in our city. Most of his stock he bought direct and made his own selections from manufacturers in Germany. He always enjoyed these business trips to the Fatherland. He had formed the habit of being in his store and office at 5 a. m. to set the wheels of trade in motion and when he partially retired from active business he did not give up this habit. Some of his employees were lectured, some discharged, for not being punctual in the morning. He believed in the old German proverb, "The morning hour is a golden dower." LUTHERAN CHURCH Most of the early Germans were Lutherans. In 1853 or 1854 they formed a church society and built a large frame church on the northeast corner of Seymore and West Kilbourn streets; also a minister's residence on the southwest corner of the same streets. Members of the church society worked hard to erect and pay for this building. There were no wealthy men in their congregation. Those who could not give money worked with workmen or donated material. The membership grew rapidly until I87I, when disagreement over some principle of church government divided the members. Part of them withdrew from the church, bought a lot on West Saginaw street and buiit a brick church. In a few years a parochial school building was erected near the church. The old church continued to grow. A flourishing parish school was established. Since I9IO a large stone church has been built on the corner of North Capitol avenue and West Kilbourn street. This church has a large membership which is increasing every year. For over fifty years the old wooden church stood as a landmark on its corner, then was wrecked and moved away. Most of its founders have passed away. A fine grove of trees shaded the structure in the sixties, but the grove is no more. The Lutheran faith is the prevailing religion of northern, or rather northwest, Europe. Immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, etc., invariably form church societies and build churches where they locate. We find a new church on North Logan street and several church societies in this city where they meet and worship.. The social part of the church societies is made a part of their religion and the intellectual part, with athletics, was cultivated in their schools. Mtisic, especially congregational singing, has in the past and is now the major part of the church service. It is the most INGHAM COUNTY 251 beautiful or artistic part of their devotional exercises. We don't know of another denomination that has so many kinds of musical societies connected with it. The societies with their social and entertaining attractions have a great moral and social uplifting influence. During the World war, our citizens of German birth and extraction with few exceptions were loyal, patriotic and charitable. The grandsons or great-grandsons of soldiers who fought for Frederick the Great shed their blood for our country, the land of freedom and liberty. METHODIST CIURCHI IN LANSIN( We have told how the first Methodist church society was formed by members of the Page family in I846, also how they united with menmbers of other denominations, after the capital was established, to build the first church on Wall street, North Lansing. This band of Methodists continued to hold services in this church until the Upper Town Methodists formed another society, purchased a site for a church building on the corner of West Ottawa street and North Washington avenue-present site of the Tussing building-and erected the first brick church built in our city. This was the first separate church the early Methodists built in lhe city. Record of the transaction mentioned lot 6 of block 96, under Act 231, laws of 1848. After purchasing the land, brick and other building materials were purchased or donated by local manufacturers. Workmen were engaged from among their members who also donated their services, and the church was erected. The society dedicated the building and held services in it before it was finished. Most of the old pioneers remember the tower of the church was never completed. This church was named the Upper Town church. The Wall street congregation at North Lansing lost some of:ts members, especially those residing on the west side of the river, for they joined the new church, but members of the Wall street church who lived on the east side of the river, those from the rural district north and northeast, continued to worship at the first church. When the Presbyterians built their church, under the ministry of Elder Bryant, in 1863 and 1864, at the corner of North Washington avenue and Franklin street, it took some more members from the Wall street church. The trustees then sold the site on Wall street and piurchased a lot on the southeast corner of East Franklin avenue and North Cedar street for a new church. An old dwelling on this lot was moved to the south side and used for a parsonage. The church was built on the corner of the lot, and fronted the west. It was a wooden structure, Gothic style of architecture, steep roof, and pointed window tops. It was boarded with wide boards, battened and painted brown. It was built in I866 or 1867. This was used until I9I4, when it was wrecked and the present commodious brick and stone church was erected fronting East Franklin avenue. The many ministers who preached in this old church would be hard 252 HISTORIC MICHIGAN to recall or name. Elder Bangs, who was pastor for a long time in the seventies, will be remembered for his zeal in increasing the membership and creating interest in church work that produced good results in that part of the city. The Middle Town church did not grow or membership increase after the building was finished and occupied. Two additional societies were formed and churches, or church buildings started. One was at Seymour and West Saginaw streets, site of the present German Methodist, the other on North Cedar street, where the M. U. R. car sheds are now. These new societies took members away from the original church. The increase in population in our city until 1885 was small. The different Methodist church societies were not self-supporting, a burden on different boards of trustees, so in order to overcome this difficulty the Upper Town church consolidated, sold its church properties and purchased a site for a large church on the corner of West Ottawa street and North Capitol avenue. On this ground was erected the present church in I888. The architecture is modern and the interior arrangement as to seating and acoustics is up-to-date. When it was dedicated it was given a new name, Central Methodist church. The consolidation of these churches gave it a large membership and placed it upon a solid financial foundation. Gifts from some of the wealthy members since I9O1 have enabled the board of trustees to make additions, make repairs, redecorate the interior and complete the church. R. E. Olds presented it with a fine pipe organ, and in 1921 Richard Scott and wife financed and built on its north side, fronting North Capitol avenue, the present fine Temple house, or home. The temple front walls are built of stone to correspond with the main building, and the interior is of reinforced concrete, making it a fireproof structure. It is large enough to accommodate the growing membership of the church and the community where located. Its interior arrangements of banquet, assembly rooms, toilet and rest rooms with offices make it convenient. Mr. Scott and wife saw the need of such a building in the social, intellectual and spiritual life of the young people of the church and city, and to counteract the influence of the dance and other recreations upon our boys and girls. Pastors and church people have also learned that religious influences on young people have, in the past, been too straight-laced and long-faced to suit the youth of today. They have been taught that religion is the cornerstone or refuge for sorrow and affliction, not the foundation wall of joy, sociability and intellectuality. Mr. Scott's example has been followed by other religious denominations and, we hope, will be copied by all. All gifts of parks, buildings or other public improvements to our city, county and state are monuments to the doners. Since I9Io two additional Methodist churches have been built; one on the corner of Michigan avenue and Furgeson street, the other on East Mt. Hope avenue. They are growing rapidly in membership and INGHAM COUNTY 253 spiritual influence. The Wesleyans have started a church on North Magnolia, off of East Michigan, and the Free Methodists have a flourishing church on South Pine street. The Germans have a fine church on the corner of Seymore and West Saginaw. A large brick church was built some years ago on East Main street to accommodate members of this denomination on South Washington avenue. Several Methodist missions have been started, but the most important is at Potter park. Our colored citizens have a large Methodist church on Pine street, and some of our citizens of foreign birth have formed Methodist societies, but to our knowledge have not built any church structures. Methodism in our city is growing, gaining in membership and influence each year. The foundation principles of its faith and church,government make it a religious democracy co-operative with our civic democracy. By working together they strengthen each other and build up and carry forward the work of the church and the work of the government. It makes the "Fatherhood of God the brotherhood of man" an active principle, not an obsolete platitude. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN LANSING December 17, 1922, the First or Central Presbyterian church celebrated with appropriate services the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the first Presbyterian society in our city. Some of the surviving members of the church were present and took part in the exercises. One of the oldest members present was J. H. Stephens, of Virginia. Daniel Mevis, Mrs. Hannah Richmond, Mrs. Anna Glenn were members present from the city. The church was decorated by an illuminated cross and other sacred emblems. Rev. Guy Wallace Simon preached the sermon, and Miss Tressa Bishop sang "In the Cross of Christ I Glory." HISTORY OF CHURCH This church society was formed December 17, 1847, by Rev. Calvin Clark, a traveling evangelist and missionary. He was a good man, a soldier and a hard worker. He formed a small society and started a church edifice on the southwest corner of Genessee street and North Washington avenue. There was a high bank on this corner, similar to the one on the north, on which Joe Bailey, pioneer banker, built his home, which is standing today (I924). The building was built on top of the bank and we entered by climbing two sets of steps before reaching the door. The church was built of wood and in Gothic style-point arched windows and square, set-in tower which terminated in a slender spire above the belfry. The sides of the church were boarded up and down. After I866 the bank was graded away and a brick foundation placed under the church. When Central church was built on West Allegan street this pioneer church was wrecked or moved away and the site sold. During the existence of this building it received the patronage of the 254 HISTORIC MICHIGAN legislature, and among its members in the early days was a young Scotchman named Bradford, a state representative. He had a beautiful tenor voice and so was drafted into the choir. His singing made a great attraction for the church and several members of the legislature went to this church to hear Bradford sing. He married a lady near Williamston, and one of his daughters married a doctor in Detroit. Another married a wealthy philanthropist in our city. MINISTERS Rev. W. W. Atterbury, the first pastor of the church, came from New York in 1848. It was in November, and he gave a very vivid (lescription of the stage journey from Jackson (luring a storm. He described the stumps on Washington avenue and the deep mud; also the hearty welcome he received from his small congregation. Rev. Mr. Atterbury was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Armstrong, a son-in-law of James Seymour, the pioneer founder of our citv. Rev. J. E. Weed came to relieve Rev. Mr. Armstrong in I865, and Mr. Armstrong w\ent as pastor to a church in Illinois. Rev. Mr. Weed came at a critical time as Rev. Alfred Bryant had formed and built a church on the corner of West Franklin street and North Washington avenue. Twenty-five members from the north end of the city changed their membership to the new church, but always looked to First church as their mother. Congregations were formed at Okemos, Holt, Lyons, Howell and Williamston by Elder Bryant. In a few years the Cedar Presbyterian, now Methodist Protestant, on Main street, was formed. During the past twenty years two more churches have been built, one on North Logan street, and another on East Mt. Hope avenue, so we have four large churches in our city to minister to the wants of this denomination. All these churches and their subsidiary societies are doing a great work in the spiritual field. They have earnest, harlworking pastors and a large membership, engaged not only in church work, but hospital and other charity and social welfare work in our city. TiJii ADVENTIST CIURCI For years there has been a church of this denomination on West Washtenaw street in the city of Lansing. This church has not, in a spiritualistic way, grown as fast as other denominational churches in the city and county. Its membership is small, but they make up in devotion and correct living what is lacking in membership. Miembers of this church and other churches of the same denomination are factors, important members, in pioneer development and expansion of the city, county and state. Students, observers, historians and economists can find in history of development traces of their work. Social reformers, lawyers and physicians can find food for study and thought in their methods and the great good that has resulted. In writing about this church, historians must recognize these methods or the materialistic part which this church has done for humanity INGHAM COUNTY 255 and let the spiritualistic part be told by the Adventist church historian. We have mentioned in a chapter on early settlements the great psychological upheaval that occurred in I840 and lasted nearly twenty years. All over the western world it spread, no settlement escaped, no class in society was exempt from its influences. An upheaval similar to this had swept over Europe in the last part of the eighteenth century and the French Revolution was a culminating feature of it. During this epoch an experiment was tried to relieve the financial depression and encourage the people. This experiment was the cooperative or communistic form of labor under the leadership of a minister, lawyer, doctor, social reformer or economist. The plan of these leaders was to establish in rural communities a society where both sexes should live together as members of one family, work and -enjoy themselves, depend upon their labors or what they could raise on the land for food and clothing. All shared in the assets and did their share of rough work in the field, forest and home. Some of these enthusiasts, whose fingers had never handled anything but the pen, were compelled to chop wood, milk cows, plow, hoe corn, etc. The female members had to wash, scrub, cook, make their own garments of coarse homespun, as well as mend the garments of the male sex. In fact, blister and soil their fingers which had never done any work but play the piano or embroider on fine linen. This experiment lost its interest under such conditions and they were soon broken up and community homes vacated. We have an example of this in "Brook Farm" in Massachusetts and one or two such colonies in southern counties-VanBuren and Cass-in our own state. There were some of these communities in New York which were located near a city that introduced some trade or handcraft with their agricultural pursuits. By improving their products made in homes and small shops they established markets among the non-communists that are open today. The profits from the sales have made them-every member-independent of agriculture and each one can enjoy the luxuries and benefits of advanced civilization. One of the most noted of these communities is Oneida community in New York. Two of the articles manufactured by this community are sold in all the markets in the Western Hemisphere, steel traps and silverware. The failures of these rural communities was their blindness in not recognizing the great advance in agriculture and agricultural methods in the "Christian Era" over the methods used in "Mosaic Times." Another thing was, these members or communists were anti-slavery men. Did they wa'nt or did they have to do this rough work the same as the black man for their food and clothing and no wages, just to keep alive the system and the primitive methods of that system? No, they made a blunder and killed the system. The House of David and Mary at Benton Harbor will be closed and never opened again until immorality and slavish dependence of its members have been eradicated. The communistic wave spent its force in the fifties, but one phase of it was brought out in the great proselyting energies of this church 256 HISTORIC MICHIGAN after the Civil war. It went all over Ingham county and the state. The great principle on which they based their argument was the Second Advent or second coming of Christ. The second fact was the preparation for that coming by adopting the old Jewish day of worship and the old Mosaic method of diet, etc. Some of the pioneer farmers will remember these missionaries and their meetings in schoolhouses and private homes. To add force to their discourses they used the same methods as the pioneer ministers of other denominations used, i. e., punishments from God for neglected opportunities and rejection of biblical truths. They sought through fear of broken laws to awaken in the careless and indifferent a desire to do better and be good law-abiding citizens. Some had illustrated charts they used in their sermons to show the fate of the damned. There were several Adventist societies formed in Ingham county. The largest and strongest was in northeastern Alaiedon, another one in Bunkerhill Center. These congregations built churches, flourished for nearly a generation, then for lack of new blood and financial support, died. These societies in rural communities lived rather isolated from their neighbors, their children wanted to and did associate with other children, and had to meet them in schools and liked to enjoy themselves. To do this they had to dress and eat as their playmates did. The strict church rules could not and were not observed so the young people were not as enthusiastic as their parents in regard to church worship or church support and the new faith was, when the older members died, a thing of the past. Another thing was the financial support. One-tenth of a farmer's gross income had to be paid into the church treasury annually. This was too high a tax out of most farmers' incomes and the members refused to pay and left the church. Where the churches were located in or near villages or cities and the members could work in shops and factories in winter, or engage in special branches of agriculture in summer, the churches have grown and are prosperous. This mixed occupational farming and manufacturing, providing members are loyal, moral and lawabiding, conferred a blessing on community, county and state where they were located. From the earliest advent of this church into this state Battle Creek has been the headquarters. From its church has come all ministers and messages to members throughout all states formed from the Northwest territory. They have a large publishing house, scores of factories and truck farmers, the most advanced and up-to-date hospital and training school for nurses in the state. The one phase of communism that has been developed by this church society is the co-operative part in which the private or individual ownership of property has been recognized and every member who works has been paid according to work done. Another phase is that the society cannot be successful on a pure agrarian basis, but must engage in manufacture as well as agriculture to be progressive. Finally this church has been of economic value as they have eliminated waste. CHAPTER XIX LADIES' LIBRARY AND LITERARY CLUB —LADIES' AID SOCIETIES-ASSOCIATED CHARITIES After I866 the young ladies of Lansing, especially those who had attended Miss Rodgers' select school, formed a club. The object of this club was to work together, to give public and private entertaiiiments, amateur plays, concerts, a'nd socials to get money to buy books for a club library. There was no public library or school library, and the state library was only accessible to state employes and a favored few. Outside of a few private libraries and Miss Rodgers' school library there were no books or regular book stores where standard books could be purchased. The only store where school books could be secured was Mr. Baker's drug store, which was located where the American State Savings bank is located today. Mr. Baker was the father of Ray Stannard Baker, the author. We think Mr. Baker got his start in authorship by reading and studying his father's stock of books. All of the money received by the club went to buy books. The club, in order to do business, had to be incorporated under state law the same as all lyceums were incorporated in those days. Some of the men in state employment who resided here were glad of an opportunity to spend some time in painting scenery, arranging the stage, and maki'ng stage furniture for the ladies. The state librarian, Mrs. Tenney, was always willing to help the young women in making selections of books to be purchased. It made the collection one of standard books, histories, biographies, scientific books, reference books, works of great dramatists, etc., instead of trashy literature and flashy novels. These books were kept in cases at the club and were drawn out by members of the club. All books were covered with heavy manila paper and the inside cover had a printed list of rules and penalties. The ladies were careful not to have dirty books returned to the cases. In a few years the club had quite a library. One set, Motley's History of Germa'ny, was the favorite. Washington Irving's works were read by every member of the club. Of the many amateur dramatic plays, Scott's "Lady of the Lake" brought them the most money and had the longest run. Dan Buck had just finished his new opera house, the Gladmer, and it was played there in I873. We think some of the members of the club or a kind friend dramatized this from the poem and arranged the text. When it came to selecting the cast of characters there was good-natured rivalry among the young people and much hard work practicing their parts. Finally, after some delay, John Robinson, of the firm of Robinson Brothers, was selected to act the part of Lord Douglas, Miss Marion Turner, sister of James Turner, Jr., Lady Helen, and Abraham Cottrell, the harpist, with R. Shank as Roderick Dhu. John Robinson 3-17 258 HISTORIC MICHIGAN made a good Lord Douglas but a poor swordsman when he fought the duel at the ford. One night he forgot to hold on to the scabbard of his sword and in the downward sweep the scabbard left the half drawn blade and almost fractured the skull of the bass drummer. It was only by expert dodging that he escaped the flying missile. The harpist could not get a sound out of his imitation harp so he went through the motions and a guitarist played a Scotch piece behind the scenes. This was a great stunt but one night he broke a string and there was discord. This club was the mother of all the subsequent literary clubs formed in our city. Several clubs were formed in different wards, and some of these old clubs are in existence now. Ten years ago, in I914, Mr. R. E. Olds and wife donated ground on the east side of Washington avenue and built a fine clubhouse where all the women's clubs could meet and have a social or lecture, and where the young people could dance. This new clubhouse burned a few years ago and had to be rebuilt by Mr. Olds, the club members, and donations from the citizens of Lansing. A short time ago this state, and neighboring states, joined in a consolidation or federation of women's literary clubs, and all of our clubs joined the federation. This was more to systematixe the work in its different departnments so that the various groups could exchange ideas with a similar group in Flint or Grand Rapids. Lately the state federation has decided to have the secretary's office in Lansing, and Mrs. Bert Rosencrans, of East Lansing, was appointed to this office. After the appointment of Mrs. Spencer librarian of the state library during Governor Winen's administration, a new policy was inaugurated. The citizens could draw and read some of the books in the state library. The high school library had been growing and the students used it in school days so much that there was no incentive to join the library club. Some of the most active members married and family cares prevented a good attendance, other women moved away, so the charter was given up, and through the personal influence of Schuyler Olds, the club donated its library to the high school and sold the cases to the school board. The young ladies of our city formed the club to inspire in their companions and associates a desire for solid reading, to change the mode of entertainment from the rough, boisterous way of pioneer times to the polite, more effete way of the East, and to wipe out the effects of the Civil war. They met with great success and their efforts were not in vain. We think that a suitable tablet should be placed in the women's clubhouse to remind those who frequent its rooms that the foundation of it was laid fifty years ago. LADIES' AID SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATED CHARITIES When the wives and daughters of the soldiers formed the Woman's Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic and the literary girls INGHAM COUNTY 259 incorporated the Lansing Library and Literary association, there were some women left in different churches to form a ladies' aid society. Every church had one of these societies and the women kept them in good running order. We never knew one of these societies to fade away or to go bankrupt. They became so numerous in our city that in order to get better results and to aid people who needed charity, all the societies were consolidated and a building was rented where relief in the shape of lodging and meals could be obtained by the unfortunate poor. This building was the old wooden building north of our public market. When it was abandoned by the Ladies' Aid society, it was used as a contagious disease hospital during the "flu" epidemic in I917-I918. Mrs. Lewis Damon, of North Lansing, was matron of this old building. For a time the sign, "Industrial Home," was on the building. In I908-1909, our charitable work increased so fast that the home could not do it all and conditions were referred to the commissioners of the poor. The commissioners in discussing the matter with the council, advised the council to consolidate the different denominational charitable societies into one body with a president and secretary. The members of this association were appointed by the council with the approval of the churches which were allowed membership in the society. The society was named the Associated Charities. The work of this department of our city is purely relief and charitable in character, with the help of the health department to furnish nurses and medical attention. The Salvation Army and Volunteers of America look after the reformatory work among our drifting population. The purely educational part of the work, especially among our young people, is (one by the Y. W. C. A. and the Y. M. C. A. The Associated Charities has done much in the past ten years. Its reports to the council and to the public have shown continued progress and hard, painstaking service on the part of the officers in charge. The people who have dealings with the agency praise the firm but polite manner in which they are served. R. E. Olds and wife, to help in the child welfare department, purchased the old city hospital building on North Cedar street, for a (lay nursery for the children of the women wage-earners. This has been a great help to widows and mothers who have to support the entire family. Many a poor mother who wanted to keep her family together has been able to do this with the help of the day nursery. FINANCING ASSOCIATED CHARITIES There are two ways in which money is raised for charitable purposes. These two methods are old, or the principles are old. They are fou'nd in religious and civic history two thousand years ago: First, by donations of money or service by those charitably inclined, and whose station in society or whose income will enable them to give in a Good Samaritan way or in the spirit of the Master who 260 HISTORIC MICHIGAN said it was better to give to the poor and unfortunate than to receive praise for the gift. This way of raising money for our Associated Charities has been by sending out solicitors, dividing the city into districts and the corps of solicitors into teams which compete with each other. This method will do for a novelty, I believe, but past results will not justify its continuation because the collectors will demand pay for their services. The second way is by direct tax on the people. This is the political, or civic way. It has its faults. The greatest is that the boards of supervisors and commissioners of the poor, also the council, cannot wait for results, which are slow, but want immediate action on the dollars expended. Some of our representatives in the county and city have, we know, made trouble, complained of lack of service during an epidemic in their own immediate neighborhood, for political purposes, and have appointed investigating committees. We cannot censure these officials for in the past all charitable associations have been pestered by individuals who have made appeals to them for aid when they are lazy and think the people who work must support them and their families. They say the world owes them a living and will have to furnish them food or clothing without any effort on their part. These imposters have been for the past few years arrested and made to work on our highways and streets. In this way society has eliminated this dependent class and the taxpayers' money has gone where it would relieve distress and not encourage idleness and crime. President George Washington, while yet a general in the Revolutionary army, wrote a letter to his farm manager at Mt. Vernon in regard to helping the needy and unfortunate. In this letter he gave directions about withholding it if it encouraged idleness or extravagance. We think that the taxpayer of the future will have to provide a certain amount each year for this work and the Associated Charities will require the different departments to supply the balance. Also, they will let the churches do their part in raising money or donating services. The annual expenses vary. During the years when workmen are out of. employment or when there is contag-iouts disease, es)eciallv during the winter, the amount is large. while during the summer months it is small. The employment bureau is a great help to our associated societies by reporting the migrations of factory and other laborers. CHAPTER XX TOWNSHIPS, CITIES AND VILLAGES DELIn TOWNSHIP This township was first settled in January, 1838, by Fredrick Luther and wife, of Lenawee county, Michigan. William WNood, Joseph Wilson, Philander Morton and Mr. Norris came the same year. Matthew King came into the woods one and one-half miles east of Delhi Center (Holt) in 1839 and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land for one shilling per acre. He dug a cave in "Hogsback" and resided there the first winter, but the next spring he built a log house and married Miss Flora Hudson. The township was named by Rosswell Everett, who inserted this name into the petition sent to the legislature in 184I. Mr. Everett was an old pioneer and his son married Eliza Ann North. In 1838 and I839 the territory embracing four townships, Lansing, Delhi, Meridian, and Alaiedon, was named Alaiedon, but in I84I and I842 the settlers a'nd land holders in town 4, north range 2 west (Lansing township), town 4, north range T west (Meridian township) and town 3, north range 2 west (Delhi township), petitioned to be separated from this territory or Alaie'lon township. By separating these townships from Alaiedon the history of the settlement and development is separated. There is an exception to this in the North family. Town 4, north range 2 west, was named Lansing by Joseph Harrison North, Jr., who settled in the township in I836. He came from Lansing, Tompkins county, New York, and was instrumental in having the new home and township bear the name of his birthplace. Another brother of Mr. North, Henry Harrison North, in another petition to the legislature in I847 and T848, had the name of the capital changed from "Village of Michigan" to Lansing. Town 4, north range I west, was named Meridian from the meridian line that divides the county into two equal parts. Town 3, north range 2 west, was named Delhi in Mr. Roswell Everett's petition. Joseph North came to town 4, north range 2 west. in I836 and settled on section 32 (Lansing township). Joshua North, a brother, came to his brother's in 1837 and Joseph E. North, the father, came in I838. Another brother, Henry Harrison North, visited his brothers, Joseph and Joshua, in 1837, but went back in I838 to New York and was married to a sister of Daniel Buck. After the wedding he returned to Michigan and he and his father settled on a farm in town 3, north range 2 west (Delhi township). The fourth brother, John North, came afterwards and bought a farm near his brothers'. Joshua North in I840 went back to New York and married another sister of Daniel Buck. The North family at one time owned 1,280 acres of land in the south part of Lansing and the north part of 262 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Delhi townships. Fifty years ago this part of Ingham county was called the "North Settlement." In this settlement were a schoolhouse and a cemetery. From this settlement came Dr. E. P. North, son of John, who before he practiced medicine was a soldier in the Civil war, county superintendent of schools, principal of Dansville school, Ingham county, and after his graduation in medicine, examining surgeon on the pension board. Joseph North, Jr., was a surveyor and did highway and other surveying in Ingham county. He laid out the road from Delhi Center north to the junction of the Red Cedar and Grand rivers in I837. He also built the first pioneer bridge across the Cedar river near the location where the Reo factory is today. Henry Harrison North was the first supervisor. The election was held at Delhi Center (Holt) April 4, 1842. There were twenty votes cast for three township officers: Henry Harrison North, supervisor; Caleb Thompson, clerk; Roswell Everett, treasurer. Henry Harrison North brought the first domestic animal into the township -a hog. The bears were so numerous that he had to build a log pen and roof it with logs in order to save his bacon. This large family of brothers went through all the phases of pioneer life and all lived to see the woods cleared and fine farms with buildings erected o'n the site of the log cabins. Some of the descendants are still living on the original homesteads. There was another brother, Manning North, who settled in Meridian township. He was also a progressive farmer. Dr. North of Holt is a descendant of this family. He has a large practice and is at present interested, as his forebears were, in the development of his town or village, its roads and suburban population. From this family have come three physicians, one living and two dead. The first marriage in the township was that of Russell P. Everett and Eliza Ann North, daughter of John North, Sr. The first white child born was Marianl North, mother of Clarence Holmes, superintendent of the School for the Blind, Lansing, Michigan. Another pioneer settlement in this township was made by a Scotch family, and history would not be complete without a sketch of the Thorburn family. Two brothers, John and Robert Thorburn, sailed from Glasgow, Scotland, in a sailing vessel in 1848. They wanted land, which they could not get in Scotland, for homes for themselves and their children. On arriving at New York they immediately left for Pittsburgh to work at their trades to procure means to purchase land in the Northwest Territory. They did not stay long in Pittsburgh but came to Ingham county, Michigan, to visit a friend, William Cook, and wife, who had immigrated four years before and settled on section 23, Delhi township. They were pleased to meet and renew old friendships and John immediately purchased forty acres of timber land adjoining Cook's farm. During the winter (1848) these brothers chopped four or five acres of timber, erected a small log house for their father and mother, who came in the spring of I849. Another brother, James, Sr., and a married sister, Mrs. William Somerville, came from Scotland in I855. Mr. Somerville bought forty acres of INGHAM COUNTY 263 land adjoining James Thorburn on the south, while James, Jr., and his wife Marian purchased and settled on I20 acres of land on section 23. Robert went to Gratiot county and took up a land claim there. After his death his children returned to Ingham and lived with their grandfather, James Thorburn, Sr. The grandfather placed the family on an eighty-acre farm on section 27 and one of the boys lives there now. Another of these boys graduated as a veterinary and lived at Lansing. The remaining members of the family are residents of Holt and Delhi township. John Thorburn was a blacksmith. After he had provided a home for his father and mother he came to Lansing and opened a shop at North Lansing on East Franklin avenue. He did a large business and in five years had saved $5,000. Some of the old pioneers relate how his shop, during the busy season, was always full of horses and through all the hours of daylight for six days in a week they could hear his anvil ring. At the end of five years he invested his savings in land and before he moved on it had a hundred acres chopped and cleared and some farm buildings erected. He married Hannah J. Olds of Lansing in 1854 and they moved to the farm in 1858. This farm house can be seen today where the road to M/ason enters the Hogsback. He had three sons and two daughters who are all married except the youngest daughter. Of the brothers John accumulated the most property. He added to his original purchase so that at his death he had 950 acres of land with other property. He died December 20, I908; his wife died March I6, I889. These Scotchmen were members of the Free Kirk in Scotland and the Presbyterian church at Holt has had their support since it was founded by Elder Alfred Bryant in I865. Robert Thorburn was a stone cutter, John was a blacksmith, James, Sr., was a weaver and all were up-to-date, progressive farmers. William Somerville was a stock raiser and his sheep were always exhibited at the Fair. The children and grandchildren of these brothers are the successful agriculturists and business men of Ingham county. DELhI CENTER This village on the highway from Mason to Lansing in Delhi township consisted of a collection of houses in or near the center of the township. There were two hotels before the railroad came that did quite a business, furnishing refreshment and dances for the young people. After the railroad came in i866 their customers left and they closed their bars and dance halls and the proprietors moved away. Not a vestige of these hotels remain today. Within the last five years there has been a revival of interest in the place and Delhi Center is being boomed as a suburban village between Lansing and Mason. Electric railroad and motor buses give hourly communication with the village county seat and capital. A new school building, stores, bank and other buildings have changed its appearance and given it a lively, up-to-date look. 1 264 HISTORIC MICHIGAN OTHER SETTLERS The township had in the past a large German immigration. In 1875 German was heard as much as English. We think that this nationality has much to its credit in the later development of this township. We have no data as to names and numbers of families. The German inhabitants have been industrious, peace loving, law abiding citizens. They have erected in the village of Holt a fine Methodist Episcopal church and have a flourishing Sunday school. They have sent one or two members to the legislature and they always have a candidate on the county's political ticket. Some of their descendants are found occupying positions of trust in the state offices at Lansing and the county offices at Mason. There are several families who have had the intellectual and social uplift of the township as their work in the past. Among them we notice the Hillaird family, Aldrich, Ables, Parks and others who have written valuable papers for our county pioneer society and have aided all church organizations for the benefit of the whole township. Most of these workers are mothers of families and have done this extra work in a way that we all admire. They should have all the credit due them. MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP This township has for its eastern boundary the "meridian line" of the state, and was thus named Meridian. In the original survey it was town 4, north range I west. The Red Cedar river enters the township on the northeast quarter of section 25 and leaves it on section I8. In the northern part is the largest lake in the county, being nearly three miles in circumference. This river and lake were for generations the favorite dwelling places and fishing and hunting grounds of 'the Indians. On the banks of the river in two or three places in this township the aborigines planted corn and raised beans and pumpkins. When the United States government moved the Indians west, these spots were vacated and sold to the first land purchasers. We have stated who these purchasers were in a former chapter, so will mention the first settlers. In 1835 two brothers, named Marshall, broke ground on their location on section 3. They built a cabin and lived on their land until 1837, when they sold it to Pearly Davis. Their growing wheat was purchased and harvested by Mr. Davis. The new owner also built a frame barn on the farm in I838. Mr. Davis had some neighbors, for the same year he built his barn Daniel Mathews, George Mathews, Lyman Bayard, Samuel Moe, Ira Hawkins and Chancy Davis with their families moved in this section and made quite a settlement. The next year, 1839, Sanford Marsh located his land on Okemos farm near the village of Okemos. In December this year (I839) Joseph H. Kelbourne built the first white man's house in the village. Freeman Bray, his brother-in-law, came in January (1840) and settled near him. In 1841, Mr. Bray saw possibilities in the water power INGHAM COUNTY 265 and a highway in this part of the county, so platted or laid out the present village of Okemos. In 1842, or one year later, he built a dam and erected a sawmill on the river. When the county was organized Meridian was included in the township of Alaiedon, but in 1841, was made a separate township. There were fifty white inhabitants in Meridian when the first township officers were elected. George Mathews, from the first settlement, was elected supervisor. After the establishment of postoffices and postal routes by the government Okemos got a postoffice and Joseph Kilbourne was the first postmaster. The mail was carried on horseback from Detroit to Grand Rapids until the Detroit-Lansing-Howell plank road was built, then it was carried on stage. Before this highway was constructed the mail carrier had only the old Indian trail to guide him through the woods. After the highway was built Okemos grew and became quite a business place. Among the early settlers in Okemos were E. Walker's family, the Barnes, Edgerlys, Dr. S. Hammond a'nd his colleague. Dr. Charles 14. Darrow; M. D. Chatterton, Collins Thurber. J. Hewitt, James Northrup, Thomas Schively, Cory brothers, Stevens, ()tis Fall. Calls, T1lliots and others. George Young and his brother settled east of the village. William Turner, who had charge of plank road construction and repair, lived just west of "Young's Corners." A number of Germans located land north and east of Okemos and by hard work carved out homes in the timber lands which their children and grandchildren occupy today. Among them were the Grettenlergers, Helwigs, Maisers, Copps, W\ellmans, Youngermans, Finks, Wessingers and others. Within the last thirty-five years Peter Tihart, a Polish farmer, and his family have, by frugality and hard work become large land holders. Their well-cultivated fields and fine buildings can be seen along the highway from Okemos to Haslett. The same can be said of early Germans and their descendants. The Grettenbergers and Maisers number some fine men and women, while the Wellmans have not only some good farmers but Miss Bertha Wellman was a graduate of Michigan Agricultural College and became a noted mathematics teacher. John Saltmarsh was English and with his son, John, Jr., became extensive farmers and large land holders in Meridian township. After his father's death the son became a large land holder in Virginia a'nd divided his time between the North and South. He owned and operated the Okemos grist for a long time. Another English family was the Fosters, who first settled on section 26. There were seven boys in this family who grew up and were located over the whole town and a number of the grandsons are found in Lansing. Those who live in the city are sons of Charles Foster, whose family consisted of nine boys. Dr. Walter Foster of our city is a son of the original settler on section 26. The original settlers in Okemos were mostly from the East. The founders, Joseph Kilbourn and Freeman Bray, were Canadians. Charles Almost, the shoemaker, and Frederick Herre, the blacksmith, 266 HISTORIC MICHIGAN were from Germany. Eber Dingman, another German, was a mason. E. M. and L. Cory were carpenters and barn builders. George 'W. Piper was justice of the peace, Collins Thurber was principal grocer, E. Walker ran the gristmill, was postmaster and had a general store. Americus W. Edgerly was cabinetmaker and undertaker. He made his own coffins in a shop located near his residence. Another cabinetmaker and farmer was Mr. Barnes, who lived south of the village. In early times he made ox yokes. Farmers came from every part of the county to get his ox yokes. When Mr. Barnes was over eighty years old he made a bureau for one of his relatives that, from a combination of different kinds of colored woods was artistic as well as useful. The best or one of the best farmers in the township was Freeman Bray. His well-plowed fields and shorthorns were his pride and he always was glad to show them to people who were interested. Dr. Hammond practiced medicine for a number of years, but finally transferred it to his son-in-law, Dr. Gus Fergerson, and went to Mason, where he became justice of the peace. Lawyer Charles Hammond is the doctor's son. Albert Hamilton, ex-alderman of Lansing, is an Okemos boy. His father was an early pioneer and helped build the old highway from Okemos to Lansing. Albert can tell interesting facts in regard to early days in Okemos. He remembers Chief Okemos, Chief Buckwheat and other Indian chiefs who visited Okemos in his boyhood days. He is a Civil war veteran, also a pensioner from wounds received in the service. When the Detroit, Lansing and Northern railroad was built the second survey went south of the village and Okemos was left in the cold. Some efforts were made to start a village at the railroad station, but outside of a grain elevator and small lumber yard no buildings were erected or ground platted for a village. The sawmill and gristmill at the dam did not prove to be a success after Mr. Orton purchased it from Mr. Walker. He sold the machinery in the sawmill and it was moved away. The gristmill was leased to Mr. Saltmarsh, who ran it until a freshet ruined the dam. Afterwards it was leserted and went to ruin and today the water power has gone the same way. After the Grand Trunk railroad built the connecting link between Lansing and Flint in the seventies some of the business men left and went to Haslett. Hammond brothers went into the stock business, Dr. James Furgerson started an office and others not in business moved to the new village in the north part of the township. The village of Haslett had its beginning in the sixties. An English truck gardener named Bateman owned land bordering on the north shore of Pine lake. He soon improved his land, and the grove of oaks he made into a camp for hunters and fishermen. He built some rowboats and kept them at a small dock. This place was not only patronized by sportsmen but Sunday schools found it an ideal place for picnics. Before I870, Mr. Bateman sold his lake front to a man named Surby, who took as a partner George Northrup. In a short time Mr. Anson and Orgin Hardy purchased Mr. Surby's share, enlarged the hotel built by the first owner and made a first-class resort. INGIAM COUNTY 267 These owners placed several small sailboats and a steamer on the lake. When everything was running nicely a competitor appeared and built a hotel on the southwest shore of the lake. The competitor was a colored man and his venture in the resort business did not prove very successful. Hardy brothers went into other lines of business in the eighties, so they sold the grounds for a Spiritualist camp ground. The Spiritualist meetings were a great drawing card for some years. A number of residences were built for members of this church, the grounds at the south part of the lake were purchased and a small settlement sprang up around the depot of the railroad. A village was platted and a new village was started near the first settlement in the township. Since the village was platted real estate men have purchased the farms which had a frontage on the lake and there is a continuous line of resort cottages on the shores. The electric railroad and the state highways make it convenient to all business men who want to spend an evening during hot weather or a week-end and take their families. During the months of July and August the bathing beach is a small Coney Island. Most of the land and buildings of Michigan Agricultural College are on section I8 of this township. The state has purchased and started to build a "Female Home of Correction" on a tract of land near the Pere Marquette railroad in the eastern part of the township. Some years ago the county farm was moved from Alaiedon township to section 34. Where the Pere Marquette railroad crosses the eastern boundary line (meridian line) a postoffice was established in 1871. Two small stores, a Free Methodist church and four or five small dwellings were built, but no village was ever platted or lots sold. Within the past five years the church has been sold and moved away. There has been built south of the village of Okemos a large brick school building. It is the first consolidated district school built in the county. It has been placed near the center of the township, but not the center of the population. The new paved highway to Detroit, to avoid crossing the Grand Trunk tracks and also to eliminate some dangerous curves, has in the new route gone north of the old village and a new one will be built nearly two miles from the new consolidated school building. The object of the founders was to have made the consolidated districts into a rural high school or preparatory school for Michigan Agricultural College, but we cannot see how this can be accomplished now. With the exception of Lansing township this township has more county and state institutions within its boundaries than any other in the county. It has the largest bathing beach and pleasure grounds. It has the most noted Indian village and most miles of river course and two or three fine water power sites. The farmers and other inhabitants are loyal and law-abiding. VEVAY TOWNSHIP From the government survey Vevay was town 2, north range I west. Sycamore creek is its most important stream and the Hogsback 268 HISTORIC MICHIGAN is the highest elevation that breaks the level surface of the township. It was heavily timbered, the most important or most abundant being belts or groves of sugar maple. The Indians made maple sugar for generations before the white man came. Some of the old settlers saved their sugar bush and made sugar until a few years ago, but in 1918 the last sugar bush was cut down, made into firewood and sold in Mason, Lansing and other cities to bridge over a coal shortage. The soil is mostly sand loam but well adapted for all kinds of crops. There has been some outcroppings of coal found along Sycamore creek, but no mines were ever opened. Gravel and sand in the Hogsback have been used extensively for over fifty years or since the railroad was built near it in I866. This is one of the most important townships in the county. In it is located the county seat and county government. Most all the early settlers were from the East, who, if they had social prestige or political aspirations, made the township and village of Mason their first stopping place. Farmers located in the thick woods because they knew a soil that grew such fine timber would produce good crops when cleared. Specialists in maple sugar making saw quick returns for labor and expense in the solid belts of that timber. This product from forests had a ready sale in the East and was not as bulky as lumber to ship to distant markets. The game in the woods was another attraction. Deer and bear with smaller animals were plentiful. The settlers depended upon this wild meat to replace meats of domestic animals. Sometimes it, with gluts and berries, was the only food found in their cabins. The derivation of the name is lost. No history of the county records anything about it. It might have come from early settlers who were of a classical temperament or it might be Indian. It was on first petition to the legislature in I838 and when that body granted the petition the name was attached. The first officers were not numerous enough to fill all the offices created in the new township. The framers of the petition provided for future expansion by creating two or three extra offices. The following officers were elected April 2, 1838: Supervisor, Peter Linderman; clerk, Anson Jackson; assessors, Ira Rolf, Minos McRoberts and Abner Bartlett; collector (or treasurer), Henry A. Hawley; commissioners of highways, Hiram Austin, Anson Jackson, Benjamin A. Smith; justices of the peace, Peter Linderman, Hiram Converse, Hiram Parker, Benjamin F. Smith; constables, John Daggett, Henry A. Hawley; inspectors of primary schools, Nathan Rolf, Minos McRoberts, William H. Horton; directors of the poor, Benjamin Rolf, George Searl; fence viewers, Hinman Hurd, Elisha R. Searl; and poundmasters, Ephraim B. Danforth, Ira Rolf. It would take twenty-five different men to fill the above offices. VILLAGE OF EDEN Besides the village of Mason another village was started in the southern part of the township (southeast quarter of section 28). It INGHAM COUNTY 269 had a postoffice, school, blacksmith shop, store and church. It was on the stage route from Mason to Jackson. When the railroad was completed to Jackson this place grew some and was quite a meeting place for settlers in the north part of Leslie and the south part of Vevay townships. In 900o the station agent had the finest lawn, flower garden and cleanest waiting room of any station on the railroad. After this village started it was built up by the Rolf and Chapin families and is part of their history. George Curry built the first house in Eden and S. S. Dewey built the store. SETTLERS Inl all townships certain communities or families have helped to clear the farms, establish schools, and have taken an active part in progress. Their work will have to be mentioned and shown how it influenced the locality and holw much good resulted from these efforts. Hiram Parker was the first settler in Vevay township. Hle was born in Bennington. He came to the township over an old Indian trail. His farm was first settled in the western part of the township. The location was the east half of the southwest quarter of section 13. His first home was a small log cabin with a door made from a packing box. Near his cabin two Indian trails crossed. This crossing was a meeting place of the traveling Indians. Chief Okemos was a freluent visitor. For the first few years the nearest postoffice and gristnill was at Dexter, thirty miles away. It took Mr. Parker two or three days to make the trip. Sidney J. Parker was born on this farm in 1838 and lived there seventy-two years. In I9II he sold the farm and went to Vermont to live with his sister. One and one-half miles north of this farm was the place the United States commissioners tried to locate the county seat. They named this village "The City of Ingham." Only one log house was built. It was named the "County House." Sidney J. Parker could remember many interesting things about the early settlements. Mr. Parker paid the usual government price for his land, $1.25 per acre. The annual taxes on I6o acres for ten years after he purchased it was, or averaged, $4.50, but after the Civil war the tax was raised to $57.97. Hiram Parker's brother-in-law, Jesse Monroe, came to Michigan at the same time, and settled in Eagle, Clinton county. Mrs. Harriett Longyear, Mrs. Marion Turner, Mrs. Eliza Turner and Mrs. Betsy Webber were nieces of Mr. Parker. Mrs. Webber relates how she made the trip on horseback in the month of November, I843, to visit her uncle. She and a younger brother, who accompanied her, got lost on the Indian trails and had to stay in a settler's cabin in "Jefferson," Alaiedon. Their route was up the Grand river, stopping for lunch at Mr. Page's cabin in the woods located on what is now the corner of Center street and East Franklin avenue and the only building in what is now a city of 86,000 inhabitants. She tells how they broke the ice and forded the Cedar river and Sycamore creek. Jasper Wolcott was a surveyor who came from Connecticut to Vevay township in 1836. His brother, William Wolcott. came to 270 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Michigan with him but settled in Onondaga township. Just after the arrival of these brothers a son was born in each family. Isaac Nelson Wolcott, son of Jasper Wolcott, was born in the rude log cabin without doors or windows, November 9, 1836. His father, worn out by long trips and exposure while building his cabin, died two days after his birth and was buried in the woods and upon the mother devolved the task of raising this babe. Mr. Fified, a kind neighbor, made a home for the widow and child until she married Mr. Hubbard. His step-father was kind to him. He was the only boy in the family, but he had six half-sisters. For want of brothers young Isaac played with Indian boys. When he was nine years old he spent the Fourth with the Page family at North Lansing. This was in I845, or two years before the capital was located at Lansing. This young boy from his association among the Indians learned to speak their language fluently at the age of eleven years. At this time he went to Washington territory to visit his uncle, who gave him employment as interpreter to the Hudson's Bay Fur company. When he was twenty-one years old he went to California, during the gold excitement, and remained there eleven years, only returning to Michigan to be married to Cora White, a foster daughter of his mother. By associating with Indians he not only learned their lan — guage but also acquired their wandering habits. At the age of seventy-five years he took a trip west through New Mexico to visit again his friends and the old spots he traveled over in his younger days. He was a frequent visitor at the meetings of county his-torical and pioneer society and always was called upon to relate some of his early pioneer experiences. He was not a public speaker and most always declined. He is buried in Maple Grove cemetery beside his wife, who (lied two years before his death in 1917. His mother was the first widow, and her second marriage was the first marriage in Vevay township. The largest family to settle in the township was the Rolfs. It was composed of three brothers, each having a family, who came in 1836, and the next year three more brothers came with their families, making six brothers and their families who all located land in Vevay township. The first three were Nathan, Ira and Benjamin. who bought land on sections 29, 30 and 32. Those who came in 1837 were Ephraim, Hager and Manasach. These brothers located near the others and until today this part of the township is known as "Rolf Settlement." Some of their descendants live on the farms their forefathers cleared. Members of this family married into the North family in Delhi and Lansing townships, others married into the Page family and went into the woods at North Lansing to help Noel Page, their father-in-law, finish the dam started by John Burchard, but it was purchased and finished by James Seymour, who bought it from Mr. Burchard's widow. This large family by their volunteer help in clearing land for neighbors, acting as land lookers and guides for new settlers, opening their home to the struggling homesteaders, INGHAM COUNTY 271 gained or established a name that will endure forever. All early settlers praise their good will and hospitality. Another family, or rather two families, were Almon Morris and Levi J. Chapin, who settled on section 33. They were neighbors to the Rolfs. Almon came first, and in a short time his brother came. The letters of these two brothers and their wives to friends and relatives in New York give us today pictures and experiences of pioneer life. They are valuable because they are true. They came into Ingham county in I842-43 and the letters speak of the severity of the weather in the winter of I842-43. They say farmers were out of hay and other fodder to feed their stock and were forced to cut down red elm trees and other brush to furnish browse for their horses and cattle to keep them from starving. Potatoes were scarce and could only be bought by exchanging for the oats the last settlers brought from the East to feed their horses. This was during the wildcat money period and all purchasing was by exchange or barter. The state bank money was not worth the paper it was printed on. The writer also informed relatives that his daughter was teaching the district school at ten shillings per week. From the tone of the letters the settlers in this community were not slow in getting information about mesmerism, Millerism, spiritualism, transcendentalism and other "isms" that were mental fads in the East. He said people were going crazy over these things. In the postscript he warns a purchaser to not come in the spring of the year as he could not make the long journey and get there in time to raise anything or get any victuals or wages for his labor. The women wrote home that the severity of home life in the woods was overcome and trials forgotten by visiting other settlers and neighbors. They state that their hours for visiting were from dusk to 2 a. m..These women also wrote about a traveling Methodist preacher who resided in the settlement and looked after their spiritual wants. They had no church or meeting house but held services at the log cabins in the settlement. When they held services in some of the smaller cabins, small blocks of wood, traveling trunks, tubs and such things served as pews. A pioneer preacher to illustrate backbone and independence, in his sermon said, "Every tub stands on its own bottom." The Chapin family were well educated. Jonathan B. Chapin was a doctor a'nd practiced medicine in Mason, but moved to a larger field in the village of Battle Creek, where he died in I891. Augusta Chapin, a daughter of Almon M. Chapin, entered the University, was a student in Olivet college and University of Michigan, the last named granting her a master of arts degree, and she became a doctor of.divinity in 1892. The title was given her for evangelical work by Lombard university, Galesburg, Illinois. She was the first woman to receive this degree in our state. She was encouraged to enter this field by a blind cousin, John Bliss, who wrote her from California to "go on with the good cause and let your name be heralded throughout the earth as a champion in the field of the down-trodden and oppressed." Before she began her ministerial work she was principal in 272 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the North Lansing Cedar Street school. She preached her first sermon in May, 1859, was pastor in Chicago, Milwaukee, Iowa City, New York and Lansing. Besides her work in ministry she was chairman of the Women's Religious Congress auxiliary to the "World's Columbian Exposition" in I893, was lecturer on English literature of the University of Chicago, member of Sorosis of New York City, King's Daughters, Chicago Woman's club and Women's Christian Temperance union. Rev. Augusta Chapin, D.D., died in St. Luke's hospital, New York City, June 30, I905, of pneumonia. Alice Chapin, another daughter, graduated at State Normal, Ypsilanti, post-graduated at Columbia and Harvard universities, is a teacher and has taught in the schools of Detroit and Minneapolis. Minnesota. Ethel, another sister, after teaching in St. Johns, Michigan, has graduated as a trained nurse from the Nurses' Training school of Chicago university. Maria, the third sister, nowx teaching. is a graduate of Ypsilanti Normal and Olivet college. Julius, a brother, is a graduate of Michigan Agricultural college. Mr. Chapin was known as the maple sugar farmer. He tapped annually 2,200 trees and his product was from 6,ooo to 9,0oo pounds of sugar. He received medals from the "St. Louis Exposition" and a diploma from the "Pan American." He was active and took part in all pioneer and historical work, did his part in farmers' clubs and was justice of the peace. He was killed by an accident in I9I4. His sugar bush was sold and made into firewood to cover a coal shortage. Before Mr. Chapin's death, he and his family established a game refuge on part of his farm. This is visited by thousands of visitors and tourists every year. In 1856, James Fuller settled with his wife and 'nine children two miles southeast of.the village of Mason. The oldest daughter had received a seminary and collegiate training and opened a select school in the village of Mason the next year (I857). In 1865 a select academic school was established on the Fuller farm and conducted successfully for a number of years. It had fifty to sixty pupils. Before it closed it was changed into a "Rural Normal School" and trained young people of both sexes for teachers. Some of the most prominent people of Ingham county and from different parts of the state attended this school. Among those from Ingham county were 0. F. Barnes, Mrs. Lucy D. Holden Breed and Mrs. Jennie I. Parker, from Lansing; Mrs. Alice F. Seeley, Mrs. Nettie Gray Hall, Mrs. Mary Sayers Stafford, Mason; Mrs. Carrie L. Chapin, Eden; Mrs. Leora G. Green, Stockbridge; Mrs. Laura H. Crittenden and Mrs. Mary B. Ladd, Vevay township. At one time all the first grade certificates issued in Ingham county went to students from "Fuller School." Mr. Fuller's neighbors were the Olds, Holdens, Hubbards, Gallups, Burts, Roystons and Willetts. John Royston blazed trees for miles of roads through the woods. In this same neighborhood is Sunnyside farm, home of Col. L. H. Ives, president of Ingham County Pioneer society. The colonel's father was an old pioneer and the colonel is known ail over the county and state for his pre-historic collection INGHAM COUNTY 273 exhibited at the State Museum in Lansing and for his zeal and interest in agricultural matters. Joseph Porter Jewett was rather a late arrival in Vevay. He stopped in Washtenaw county from 1835 to 1863. When he came he settled on a farm west of Mason. The farm was known as the Storey farm. Old Columbia highway was one of the boundary lines of his farm. IHe was not satisfied with his farm-house or the unsanitary condition he and his wife found it, but they cleaned it and managed to live there until the next spring when he built a new frame house. This was quite an undertaking, for two members of the family were in the Civil war, building materials were expensive, and carpenters' wages were high. A member of this family was county clerk and filled that office with honor. He introduced a new set of county records, copied some of the old ones so as to form a more efficient reference system. This family is very patriotic and has a service record back to the American Revolution. Mr. Fair's tract of 900 acres on sections I and 2 where he failed to locate the county seat in 1838 was divided and sold to the Whipples, Brooks, Deys, Aseltines and Garrisons. This division brought an average price of $6.25 per acre. Mr. Wilson placed a sawmill on the tract which was run successfully for years. It was followed by a hoop factory, cheese-box and washboard factories. The washboard proved a money-maker, so after all the timber was used it was moved to Saginaw valley and is in operation today. James Shafer and R. F. Griffin were old pioneers in the north part of the township. A brother of James Turner, Sr., made his home at Mr. Shafer's for a long time while his brother James was a young merchant in Mason. Mr. Griffin lived on an old homestead in the north part of the village. Sons and grandsons of John Raynor are large land owners in this part of the township. Angus Templeton, the Scotchman, settled on the south half of the north quarter of section Io. He was noted for his honesty and Scotch humor, especially in court proceedings. A number of old pioneers have died in the past five years and many of those living have taken no interest in the pioneer work, and can give no reliable data of past events outside of bear or wolf stories. CITY OF MASON Mason village, after the great exodus of 1847 to the city of Lansing, did not grow much, but enough business men were left to keep the village from becoming a deserted one. The county business increased so the old wooden courthouse had to be replaced by a larger brick building. In I863 Mason's population was 500 people with twelve stores, two hotels, one steam gristmill, two sawmills, one run by water power, one iron foundry and a potash factory. The nearest railroad was at Lansing (Ram's Horn came to Lansing in I862), and the merchants also got goods from Jackson, shipped from Detroit over the Michigan Central railroad. A daily mail route was established via Jackson stage line. In connection with a flouring mill run by Perry Henderson was a distillery where they made whisky. 3-18 274 HISTORIC MICHIGAN This was the only distillery ever established in Ingham county. Some of the older pioneers will remember it and perhaps have sampled the whisky. It did not run very long as it was war time and the temperance sentiment was against it. We noticed Mason had in 1863 six physicians, no undertakers, five lawyers, three ministers, two justices of the peace, with the usual amount of merchants. The carpenters, cabinet-makers, coopers, shoemakers, harness-makers and masons were represented. We find special notice in 1873 of a new hearse being built in the village by S. P. Stroud. There was in the Inglham Countyi News quite a detailed description of how it was built and how proud the people were. The closing paragraph expresses a hope that the builder will have lots of patronage to repay him for his trouble in building the new hearse. Among the physicians was Chas. H. Sackrider. HIe came from Grass Lake, Jackson county. He, for a number of years, wvas associated with Drs. McRoberts and Phelps. He remained in the village during the exodus to Lansing in 1847 and had a large practice. Thirty-seven years ago his tragic death was recorded in the newspaper. Twenty years before the doctor's death, a brother, who was a lawyer in Williamston, met the same fate. Among the lawyers were Orlando M. Barnes, Henry L. Henderson, Erastus Peck and Horatio Pratt. Mr. Barnes was instrumental in getting the first railroad into Lansing. Mr. Henderson was prosecuting attorney for Ingham county, while Mr. Peck, we think, was judge of probate. Peter Linderman, the first supervisor of Vevay township, had a general store and was postmaster, while Peter Lowe from Stockbridge was in partnership with Dr. John W. Phelps in a drug and hardware store. S. H. Worden had a saloon and was the only saloonist in the village. When the railroad came to Mason in I866, the village grew and became quite metropolitan. A bank was established, grain elevators erected, a new brick hotel built-the Donley house, and the old wooden stores were gradually replaced by brick buildings. In the seventies an artesian well was drilled on the west side of the courthouse square that furnished pure water to all the business section of the village for a time, when it suddenly went dry, and a waterworks or a pumping station was established in the north part of the village, where an abundant supply of water is obtained from the wells. The latter part of the sixties and the early part of the seventies, the county fair grounds just south of the village was a great advertisement for Mason. When the trotting horse mania was the only thing in rural districts, Mason and vicinity was noted for its trotters. Hal Irwin, Asa Barber and Lewis Webb became noted breeders and trainers of fine horses. On the advent of automobiles, they sold their horses and plowed up their track. William Woods, another farmer in Vevay township, was a noted breeder of stock. His fancy was oxen. Some of the older pioneers remember his exhibits at the fair. Some may remember his exhibits of one year which consisted of six or eight yokes of oxen from baby calves to six or eight-year-olds. The Scotch farmers from Delhi always had flocks of Leisters or other long-wool sheep INGHAM COUNTY 275 and Chester White hogs. These exhibits gave Mason and Vevay township prestige of being the great stock-raising center of the county. It is yet, for within the past three years a milk factory has been established to care for the supply of milk. A carriage factory was established in the village that did a large and profitable business for a number of years. A tile and brick factory in the eastern part of the town was conducted by William Barker and brought customers and trade to Mason. Frank Seeley ran the grain elevator, and by his interest in grain raising has made Mason a good shipping center, in fact. the best between Lansing and Jackson. He has also been honored by his townsmen with several important political offices. The business men have been called retired farmers by the younger merchants from other cities. Most of them are farmers and have farms outside of the village that they conduct in a successful manner and all are proud of the title. and can point with pride to a thing that they have specialized in and made a financial success. The finest orchard and best apples grown in the township were grown by a banker, R. C. Dart, of Mason, who has been a successful farmer. He has so many sons that the high cost of labor on his farm is not mentioned. Mr. Dart is interested in breeding and buying cows for the milk factory. Numbers of young business men in the past have served their initiatory in Mason. The Mills company served out their probationary period, commenced in Webberville, and in Mason, before they went to Lansing. All have done well because they have been trained by the farmer merchants. Farmers and farmers' wives are always ready for a bargain. It takes as much time and tact to sell a farmer woman six yards of calico as it does a silk dress to a flapper. Most of the public or other buildings in Mason were put up by farmers who reside there. For example, the Rayner Opera House was built by William Rayner, a farmer, and churches and schoolbuildings were built by farmers. Among the professional men, especially doctors and lawyers, we have mentioned those who were quite prominent in pioneer times. These went to Lansing in the great exodus in I847. Those who remained, in a few years died or moved away and others took their places. Among the many who came, some remained and are remembered for their many acts of kindness. Dr. Alexander Campbell came to Mason to succeed his brother, who was not successful in his practice. The doctor had seven brothers, six besides himself who were physicians. He was Scotch, and for several years worked hard to get established and gain the confidence of the people. He married Miss Gertrude Dart, daughter of J. R. Dart, sheriff of the county. After his marriage he worked so hard during an epidemic of typhoid fever (I89I). that he contracted the disease himself and died. His funeral was the largest ever held in Mason. After his death, his devoted wife studied and graduated in medicine, came back to Mason and filled his place in the community until ill health compelled her to assign her place to another doctor. 276 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Dr. W. W. Root was a Civil war veteran. He practiced in Mason all his life. He enjoyed meeting and treating his old comrades. He was an athlete, and enjoyed all athletic games. When he was sixty years old he always entered the fat man's race and strove hard to win the event. He was mayor of the village, also commissioner of the poor, a member of the pension board for the county, and other minor offices. Dr. Culver has been in Mason for years, and no doubt has seen several young doctors hang out their shingles, practice a short time, then disappear. Dr. Freeland was born in or near Mason and has practiced among his old friends and relatives. The most noted lawyers since I860 are the Hendersons, Hemans, McArthurs and Hood. After the county seat was moved to Lansing in 1883, members of the legal profession preferred the capital for a place of residence. Mr. Henderson was prosecuting attorney, Lawton T. Hemans was a member of the state legislature, Mr. McArthur is judge of probate, 0. J. Hood has been probate register. Mrs. A. P. Vandeusen has lived over seventy years in Ingham county. Her husband was the first dentist to locate in the village. He was public-spirited and took great interest in all public affairs. His boyhood home was in Palmyra, N. Y. In early visits with her husband to Smith's home during Mormon excitement, she obtained some interesting history in regard to Joseph Smith's family and the prophet himself. She visited Mormon Hill, the repository of the metal records which the prophet dug up, translated and made, or had printed into the Book of Morma or "Mormon Bible." Her description of three plates are as follows: "They were gilded, or plated, with gold as thin, or thinner than sheets of tin, eight i'nches long, seven inches wide, bound together with three rings, and when bound made a volume six inches thick. On each plate was graven characters, or figures, which nobody could read, a kind of Chinese puzzle that a professor of the Oriental language, a teacher in an eastern college, said were Greek letters, Zodiac signs, that did not mean anything. With these plates were the wonderful stone spectacles the prophet wore when he read the plates to his converts." Mrs. Vandeusen says translation contains the first or primitive history of America. (There are affidavits of John Spaulding's widow in regard to an unpublished manuscript of her husband in which he tried to prove the Indian or primitive race came from, or was, one of the ten lost tribes of Israel). Major John Gilbert, a publisher in Palmyra, N. Y., printed the translation into a book. It took him seven mo'nths to complete the same, as the copy was given him daily by Joseph Smith. Major relates how the copy came to him in a jumbled up mess with no punctuation or paragraphing. The publisher published 5,ooo copies of this bible in the first edition, and was paid $3,000.00. He showed Mrs. Vandeusen one of these bibles printed in 1830, when he was an old man. Mrs. Vandeusen's history of Smith is similar to the stories of scores of other pioneers who lived in those days and came in contact with this religious sect. Historians came after a lapse of seventy-five years, and say that Joseph Smith was a false teacher and prophet, that his teachings have no part in modern civilization, that INGHAM COUNTY 277 woman has been forced into slavery and degradation by polygamy. Theologians say they, Joseph Smith and James Strang, his successor, were punished by God for their sin, and capital punishment was executed on them by their own deluded followers. SCI-OOLS AND CHURCHES IN VEVAY TOWNSIIIP AND MASON When the first settlers came into the township, before they secured a comfortable place to live, a school was started. These schools were primary i'n character, kept in a rude cabin, and taught sometimes by the mothers of the pupils. A description of one of these schools will be a fair sample of all rural schools in the county. In what was, and is now, school district No. 7, a record of the organization of that district, management, expenses and teachers has come to us in an old district record that some one had filed away. The first step in organization is for some interested person to send out notices for a meeting. This is personally served on the principal taxpayers of the district. This notice informs the taxpayer that a meeting will be held in a certain place in the community to form a primary school district with certain boundaries. The boundaries are always written in the notice. Second, when the taxpayers meet, a temporary chairman is selected, also a secretary, and a school district is formed and the school board selected. Third, notice is always given that in the near future a site for a school building, with the cost of same, will be voted upon. Fourth, the proceedings of these two meetings are sent to the board of school inspectors in the township for their approval. Fifth, the officers of the school board, when they get this approval, calls a meeting of all the taxpayers of the district to vote a school tax o'n the property owned within the boundaries of the district, the cost of site and the cost of the school building. The board is now an organized body with legal power to transact business. It consists of a moderator (chairman), treasurer or assessor, and a clerk or director. If the school is large and has to be graded, one or two trustees are elected. On March 25, I854, the first notice was served on Isaac T. and J. R. Bush, Silas A. Holcomb, B. B. Haliday and Myron Chalker. At the first meeting Silas A. Holcomb was elected moderator, Isaac T. Push director, and Myron G. Chalker assessor. At the second meeting, February 20, I857, the following taxpayers were notified to be present: J. W. Seeley, John W. Wilcox, M. J. Chalker, John R. Bush, Franklin White, Henry Robson, James Patten and S. A. Holcomb. (There seems to be an interval of nearly three years between the first and the second meeting.) It was voted at this meeting to purchase a quarter acre on the southwest quarter, section I6, owned by J. W. Wilcox, to pay $25.00 for same, and $I75.00 to build a school building. The record shows that the school board engaged Adeline White to teach the school for three months at a salary of $8.00 per month and board herself, April, I857. The board had not finished building the new schoolhouse, so the teacher had to teach school in a log cabin which the board rented for fifty cents a week. The school furniture in those days was a box stove with stovepipe, broom, wooden pail, and 278 HISTORIC MICHIGAN one cup. To warm the building, each patron had to, for each scholar, deliver one-half a cord of stove wood on the school grounds. If there were incidentals each scholar was taxed seventy-five cents for the next year. There was a mill tax in those days as well as a primary fund. If these did not produce enough money to pay a teacher, a tuition rate, or rate bill, was charged each scholar. This rate bill was hard to collect, as some of the early settlers could not get money enough to pay taxes, so in the 70's the law was amended and all moneys needed for school expenses were raised by direct tax. In this district, i'n 1858, a librarian was added to the list of officers and the school year was lengthened to include nine months of school in one year. This shows that the school, after quite a delay in getting started, was growing and doing well. In I865 we find the teacher's salary increased to $i5.oo per month, or nearly a one hundred per cent increase, in eight years. The primary money the district received this year (I865) was $10.21. The primary schools in this township (Vevay), in early days, were very fortunate in having a good union school at Mason and Fuller's academy in the country, so that any farmer boy or girl could, at small expense, pursue their elementary studies, fit themselves for college, normal school, or university. The village of Mason always maintained a union school until the high school was established. Several years ago the old union building burned, or was "touched," and a large new brick building built. This building also burned but has been rebuilt and enlarged so now it is the finest in the state for a village with a similar population. In the 70's the teachers' institutes were held at Mason twice a year, but since 900o this has been changed so they have, tinder the direction of the county commissioner of schools, a normal school for teachers in the county during the summer vacation. The Methodist Episcopal church is the oldest established in Mason, and the Presbyterian is second. Some other denominations have started church societies but have never erected a church. The new modern church facing the court house square is built in Gothic style of stone obtained in the vicinity. These churches have a large membership and each has a flourishing Sunday school. BUNKERIIILL TOWNSHIP This township was first surveyed in 1824 by Joseph Wampler, who run the boundary lines only. Two years later, or in I826, he subdivided the township into sections and fractions of the same. This was before congress had organized and named the county, which was in I829. After the survey it was township I, north range i east. The first settler in the township was Luther Branch, who Iocated land on section 33, in June, 1835. The next person was Elias Thompson, who came August, 1835, and located on sections 34 and 35. He was followed by Blossom I. Efner on sections 27, 28 and 33. Mr. Efner was also located on section 34 in September the same year. Silas Holt INGHAM COUNTY 279 came in September and located on section I, while Martin Allen followed in October on section 34. There were five settlers and six locations in 1836. In 1836 the locaters were so numerous that nearly onehalf of the township was taken up by settlers. The first house built was erected by Abram Butnker, on northeast quarter of section 33. It was built on land owned by Noah Clark, but the builders made a mistake and it was erected on another man's land. For this reason it was never occupied by the owner but used by the traveling public as a camp until burned by a forest fire. The first public improvement was made by David Fuller on section 7, in I837. Mr. Wood made the second in the same year, and John O'Brien and Job Earl finished the year with their improvements. The above men's descendents are most of them living on these same farms. The first white child was born April 7, I837. This child was Charles H. Wood, son of Henry Wood. He died in 1922. By act of the legislature in I838-39 the township was organized and David Iuller's home was designated as the place to hold the first election. There were twenty votes cast, and the following were the first township officers: Supervisor, David Fuller; clerk, Uzziel C. Taylor; treasurer, David Fuller; assessors, Henry Wood, Tristram Smith, George Taylor; commissioners of highways, Ebenezer Whitmore, Brutis Hoyt; collector, Harvey Taylor; directors of poor, Ebenezer Whitmore, Job Earl, Tristram Smith; justices of the peace, Henry Wood, Tristram Smith, George Taylor; constable, Brutus Hoyt. By the looks of this ticket some men filled two or three offices. As to their politics John O'Brien claimed to have cast the o'nly Democratic vote. School district No. I, on section 7, and district No. 2, on section 29, were organized in I840. District No. 2 was put on the records first, so was named No. I. The Baptists formed the first church society at the home of David Fuller, in 1838 or 1839. In 1842 a Presbyterian society was organized at the Dean school house in district No. 2, and about the same time a Methodist Episcopal class was formed at the school house in district No. I. In 1844 a Roman Catholic society was formed at the home of James Markey on section io. A priest from Ann Arbor, or Jackson, or Chelsea, visited them and held services in the different homes until 1850 or T86o, when they built a church. This was the first church built in the township. It stood in the center of section IO. Before its erection a cemetery had been laid out on the same section and deeded to the church. Patrick Markey gave the land for the cemetery. This first Catholic church was a frame structure, and was built in the middle of the cemetery. It was a mission church and was quite an undertaking for the few Catholic families in that part of the county. The first service was held in it in 1863, before it was plastered or had any pews. In 1864, by great efforts and many sacrifices the church was finished and dedicated by Bishop Lefever of Detroit. The church building was afterwards moved 280 HISTORIC MICHIGAN across the road where it served for a parochial school. The first resident priest was Father Hilarion Drissen, a native of Belgium. He remained as pastor from I869 to 1871. Father Slattery took his place but was, in a short time, moved to Pinkney. The Church farm was sold and the parish became a mission of Pinkney. From I878 until 1905 this country church was a mission church. The priests from Pinkney, Jackson and Williamston held services there, and the members were loyal and faithful to their church. Members from White Oak township and other townships within a distance of ten miles continued to worship there until a church was formed in Fowlerville and other towns. In 1898 Father Connelly, pastor from Williamston, assumed charge of the parish, and under his guidance great improvements were made. A new church was built opposite the cemetery and dedicated in 1898, free from dept. In 1905 he started to erect a rectory east of the church, and a convent for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Kalamazoo, but was forced to leave these undertakings and take charge of a parish in Detroit. Father James O'Brien took charge when Father Connelly left, and the church became a parish church again. In I906 the new church was destroyed by fire, and in I9Io the rectory burned. Under the leadership of Father O'Brien these buildings have been rebuilt, the school re-opened and an auditorium constructed in I912. This group of church buildings in the center of the township is the best in the rural districts of the county. It is so attractive that all public picnics and other social, as well as political, meetings are held there. It is a monument of the Irish-American people, or settlers. Any student who has studied the history of Ireland, will be impressed and will admire the endurence and courage which this race has always displayed in getting and maintaining a home and church, or spiritual home. The first postoffice was established in I848. Chester Tuttle was postmaster. The mail was received at Henrietta and Jackson, Jackson county, and forwarded via boat or horseback to section To, the Tuttle residence. This route was changed in 1850, so "Uncle Sam" carried the mail from Mason to Jackson and back, and supplied Henrietta, Bunkerhill and Fells with mail once,a week. In 1855 a new postoffice was established at Fitchburg, and from this place the village of Fitchburg started, or was founded. The first sawmill was a steam mill with upright type of saw. It was built by Selah Fitch. This mill is in operation now (1924). The first store was built in the center of the township by Almond Crozier. By building this store settlers tried to start a village, but did not make much progress. The locality was named Bunkerhill Center. In I886, a small colony of Seven Day Adventists built a small wooden church and tried to revive the place, but did not meet with much success. M. St. Clair, an old resident, platted a few lots and sold them to small land holders. There was a broom factory there in I880, run by one man and his family. The first dwellings built remained for some time, but none are there today. INGHAM COUNTY 281 The village of Fitchburg was named in honor of the Fitch family. In this family were Governor Fitch, Ferris Fitch, representative in the legislature in 1852; Charles C. Fitch, register of deeds in I884-86, representative in legislature in I888; Ferris S. Fitch, Jr., superintendent of public instruction in I890. All of the above were Bunkerhill residents, and most of them claim that place as their birthplace. The agricultural resources of the township have been developed along the lines of general farming. It has an ideal soil and climate for fruit, but lack of markets to handle the same and competition from the fruit belt to Lake Michigan and the west have compelled settlers to stick to general lines and not specialize in fruit. There are several large peat beds in the southern part of the township that will be worked in the future and furnish fuel for thousands of families. Some of the swamps and marshes furnish an ideal home for the cranberry, which can be raised with profit by anyone who wants to invest. The present settlers have obtained, through their public officials, a good drainage law and the lands drained have been made into fine pastures and hay fields. When the petition to the legislature was being circulated the question of a name was discussed. David Fuller, who made the first improvement, claimed the right to name the township. He wanted to name it after the town he came from. Other settlers opposed him, and Mr. Bunker's name was inserted in the petition. Mr. Bunker would not allow his name to be used so they compromised on the name Bunkerhill, although most of the surface of the township is level. Quite a tract of land in the western part of the township is an elevated plain, or plateau, which in early days was called Felt's Plains. We have mentioned the Fitch family. Another family whose members settled first in Alaiedon township and after the arrival of other members moved into Bunkerhill and were instrumental in building and developing both townships, was the Dubois family. This family was noted for its well-kept genealogical record. It originated in Norma'ndy, France, in times of William the Conqueror or Duke William in o166. Its coat of arms is described in full in the records in the state library at Lansing. Descendents of this ancient Huguenot family drifted from France into Belgium and Holland, others carried the banner of William into England. Louis, who came from that branch which went to Holland, was born there, came with the Dutch to America in I66o. He landed in New York City and settled in New Paltz, Ulster county, New York. He was married in 1655 to Catheri'ne Blanchau. This is the first appearance of this family on American soil. From this descendent came Gerrit, who, in 1704, married Margaret Elmendorf, and the line is merged into that of Anneke Jans, and the claim of Anneke Jans and her heirs to prove their title to the Trinity church real estate in New York City. This case has been before the courts in the state of New York for over a hundred years and is not settled yet. It is a financial expense to the heirs and descendents of this woman. It is similar to "Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce" in Bleak House by 282 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Charles Dickens. Martin Dubois, a descendent of this family, was born in the state of New York, November 25, I764. When old enough he served as bugler in a regiment in the Revolutionary war. A member of his family has the conch shell which he used in place of a brass or copper instrument. He and his wife came to Alaiedon township in I837. Another member of the family had come in I834, for his health, but stopped at Lodi, Washtenaw county, married there and moved into White Oak township. Martin and his wife came to Bunkerhill to live with some of their children, but both died the same day and were buried in the same grave in I854. His grave is decorated for his service in the Revolutionary war. Jacob Dubois, Jr., a son, married Miss Mary Longyear, whose family came from Ulster county, New York. Another member of this family, Steven Dubois, son of Asa Dubois, married Ha'nnah Longyear. These two young ladies were relatives or members of Hon. John M. Longyear's family, and were the attraction that brought his father, Peter Longyear, to live in the woods in Vevay township. Asa Dubois came to Alaiedon, Ingham county, in 1840. His son, Samuel, taught district school when only fifteen years old to earn expense money to graduate in the medical department of the University of Michigan. When he graduated he started practice in the village of Unadilla, Livingston county. H-e lived there until he died. He was a successful surgeon and an honest practitioner. No allurement of a large city practice had attractions for him. He preferred to remain with the tillers of the soil and treat the families of those that followed the plow. H-is name will never be forgotten and his acts of skill and kindness will ever be remembered. Miss Adelia Dubois, another of this family, has given some valuable pioneer history of the family and others of the neighborhood. Every member of the family has, notwithstanding their noble birth and aristocratic lineage, worked hard with their hands and brains to make the wilderness blossom. G. W. Holland was historian and poet laureate of Bunkerhill and other townships where he resided for forty years. After I876 he became the regular correspondent of the Ingham County Democrat and News, the Leslie Local, Stockbridge Sun and Lansing Sentinel. He was justice of the peace for twenty-two years, so could write from his court docket all kinds of stories. His pen name was "Rough and Ready," and he edited a set of stories about White Oak and Leroy townships, "Chronicles of Break of Day." These were revise l and made into a book by E. Everett Howe that had quite a sale. Four editions were published by Robert Smith Printing company. Prominent among those we have already mentioned who have developed its resources and built its institutions are James Vicary, George W. M. Shearer, Zachariah Makeley, Parley P. Moore, Stoddard Culver, Bezaleel Archer, Bazaliel Hodge, Lewis Case, Calvin P. Eaton, Patrick Markey, Thomas Markey, Orson O. Janes, Joseph C. Ewers, Timothy Birney, Abraham A. Wilcox, Lucius Lord, William B. Dean, John B. McCreery, Hubbard McCreery, Philander Peek and Peter his brother, Danford INGHAM COUNTY 283 Parmalee, Henry B. Hawley, Jonathan and Charles Wood, John DeCamp and Silas Holt. STOCKBRIDGE TOWNSHIP Stockbridge township is in the southeastern part of the county and is town I, north range 2 east. Within its boundaries was the southeastern terminus of the old Indian trail that ran in a crooked line north and west across the county. The early land seekers and settlers used it to penetrate the interior of the county when Michigan was a territory, so they named it the Territorial road. This township was the gateway through which the early settlers, who came to Ann Arbor and Chelsea by highway and railroad, entered the county. These settlers were mostly from New England states. The town when first organized was named by some settlers from Stockbridge, Massachusetts. This first land purchaser was Richard R. Lowe, who came to Ingham county in the spring of 1834 and located land on sections 2 and 3. Herman Lowe, his brother, preceded him in 1834, but located land over the line in White Oak township, section 33. In the spring of 1835 another brother, Peter Lowe, came, built a house and moved his family into it. This house was of logs and the nearest neighbor lived six miles away. David Rodgers, son-in-law of John Davis, built the first frame house in Stockbridge township. It was framed and hauled on sleighs from Lima, Washtenaw county, and erected on a piece of land on section 36. This record is correct and it can be proven that it was the first frame house erected in the first settlement made in the county. These first settlers were followed by others. In 1838 the population had increased so fast that Richard Lowe and others petitioned for a township government. This was granted by the legislature and Stockbridge became the first town of the sixteen townships to get a name and government. When they met they adopted the same form as was in vogue in Washtenaw, and some of the neighboring counties. This form with some slight modifications is in use today. When some of the other townships wanted something different they always adopted the form that Stockbridge used. It is used all over the state. It is uniform and efficient. Some European writers who have written about democracy and the republican form of government praise it. They pronounce it the greatest example of a pure democracy, the township a complete unit in the county and state government. The legal business of the township could not be done in Ingham county, as there was no county government in the county or county bfficers. To overcome this and do the township business in a proper manner the township. was attached to Jackson county. When all the townships were formed and the county was organized the attachment continued, one circuit judge for both counties. This judge resided in Jackson and held court in Mason in the same way the present circuit judge resides in Lansing and holds court at Mason. This method continued until Ingham county's business increased, then the counties were separated in 1883. The Lowe family, or the three brothers, same from Washtenaw 284 HISTORIC MICHIGAN county, Michigan. They always took a leading part in the early settlement of not only Stockbridge and White Oak townships but the whole county. The lake near their first location bears their name as well as the schoolhouse and neighborhood. Charles Lowe, one of the descendants, resides on the old Lowe homestead. Peter Lowe was the first justice of the peace in Stockbridge and was also sheriff of the county and president of the Ingham County Pioneer society and has given some valuable data in regard to early settlers and settlements. Mrs. Gertrude Lowe Chappell, daughter of Herman Lowe, has related from memory how Melissa Stephens, the first teacher in the settlement, received 75 cents per week for her services. The editor and publisher of the Expounder-first newspaper published in LansingSanford-speaks in praise of the village of Stockbridge. In one issue he proclaims to all that the brains and culture of the county were in this village. For a long time the mail and transients were carried by stage over the government road to Dexter. David Rodgers was the first mail carrier and stage driver. Thed Owen, Ben Ferry and Lucius Bowdish, Civil war veteran, were also stage drivers. In I863, Stockbridge was doing her part in the Civil war by sending some of the soldier boys to the South. One, named Nichols, afterwards served the county as county treasurer. Some of the pioneer names are among the township officials-Supervisor David Rogers, Justice of the Peace Joseph D. Rogers, while among the trades four blacksmiths-Thomas Lawson, George H. Ewing, F. Laner and Fred Sawyer. Among the merchants Branch & Forbes. Mr. Forbes also started a country store at Iosco, Parker's Corners, in Livingston county, Michigan. This was conducted successfully for over thirty years by Lafayette Peet. Mr. Peet was an ideal country merchant. He was the banker, lawyer, social director and fraternal chief of the whole community. Besides this he was a fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed nature and tutored his only son, Dr. M. Peet, of Ann Arbor, so he became the best amateur ornithologist in the state. Dr. J. L. Ackley was the most noted physician and surgeon in the sixties and seventies in the village. He came from Ohio and married John Mulvaney's sister of White Oak township. The doctor was a surgeon and not finding much in his line of practice in a country village traveled over Ingham, Livingston and Shiawassee counties. He was excellent in his line and many pioneer lives were saved by his skill. His success and independence made him enemies among other professional men and his personal traits and habits retired him to private life. He died a few years after his retirement and is buried, at Stockbridge. Within the past thirty-five years Dr. Brown, another physician in this village, has become as noted as Dr. Ackley by treating two young girls for catalepsy. This is a disease not common to rural districts and attracted attention of the medical fraternity and finally the morbidly curious of the general public. The latter advertised the doctor's patients in such a way that he had to INGHAM COUNTY 285 send them away. Dr. Chris Brogan and Dr. Rowe all from their time of residence were old-time physicians in the village. Besides the blacksmith shops and doctors' offices this village in 1863 had a hotel, Masonic lodge, Presbyterian church and two stores. It did not increase in population until the railroad came in the eighties. When this village had railroad connection with Jackson and other towns it grew rapidly for a few years, or until the bank failed and some leading business men went to Lansing and Jackson. Some of the improvements were a public square with a town hall in the center, new school building, one or two sawmills, gristmill, one or two brick yards, several new stores, newspaper and an annual county fair. This was the great advertising medium that brought trade and prosperity to the village. It was discontinued in I902 because it ceased to be an attraction. Since then the village has lost some of its business men and the bank failure discouraged others so that they left. Today we find the village maintains its churches and schools, social prestige and local trade. It is an ideal place to lead a quiet country life among cultured people. This township and village have furnished several men and women who have occupied posts of honor in the state and nation. Ex-United States Senator Charles Townsend, recently deceased, was a resident and passed his boyhood on a farm in this township. A. A. Hall has been state representative in the legislature. Mr. Thompson, editor of the Williamston Enterprise is a Stockbridge boy, and scores of other have come from Stockbridge. It is the oldest township in the county, has the oldest and wealthiest farmers, best farms and its residents are law-abiding citizens. INGIIAMN TOWNSHIP This township was named after the county. In I838 its territory embraced the four northeastern townships of our county, viz., Ingham, Wheatfield, Leroy and White Oak. The first township meeting was held at the home of Caleb Carr in the spring of 1838. Twenty-five voters were present. They met to organize the township and elect township officers. The first question was what constituted a township set of officers. The voters were from Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and New Jersey. They had some learning and were advanced in some ways as regards different forms of township government. Some wanted three select men to be officers, some wanted the treasurer to be assessor and make assessments. Some wanted no judiciary or justice of the peace as there was no county seat or county judge. Personal and political argument nearly broke up the meeting. As a last resort William Dryer made a motion that they adopt the same form of township government that Stockbridge had adopted a short time before. This was a compromise and when adopted the pick of candidates brought on another discussion almost as long as the first. Candidates did not know the duties of the different offices and did not possess a scrap of a law book or guide to post up on. The day was spent in 286 HISTORIC MICHIGAN trying to get some one to run for office and do the best he could when elected. Finally before dark a chairman was selected with a secretary and the hat was passed to receive the ballots and when counted to give majorities to the candidates. The meeting adjourned, lanterns were lighted and the voters went home. The first election in the northeastern part of the county in 1838 was a thing of the past. The village of Dansville is one of the oldest settlements in the county. Permanent home seekers located there as early as 1836 and I840. It was located on the old Territorial road, we have mentioned before, running from Stockbridge to Mason. The first store was opened by Samuel Crossman in I847. One of the hotels we see today in the village was erected in 1856-57 by David D. Fox. The original plat of the village was made May 26, 1857, by Samuel Crossman and Ephraim Hillaird. Daniel L. Crossman, John B. Dakin and Philo Olis made additions and in October, I866, it was placed on record as "Crossman's Complete Plat" and incorporated by an act of the legislature and the first charter election held in May, 1867. The following officers were elected: President, Daniel L. Crossman; clerk, Z. Ramson; treasurer, L. K. Strong; trustees, H. L. Strong, Martin V. Jessop, Joseph Keene. The first postoffice was established in the southern part of the township at the home of John B. Lobdell. It was moved later to Haynes' Corners, one and a half miles south of the village, and Henry Densmore was postmaster. The third move placed it in the village in I855 with Daniel T. Weston as postmaster. This village boomed from I867 to I87I. A brick schoolhouse was erected, churches were built, fraternal societies formed, carriage factory and wagon shop built and operated, gristmill erected and operated by Daniel L. Crossman and Martin Atwood in connection with their large general store erected by John B. Dakin, and a sawmill by C. and Martin Jessup. All these improvements were made by active business men, but when the railroad was built through the northern part of the county instead of the central part and Dansville was left ten miles inland, the business went to Williamston and the Crossmans, Dakins, Jessops, Healds and Whipples went to Williamston, and Dansville became a deserted village. A destructive fire in the eighties destroyed nearly one-half of the business section. It has never been rebuilt. Daniel L. Crossman was elected clerk of the house of representatives in our state legislature and served in this position until ill health caused him to resign. He also was postmaster in Dansville and supervisor in Williamston. When he came to Williamston he established there the Crossman and Williams State Bank, a large general store, built a large gristmill, helped to build the first brick schoolhouse, the stone church (MIethodist Episcopal), a block of brick stores, a hotel and a fine residence for himself near the depot. He was a hundred per cent clerk while in the legislature and a hundred per cent plus in business activities in his home town. The two villages, Dansville and Williamston, their growth and development, are due to his efforts and the efforts of his business associates. In society, INGHAM COUNTY 287 school and church work he was equally prominent. He is buried at Dansville. John B. Dakin, his partner at Dansville, came to Williamston and opened a real estate and loan office. William Heald went into a clothing store and farming business. He is alive now (I924) and writes some interesting poems and pioneer sketches of his life in Ingham county. He closed his carriage factory in Dansville when he came to Williamston in I872, but can tell his friends how some autos could be improved. Martin V. Jessup had a sawmill at Dansville, but built a large hardware store in Williamston. His health failed so he sold his store and stock and returned to his old home in the state of New York, where he died. George Whipple was another Dansville man who engaged in the grain business at Williamston. Charles Rice, son of Egbert Rice, was another Dansville merchant who movel to Williamston and engaged in the same business. After his death his sons sold the stock and business to other parties. Among the professional men who lived at Dansville we can recall two doctors named Webb. They were brothers. There were seven brothers in the Webb family. Three, John, James nad George. lived on farms in Wlilliamston township. Two others, doctors, practiced there when the Webbs were there. Dr. Dean taught singing school as well as practicing his profession, but after the great fire in which he lost nearly all his property, he wandered about the country as a traveling doctor and finally found a home at the county farm where he died twenty years ago. Dr. Sherwood was a Canadian and came to Dansville as a doctor and minister in the sixties, but left or removed to Colorado in the seventies. Mark and Martin Atwood were twins. Mark was a lawyer while Martin was a faimer. They never went to Williamston, but remained at Dansville and died there. They left no descendants who bear their name. The most noted principal in the school was Elmer D. North. He and his sister taught in the old brick building, now torn down, in T876-77. His sister married Frank Fields, who was a pupil of E. D. North, her brother. Mr. Fields has been secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance of Ingham county for several years and resides in Mason. In the southeastern part of the township were several pioneer farmers who cleared their farms, and erected commodious buildings. Some of these buildings can be seen today in a ruinous condition, but the greatest havoc is seen in their fences and orchards. The timber is gone with lurmbering interests, and repairs are costly when they have to buy fencing. Some have tried hedges but through neglect the hedge has proven a menace instead of a protection. Apples and other fruits from the fruit belt of Michigan and the irrigated lands of the west have taken the local market away from them so the old orchards have not been replanted but have succumbed to scale and borers. The most prominent farmers in the above section fifty years ago were the Manns, Hicks, Woods, Kents, Underwoods and others. In the vicinity of Dansville were the Posts, Otis brothers, Atwoods, 288 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Hatchs and others. In the northern part of the township we find Averys, Swans, Carrs, Skadans, Parks, Clarks and Whipples. James Sevan came from Orleans county, New York, to Ingham county in I840. His brother Joh'n had preceded him and had quite a farm cleared in the north part of the towpship. He noticed on his trip from Ann Arbor to his brother's that the oak openings looked like great orchards. He was a violinist and when he played at Hunt's tavern two miles south of his brother's, his reputation was established. During the winters he and his violin were kept busy. His family when grown and large enough were organized into an orchestra which played all over Ingham county. When the new dances came in vogue in I900 he became disgusted, called the modern waltz and two-step "baby dances" and hung up his violin. Some of his relatives are in business at Williamston. Charles Clark served two terms in the state legislature. His father was one of the pioneers. Lawyer Avery served as county prosecutor and was alderman in the city of Lansing when he died in I924. He was born in Ingham township. Caleb Carr was pioneer justice of the peace and postmaster when it cost twenty-five cents to send a letter to New York state. Meadeville.-This settlement was east of Dansville on the Stockbridge road. It is certain that a family by that name were pioneers in the community in early times. There was a sawmill, a small store and a few frame dwellings there fifty years ago. We find only two or three houses now. The store and other buildings have either burned, been wrecked or moved away. Of all the townships Ingham has received the least number of foreigners or aliens. The original white settlers were from the New England or Middle Atlantic states. Their society rules, school and church regulations were a copy from their home towns or back in New England. WHITE OAK TOWNSHIP This township in government survey was township 2, north range 2 east. Most of the land within its boundaries was covered with oak timber. The bulk of this was white oak that grew in such a way that the settlers called it from the opening or spaces between the trees "oak openings." The pioneers who came from England were reminded, when they first viewed these woods, of parks of oaks in the old country. The Indians used to destroy small brush between the trees by burning the ground annually. By doing this they could improve their game preserve. The deer would come to feed upon the young grass and tender shoots that came up after the fire. Bears, squirrels and other game came to feed upon acorns and other nuts, berries and wild fruits along the bottoms of streams. This land was cleared and made into farms in a way we have indicated. The soil of the township was mostly sandy loam that would grow all kinds of crops. There was not so much danger of early frosts as in the heavy clay bottom lands. INGHAM COUNTY 289 There was a tamarack swamp in the eastern part that extended north and south across the township, a continuation of the one in Leroy township. There are several small lakes in the township that have their source in the Kalamink creek and other small brooks. This township is the water-shed of the county. The water from this swamp and small lakes and creeks parts near the center of the township and one-half of it finds its way to Lake Erie, while the other half flows to Lake Michigan. In 1834, Herman Lowe located a farm on section 33. In the fall of 1835, Daniel Dutcher came with his family in a covered wagon to the southern part of the township, built a rude cabin and got ready to pass the winter. They had some supplies when they started from New York, and added to same by purchases in Detroit. Mr. Dutcher was considered one of the wealthy pioneers for he had $I,500 when he started. So he could buy supplies, stock and tools to make a clearing, build a home, and supply his family for one year. In December, a few weeks after his arrival, but before he had any doors or windows in his log cabin, a daughter was born. This is Mrs. Abby Dutcher Clark. She lives with her son, Will G. Clark, 116 South Francis street, Lansing, Mich. She can relate some interesting things about early settlers and their daily life. Her description of a Dutch oven in which they baked bread is very interesting. Mrs. Clark says there were no settlers west of her home in Ingham county. It was an unbroken forest, with Indian trails, inhabited by wolves, bear and deer. The wolves gave a concert every night. Mrs. Clark has been married twice. Her first husband, George Wilson, was killed in the Civil war. He belonged to Company 1H, 26th regiment. The early settlement of this township was in groups, or communities. The long swamp in the eastern half of the township divided the settlement into those along the county line between Ingham and Livingston counties, those in the north and west and those in the south. Each group will have to be described separately. In the north we find John A. Sly, T. C. Crysler, Godleys, Haywoods, Hollands, McIntyres, Oakleys, Ben Lutz, McKernans, Wilcoxes, Dotys, Taylors, and Joslins. In the northwest corner the Cadys and Hendrixes. Eastern group, or those along county line road, were the Mulvaneys, Havens, Jacobs, McMahons, Ostands, Stowes, Smiths an:l McCartys. In the southern'group were Abraham Hayner and his family, who settled on section 34. His farm was one of those mentioned on Old Territorial road. He built a long one-story house of slabs that was used, after he built his home across the road, for a hotel or lodging house. It was called the Slab tavern, and used to entertain stage passengers. Dr. Brogan and his brother, William Brogan, of Dancer, Brogan & Co., were born in this township. A short distance north of Mr. Hayner's a man started a sawmill. Quite a cluster of houses sprang up around this mill, and this small mill village was named "Millville." A church, general store, postoffice, blacksmith shop, with five or six old dwellings, are there now. Herbert Anderson, grandson of the pioneer by that name, runs the store and has a large trade. Abraham Hayner was a 3-19 290 HISTORIC MICHIGAN relative by marriage to John Turner, brother of James Turner, Sr. IHe came with the Hayners from New York in 1838 or 1839. He and his wife died a short time after their arrival and his family of nine children found homes in the Turner families in Ingham county. One son, Horace, died from wounds in the Civil war. Amos, his brother, was in the mercantile and produce business in Lansing until he removed to Seattle, Washington. Mr. John Turner bought his land direct from the government. In the western group we find the Carters, Dakens, Grimes, Abbotts, Grangers, Proctors, Pullings and others; Morans, in the west central part, were also later pioneers. No railroad has ever crossed the boundaries of this township, so reader and explorer cannot find any village. There is no record of any plat of a village on the county records. Twenty-five years ago a brick church was built on the north town line and a country store building started and completed bv Dunn Brothers in Webberville. A country blacksmith conducted a shop for a number of years, or until automobiles put him out. These buildings are located on four corners, and with a small schoolhouse have received the name of "Vantown." Mr. Van Buren lived near the corners so they used part of his name. Two miles east of these corners is a schoolhouse that is set just across the line in Leroy, which Mr. William Havens named the "Break of Day." There were one or two churches beside Millville and Vantown. One or two small home factories were started in the township, but when the owner (lied they were closed. The pio'neers who settled this township were enterprising farmers from the east. Their descende'nts are progressive and up-to-date. Their farms show fine buildings and careful tillage. There are no abandoned farms in this township. Grain and stock raising with dairying are the principle occupations. There is a flourishing grange a'nd it has a large membership. A daily R. IF. D. from Webberville and Stockbridge keep farmers acquainted with all parts of the world. It would be difficult to name all the persons who have achieved honor in their birthplace. It has sent its share to fill county and state offices. It sent its boys to the Southland during the Civil war and across seas in the World war. All nationalities from Europe are represented in its residents. The Mulvaneys, McCartys, Havens, McMahons, Patricks, Howards, Morans, Brogans, Mclntyres an:l Grimes were Irish, or Scotch and Irish descent, while the Hayners, Lantis, Lutz and Bavenders were German; William Haywood, Wilcoxes and Giddings were English. All the New England and Middle Atlantic states are represented among the early pioneers. There was one lone colored man, John Norris, who in an early day purchased the north half of southwest quarter section I. When he was a cook or chef in a hotel in Jackson, Mich., he used to come there and spend his vacations. When his wife's health failed he made it his permanent home. After her death he led a life of a hermit. He did many acts of kindness and charity that endeared him to the whole community. He was always ready to open his door INGHAM COUNTY 291 and take in and shelter the outcast and show them the true path of life. When he died he received all the attention of a brother or member of a family. It would be a long drawn out story to tell or recall the many warm, endearing friendships the writer made when he practiced medicine and traveled the roads of this township. Twe'nty-two years is quite a long time to remember in detail all the scenes in the stage of everyday life. ONONDAGA TOWNSIIP This township was named after a tribe of Indians. Under the territorial government it was known as town I, north range 2 west. When the county was formed it was the southwest corner of the county. Oliver Booth of Orleans county, New York, bought section 29, the first purchase, May 26, 1834. He died the following year and Harriet, his daughter, who married Jeduthan Fry and moved out to the land, gave birth to a daughter-Hannah Fry-the first white female blorn in the township. Peter Cranston, from Cayuga county, New York, purchased land near Mr. Booth in June, 1834. A son-inlaw, Henry Allen, moved on land south of Cranston's, and a son, the first white male child, was born the same year, 1834. Benjamin Rossman came in April, I836. George French arrived in 1837 and kept the ford across the Grand river. While engaged in his duties as ferryman he acted as postmaster and was appointed the year after his arrival. When the county was organized by an act of congress the west part was under control of Aurelius township. It had not been separated. A petition was sent to the legislature in I836-37 and granted in I838, so that the election of township officers was held in April of that year. The first officers were Amos E. Steel, supervisor; Josephus Tuttle, clerk; and after some delay Paul Cranston was appointed treasurer. Thomas K. Baldwin came in 1840. After he had cleared some land he built the first frame house in the township. It was in colonial style but he had to get his shingles and siding at Flint, and haul them over Indian trails and pioneer roads to his building place. He was noted for his great physical powers, acts of kindness and honesty. He left a large family, members of which have taken an active part in their home town affairs. The first schoolhouse was built on section 29 in 1838. The contract required the teacher to mop the schoolroom once a week, teach on every alternate Saturday, board around and receive the large salary of a dollar and a half per week. In the early forties the government sold to the Farmers Loan & Trust company of New York a large tract of land in the east part of the township. This company disposed of its holdings to speculators and homeseekers. The farms passed through several hands before they were settled upon permanently, but the settlers were from New York. Among them were the Newmans, Butts, Walkers, Lyons, Dwights, James, Baldwins, 292 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Champes, Bucklands, Hunts, Carpenters, Annis and others. They were thrifty, progressive people and formed a fine community in this part of the township. In the west part of the township in I850 were Joseph S. Peerson, Garrett VanRiper, Henry Crane and Henry Willis, who built the ferry ro cross the Grand river in 1858. He was a carpenter and shipbuilder and did considerable building in the west part of the township. After the county was improved he engaged in the grain and stock business. Mr. Potter with Mr. Lockwood built the first sawmill on a small stream that empties into the Grand river. They did not want to dam the main river or did not have the means to build the large dam for power to run the mill. Village of Onondaga.-There was quite a village or collection of houses on the west bank of the river on section 29 from the earliest settlement of the township. In 1870, John Sherman and others platted the village on the northeast quarter of section 29. Grove Baldwin laid out an addition on the southeast quarter in I874. The old Onondaga hotel was built by Percy Howland in 1847 for a grocery. The other hotel-Sherman house-was built by John Sherman in I856. The first church was built in the township in I869. In 1877, W. B. Williams of Charlotte organized and built the Congregational church. This was remodeled in 1907. The present Baptist church was moved from Winfield in I905. Plank Road and Railroad.-In the fifties plank roads were in style. James Turner, Sr., and Hiram H. Smith were building the Detroit, Howell and Lansing plank road in the north part of the county, so five or six business men in the southwest part of the county saw the need of such a road from Jackson to Eaton Rapids. They formed a company and raised money to build a highway from Onondaga village that would connect them with Eaton Rapids and the Michigan Central railroad at Jackson. It was constructed in the same manner as the northern road and collected toll to pay running expenses. When the plank roadbed wore out the company went to the legislature and had the charter amended so it became a gravel road. This did not prove satisfactory to patrons who used and paid toll on the road, so they petitioned to have the charter of the company revoked. When this matter was under discussion Hon. Austin Blair was the attorney for the people and Judge Gridley appeared for the company. Judge Gridley won but promised the people if they paid their toll for one year the company would put the road in good shape. After a year the road was no better. The people became enraged, expelled some of the gate keepers because they dmanded toll and in one or two instances burned the gate houses. After the gate houses were destroyed the balance of the gate keepers moved out and the charter was revoked. There was peace on the banks of Grand river. The first railroad was chartered in 1846, but was not started until i866, or finished until July 4, I868. It was a branch of the Michigan Central and is the present "Grand River Valley" railroad. It gave all the "right-of-way" patrons a free ride the opening day and some INGHAM COUNTY 293 of their wives took lunch and knitting with them and rode the train all day. The town of Winfield on Grand river north and west of the village of Onondaga was disappointed because the railroad did not come to their town, but the company kindly ran a spur from the main track to the gristmill that benefited the merchants and residents in handling freight and farm products. Village of Winfield or Nova Scotia.-This was a village in Onondaga township located on the banks of the Grand river on section 17. It is one and one-half miles from the former village. Within the past few years the name of this village has been changed to Kinnieville and it is at the present writing a deserted village. Stephen VanKenney, a native of Nova Scotia, bought and settled in 1844 on a large tract of land where the village is today. He laid out the village and gave it the name of his native land. He built a dam across the Grand river and erected a sawmill on the east end of it and a gristmill on the west side. Joseph Pierson was the architect and builder of the gristmill which ran continuously for forty years and was known as the best in the county. In I890 people took wheat from all over the county to this mill to be made into flour. The last owner, Samuel Stetler, gave it a thorough overhauling, put in modern machinery, had a private switch to the railroad, built a cooper shop to make barrels, and did a large business. Three young men who are head millers in neighboring towns learned their trade in this nill. In 1890 this mill burned and has never been rebuilt. After that the people moved away and the houses were deserted, cooper and other small shops went with the people or while empty burned, so there was nothing left but a church and that was moved when the postoffice had to be given up to rural free delivery. It is to be hoped in the near future that the water power can be utilized, and this village made to come to life again. Before the advent of Stephen VanKenney in 1844 there was quite a company of immigrants in this section of the township. Joseph Gale, Peter N. Earl and Lawrence Ryan in I839, Richard Ferris and XWm. H. Town in 1844. Abraham Van Buskirk in 1853, followed by the Sherds, Battleys, Bucks and Deckies. All these settlers were from the New Engand and Middle Atlantic states. Their forebears were Puritans and they worked hard to turn the wilderness into homesteads. They endured hardship, rigors of climate and malaria to provide a home for themselves and their children. A cheese factory was established and successfully run for a number of years, but one or two seasons with a bad cheesemaker destroyed their trade and it was given up. Apple drying and bean picking have flourished and died. Several small factories and trades have been tried, but after a time have gone to Jackson or Lansing. The village has a fair trade in farm produce and the prison farm near the village gives the railroad and auto trucks some business. On "Prison Farm" is found a large bed of clay which is made into brick and tile by gangs of prisoners from the prison at Jackson. 294 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Lawton T. Hemans came into the township with his parents in 1875. He served the county and state in various capacities until his death; also wrote a short history of Michigan. Job T. Campbell was born in this township in I855. He was register of deeds and representative of the Second district. Solon C. Lane was the son of Jonathan Lane, who settled in the township in I834. Warren D. Byrum from this township has served two terms in the state legislature. Mrs. Emma Sibley Wheeler, who is a noted artist, was born in Onondaga. Dan Hibbard was the stage man who lived in Jackson and ran the stage from Jackson to Lansing. Onondaga township has more miles of Grand river than any other township in the county. It has to be crossed by four bridges in going to Eaton Rapids or Jackson. There are several beautiful spots on its banks that would make ideal camping grounds. They will be utilized in the near future and enjoyed by all. LESLIE TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE One hundred years ago (1824) John Mullett, Sr., and Joseph Wample surveyed the north and west boundry lines of this township for the government. They recorded it town I, north range I west. Hervey Park, another surveyor, subdivided the township into sections and fractions of sections two years afterwards. The township and village was named by Dr. J. A. Cornell of Spring Arbor, Mich. He was acquainted with a family by that name in eastern New York, and wanted them remembered by a township of the same name in the woods of Ingham county, Michigan. The village settlement was first named Meekerville by Dr. Valorois Meeker, first doctor to locate land and settle in Ingham county. Another small settlement in the north part of the township where sections 8, 9, i6 and 17 corner was also called Leslie, but after the name Meekerville was changed it was named North Leslie. After the county was settled a hotel was built at North Leslie to accommodate passengers on stage route, also farmers who used stage route to draw wheat to Jackson. This hotel or stage house, before it was closed, got a bad name by farmers and stage passengers being robbed while there. One or two of its landlords were blacklegs and gamblers. The corners where the hotel was located was at one time called Teaspoon Corners. Some of the old settlers can remember a blacksmith shop that did a large business shoeing horses. The early settlers with their covered wagons used the Indian trails when they could, and when there were none cut their own roads, following the blazed trees on section lines. The Gra'nd river was forded, as well as Hontoon creek. The early settlers came from Puritan ancestors in New England and the Middle states. This is shown in their christian names. Some bore the name of Elijah, Joseph, Isaac, Hiram, Jonathan and Abram. In the surnames we find no foreign names among these families. The first house in the township was built by Elijah Woodworth, the INGHAM COUNTY 295 first settler, assisted by Amos Wortman, a fellow pioneer. It was built on what is now Bellevue street, on the banks of Huntoon creek. In a short time another was built near Five Corners by Mr. Loomis, another near what is now the Methodist church, by H. Meeker, and a frame one by Mr. Elmer, also on Bellevue street. The first schoolhouse in the township, or village, was built in the fall of 1837, near where the Congregational church is located. This was a frame building among the log cabins. In after years when vacated it was used as part of a carriage house by J. R. Baggerly in Leslie. This building is in good con lition today because it was made of heavy timbers in the old-fashioned way. Pioneer history says the first teacher was named Stillman Rice, who was succeeded by Mrs. Butler. This school house was used for a church by the Methodists and other denominations. When this first building was vacated a brick school building was erected, but is now (1924) used for a chapel by the Congregational church. In I868 the present high school building was erected. In pioneer records we find the Methodist Episcopal church did some missionary work in the township (I830). This must have been done among the Indians for there were no white settlers until I836. In I837 a church society was formed with thirteen members. In one year after the first settler's cabin was erected, a school and church was established. This was a prominent trait of the early settlers who came from the east. With all their struggles and hardships the intellectual and spiritual wants were provided for in each settlement. The next year, 1838, the society received twenty-eight new members. The traveling minister in order to centralize his efforts, joined the society at Felt's Plains and Bunkerhill with the congregation at Leslie. This consolidated society continued to meet and hold services at private homes and schoolhouses until I856, when they formed a partnership with the Baptists and built a "Union church," which was used by both denominations until I868. At that date the Methodists withdrew and re'nted a hall until they erected a church of their own in I870. The Baptist church was organized in I839 with eight members. Elijah Grout was their first pastor. In I856 they tried to erect a church but part of the members joined the Methodists and built the Union church, as we have mentioned, while the balance started a church structure but did not finish it until two years later (I828). At the time this church was building the first Ladies' Aid society was organized with thirteen members. This is the first record of such a society being formed in the county. The ladies worked hard for a number of years to raise funds to furnish the church. They made all kinds of quilts and garments which were sold to buy paint, glass for windows, and furniture. This church was wood, but afterwards was veneered with brick and is in use today. A Congregational church was organized in 1843 with nine members. Meetings were held once in four weeks for eight months, then the organization was dissolved. In I86I another organization was formed which is in existence today. 296 HISTORIC MICHIGAN In a timbered country the first mills established by settlers are sawmills. Two were built on Huntoon creek, and by making a dam the water power was utilized in sawing lumber. One of these mills was erected by Woodworth, Dwight & Co. It was known as "Upper Mill," the other built by Henry Meeker was designated "Lower Mill." These two mills were erected in I836. The last or "Lower Mill" only run a few years, then was dismantled or wrecked. In I850 another sawmill, operated by steam power, was erected by S. O. Russell, that ran for eight years, and in I867 another or fourth mill was built on the east side of the creek. After operating ten years it was destroyed by fire, but soon rebuilt. The first gristmill was erected near Meeker sawmill in 1838 by David Dwight. It changed ownership several times, and when in possession of Henry Hawley, was burned. The second mill was built in 1870 by John Burchard, and is now used for a storage house. There was a third mill, but it burned after operating a few years. In 900o, one of these gristmills was operated extensively by two brothers, and Leslie flour had quite a reputation in this and adjoining counties. Two Webberville boys named Pardee learned the miller trade in the Leslie mills. A brickyard was operated in I864 by Rice Brothers, on the east bank of Huntoon creek, that made all the brick for buildings in Leslie. A pioneer postoffice was established in 1838, a'nd Henry Fisk was the first postmaster. The first mail for the whole village and township was brought from Jackson by mail carrier on horseback. It did not require a mail sack for it would not fill an ordinary cigar box. After a stage route was established the village and township got mail once a week. This was changed after a time so the settlers got mail twice a week until the railroad went through from Lansing to Jackson, which brought a daily mail. The settlers had to lodge and feed the traveling public until I844, when the first hotel was built. This structure burned in 1852, but was soon rebuilt. After a few years this building burned. The Eagle hotel was built the same year the first hotel burned, and is in operation today. A private bank was established in the village by Walker and Allen in 1869. The First National bank had been established previous to this, or in 1864, with capital of $50,000. Arnold Walker was its president. M. E. Rumsey was vice-president and C. C. Walker cashier. This was later reorganized (1894) and changed its name to Peoples bank. The Leslie Herald was the first newspaper published in 1869. Later changed into Leslie Local, then again changed to Leslie Local Republican. ABORIGINES AND EARLY SETTLERS The Indians the first white settlers met in this township were members of Okemos' band or the Potawatomies. The old trail from the west to Detroit by way of Jackson was traveled extensively by the INGHAM COUNTY 297 red men, especially when they went after their annual bounty money from the government. This money was for lands surrendered to United States authorities in Ingham and other counties. Chief Okemos was a frequent visitor because he wanted to visit his old hunting grounds the United States took from him when he fought with the British in the war of 1812. When Okemos was paroled as a war prisoner he was given a few acres in Bangor township, Ionia county. This plot was along the Grand river and so rocky and barren it would not feed one deer or furnish food for a rabbit. When Okemos first saw his gift he named it Little Apple Orchard in derision. He would never stay for any length of time on his reservation, nor live in his cabin or attend church the missionaries built on his reservation. He lived and died a subject of Great Britain and a pagan. These are historical facts and recorded in military records and pioneer history of our state. When early settlers began to cultivate their fields they plowed up arrowheads, skinning stones, beads and other ornaments which proved the Indians campel along the trails, cultivated corn and fought battles with other tribes. On section 20 a number of graves suggest it might have been a battlegrounl. Some remains of a prehistoric race of mound builders are found in this township. Elijah Woodworth, the first settler, was a veteran of the war of I812 and Mexican war. He came to Jackson in I835 and the next spring cut a road to Grand river west of Leslie in Onondaga township. From there he came into Leslie township. He with Jasper Wolcott and Amos Wortman acted as guides for the early settlers. The nearest United States land office was at Kalamazoo and these men were sent by settlers to make their entries or act as witnesses of entries made. Sidney O. Russell settled on sections 20 and 29 and sowed the first wheat in the township. J. J. Tuttle settled on section 7. His wife was a granddaughter of General Warren of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Tuttle ran a large ashery in connection with his farm and made "black salts." This product was refined and made into saleratus. Daniel Ackley settled on a farm north of the village. He was a farmer and bear hunter. James Royston settled on section I8. Elisha Godfrey crossed the Grand river on a floating bridge of logs carrying his crippled daughter on his shoulder. He was a widower but married again after he had been here a short time and had thirteen children by this second marriage. Homer King and Clark Graves came in 1836 and the wolves were very troublesome the first winter. The Indians were rather vexatious visitors until their wives kept a jar of buttermilk and some cornbread on tap just outside the door. Hungry Indians who always liked the free lunch would eat and go away without coming inside. Mahlon Covert located on a farm of 200 acres in I837. William Barden came with an ox team. His wife started a school in her own home the day after arrival. Mrs. Abbie Haynes, a widow, came first to White Oak township, then settled in Leslie with her children. Nelson C. Backus settled on section 9. His son was the second child 298 HISTORIC MICHIGAN born in the township. Silas Kirby, who came into Leslie in 1837, was the grandfather of Frank E. Kirby, the noted marine engineer. This man designed and built some of the largest passenger steamers on the Great Lakes. Some of these boats were the "Western States," "Eastern States," "Tashmoo," "See and Bee." The passenger steamer from Albany to New York City on the Hudson river-"Washington Irving"-with capacity of 6,000 people, was designed by this boy born on a farm in Leslie township. Mr. Kirby has represented the United States in many important marine conferences, has been to Europe as a delegate of the United States in the International Marine Safety Conference. Leslie township is proud of him. Lester Miner and wife came in the spring of 1838. Nelson Norton had $Io, but had to expend $9 for a barrel of flour for life in the woods gave his family enormous appetites. Joseph Nims had to go to Eaton Rapids to mill and the roads and Indian trails with fording Grand river prolonged his trip from Monday until Saturday. This trip was made with oxen and today it can be made in two hours with an automobile. Washington Scovel's son, Jerome Scovel, was, in 1912, the oldest living man born in the village. When nine years old he drove the ox teams that broke the land for Main street, Leslie. Reverend Elijah Grout, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier, bought the land, or forty acres, where the village is located. 'He built a plank instead of log house for his first home. Rev. Grout organized the Baptist church (1839) and was its first pastor. He remained in the ministry thirty-seven years. His wife was a sister of Dr. Meeker. Mrs. Grout organized the "Elijah Grout Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution," in Leslie. It is the smallest village or city in which a chapter of this organization was ever started. Through the efforts of ladies in this chapter the graves of two or three Revolutionary soldiers in the county have been identified and decorated. Some Mexican war veterans have also received their attention. Theodore Clark and wife and Thomas Peach and wife were the only new settlers in I840. Jonathan Morse settled on section 33 in 1841. His cabin was a typical log structure roofed with split shakes, held on top by binding poles tied at the ends. The floor of the dwelling was earth pounded to make it hard. The chimney was clay and small sticks. He was a thresher, but always (id his threshing with a flail and when settlers could not pay him money he received wheat for his wages. He always used oxen. He lived on a farm and died after forty-eight years' residence there. Isaac Huntoon came into the township and settled on the main creek in the township, so the settlers named the lake and creek Huntoon lake and river. Mr. Huntoon's father was the seventh son and Mr. Huntoon was number seven in his father's family. One hundred years ago there was an old superstition that the seventh son of the seventh son would always be a doctor or show some natural healing power. They were always called doctor by INGHAM COUNTY 299 people that believed in this superstition. Mr. Huntoon, Sr., was nicknamed "Uncle Doc." He was always interested in children, and when he was buried the schools were closed that the children might attend his funeral. Three more families settled in the township this year. They were Truman Bartow and wife, Hiram Austin and wife and T. J. Blake. Two families, Truman Wilbur and Abram Housel, came into the township in I842. John B. Dusha, Harlow Norton and Erastus Lombard were the pioneers in I843. In I844, Harry Backus settled on a farm where there was a salt spring. The deer frequented this spring and Mr. Backus could kill all his deer on his own farm. Capt. Arnold Walker was another settler who received his title from the "Curtenius Guards" of Mason. Before the Civil war this company took an active part in military affairs of the county. Edward Varill, Dr. J. D. Woodworth and John Cradock were settlers in I850. There were two soldiers, John Freeland, father of Doctor Freeland of Mason, who fought in the Black Hawk war and W. B. Longyear, father of Longyear Brothers, druggists of Mason, a drummer boy of the Rappahannock and who took part in all G. A. R. gatherings. Besides Chief Okemos, Mr. Batiste, or Bateese. was a frequent visitor at Leslie. He lived in the north part of Jackson county on or near a lake which bore his name. There was French blood in his veins. He had a store that was patronized by early settlers and a large farm in connection with his store produced crops when settlers' crops failed. His family were all girls and dressed in silk while the daughters of settlers were forced to wear cotton or linsy woolsy clothing. Mr. Batiste's daughters married into some of the best families in the county. One married Eli Loranger in Williamston whose daughter is a prominent woman in fraternal and G. A. R. societies. Mr. Batiste traced their residence in Jackson county to the year I815. The first white child born among the settlers was James D. Backus, who died in Lansing in 192I. Expansion and Growth.-Leslie village had, in I895, a population of nearly one thousand people. While the timber lasted it was a lumber town and when it was gone became a good shipping point for grain, stock and other farm products. The soil is well adapted to raising fruit and for the past thirty years has been the great apple district in the county. Some of the finest apples in Michigan are grown in this vicinity. Hundreds of acres are planted to apple orchards. Shippers from New York and other eastern states buy carloads of this fruit, which is shipped to the Atlantic coast. For a number of years the dairy farms have increased and wheat raising has been on the decline. A short time ago the state bought several hundred acres in the south part of the township on the line of the Grand River Valley 300 HISTORIC MICHIGAN railroad for a convict farm. The warden of the prison wanted to try the effects of outdoor work on health and morals of the inmates. It has not been a failure and the farm will be continued for some time. The state has found inexhaustible beds of clay on some of this land and when the farm cannot be worked the prisoners make brick and tile. The profits from this farm and shops in Jackson will, in time, if carefully handled, make this old penal institution self supporting. No minerals have been found in this township, but this clay deposit will in time become a valuable asset. Several small factories have been started in Leslie, but the auto industry of our county has taken workmen and capital away and they declined for want of capital and labor. This township has sent senators and representatives to state legislatures, its quota to the county offices, and in one or two instances the United States judiciary have honored Leslie boys. Judge Arthur Tuttle is a Leslie boy that has presided over the Eastern District of the United States district court for years. He commenced as prosecutor of the county, was senator in the state legislature when Governor Pingree was trying to get his railroad tax bill passed. Mr. Rumsey was also state senator and while in office engaged in real estate business in Lansing. Rumsey addition on East Michigan when platted was on the extreme borders of the city, but today is in the center of the city east of the river. Since the state highway has been built through the village Leslie has increased in population and enjoys a large tourist trade. This village has a large number of fraternal organizations, a progressive school and good church facilities. It is the third village in the county as regards population and progress. AURELIUS TOWNSIIP The township of Aurelius has a remarkable pioneer history. It was the first organized township in the western half of the county and was at one time the largest township in the county. Its boundaries were the base line on the south, meridian line on the east, Eaton county line on the west and Clinton county on the north. The townships of Lansing, Delhi, Alaiedon, Meridian, Vevay, Leslie and Onondaga were formed out of its territory. The last township formed was Lansing in 1842. Topography.-The land surface is slightly rolling, but in the southwest corner of the township we have a large elevated plain. The Grand river enters this township in its northwest corner on section 7, flows northward through the west half of section 6, then crosses the north township line into Delhi township. This makes less than two miles of Grand river within the boundaries of the township. With the exception of the southwest part the land was originally heavily timbered. Some trees were cut by early settlers that measured eleven feet in diameter one foot from the ground. The soil is very fertile, producing any kind of fruit or grain. Name.-This township was named by Deacon Barnes after an INGHAM COUNTY 301 ancient Roman emperor noted for his daring generalship and executive ability in governing his large empire. The early settlers came from New England with a few from Canada and the British Isles. Settlements.-Among the early settlements there were two that were settled about the same period. One was in the north part of the township and the other in the southwest part. A village was started on Grand river in the northwest part of the township in 1838 and I839, but was abandoned in three years. The settlement was similar to "City of Jefferson" in Alaiedon township. Village of Columbia.-The early settlers were true Americans, very patriotic and optimistic, and wanted to found a city in the woods in every township of Ingham county. They laid out eighty acres into lots along the river, sold some, so that thirteen families came there and built cabins in 1838 and 1839. After living there three years with no more immigration or increase in numbers and no manufacturing enterprises started, the inhabitants went to Eaton Rapids and other places. No record was kept of these families regarding names, etc. After eighty years no trace can be found of the plat. Settlement in North Part of Township.-The first settlers in the north part of the township located their land near each other. In doing this some got over the line into another town. They were in reality first settlers in town, but when the boundaries were changed they were also first settlers of the new township or, in other terms, first settlers twice in their pioneer days. We will mention them. Reuben Bullen came with his wife and settled in the woods on the northeast quarter of section 4. It was in the month of November, 1836. He built a log cabin as quickly as possible and made a door of some boards he brought from Dexter. Seven children were born on this farm. Mr. Webb and wife, who came at the same time. had a son, John H., three years old. Mr. Webb settled on the northeast quarter of section 9. Joseph Wilson settled across the line in Delhi on the west half of southeast quarter, section 33. John Morris came with his wife and son and settled on the east half of southeast quarter, section 33, Delhi. He had five children. John Dunn settled on the west half of southeast quarter of section 34, Delhi. He had five children. William Witter settled on the west half of northeast quarter of section 3. They had five children. John Wright built a home on the north half or northeast quarter of section Io. Winslow Turner bought the west half of southwest quarter of section 4. John Dunn, Stephen Dunn, William and Samuel Dunn with Chester Holley came into town this year. The above are a few of the forty-eight persons who settled in this part of the township in I837. Settlement in Southwest Part of Township.-The settlement in this part of the township was made by one family. This was the Montgomery family, consisting of a father and five sons. The father.had been a colonel in the army during the war of 1812 and one of his boys was also an officer in the army. Members of this family settled close to the county line between Eaton and Ingham county, so some were pioneers of Eaton county. Col. Robert Montgomery bought a 302 HISTORIC MICHIGAN large tract of land from the United States government which he divided among his sons. His sons also purchased land for homes and farms. They were the largest landholders in the western part of Ingham and the eastern part of Eaton counties. The level land in the township of Aurelius, where they settled, will always be called "Montgomery Plains." A history of these five sons is interesting. John M. Montgomery, son of Col. Robert Montgomery, bought land in both counties, but built a stone house just across the line on the Hamlin township corner. He had three sons-Robert, Scott and Albert-and one daughter, who married Mr. Miller. The sons were all farmers. Johnson Montgomery, another son, had a family of eight children. Two of his sons served in the army during the Civil war. Lieut. Dudley Montgomery lived to return, but his brother Ezra was killed. Another son, Charles, was killed by accident. Jack, another son, remained home and was a farmer. Morris Robert studied law, was elected circuit judge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, also justice of the supreme court of Michigan; was judge of the court of appeals in Washington, District of Columbia when he died at his home in Eaton Rapids in I920. He was known all over the United States., There were four sisters in the family-Mrs. Amanda Huntington, Mrs. Helen Baldwin, Mrs. Caroline Shaw and Mrs. Celestia Miller. Robert Montgomery had four sons-Alonzo, Clifford, Fred, Frank and Almelion. There was one daughter, Mrs. Sarah Dunham. To William was born William, Jr., Martin, Richard, Mrs. Louise Haff and Mrs. Mallie Medkiff Eisenbiss. Martin and Richard were lawyers and lived in Lansing for a long time. They were known among their associates and friends as Mart and Dick Montgomery. Alexander, the fifth son, had no children. All these children were born on the plains. They worked on the farm, went to district school and some of them taught school, especially Judge Montgomery and his cousins, Dick and Mart. Colonel Robert and his sons owned at one time over one thousand acres of land in Ingham and Eaton counties. This tract has not been kept in the possession of the heirs. Today we find a small amount, if any, owned by descendants of Col. Robert Montgomery. The next or second largest land purchaser or landholder in this second settlement was John French, who purchased 400 acres from the state and United States government. The third was Zeno Terry, who purchased from the same authorities 320 acres. These large landholders in clearing their own land and placing substantial buildings on it, building roads, establishing schools and churches, etc., by improving highways after they were built, by building new school buildings and improving grounds around them and having taxpayers in the district keep up this improvement, showed their public spirit and progressiveness. True progress in past and present science of agriculture is shown not by reciting failures or telling how much money has been squandered, but by telling how labor-saving devices have shortened the hours in the field and relieved the slavish drudgery of the home; what instruction has been given in the school and how INGHAM COUNTY 303 the 'neighbor has been helped by certain methods that have initiative enough to spur him on to work better or in a more businesslike way. Between these two settlements or in the center of the township two brothers, Joshua and Henry Freeman, were first settlers in 1836. These men built the first bridge across the Grand river. In 1842, J. H. Covert bought land of Jeremiah Loucks on section 35 in the south part of the township. Mr. Loucks had located this land on section 25 several years before he sold it to his son-in-law, Mr. Covert, for $1.25 per acre in gold. This gold transaction again recalls the "wildcat money" period and the fact that gold and silver were the only legal tender used in buying and selling land. There is a fable recorded in early histories about establishing state banks in hollow trees in the woods miles from a settlement or village. The facts are as follows: Most of the land purchasers carried their gold and silver on their person in a money belt. When looking over their land these belts became heavy, so were placed in a hollow of some marked tree for a few hours, but on leaving the spot were recovered and again carried on the owners' person. Hence comes the fable of people establishing state banks so fast that hollow trees were used for that purpose. We have outlined how and where the first settlements were made in the township with the exception of the eastern part. The eastern part was settled by the overflow of settlers who came to Vevay township and Mason. Until the railroads came the village of Mason was connected to Eaton Rapids by good roads built part way on old Indian trails. There were two stage lines from Lansing to Jackson, the nearest place to a railroad south. The first was from Lansing to Mason, Leslie and Jackson. The stage ran daily to Jackson. The second was from Lansing to Eaton Rapids, then to Jackson. This was the night stage. A business man or traveler could take the day stage to Jackson and on arrival do some business and take a night train to Detroit. On the night stage a man could get into Jackson in the morning, have time to do some business, then take a morning train for Chicago or the west. If a man was very energetic he could come to Mason on the morning stage, stop there and visit or do business until afternoon then hire a livery to take him to Eaton Rapids in time for the night stage to Jackson. The early settlers in Aurelius were well educated and show their literary tastes in naming their pioneer township after the "Old Roman Ruler." In establishing schools these pioneers led all other settlers. The covered wagon was stopped and the oxen unyoked and after supper came the school that in many instances had been in active operation in the jolting wagon weeks before it stopped on the owner's land. As soon as the cabins were built the schoolhouse was erected of rough logs, covered in some instances with bark or coarse grass roofs. The settlement of the township after 1842 is so intermingled or connected with school and school districts that we are compelled to give it together. Schools and School Districts.-There were ten districts organized 304 HISTORIC MICHIGAN in Aurelius township. After population increased some of the smaller and weaker districts were disorganized and joined to other districts. The numbering of these districts has been discontinued and on the last maps of the last state survey are each named after a man or family who were prominent in the district or a member of his family who was at some time a scholar in the school, went out from the institution, and by hard work and using the knowledge gained achieved greatness. The names of the seven schools are as follows: Barnes, Curtis, Gretton, Toles, Plains, Bullen and Webb. District No. I.-District number one was organized in 1841. A school building of logs, cut on the site, with stone and stick chimney plastered with clay and roofed with split shingles-shakes-was erected on a plat of ground east of where the present Barnes school building is today. The settlers who helped in building and afterwards sent their children to school were: Benjamin Hazelton, Cyrus Austin, Joshua Bump, Linden Heath, Burton Robinson, Leonard Pratt, John Barnes and Alexander Waggoner. The inside furniture was mostly benches made of plank split from basswood logs and shaped, in absence of sawmill, with a broadax. The first teacher was Miss Julia Smith. She received $i.oo per week, while her brother John, who taught the second term-winter-received $2.50 per week or $0o.oo per month. Twenty scholars attended this school. Among the scholars was Hon. 0. M. Barnes. There were eleven children in Mr. Barnes' family. 0. M. became a lawyer, was attorney for Ram's Horn and other railroads in the county and state. He removed to Lansing after leaving Mason, built a fine residence on West Main street. Others who were scholars in this school have made successful business and professional men and the girls have married equally well. After a few years they built a second log house on the same plat of ground. The first building did not cost anything as labor and material were cheap and all were donated to the district, but in the second building there was $Ioo expense. The district was called Barnes district because it was built on his land. This second school building was a small frame one painted red. It was also used for religious services. In May, 1847, was organized the First Baptist church society in the township. The third school building or present schoolhouse was built in I87I. The most prominent man in this district was John Barnes, who came from New York and settled on his farm in 1836. He was the father of O. M. Barnes, a deacon in the church and named the township. Other men were Joshua Freeman, Alexander Waggoner, who had his pockets picked at Niagara Falls while on a visit to his old home in New York; Joseph Robinson, who had an ashery near the schoolhouse where he made potash and black salts in the early days; Leonard Pratt, who owned I6o acres across the road from the ashery; E. M. Saunders, or Deacon Saunders, who came into the neighborhood in I857, but remained on the farm until he died in 1902; Joseph Edgar, who came from Ohio in I862 and.bought a farm where he INGHATM COUNTY 305 lived until he passed away in 19I5. From this family comes a baseball club of ten players. This club was the best rural club in the county in the eighties and nineties. The largest family of children was the Slaght family, which numbered eighteen. Seven boys from this district were soldiers in the Civil war. Two were killed and one died at his home when on a furlough. Two boys were in the World war. One died in action in the Argonne forest. There have been no sales or land transfers outsile of family in this listrict for fifty-four years. District No. 2 (Gretton School).-The first settler in this district was William Isham. He came from (hio and settled near John Barnes' homestead, married one of Mr. Barnes' daughters and set up or commenced to keep house in a log cabin without doors or windows. His young wife used something to fill the space left for door and windows until they could earn some money to buy those necessary adjuncts. Michael Mattison was another pioneer who brought some fruit trees and set out the first orchard, and while it was growing hunted and killed the largest bear ever killed in that part of the township. In 1845, John Cook, an Englishman, came from the old country and settled near the schoolhouse. He was followed by two more families from England-William Sear and Rev. Robert Hamp. Peter Parish came to his brother Jacob on a visit, but remained in the neighborhood. Amos, son of Michael, came from the East and bought eighty acres near his father. \Villiam \Villoughby came from Canada and bought eighty acres of land from Mr. Weldon and paid the first installment with a gun and a family clock. John Osband, another settler, made shingles for settlers and customers in Jackson. He employed a large number of workmen and sent his shingles to Jackson on wagons drawn by oxen. David Potter was the sawmill man who had 400 acres of timber to manufacture into lumber besides furnishing or doing custom work for all the buildings in his section. He, at that time, was a Knight Templar, one of nine in the state of Michigan. Township meetings were held at his home and these events were always celebrated by a bonfire of logs. Other pioneers were the M. PBohannon, Miles, Haskills, Mars and Spaulding families. The first teacher in this school was Ann Barnes, who got the usual wages of $I.oo per week. In the '50s a frame building to replace the log structure was erected. This second schoolhouse was used for religious services. The most noted of the traveling ministers were Gueber. Swift and Tallman, who ministered to the spiritual needs of the district. In 1855, when government land could be purchased for $1.25 per acre, William Hopkins moved into the neighborhood. His family of five children developed such appetites the first season that he had to put in extra time making hoops to buy flour to feed them. 3-20 306 HISTORIC MICHIGAN District No. 3.-The first families in the settlement or district were Demetrius Omstead and wife and Elijah Wilcox and wife. They came at the same time (1836) and cut their own road to their locations. They cleared a patch for wheat, the first crop raised in the settlement. When they harvested it they loaded it on their wagon and hauled it by ox team to the nearest market. It was not a paying crop as they only received 50 cents per seventy pounds of wheat. George Wilcox, brother of Elijah, came later and settled near his brother. In 1839 we find three additional families in the settlement, Timothy and David Strong and Charles Jennings. The women in this settlement of five or six families decided to have a school, so in I840, or four years after the first clearing was made in the woods, a school was organized and started in a hastily constructed log building. This building was in architecture and interior finish similar to all pioneer schoolhouses, so we will not repeat the description. The large boys cut the wood for the fireplace that warmed the schoolroom. Silas Fowler moved in the district in 1842. In 1844 his father came and at the same time came Alexander Henry, James Jennings and Levi Brown. In 1849 came Charles and George Simpson, Andrew Fowler and Joseph Dixon. Almond Park came in I855, Cornelius Hardy, Lewis Eckhart, the Sabins, Elder Ranney, Joe Howe and Humphry Hodgiboone in I86I. Four boys from this school enlisted and went South. Two were killed, sent home an(l buried in the family cemetery. We have no record of a church building ever being built in this settlement, but a Sunday school was organized and Linus Fowler was superintendent. Religious services were held in the settlement at long intervals in private homes and at the schoolhouse, where Sunday school was held. This school was named the Wilcox school. We find no record of this district after I880. The number seems to be lost in reorganization of the district in the south part of the township. Town meetings were held in this settlement. During early times the voting place or precinct was movable, went from one settlement to another. This unstable condition caused confusion in this large township. On one or two occasions the voters found they had voted in the wrong township. The legislature had formed a new township out of their territory and they did not find it out until after election. There were no telegraph lines, no telephones and postage was 25 cents per letter. At one of the elections one member of the election board, who could write a good plain hanl, wrote the ballots and handed them to voters to put into a cigar box. We have no record of split tickets or sealed ballot boxes. It was always a majority vote when counted. If there were more votes in the box than corresponded to the poll list, and the extra ones were not needed, they were thrown away and not counted. There were no secret elections in those days. District No. 4 (Webb School).-This district was organized in INGHAM COUNTY 307 the Webb settlement in the north part of the town. There were a number of houses built near the schoolhouse, or half a mile east, and was named "North' Aurelius." We find this village located on the south section line of section 3. In this village was a large general store, postoffice, sawmill and church, but today the sawmill has disappeared and with it the store, postoffice and- dwellings. The ground where these buildings stood has been plowed and planted to crops and North Aurelius is like the "Village of Columbia," a memory of the post. The village of "Klink," in the western part of the township, which forty years ago boasted a postoffice and a meeting place for farmers in that part of town, had a similar fate. We can only find its site on old maps of Aurelius. When the old pioneers died these small rural places were buried with them. From a member of the Webb family we get some history of this school. W. M. Webb is living and resides on a farm his father bought from the United States government over eighty years ago. In the past and now he is the township historian. He has been a close observer, has a good memory and his business ability has been utilized by the Ingham County Pioneer society by electing him treasurer for the past thirty years. Mr. Webb gives the following history of this school: The district was organized and lines established in 1842. The first meeting to organize the district was held at his father's house. First school officers were: Jonathan Snyder, moderator; Winslow Turner, director; Reuben Bullen, assessor or treasurer. At this meeting they voted to build a log school building to cost $ioo, then adjourned to meet in January, 1843. In the meantime the individuals were discussing costs of building. Some thought the price too high for the "wildcat" money times. A compromise was agreed upon whereby the burden could be made lighter by paying the workmen 50 cents a day. The board built the building and when it was enclose:l rendered this bill: "Expense of Building Log Schoolhouse District 4 Aurelius Twp. 1843. To 134 Days Labor at 50 cents per day $67.oo. Credited: By Amount Appropriated $Ioo.oo. Balance $33.oo." It was voted to pay Joseph Bullen this balance, $33.00, to finish the inside. Mr. Bullen was the only inside finisher in the district, so he took the job. \Ve notice in this building contract there were no extras or costs plus added to contract. This building was used four years. In 1849 the school site was moved one mile to the east and school was held in a log residence for two years. In 1851 a large frame building twenty-four by thirty feet was erected. The school attendance had increased from seventeen to fifty scholars and in seven years, or in I858, there were seventy-two scholars on the register. This building was used by religious societies for meetings, but the most useful, most democratic use was the debating societies or lyceums that for over twenty years held meetings in this building. The object of these meetings was free instruction to all for the good of all. 308 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Mr. Webb was the principal figure in these debates, spelling schools or any other literary activities. From a list he has given, the ques — tions debated covered every phase of mental activity; for example: Resolved, That the mental faculties of the sexes are equal. Resolved, That veto power of the president of the United States be repealed. Resolved, That excessive prosperity is more detrimental to people than excessive adversity. Among the many instructors in this school we find some noted men and women. Mr. Webb mentions Hon. Samuel L. Kilbourne, who, when a young man, instructed the many boys and girls who attended this school. Mr. Kilbourne is living in retirement today in Lansing. His father, Hon. Joseph Kilbourne, was representative from Ingham county when the legislature met in Detroit. Judge 1M. V. Montgomery and Judge Geo. M. Huntington taught here. A number of the bovs from this school went South in the Civil war. From three square miles twenty-six boys joined the Union army. Thirteen of these boys are dead. Thirteen (1922) are living-nine in Michigan, two in Texas and two in California. This is a remarkable record after an interval of fifty-seven years. Mr. Webb gave, in 1922, the mortuary record of the old pioneers who lived in this settlement. Thirty-two came, thirty are buried in Aurelius cemetery and two are living. District (Tract) No. 6 (Plains District).-This district was in the southwest part of the township, or on "Montgomery Plains." It was composed of fractional parts of land or sections of land in the townships of Aurelius and Onondaga in Ingham county and Hamlin township. Eaton county. The district was organized in 1837 and the first school was taught in the summer of this year. This school differed from those established in other settlements. It was supported and all expenses paid by the Montgomery families. The first building was made of logs and when not used for school p)urposes was used for a dwelling. The Montgomerys built it and owned it and had used it for school purposes before I837. There is no record of a frame building being built, but in I865 a square acre of land was bought of John Montgomery for $70.00. This new schoolhouse was built of brick and cost $2,000. It stands on the main highway, or Plains road, from Eaton Rapids to Mason. In 1877 money was voted to buy ornamental pine trees to be planted along this highway. In early (lays this road was used for a race track and today autoists use it for speeding. Money has been expended at different times for fencing and grading the school grounds. A bell was purchased in the late sixties to be used in place of the teacher's hand bell. In the past the buildings, both log and brick, were warmed by stoves. The fuel was wood and each male pupil was required to furnish his quota of seasoned beech and maple wood four feet long. Until they used the church meetings were held in the schoolhouse and the singing school held there attracted crowds. In 1876 the crowds caused such a confusion and destruction of school property INGHAM COUNTY 309 that the school board closed the buildi'ng to the public except for school purposes. Settlers in District.-Most of the land in this settlement or district was owned by six families. The Montgomery family was the largest family and were the largest landholders. Members of this faniiy supported the school for years and most of the scholars were relatives of or were named Montgomery. District No. 7, or Aurelius Center School.-This is the most important school in Aurelius. Its location makes it noticeable as it is in the village of Aurelius. This village is located on four corners formed by south section line of sections 26 and 27 and east section line of 27 and 34, bisecting or crossing each other to form four right angles. This is the only village of four that has resisted the ill effects of desertion and decay. It shows today the effects of industrial unrest, but the school and efforts of older residents have prevented desertionl and abandonment. IE\ARLY TI ISTORY In I836 two brothers, Joshua and Henry Freeman, came froml Oneida count., New York. and settled in this district. Joshua located his farm on section 25 and Henry on section 34. In order to get to their woods farms they came to Jackson. went to Eaton Rapids, then to Grand river in the northwest part of the township. Rather than ford the river they stopped and built a bridge. After crossing the river they followed Indian trails and cut roads through the woods until thev reached their land. The lumbermen when they cut road.s into timber called it "swamping out a roadl." J. \V. Freeman. son of Henry, lives on his father's farm now (1924). J. S. Covert and wife came from Seneca county, New York, in 1842 and settled on section 35. Samuel Bond, father of J. C. Bond, Sr., was an old settler in district 7. Mr. Bond has been supervisor and county treasurer. The first school building was built of logs. Mr. Steward, who built it, used it for a dwelling and his wife used it for a dwelling and schoolroom, for she was the teacher. This building had only one room. It had to be used for kitchen, dining-room, bedroom and schoolroom. When the pupils came too early or before all the family were up they had to wait outside the door until the members of the family made their toilet and were fed. The trundle bed was pushed under the larger bed, table arranged for teacher's desk, benches taken from a pile and placed in order, then school was called. From what we have been informed by old pioneers the program of exercises was as follows: Reading a chapter from Bible by teacher. Singing by children. A-B-C class. 310 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Advanced reading class-Bible for reader. Recess. Numbers -and multiplication tables. Advanced arithmetic. Noon. Rollcall and some oral instruction by teacher. A-B-C class. Geography and grammar. Writing from copies with quill pen. Spelling. Closing exercises. Mrs. Steward, if she had wished, could have advertised her school as a select family school where household financing, cooking and convenient arrangement of furniture were taught to both sexes by observation and practice. It was a family school where there was no extra charge for household instruction. Some time elapsed before the district built another log schoolhouse north of Aurelius cemetery. Miss Jane Rolfe was the first teacher and taught six days in each week for one shilling per day, or 75 cents per week or $3.00 per month. Some years after this seconi building was erected another building was built south of it. Miss Sarah Pratt Cook was the first teacher. In I867 the present building was erected in the village. Mrs. Mattie Cochran Strong was teacher. Mrs. Strong, after she taught this school, practiced medicine in Jackson, Michigan. This school started in a private dwelling is the largest in Aurelius township. It is the pride of the village. With the church as a helper it has sent out into the world many boys and girls who have by hard work and constant endeavor obtained their share in the joys and blessings of life. Toles School District No. Io.-This district was organized in the spring of 1856. It was the last one on the list. The first building where school was held was a shanty in Mr. Toles' mill yard. Ten children attended this school. They came from five families. Before the winter term commenced a schoolhouse was built on the northwest corner of section 29. The winter term in this new building was taught by Miss Amanda Montgomery of Montgomery Plains. The term in the shanty was taught by Miss Mary Jane Kiper, who afterwards married Dr. Hyde of Eaton Rapids. In the seventies this building burned. When the school board met to rebuild the building the patrons and taxpayers couldn't agree and the district was disorganized and the territory joined to other districts. This arrangement did not prove satisfactory, so a meeting was called and the district reorganized and a new schoolhouse was built in 1875. This building was called "Gully College." Since 1875 there has gone out from this school seventeen teachers, one minister, Drs. Lewis Toles and his brother, and scores of successful farmers INGHAM COUNTY 311 and merchants. This district sent ten soldiers to the Civil war, some to the Spanish-American war and the World war. Four of those born and always living in the district are left. Four of those who attended school in the last school building reside in the district. This description closes the history of the early settlements and schools they established. The work of organizing was largely done by the pioneer women. Their testimony shows that the preliminary work was commenced in transit with covered wagons for schoolrooms in stormy weather and the halting place served for an open air school with sun by day and campfire by night for heating and illumination. Most of the teachers were young. Their life in the open made them strong, the difficulties in life made them tactful and diplomatic, which was better than knowledge of psychology or the higher learning. Their government in school was perfect. If an unruly pupil could not be made obedient by kind words, he could with a blue beech rod applied to his person by a fearless, strong-armed schoolma'am. She always had a supply on hand. All she had to do was to step outside the door and cut them from the inexhaustible store. The pioneer history and the historians who write something about the settlers and their work, crude as it seems today, must recognize the labors of one man or one family whose spoken and written words have made it possible to get a detailed history from the first settlement to the present time. We must also recognize that others have helped, but they are numbered with the dead. TIE WEBl FAMILY OF AURELIUS The father of this family was born in England in 1803. When the battle of Waterloo was fought he was in his thirteenth year. When he viewed the effects of this battle he wanted to get out of England when he was twenty-one years old. He came to Syracuse, New York, and married his wife at that place. He and his family came to Michigan in 1836 and settled on section 9. He nearly drowned when he went to Ionia to file his entry. He tried to ford the Grand river on a frail raft, but an Indian rescued him. He was able to add to his original entry so before he died he possessed 340 of fine farming land. Mr. Webb's first wife died and he married Mrs. Lucy Hasty of Bunkerhill township and they had one child, Lewis Webb, of Mason. W. M. Webb mentions in his autobiography that he was the fourth child born in the township, also many interesting things which happened during his early years among them; that he was five years old before he saw the first horse. He went to Mason when he was six years old to celebrate the Fourth riding with women and children on a rude sled drawn by oxen. He also remembers the "Millerites". There were a few of this sect in the settlement. How a cooper belong — ing to this religious sect would not take any pay for his work because he could not take it with him on "Ascension Day." He also remem 312 HISTORIC MICHIGAN hers the deep snow on "Townmeeting Day" when the voters had to break roads in order to vote at the home of Michael Mattison on section 15. He also mentions how the first school meeting was called, etc. We have mentioned this in giving the history of Webb District or School District No. 4. The Indians and their visits also appear in his biography. Okemos wanted to trade a pony to his father for him. Bears were also mentioned, with his experiences in raising and training a cub bear. One bear was enough for this one proved to be a rough playmate. A visit to the capital city in the woods in 1847 on Fourth of Tuly is very graphically described, especially his walk of twenty-four miles and the shilling he and his brother spent at the celebration. George W. Peck was the orator and spoke in a grove where R. E. Olds' home stands today. How they-the settlers-for lack of matches kept a fire in some elm log so they could get live coals every morning to kindle the fire in the fireplace. The younger members were the firemen or care — takers. Like the ancient Greeks, who worshiped fire and had girls attend it and not let it go out, so the boys of the pioneers watched and tended it rather than walk two or three miles to a neighbor and borrow live coals. This was no light task on a cold morning. For amusement he and his playmates pulled off this stunt. They procured a large section from a hollow log about five feet long, rolled it to the top of a hill, had a boy crawl into the hollow, then rolled it down the hill. They rescued this playmate in rather a dazed and bruised state, but could never persuade him to take another ride. One experience was enough for him. We think the roller coaster men got their idea of thrills or putting thrills in their business from this pioneer sport. Boys will be boys even if they lived in the woods seventy-five years ago. Mr. Webb, in speaking of school government, tells how one teacher gave her scholars a practical demonstration every day in their copy books. It was a sentence, "The best government is that which governs least." This sentence appealed to every young mind and constant repetition awakened an ambition to excel in self control, that each had an ego and the same had to be controlled. This training we call psychology now, but in pioneer days it was common sense. He recalls a visit to school by an uninvited Indian. How the guest sharpened his knife, did other things to frighten the lady teacher, how the teacher never noticed him or his preparations or showed fright, how the Indian left as silently as he came. "White squaw teacher no look at Indian warrior." We have mentioned how Mr. Webb after he left school became interested in all educational subjects and G. A. R. work. His activities did not stop even there, for he became a member of Ingham County Pioneer society and Farmers' club. His activities in the Farmers' club have been noticed in past and present history of the organization. The most interesting past history was the stock raising. The early settlers raised much stock and used the unfenced forest INGHAM COUNTY 313 for a stock range. The cattle, sheep, horses and hogs roamed for miles over the unfenced boundaries. Some of them it left to roam became wild and more savage than the deer or bear. To prevent this settlers would herd them up and feed or salt them near their cabins. To prevent loss when they got mixed with a neighbor's stock they would cut notches in one ear. They also belled the cows so they could be found readily. To round up strays there were certain men elected at spring election who took up all strange cattle or other stock and fed and advertised them by written or verbal notice for owners. If no owners were fotund the stock was sold. These men were poundmasters. This office is an obsolete one now. The marking or branding has moved \Vest and is used on public or private ranges in Western states. There were unscrupulous men among the early settlers of Ingham county who took stock that did not belong to them. The courts in pioneer days had many cases of stock rustling or stealing, with one exception-this was horse stealing —and any man had to suffer the (leath penalty when he was caught. This penalty was the unwritten law. Ing'ham county did not have to try any cases for there were only one or two cases of horse stealing on record. Some cases of hog stealing when tried in circuit court were very amusin-g. Hon. J. M. Longyear relates one or rather the testimony of the witness on cross examination. The lawyer asked the witness to descrihe the hlog. The witness said, "Well, your honor, as nearly as I can remember it was a lop-eared, sandy-complectel hog." In another trial a reluctant Irish witness told the jury, "Gentleme'n, the hog was white all over barring four black and white spots." These trials were difficult because the accused and accuser wanted them tried by custom and precedent and the unwritten forest law of the range. In one or two instances if stock was alive the ownership was established by the following test: Someone from the court went with the parties to see if the stock would recognize its true owner and come when bidden to that person. This was the acid test. It never failed. The past and present of this township have been told. \What its future will be will depend upon the younger generation. Will they use the old homestead as a stopping place only while their work is not on the farm but in some factory? Don't they know that their occupation is the oldest, healthiest, most independent of all? Do they. realize that inventors, economists and social reformers have cut the hours of labor 50 per cent on the farm with labor-saving machinery, economists have raised the price of farm products by co-operation, etc., and social reformers through the grange have eliminated the cider barrel and steady diet of pork and potatoes and given them a mental diet of good literature, etc. The Michigan Agricultural College is doing a great work in sending graduates to foreign countries. Let them continue the work, but keep a few here in Ingham county to occupy the abandoned 314 HISTORIC MICHIGAN farms, repair the old homes their forebears built, build stock barns in place of garages, build up soil the renter has depleted, etc. Can you young farmers think of a better inducement to keep our industries than a wide-awake, productive farming community around the factory? Manufacturers have tried to get their workmen interested in truck farming but without much success. The laborious work in the factory leaves the workman no time or energy to engage in agricultural pursuits. ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP This was one of the first townships formed out of the large township of Aurelius. When it was first organized it included Meridian, Delhi and Lansing. There were not inhabitants enough in the last three to form a township government. As soon as each had the required number they were separated from Aurelius, but in the meantime Alaiedon was temporarily caretaker of the above described territory. The first settlers located in the south part of the township. Most of them came in I837. James Phillips, first white settler, came and settled on section 30 in I836. Settlers in 1837.-Joel B. Strickland settled on section 17. Eli Chandler, William Lewis and sons, Nichols and Jacob, with families settled on section 29. Egbert Patterson, who built the first cabin on section 28; Adam Overacker, section 28; Sam Carl, somewhere in the northern part; William C. Leek, section 3; William Childs, section 30. I838.-John Hudson settled on section 7; Jacob Dubois, section 36; Garret Dubois, section 35; Stephen and Matthew Dubois, section 25; Nathaniel Blain, section 17; Horace Haven, section 21; P. Phillips and Major Bently, somewhere in the township. I839.-Nathan Davidson, section 15; Alexander Dobie, section IO; Isaac Finch, section 14. I840.-Conrad Dobie, John Douglass. I841. -William Manning, Lewis Kent, Daniel Stillman. I842.-John Asseltine. 1843.-David Finch. I844.-R. Tryon. The greatest number of early settlers came in 1837 when Michigan was admitted into the Union. Another great inducement was the meeting in 1836 of Steven T. Mason, acting governor of Michigan, J. Payne and George Howe, United States commissioners, to locate the county seat of Ingham county in this township. They located it on section 29. Governor Mason named this location Jefferson in honor of the third president. A village was platted but never recorded. William and Nichols Lewis built a sawmill on the banks of Mud creek, a stream that flowed across the section. In order to utilize the water for their mill they dug a long race. This ditch is the only thing that remains of the village of Jefferson. After the sawmill started a few log cabins were built, also a schoolhouse that remained for a few years, then disappeared. Mrs. Betsy Webber found this place in the woods in 1843 or 1844. Captain Cowles bought some land and some of the lots in the forties when he thought INGHAM COUNTY 315 the capital was going to be located there. This settlement got a bad name a short time before it was deserted for the first murder in the county was committed there. When the county government was ready to do business they chose Mason or "Judge Danforth's" village to do their business and by legislative action the location was changed. Governor Mason was remembered as they named the county seat Mason after the boy governor. The township meetings were held in Jefferson for a number of years. At the first meeting the following officers were elected: William Lewis, supervisor; Jacob Lewis, clerk; James Phillip, treasurer; commissioners of highways, Nichols Lewis, Joel B. Strickland, Adam Overacker; justices of the peace, VWm. C. Lewis. Win. C. Leek, Jacob Lewis. The total number of votes cast was fifteen. The first schoolhouse in the township was built in "Jefferson" and Mary Ann Rolfe, from Rolfe settlement, was the first teacher. The first child born, in 1837, was Mary Strickland. She afterward became the wife of Rev. A. Clough. Topography.-Three streams are found in this township. Sycamore creek and its main branch, Mud creek, flow through the south and west part of town, while Button creek flows through the north and east parts. These streams were larger before the country was cleared and were utilized by settlers to furnish power for sawmills. ()ld inhabitants in the northeast Dart can remember in the early seventies of a dam and sawmill on Doan creek, a branch of Button creek, run by Enos Woodworth. There is a small lake in the eastern part of section Io named Dobie after the Dobie family. The streams and lake furnished plenty of fish for pioneers' tables. The surface of the township is diversified. Along the creeks it is rather marshy and low, especially along Button creek, there is a marshy belt extending across the township which varies in width from a few rods to half a mile. This lowland was a drawback to early settlers in locating their farms and building roads across it. In the seventies young men who courted girls living in the vicinity of this strip called them "swamp angels." The northern part is hilly and rolling, but the south part between the swamp and Sycamore creek and its branch, Mud creek, is level. The soil is clay loam and there is only one sand hill in the township and that is in the northwest part, an offshoot of the "Hogsback." Later Settlers and Settlements.-The first settlers were followed by a number of Germans who settled in the eastern and northeastern part. After I86o quite a number of families located in the above section. Among them were Nicholas Emmer, Ernest Dell, John Wellman, Daniel Hale, H. Kurtz, Sr., Hummells, Wolfs, Brenners, Martzens, Keelers, Lotts and others. Descendants of these families are good farmers and have the best and most up-to-date farms in the township. Alexander Dobie was Scotch and his sons are the largest landholders in the township. Some of Mr. Dobie's sons or descendants reside on the old homestead now. In this same neighborhood are 316 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the Laylands, descendants of Nelson Layland, the Rathborns, Stricklands and others. In the southwest section are the Summervilles, Thorburns, McEwens and McGarucks and other Scotch people. Among these are the Easts, from New England, and some from Ohio. No deserted farms are found on this thirty-six square miles of territory. Most of the forest that covered the land in 1837 is gone, but a few fine groves are left in which maple sugar is made. There are no villages, postoffices or stores in the township. Rural free delivery supplies all the inhabitants with daily information from the outside world. In 1844 the superintendent of poor purchased from Horace Haven and Richard Rayner the east half of the northwest half of section 21 for the county farm. In 1877 this farm with its additions was deeded to Ingham county. There was some fault in the transfer in 1844 that had to be corrected thirty-three years later. During this interval land had been cleared and buildings erected. The amount of land purchased during this interval was one hundred and twenty acres, which made a total of 200 acres. The cost of the tract was $400 for the first purchase and the total cost $3,858.72. This farm was sold and another one purchased in I878 on section 34, Meridian township. On this farm were erected the present county buildings. When John Bradman was keeper or superintendent of the oltl county buildings, which were of wood, a fire consumed one of the dormitories and six inmates plerished. The victims were four incompetent and two crazy inmates. When the building was rebuilt it was of the same materials as the old. This cause(l so many comlplaints that Ingham county had to sell the farm and building and erect brick structures on a new farm. S. Lee Cook, who was city marshal in Lansing, was the last keeper in the old building and transferred the inmates to the new. The first board of supervisors in I843 appropriated $50 for the annual support of poor. In 1879 this annual appropriation amounted to $8,650, besides the income from the farm. This annual appropriation was for salaries, medical attention, repairs, etc. Under the new system of accounting adopted a short time ago the correct or more accurate cost of maintenance has been ascertained or found by adding to the annual appropriation all products of the farm used in maintenance. The indigent soldiers of the Civil war were sent here at the expense of the county, but in the early eighties the board of supervisors passed an act appropriating $I,200 annually for relief so they could be cared for in homes of friends. In describing schools in Williamston township (Africa) Elmer Fuller was mentioned as a scholar who afterwards kept the county farm. His long service and kindly interest in the inmates will ever be remembered. Most of the pioneers in this township had experiences similar to those in other townships and it will not be necessary to repeat them. Some unusual events, however, are noted. Unusual Events.-In 1858 this township was visited by a great INGHAM COUNTY 317 tornado. It tore down buildings, killed stock and one man. After fifty years the path of this great wind could be seen or traced. The most thrilling event was the capture and trial of the. man near "Jefferson City" who murdered a settler living there. Another unusual event was the conveyance and time it took a constable to get a prisoner to the county jail. which was then at Jackson. Officers presented the following expense bill: To service and time to convey John to Jackson, to six oxen (used as teams), two horses (for officers), service of four men, two days. When they delivered the prisoner and arrived at home the first man the officers met was the prisoner, who had paid his fine and arrived home ahead of his captors. A Mason lawyer, who was in Jackson, had arranged for the prisoner's speedy return. The courts of justice were not slow in the forties even if they were handicapped by lack of telephones. telegraph and bad roads. Mr. Tallman, another of the old settlers, in describing the cyclone of 1858, says a large black cloud, funnel-shaped, passed over, traveling from southwest to northeast. This cloud would lower until it touched the ground. Wherever it came to the ground destruction followed. The Pierce and Tallman families, who resided in the path of the storm, suffered the loss of buildings and stock. Henry Cline was killed by a falling tree. The schools in this township were organized in the same way as schools in neighboring townships. We have a picture that has been drawn of the Button school and the religious meetings held in the schoolhouse. A short sketch of districts as they appear today would be interesting. The school building in the northeast corner of section 19 is known as Phiilips school. The first frame house was a small building painted red. It was replaced by a larger one which was sold after a few years to the grangers and the present brick edifice built. This is a mile north from where the first school was taught in a log building in the "City of Jefferson." District No. 2.-Robbins school is located on section 28. The first teacher was Harriet Childs and there were only six pupils who attended in the small log shanty in 1839. It was named after W. P. Robbins, who came into the district in I839. In District No. 3 (Dubois district) the first school meeting was in I841. The Dubois family furnished the site, helped build the schoolhouse, and a member of this family taught the school. The building was erected on the southwest corner of section 25. In I891 the present brick was built at a cost of $I,ooo. The cemetery near the school building is known as Dubois cemetery. District No. 4 (Canaan School) was organized in 1844. The building was erected on the north part of section 31. When first organized it included territory in Delhi. In 1854 more territory from Alaiedoi was added and Delhi territory given to a district in that township. Gilbert Drew, superintendent of the Sunday school, gave it the name Canaan. 318 HISTORIC MICHIGAN William C. Leek gave ground for District No. 5 by lease running ninety-nine years in 1840. In 1847 some land near the school was bought of Mrs. Leek for a cemetery. It is related how a male teacher taught geography to pupils from maps, The teacher used a pointer to point out the objects on the map and pupils gave names by singing to the tune of "Old Dan Tucker." A large pond near the schoolhouse furnished raft rides in summer and skating in winter. A tamarack swamp near the school building furnished such a supply to pupils that every new teacher had a problem in government to chew upon. District No. 6 was in the northeastern part of the township, and was erected on Mr. Riggs' farm on section 13. Miss Rose Strayer was the first teacher. A German church society was organized in this district in I853. Services were held in the schoolhouse, but afterwards a church was erected on the old school site where services were in the German language. District No. 8 was known as the County Farm school. The house was near the buildings of the county farm and the indigent children were sent to this school. At a meeting of the township board in I843 it was decided to spend $I50 on a road across the swamp in the eastern part of this district. Some important facts about the school taxes and money from mill tax in early days-1855-are rqcorded on the township book or records. This district got $1o.I6 for its share of mill tax in I855. In I9I9 this same district received $200.20 mill tax. District Nos. ii and 12, Douglas school, was in the extreme eastern part of the township on section 24. A family by the name of Douglas gave it the name it bears today. This family has been mentioned. Mrs. Frank Hillard was the first teacher. The first building burned, but another was built at Douglas' corners. The name Alaiedon has never been satisfactorily explained. Whether it is English or from some Indian word former historians have never mentioned it. It might come from the Arabic Allia-godand the Roman don-a city-which when put together mean a "city of the gods" or a godlike dwelling place. With the exception of Jefferson no pioneer village was ever founded within its boundaries, no factories except sawmills were ever established. There were no large streams on which factories could be built. It has been an agricultural township with scores of progressive, up-to-date farmers. Some of these farmer sons and daughters have gone from the farms and entered into other lines of business. The most prominent family in early years was the Dubois family in the south part of the township. From this large family came one doctor, a number of teachers and a lot of farmers. The German families have produced a number of good citizens. The prominent farmers in the north part were the Buttons, Stricklands, Matthews, Norths, Butchers, Marzens, Drivers, Osbands, Guiles, Rathbones and others. From the Guile family comes one lawyer. In the center of the township are the Dobie families, who have all the Scotch thrift. In the southwest part are the Summervilles, whose forbears came from Scotland. INGHAM COUNTY 319 LANSING TOWNS-IIP The early history and development of Lansing township cove! but a brief period-I838-I847-with the appearance of white settlers to the founding of the capital. In I859, municipal government of Lansing was instituted, authorized by a charter granted by the state legislature. During the interval of the twelve previous years, the township controlled both city an: township, this condition in the ordering of affairs causing confusion and inconvenience to those in charge. The grant of separate charges was designed to prevent their semi-clashing of authorities. The town from which the now populous township was organized was in the northwest part of the county, and would probably not have been selected for the capitol site but for the foresight and energetic action of James Seymour and William Townsend. Tlhe land was covered with a growth of very heavy timber, and these men purchased nearly 2,000 acres of this land in anticipation of p)rofitable returns from the sale of timber, lumber, power sites, mill privileges and village and city lots. Both were great promoters and enthusiastic speculators. They with Frederick Bushnell and others whom they had interested in their plans told their neighbors and business associates in Rochester, New York, that the sylvan forests in town 4, north of range 2 west, in Tngham county were ideal!ihuntingt grouncls and abounded in wild game and wild honey; that fortunes could he made in lumbering; that the land when cleared would produce like the garden of Eden; and the new state capitol, set in one of these beautiful groves, would be an architectural dream. An enthusiast of the period drafted a city plat containing an area of nine square miles. This vision of the dreamers of the long past has become a reality. E,\RLY SETTLERS The J. E. North family was one of the first to settle in the township outside of Lansing. Jacob Cooley with his family came to Leslie township May 16, I836. Mr. Cooley built a shanty in which they lived a few months, returning in 1837 to New York state. Mr. Cooley remained only until he had established the family in their former home, when he again came to Michigan and located land on section 30, township of Lansing. A speculator named Ford persuaded him to settle on this land, stating he intended to plat a city on Grand river in the northwest corner of the section and name it "Biddle City." Ford accompanied Mr. Cooley and helped him locate his farm, but did not remain long after inducing Mr. Cooley to pay $50 for a plat Ford had ordered for himself. During the winter of 1837-38, Mr. Cooley remained on the land site of "Biddle City." He built a shanty for shelter, followed an Indian trail to Jackson, where he purchased food supplies and constructed a raft on which to convey himself and his provisions down Grand river. On the return voyage his craft collided with some obstruction, and both himself and the 320 HISTORIC MICHIGAN supplies were thrown into the river. The mishap was rather serious. Much of the food supply was lost or damaged; the matches were so wet they could not be used; the night was cold, and it was with difficulty he kept from freezing. In the morning a wandering Indian found him, took him to his cabin, gave him a hot rub and a hearty breakfast of fried hedgehog meat. Mr. Cooley contracted with the Indians to convey his damaged supplies to "Biddle City." After completing the trip, they camped near him to devour his damp su))plies and smoke the damaged tobacco. FIRST PERRMANENT SETTLER IN LANSING TOWNSHIP In the spring of 1838, Mrs. Cooley and her two small boys, Jacob F., Jr.. and Lansing J., at the request of her husband, started for "Biddle City," located somewhere on Grand river in the woods of Lansing township, Ingham county, Michigan. This journey was long and somewhat dangerous. WVhen she arrived in Detroit, the city was in an uproar because of threatened invasion from Canada. This was during the "Patriot War." After some delay, she hired a man with a team to take her and the children to Jackson, over the new highway from Detroit to Chicago. They had not proceeded far when the driver left her and ran into the woods-the sheriff of \ayne county was on his trail for horse stealing. After Mrs. Cooley explained the situation to the officer, she was given permission to drive the team to Jackson, and there deliver it to the sheriff. Unable to secure a conveyance from Jackson, she started with the two children to walk, but lost the trail. Leaving the tired children on a log by the wayside while she sought assistance, she wandered about for some time before she reached a cabin. The owner accompanied her to get the children, but because of her exhausted and dazed condition, the mother had little conception of direction, and it was only after a long search that the children were found. That night the youngest child became ill from exposure and exhaustion and mother and children remained with the settler's family until the recovery of the little one, after which the settler took them to Eaton Rapids in his own conveyance. The devoted wife and mother sent an Indian messenger to tell her husband to meet them there. On his arrival at Eaton Rapids, as he owned no horses, he built a rude houseboat and embarked his family on the novel craft for the final stage of their journey, which through the united efforts of husband and wife was made in safety. They arrived in "Biddle City" June 15, 1838-the first family who permanently located in Lansing township. CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH INDIANS July 4, 1838, was celebrated in a truly patriotic manner by the Coo!ey family, though under somewhat novel conditions. The Indians joined in observance of the day, a flat rock on the river bank served as a table for the feast, and patriotic songs and good cheer constituted the day's program. INGHAM COUNTY 321 The Cooleys had been in their new location but a short time when every member of the family became ill. A neighbor in Eaton county took them in, cared for them and secured a doctor from Eaton Rapids to administer treatment. Upon recovery, after paying the bills, their money was exhausted, but they returned to the home in the woods to find that during illness their small patches of corn and potatoes had been carefully tended by Indian friends and were gathered and stored for winter use. During the winter these provisions were exhausted and Mr. Cooley again became very sick, and until his recovery he and the family were cared for by an old kindly Indian and his squaw. In the spring of 1839 Mr. Cooley went to Jackson and worked at the tailor trade to earn money for the maintenance of his family. For fourteen months he remained in Jackson, and the wife and chiidren remained in the woods. During that period Mrs. Cooley (lid not see a white woman. The Indian women or squaws were kind. however, and helped as nurse, cook or doctor when there was need for these services. While in Jackson, Mr. Cooley earned sufficient to supply the household needs and purchase a team of horses and stock for his farm. Bears and wolves made his first investment unprofitable, but after their extermination the losses were nil. In the autumn of I839, joyful news was received by the Cooleys to the effect that another white family-that of Joseph E. North. Jr.had moved into the township. A visit was made them by Mr. North, Sr., who went afoot, finding the way when the Indian trails failed by following section lines the government surveyors made ten years prior. FIRST WHITE CIILD BORN IN THE TOWYNSHIP In January, I840, a son came to the home in the woods of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cooley, the first white child born in Lansing township. Jacob Cooley and his family again conducted a celebration on the Fourth of July, 1841, as they did two years previously. This year, however, two additional families-those of J. E. North, Sr., and J. E. North. Jr.-joined in its observance. The establishment of schools outside the city proceeded very slowly and was long delayed. One of the Cooley boys having had no educational advantages at home, when at the age of eighteen years he started to his first school, could not repeat the letters of the alphabet. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley had five children. All worked hard and on leaving each child was given a farm near the homestead. Roswell Everett with his family came into the woods in the south part of the township the same time as the North family. He and his sons shared with the Norths the difficulties encountered in transforming dense forests and unproductive lands into fertile, productive lands, fine farms and homes. Ransome Everett, son of Roswell Everett, married Miss Phoebe Bunker, of Eaton Rapids, and settled on the eastern part of section 28 and the western part of section 27. His tract was heavily timbered, but within a few years he had cleared it, and for forty-six years this farm was his pride and home. City 3-21 322 HISTORIC MICHIGAN life had no attraction for him and he lived and died on his farm. His brothers and sisters married and lived near him. Each bore his share in the expansion and development of that era. William Dryer settled on a wild farm in the western part of the township in 1848, prior to which he had been a settler of White Oak township from 1836. After living nine years on his new farm in White Oak, he moved to Pinkney, where he worked at his trade of wagon-making. His was the first complete wagon-hand made from Michigan timber-made in Livingston county. When Ingham township was organized, he was at the first meeting and helped the voters form a township government similar to that in Stockbridge. Through his efforts, assisted by others, at this meeting, a uniform system was adopted for all townships. Mr. Dryer and his sons cleared two or three farms, built fine farm buildings and during the Civil war became interested in Merino sheep, and for a number of years the farm was the headquarters of importers and breeders of fine wool sheep. Two invalid sisters lived with Mr. Dryer to whom he was especially kind. One of Mr. Dryer's sons studied medicine, graduated at the University of Michigan and practiced in Bath, Shiawassee county. In I865, there came to the Dryer farm a German. He bought a few acres of Mr. Dryer's farm or land adjoining it and he and his wife and baby moved into a small cabin located on the land. His furniture was the most simple, crude kind of home manufacture. His farm was small and unsuited for general farming so he purchased two cows and sold milk to neighbors and families of farm laborers. Through hard work, in which his wife did her part, the enterprise proved so successful that he owned six cows, a horse and light wagon and practically all the families in North Lansing were his patrons. Mr. Roster was the first dairyman in the city. He built up a business that made him independent in his old age. He was a strict church man and gave the church of which he was a member land from his small farm for a church cemetery. Another German family came to the township prior to i86i, and purchased a home of ten acres at what is now the northwest corner of North Logan and West Saginaw street. This was the Rapp family, consisting of two boys, George and Jacob, and four girls. The mother was a widow. The boys worked hard as farm laborers in order to support the family, and when the girls were of proper age they went out as servants and married well. In the course of time, the boys married, bought farms west of the old home and became active, enterprising citizens. Jacob Rapp's son and only child is one of the leading electrical engineers in the county. In an early day 'Squire Gilkey settled on a farm on the north side of the river or in the northwest corner of the township. He not only cleared his farm but raised a family that has always taken an active part in city, county and township affairs. The 'squire was not only justice of the peace but in early times was also landlord at the Seymour hotel. His daughter Emma married Capt. James Jeffers, architect of Judge Wiest's home and other buildings in our city. INGHAM COUNTY 323 'Squire Gilkey's river home was the center of all social gatherings in olden times when the country was new. 'Squire Gilkey's neighbor was the Barker family. Mr. Barker was an up-to-date farmer and the head of a large family who married and settled near the old homestead. One of the sons married into the Ingersol family at Delta Mills. A few years ago the family was widely separated and the old homestead passed into the possession of others. The Hall family settled on section 5. D. D. Hall was a son who kept the old home. He was the most influential member and official in the Franklin avenue and Cedar street Methodist Episcopal church. Church meetings and social events were always held at the Hall home. In the northeast part of the township are located the Gladdens, Baungrass and Baugharts. East on the old Detroit, Howell and Lansing road are the Merrills, Camps, Taylors, Judge Longyear's farm, J. A. Reed's farm with its fine clay deposits and at the extreme border of town is the Dr. M. M. Miles farm. Michigan avenue in the sixties was the worst road in the north part of the county. In spring and fall it was an impassable quagmire. Three brothers named Foster located their farms on the high ground west of this mire, and after the log cabin period erected substantial brick farmhouses from brick manufactured on their own farms. After they built their houses they continued to make brick on these lands. This product was sold in the city and among the farmers, and most of the brick used in the interior walls of the new state capitol building were made in these yards. Two of the brothers leased their yards. and lately Clifford Spalding & Co. have operated them. Adam. one of the brothers, was an unmarried man and his mai(len sister lived with him. Both are now dead and the farm has been platted and sold. It forms one of the subdivisions that will, in time, link Lansing with East Lansing. The new Emergency hospital is located on the middle farm. Across the low stretch of road on an elevation on the south side. Mr. Harrison in the early sixties built a fine brick residence. He endeavored to have a more imposing structure than surrounding houses and sent to Ohio for sandstone window caps, sills, etc. Frank Church now owns the property. Mr. Harrison's son built a large brick boarding house on the banks of the Red Cedar river for Michigan Agricultural students. He did not receive much patronage and the building was sold and torn down. Michigan Agricultural College students named it the White Elepha'nt. On a slight elevation between the Foster home and the Harrison building Dr. Baker's brother built a farm house and Mr. Shearer, a retired hotel man, was his neighbor. CURIOSITY LANI) MARK One of the curiosities on East Michigan avenue was a large boulder with a small wild cherry tree growing out of a crevice in the stone. For over fifty years this has been a landmark on the highway to Michigan Agricultural College and great efforts we e 324 HISTORIC MICHIGAN made to keep the tree in a growing condition, but they were unsuccessful. On the south side of East Michigan avenue, outside the corporation line, was, in the seventies, the gothic brick residence of Mr. Johnson. When the growth of the city extended east, this farm of eighty acres was sold, the house wrecked and the farm platted into city lots and it now forms the "Farrand Addition" to our city. Hart Farrand was the Lansing boy who platted this addition. Most of the old residents remember the low land between the Johnson farm and Harrison residence. It was heavily timbered with growths of black ash and red maple, basswood and tamarack. This land belongs to the state and was a part of the Reform School land. The timber was cut into firewood by inmates of the school and was used to heat buildings when the people and state employees depended upon no other fuel than wood to heat their homes and public buildings. This strip of timber was for years the woodyard of the school. After the timber and stumps were gone, the state sold it to a company that built a race track and stables under the name of the Lansing Driving Park association. W. K. Prudden and other Lansing men were interested in breeding French coach and trotting horses and used this track for training purposes. During the trotting horse period, this track, with its springy muck foundation, was the fastest in the whole circuit and some of the finest trotters in the west won matches on it. When the autos supplanted the trotter and pacer, the oval and track were rented for show grounds, but the remainder of the ground was sold to real estate men and is now being built upon. Southeast of the city on sections 22 and 23 were, in the early sixties, the extensive bottom lands of the Red Cedar river. Rising abruptly from this bottom were high hills of sandy loam covered with oak and other timber. In the seventies when the city wanted to change location of the cemetery, they purchased the highest sand hill that lay south of the river and east of Sycamore creek, which is the Mt. Hope cemetery of today. The purchase and removal of this cemetery caused one of the longest and most acrimonious discussions ever known between the residents and city council. Judge A. N. Hart was a member of the council and through his efforts and those of his co-workers the change was made. Judge Hart was a large landholder and endeavored to convince his opponents that the old cemetery-now Oak Park-was too small, located too near the center of the city, unsanitary, and a menace to the general health of the municipality. Superstitions, traditions and sentimentality did not prevail but had to give way to the arguments for the removal of the menace and a location that would not block but encourage the future expansion of the city. When one now views the beautiful cemetery and remembers that in the seventies it was a thickly wooded sandhill, three miles from the center of the city, it seems strange it should have been the cause of such contentions. The land east of the cemetery along the Red Cedar river was purchased in the seventies, just after the cemetery was bought, by Hon. James M. Turner. INGHAM COUNTY 325 He and his partner, Dwight Smith, purchased I,200 acres. After this land was acquired the timber was cut and logs and wood sold to local purchasers. As fast as land was cleared a crop of wheat was produced and the land seeded to meadow and pasture. Mr. Turner until his death (I898) tried hard to make this farm into one of the largest stock farms in Ingham county. He stocked it with imported Clydesdale horses, Shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. Some of his neighbors remember how he sent his agents to Canada for horses and cattle and to England for sheep. His death stopped future development as the stock was sold and afterward some of the land. Today the unpainted stock barn and other farm buildings are occupied by tenants. Another man, H. Morgan, was a large non-resident landholder in sections 22 and 23, but had quite a number of farms cleared and improved in the vicinity of our city. Potter Park, or the ground where the park is located, was at one time in his possession. Colonel Shubel's farm was formerly part of the Morgan tract. Colonel Shubel has sold a portion of his farm land for school property to accommodate the increased school population on the south side of East Mt. Hope avenue. WEST OF THE CITY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT On sections 17 and I8 there was, in early days, an extensive tract of low land or swamp. This land was covered by a dense growth of ash, elm and tamarack with thick undergrowth of brush and brambles. Land agents or purchasers avoided this tract as it was covered with water and the deep muck made it dangerous to travel. In the thirties a woods cruiser tried to cross this tract, became lost and in finding his way out of this maze, came across a trail which ended in a small clearing with one or two cabins in the center thereof. Making his way to one of these cabins, he entered the open door before he accosted two workmen who were busily engaged in making something out of metal. As soon as he had spoken, the two men made him a prisoner, bound his arms and legs, gagged him and fastened him to one of the logs in the cabin. All night he remained in captivity listening to his captors' conversation as to the best method of disposing of their captive. One wanted to kill him, the other desired to frighten him so he would never reveal their occupation, that of counterfeiting. In the morning they came to an agreement. They unbound his legs, blindfolded him and then led him to the edge of the swamp, where he was compelled to take oath he would never reveal, or remember, or speak to anyone about what he saw in their workshop. after which the bandage was removed from his eyes and he was liberated. After this discovery the counterfeiters were afraid to work except at night. A few months later one of the workmen while heating plating fluid over a fire was fatally injured by an explosion, death resulting in a short time following the accident. His companion buried him in the woods, burned the cabins, threw the tools away, 326 HISTORIC MICHIGAN buried the counterfeit coin in the swamp and left the vicinity. Some of the pioneers remember the charred remains.of old log cabins or the old forge where the counterfeiters worked. These counterfeiters, lawbreakers and outcasts could not resist temptation. The time they worked, hidden in the swamp, was the "Wildcat money period." The people wanted hard money instead of depreciated paper currency, so they tried to supply the demand by stamping and gilding discs of copper and other base metals and have them circulate as dollars or fractions of a dollar. In those olden days if caught a counterfeiter suffered the death penalty. This was removed when the state constitution was adopted. This noted swamp was known as the "Bogus Swamp." A creek named Weiman's creek had its source in this swamp and flowed in a northeasterly direction to Grand river. A sewer has been built part way in this creek channel that bears the same name as the creek. Dr. William Haze, father of Dr. Harry Haze, in Lansing in the sixties purchased a large tract of this land lying south of West Saginaw street and west of North Logan street, cleared it and made a large farm of it. When the doctor desired to drain his low land, the drain commissioners laid out a large drain to the river. The cost of this ditch made the doctor ask if they hadn't dug a ship canal instead of a drain. West Saginaw street crosses this swamp. In early days, a corduroy road was built across the worst part, but in early spring or after heavy rains the road was impassable. Today there is no swamp. The paved cement highway gives no hint of corduroy or quagmire. On the north side cabbages and celery grow where the muck was the deepest, while on the south side is the immense Durant motor factory and forge and casting plants surrounded by workmen's cottages. The Haze farm has been sold to a real estate company who have platted the tract and sold it for residence property. This has been added to our city under the title of "Westmoreland," and is one of the finest residence sections in Lansing. The counterfeiters in the early thirties tried to make money on this land and failed, the active real estate men tried to make money on the same plot and have succeeded. This land that went begging at a few cents per acre in the forties is now sold at from $o1 to $200 per foot frontage. In I859, the township government relinquished to the city the right to control city affairs; today the municipal boundaries are spreading and in a few years the township will have become so smaii that the city will absorb all, and township government in Lansing township will be a thing of the past. CHAPTER XXI MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES OF LANSING AND THE COUNTY Manufacturing in I'ngham county, when its meager beginnings and present attainments are contrasted, is indicated to be a matter so imeasuring human achievement that fancy may well be stirred by something of a suggestion of epic quality in the record. For those who seek fact rather than fancy, the totals indicating year-by-year increase in material totals are, indeed, rather amazing when the time element is considered. The census of 1840 was the first to include statistics of Ingham county. The report, under the head of manufactures, credits Ingham with thirteen hands engaged in artificing and their total output for the year is given as $I,470. Against this simple record, the census of 1920, eighty years later, reporting on Lansing for the year I9I9, for counties are no longer the unit of census reports, states that through that twelve month there was an average of I2,349 wage earners employed in manufacturing and that the total value of the manufactured product of the city, for that year, was $104,722,II5. Eighty years in the life of a city is ordinarily counted but a brief span, but when in such a period a yearly output is expanded from a meager beginning of a comparatively few dollars to an output counted by the hu'ndred million dollars-well that is a circumstance that may well arrest attention and call for somewhat detailed inquiry. Something of an endeaver will be made in this chapter to translate the difference between $I,740 worth of product and $I04,722,I 15 worth of product into such human terms as skill and persistence, hoping and candid planning, believing and venturing. These human reactions and much more must have been inevitable in such a situation. Lansing is so overshadowingly the industrial city of Ingham county that the manufacturing development of the city deserves to be treated by itself. That Lansing is industrially prominent is quite in keeping with what might be termed historical fitness. Though there appears no direct statement in surveyors' notes or otherwise, it seems reasonable to conjecture that when some enterprising "land looker" first came upon the rapid flow in the Grand, at that horseshoe bend in the river, in northwestern Ingham, about which is now clustered the industries of Lansing, he must at once have conjured a fanciful picture of the great ind!ustrial development that would one day center about this most promising water site. The land about the power site was pre-empted by eastern capital represented by the Seymours and the Townsend interests, before the township of Lansing was organized or named. It must be that they had information upon which they acted, though who first realized the power possibilities will probably always remain lost to knowledge. 328 HISTORIC MICHIGAN But whoever it was that first saw the industrial possibilities at the place where Lansing is now, saw only in part, and only meagerly at that. The development came, but the early discovered water power has had little to do with the outstanding result. To the early "land looker," the water power was everything; to the present day man of enterprise, it is negligible. But while the water power of the Grand has not resulted in the way it was supposed probable, nevertheless who can say that it has not been a factor of importance in that long chain of events which in an unrealized way shape human destiny? The Seymour interests are credited with having had large influence in seeing to it that the capital of Michigan was located at Lansing. The establishment of the capital, in itself, meant that, in due time, quite a center of population should grow up, and this fact in turn resulted in there being early listed among Lansing industries, as the old directories disclose, the concern known as P. F. Olds & Son, machinists. The story of what the son of that early concern ultimately meant to Lansing deserves to be told elsewhere in detail; here it is mentioned as a fact in a chain of events. Other factors perhaps contributing, it was the ingenuity of Ransom E. Olds that made Lansi'ng an automobile manufacturing city and a city also devoted to the manufacture of internal combustion motors. As has just been indicated, the history of manufacturing in Ingham county falls in two sections. The advent of the internal combustion motor marks the dividing line between the two periods. However, though the invention of gunpowder is frequently mentioned as marking the close of medieval history and the beginning of modern, still no man then living knew when one period closed and the other began. The middle ages merged into more modern times without a break. Just so, in the history of manufacturing in this country, what went before and what came after the automobile merged i'nto one consideration. Meager though the census returns are, on manufacturing in Ingham county, in I840, nevertheless it must be felt that it is rather remarkable that there were any returns at all, when it is recalled that four years before there were scarcely any white persons in the county. But, only a little behind those who came to clear farms, came those to erect saw and gristmills and to provide such other simple products as went to meet the needs of a primitive community. It may well be wished that the early enumerator had been more specific in his first return for Ingham, but meager though the record is, one may conjecture that saw and gristmillers, a possible cooper or two, and perhaps some shoemakers made up the list of thirteen workers enumerated in the first census on manufacturing, in this county. The census of I850 indicates progress in manufacturing. It is trivial progress, to be sure, as compared with accomplishments in more recent years, but such figures as are preserved to us afford something of a picture of those times. Manufacturing in 1850 meant supplying the needs of settlers in a first hand way, not the shipment of goods to the other side of the world, or to distant cities in our own land. The progress of the first decade was such advancement as the needs of the settlers dictated. In I840, the worth of the product, as has been told, INGHAM COUNTY 329 was $1,470; by I850, the product was valued at $64,895. The capital invested in I840, was $II,900; by 1850, it was put down as $53,200 and the number of hands employed was one hundred and forty-six. But more informative than the number of hands and dollars employed, in I850, is the more detailed statement of the census concerning the lines to which the manufacturers of those days devoted themselves Of the makers of agricultural implements there were six, of sawmills there were two, of blacksmiths nine, bookbinders one, boot and shoe makers twelve, of brickmakers three, carriages and wagons four, coal miners one, coopers seven, and of millers of flour and meal eight. The blacksmiths and the one coal operator would not be classified as manufacturers today, but no doubt it was thought the classification was sufficiently informative to satisfy in those early and primitive times. The six agricultural establishments employed ten hands, the capital invested was $4,800, the cost of raw material $7,656, the cost of labor $2,940, and the value of the product was $ I,005. The sawmills of 1850 must have been more primitive than supposed. The capital is given as $I,IOO, the cost of raw material as $I,659, number of hands three, cost of labor $840, and value of product $4,IOO. True to the long history of the craft, the blacksmith appears to have kept step with the advance, of civilization into Ingham county. The nine establishments, with their twenty hands, must have been kept busy i'ndeed. In the days of knighthood, the smith was accounted only a degree less essential than the first line of defense itself; in pioneering he was still the immediate reliance of those who laid ax to the wilderness. The value to Ingham of the blacksmith shops of I850, is stated as $11,26I. The ten hands were paid a wage of $5,II2. The bookbinding establishment is easily accounted for. It was a necessary adjunct of the state government, the seat of which had just been moved to Lansing. Three men and six women were employed. The capital invested was $6,000, the cost of raw material was $1,I50, the cost of labor $3,520, and the value of the product $8,ooo. The boot and shoemaker, at the end of the first decade of the county, was more than a cobbler-he was a manufacturer in the true sense of the term. There were twelve of the concerns which kept the people of the county shod. They had invested $I8,6oo in capital, their raw material cost them $11,870, they employed forty hands and paid them $IO,716 for the year, and turned out a product valued at $23,86I. The three brickmakers had a capital of $2,300, the cost of their raw material was $i,o08, they employed nineteen hands and paid them $2,346, and turned out a product valued at $812. It seems probable that brickmaking was an industry plied as occasion required. Of carriage makers there were four; they had an invested capital of $2,250, used raw material in the sum of $1,235, employed twelve hands, paid them $4,140 for their year's work and turned out a product valued at $7,605. There is, indeed, sharp contrast between these figures representing vehicular manufacture and the figures for vehicular manufacture today. By I850, a coal deposit had been located. The owner was apparently his own miner and fought out with himself his own wage scale. Wages were rated at $300 and the output valued 330 HISTORIC MICHIGAN at $900. Coopering was a rather vital occupation to the agricultural community of Ingham in 1850. There were seven establishments, employing fourteen hands. One may guess that each master cooper had a helper. They turned out a product valued at $6,4Io. It was the millers who were the big men of enterprise of those times. In I850, the county is credited with eight miles, involving a capital of $50,550. They used raw material valued at $162,ooo-fabulous sum for;hose times-employed eighteen hands, paid the sum of $5,916 for the year, and turning out a product valued at $I86,225. Progress during the next decade, to I860, is just about the advance to be expected as keeping pace with the progress of the agricultural community which Ingham county continued to be. Industry still found its market among the dwellers of the county, very largely, thotghl Lansing, having come to be a place of more than 3,000, it is likely that it was coming to be quite a center for some needs in an increasingly large circle of buyers. By I86o, the number of establishments in the county, rated as conducting manufacturing, is given as io8, the number having a little more than doubled since I850. The invested capital by this time was rated at $227,685, the cost of raw material at $224,I80. Instead of the 146 hands of 1850, there were 349 in I860, and twenty-one of these were women. The cost of labor had increased, but not proportionately, it would appear. The labor cost for Ingham in I860 is stated as $96,I78. The value of the product had grown quite impressive, for those times. It is given as $521,725. Probably as early a compilation of those engaged in manufacturing in Ingham county is comprised in the list given in a directory for Lansing for I860. It is to be assumed that there were establishments at Mason, Dansville, Leslie, Stockbridge and Webberville of comparative importance in that year, entitled to the manufacturing classification, but already Lansing, though only slightly in excess of 3,000 population was, nevertheless, about as large as the other centers combined, and. accordingly, its list is in quite a measure significant for the county. The list for I86o is comprised of the following: Frederick Alton, cooper, Washiigton avenue; P. C. Ayres, carpenter and joiner, Grand street; J. Earner, blacksmith, Frankli'n avenue; James Beal, brickmaker, Larch street; R. Boothroyd, boots and shoes, Washington avenue; Bauerle & Bro., blacksmith and wagon maker; B. W. Boyce, carpenter and joiner, Seymour and Lapeer streets; D. W. Buck, furniture manufacturer; Cannel & Edwards, harness and saddlery manufacturers; Capman & Nelson, steam shingle machine; John Cook, builder and contractor, Cedar street; J. Elliott, blacksmith, Washington avenue; Christian Faubel, soap and candle manufacturer, Second street; William Gardner, carriage and wagon manufacturer; H. N. Hart, miller, on the river; M. A. Howell, boot and shoe maker, Washington avenue; J. D. Kimick, boot and shoe maker; Knott & Brown, blacksmith, Franklin avenue; S. Lansing, blacksmith, Grand street; Lansing Planing Mill Co., River street; Lloyd Lewis, carriage and wagon maker, Franklin avenue; Chester Mosley, flour mill, Franklin avenue; Newsom & Hail INGHAM COUNTY 331 stone, fanning mill manufacturer, Franklin avenue; Edmund Parmelee, sawmill, carding mill and sash door and blinds; Rall, Sprang & Tobias, carriage and wagon maker, Grand and Washtenaw streets; Ramsdall & Bro., sawmill, on river James Somerville, saddlery and harness, Franklin avenue; Mrs. M. A. Thayer, sawmill, on river; E. F. Thompson, cabinet maker, Center street; Thompson & Hunter, coopers, Washington avenue; Thompkins & Co., foundry and machine shop, on river: James Turner & Bro., foundry and machine shop; D. H. Voden, sash and door maker, Washington avenue; A. Wakely, carpe'nter and builder, Center and Wall streets; George Waldbour, baker, River street; Waldbour & Bro., bakers, Grand street; Jacob Weber: S. William, manufacturer and dealer in stoves and tinware, Center and Franklin streets; Woodhouse & Butler, chair manufacturers and dealers, Washington avenue; G. R. Woodworth, boots and shoes. While there is believed to be no list of manufacturing establishments in the towns of Ingham, other than Lansing, for I86o, nevertheless, a state gazetteer for I863 lists the enterprises in Mason, Williamston, Okemos, Dansville and Stockbridge. Leslie is not listed, but there is material exta'nt showing establishments in that place, and their owners, which were operated contenmporaneously with those in the places listed. Before citing the list of establishments in the smaller places of the county it seems in a measure justified, even though in some ieasure;i repetition, to note that the gazetteer of I863 credits Ingham county with capital invested in manufacturing pla'nts, flour mills included, in the sum of $215,I65. The output is stated at $521,325. Of these establishments there is said to have been four water and four steam flour mills, of a value of $50,500. They used 31,324 bushels of wheat to make a product valued at $182,625. Of sawmills it is stated that there were twenty-five. Four of these were actuated by water power and twenty-one by steam. These mills were of a value of $67,600. They produced 11,418,000 feet of lumber, valued at $87,000. One point to be noticed in this connection was the wide prevalence of steam power. It is not likely the steam plants were of high power, but, in any event, they early belied the expectation that water power would be of extreme importance. Supplying of these light steam plants for gristmills and sawmills was an early manufacturing enterprise in Michigan of some importance. It may be noted in this connection that such a plant, the Jarvis Engine Co., was operated in Lansing for a considerable number of years. This concern was taken over by the Barnes interests,;ed with Orlando F. Barnes was known in its more prominent (lays as the Lansing Iron and Engine Works. Returning to the various manufacturing enterprises in the villages of the county, they may be listed as follows: Mason-J. Beech & Co., foundry, operated by Jesse and Ira H. Beech; mill and distillery, operated by Perry Henderson; W. A. Teel & Co., carriage makers, operated by Whitfield A. Teel and William H. Smith; manufactory of potash, Luke H. Helms; sawmill, John E. Spencer; sawmill, Jacob Willet. It will be noticed that there was one flour mill and two sawmills. Oie of the sawmills was operated by water. 332 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Leslie-Elijah Woodworth has left the statement that he and Amos Wortman and Jasper Wolcott were the first to erect a sawmill in Ingham county. There was a foundry at Leslie at an early date. It made such ware as could be used by the settlers, including iron kettles and parts for agricultural implements; there was a tannery by I86o, operated by Andrew Emory Hahn. There were two sawmills on Huntoon creek. They were known as the upper and lower mill. The upper mill was operated by Woodworth, Dwight & Co., and the lower by Henry Meeker, on Mill street. The first grist mill was built in 1838, and stood near where the Meeker sawmill stood. Dansville-This place, in I863, was credited with two establishments for the manufacture of carriages. Indeed, this hamlet maintained considerable promise until after the Pere Marquette railroad went to Williamston instead of reaching Dansville, as at one time it was thought it might. The incident of the stranding of Dansville, so far as means of transportation was concerned, was typical of the era when the railroads came to exert their marked influence on industry. The specially named places at Dansville in I863 were Daniel J. Cobb, cabinet maker; Crossman & Atwood, flour mill; Daniel L. Crossman and Martin Atwood; William H. Heald, carriage maker; Chauncey & Martin Jessup, sawmill; S. V. Parks, carriage maker. There were five blacksmiths and four boot and shoe makers in the town. Stockbridge-Henry Hand, sawmill; William H. Smith, carriage maker; I. Teachout, sawmill; Tucker & Mosher, flour mill. There were numerous mechanics' shops and cooperages. Williamston-John Linden, carriage maker; Joseph H. Steele, iron founder; Jonathan B. Taylor, miller; John Wagner, carriage maker. There were also coopers, shoemakers and harness makers. Okemos-Ebenezer Walker, flour mill; Thomas Shively, machinist; Caleb Vanderford, carriage maker, and Americus W. Edgerly, cabinet maker. Enumeration of these simple industries gives a fairly distinct picture of those times. Ingham county was as yet a purely agricultural community and such manufacturing as there was, was for the benefit of the community. It may be that some flour and some lumber was sent out of the county, but, for the most part, the community represented by the county was self contained. Life was primitive and simple. The next ten years, through the 6o's and into the early 70's, were years of such advancement and progress as increasing wealth and population warranted, but there were no outstanding changes to mark particularly new tendencies. All America felt the forward commercial and industrial impulse that came with the close of the Civil war, and Lansing and Ingham county were no exception. Life in Ingham county tp to the time of the Civil war and through it, was a crude life. It was a frontier experience; but, with the passing of war, existence took on increasing refinements and this change in the ways of life was reflected to some degree in industry. One of the significant facts of the early 6o's as having a direct bearing on manufacturing and other industries, was the coiling of the INGHAM COUNTY 333 railroads. Lansing and the northwestern section of the county had its first rail connection in I863. Indeed, the road from Owosso had footing in the county as early as i86I. It was immediately following the war that the railroad was built into Lansing from Jackson. This was in i866. The road was extended through to Saginaw the next year. The Lake Shore, Lansing branch, came in 1873. These were the roads that were significant in the decade under discussion. It is natural, then, to find an extended list of industries i'n Lansing as compared with the list above noticed for i86o. No list appears to remain for the year I870, but for 1873, substantially under the same influence, there is; comprehensive showing of what was being done in the manufacturing line. The list of industries for Lansing in 1873, are: F. M. Allen, pumps, North Lansing; Allen & Wise, sash, doors, blinds, etc., Michigan avenue; Charles L. Bairer, wagon maker; Frederick Bauerly, wagon and carriage maker; Gottlieb Blauerly, blacksmith; George Beals, brickyard, Larch street; S. I-I. Beecher, pumps; E. Bement & Son, implements; Jacob Berner, wagons and blacksmithing; J. Berringer, cooper; Benjamin F. Buck, brickyard; Daniel W. IBuck, furniture manufacturer; Carpenter, pumps; A. Clark, wagon and carriage maker; Clark & Harris, sawmill, foot of Maple street, on river; S. F. DeWitt, blacksmith; J. A. Elder, whip and glove manufacturer; Ferle & Warner, cabinet maker, Washington avenue; Jacob Foltz, sawing an l turning; John W. Giles, machinist, 15 River street; T. W. Green & Cook, chair factory, 16 Turner street; Clement Harrison, showcase manufacturer, 126 Washington avenue; B. E. Hart, flour mill, North Lansing; Thomas E. Hart, blacksmith; Henning & Schultz, stave and heading factory, Sheridan street, North Lansing; W. W. Hildreth, foundry, Capitol avenue; J. W. Hopkins, marble shop; S. WV. Jaques, wagon and carriage maker; James Jones, manufacturer of hardwood, near depot, North Lansing; Lansing Seat Pad Manufacturing Co.; Lansing Woolen Factory, E. Paralee & Co., on race, North Lansing; Lapham & Co., sash, doors, etc., East Michigan avenue; Maynard & Son, sash, doors, etc., near bridge, Franklin street, North Lansing; J. I. Mead, chair factory, East Shiawassee street; Metlin & Co., machine shop and foundry, North Lansing; John Powers, blacksmith; D. W. Robertson & Son, patent medicine, North Lansing; C. Rouser, flour mill, Franklin street, North Lansing; H. T. Scofield, sash, doors, etc., near lower bridge, North Lansing; S. G. Scofield, hard and soft lumber (sawmill), near Franklin street or lower bridge; Frederick Shubel, blacksmith; Torrey & Williams, marble works, at lonia and Grand streets; Walker, Gilman & Co., sash, doors, etc., North Lansing; J. C. Waller, wagon maker; C. Ziegler & Bro., tanners, No. 2 Saginaw street. The list for 1873 is interesting in that it begins to show distinct trace of industrial establishments that have persisted, in one form or under one name or another, to the present day. The list is also instructive of the times in that some changes in needs and way of doing business begin to be manifest. Boot and shoe makers and harness makers are no longer listed as manufacturers in 1873, the Edwards 334 HISTORIC MICHIGAN harness establishment and the Woodworth shoe store being cases In point. It is likely that some harness was still made in the later years, but for the most part home-made harness, so to speak, was giving way7 to factory-made harness, and the same consideration was true as:o shoes. Daniel W. Buck, noted as a furniture manufacturer in Lansing in I86o, still persisted in that line in 1873, but not in the same degree. The steam shingle mill had also disappeared that was mentioned in the first list. In the first list the Parmalee woolen mill is down as a carding mill, while thirteen years later it is known as a woolen mill, though perhaps its function was not particularly more dignified. The soap and candle manufacturer of I86o also disappears from the I873 list. In the first list it was A. N. Hart, the miller, while in the later list it is B. E. Hart. James Turner & Bro. are reported in the I860 list as founders and machinists. That style of firm does not remain in the 1873 list, but 'he business does exist under the name of Metlin. I'r I860 there were forty in the industrial list, while by 1873 the list had grown to fortyfive. IBut the growth in manufacturing was more considerable than this would indicate, for carpenters are included in some number in Lhe earlier list. While the 1873 list is under consideration, attention deserves to be called to the concern of E. Bement & Son, implement inanufacturers, named in the list. This concern was founded in Lansiing *n a small way by E. Bement in I869. It grew until it became the foremost manufactory of bobsleighs in the county. It manufactured agricultural implements and later stoves, but it needs brief mention just here because it may well be instanced as being pre-eminently the connecting link between old industrial Lansing and the Lansing of 1he present day. While the concern got into financial difficulty;Indl was closed along about I897, nevertheless, it was for a long time Whe nmost considerable manufacturing institution in Lansing, and from its organization there was able to step men, experienced in various factory capacities, when the advent of automobile manufacturing came. Il1 other words, Lansing was not without knowledge of factory ways when the need of the go's came. In its (lay the Bement concern was the leading establishment of Lansing. Census figures for I880, contrasted with those for I870, heretofore cited, do not show any sharp contrast. There appears to be an interpretation, however, that may be drawn. The establishment of the capital at Lansing necessarily made of it something of a city. Naturally, it followed that it should be a trading center, and such a center of population drew some manufacturing. The impetus from the esta)lishment of the capital appears to have quite expended itself by I870. Thereafter there was some growth, but not outstanding growth. So the figures of I88o indicate. In 1870, capital invested is given as $668,205, in i880, it is given as $779,800; the number of hands employed in I870, is given as I,333, in i880 there is a falling off and the number is stated as I,015; wages for I870 amounted to $234,660, while in I88o the wages amounted to $294,313, seeming to show higher wages per number employed. Living ccnditio'ns had doubtless become more exacting as strictly pioneer days, INGHAM COUNTY 335 with their ruder ways, receded. In 1870, the value of the raw material is stated to have been $967,8II, while for I880 it is stated to have beefi valued at $1,071,952. Value of the product shows the greatest gain. In 1870 it was given as $I,596,I56, while in i880 it had increased to a value given as $2,I67,324. This increase in value of product quite possibly may be interpreted on the basis of refinement. The Bements were turning out implements and sleighs that were being sent far and wide, and the Lansing Iron and Engine Works was outfiting sawmills with machinery that required skill in workmanship and design. The Clark & Co. establishment, for the manufacture of carriages and wagons, was by this time considerably more than the rude wagon shop in connection with the forge of some blacksmith. Cigar manufacturers to the number of three are listed in Lansing in i880, indicating that the city had passed beyond the time of pipe tobacco and "fine cut" chewing. The Lansing Wagon Works, which for a time occupied quite a place in the industrial scheme of Lansing, is listed among the i'ndustries here as given in the Lansing directory for 1883. Another industry of growing importance, which links up with the present day, named as here in I883, was the Lansing Wheelbarrow Co., now the Lansing Co. Lansing Knitting Works, at 303 Cedar street; a manufacturer of horse rakes; four manufacturers of fa'nning mills, the latter two still showing service to the agricultural community round about, are to be found credited to Lansing in I883. Handle manufacturers and bending works, turning out a valuable product from the hardwood plentiful here about, was another specialty line. Four concerns are credited to Lansing as furniture manufacturers, but other than D. W. & M. J. BI-uck & Co., it does not appear that furniture manufacturing here was done extensively in I883. The others were mostly carpenters who made furniture, particularly chairs, as occasion required. Beside the Lansing Iron and Engine Works, already mentioned, F. L. Henderson was here in the iron trade, and it is significant to note that so were P. F. Olds & Son. Here is another link that holds Lansing present to Lansing past. In 1883, S. G. Scofield's sawmill still persisted, but it was fast turning to wood specialties. There were three )pump inanufacturers and one tanner, a showcase manufacturer, C. I. Mann. and one brewer. Adam Foerster was the brewer in that year. There were other industrial concerns, the flour and feed mills continued as in the decade before, but the lists for these later times are too accessible to require reproduction here. The foregoing list of industries for Lansing in that time appears well indicated in the industries listed for the county by the federal census of I880. The industries accredited to the whole county in that year were: Agricultural implement manufacturers, 9; bakeries, 3; brick and tile, 6; carriages and wagons, 4; charcoal, I5; clothing, men's 5; coopers, I2; flour and grist mills, 15; foundries and machine shops, 4; furniture, 7; handles, 2; liquor and malt beverages, 2; lumber, 37; marble and stone, 8; saddlery and harness, io; sash and doors, 6; tinware and sheet metal, II. This showing, it will occur to the reader, includes industries that are not accounted manufacturing today, tailors 336 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and tinsmiths being cases in point. The concerns listed as manufacturers of carriages and wagons probably were shops and would hardly be considered as manufacturers today. One of the items, that of fifteen charcoal burners, perhaps deserves reference. Charcoal burning was continued in Ingham county until perhaps as late as I904 or I905. The wealth of hardwood made the product desired and it was shipped out to iron smelters. White Oak and LeRoy townships are said to have been the location of.the last of the charcoal kilns. Some burners clung to the most primitive methods to the last. The production of handles and other wood products, termed bent work, was another manifestation of the abundance of excellent hardwood in this section of the state. This abundance of choice hardwood influenced the manufacture of furniture here, particularly chairs, until a comparatively late date. Myro'n Green, one of the early comers to Lansing, who lived to extreme old age, told for publication, not long before his death, of how, in early days, Daniel W. Buck used much black cherry lumber in the making of coffins. By I890 a marked change had come in the manufacturing history of Tngham county, to judge by the federal census figures. The number of concerns listed as manufacturers had jumped from 156 in I880 to 215. Someone has said that the World's Fair in Chicago, in 1893, divided the primitive middle west from the more civilized sophisticated mniddle west of today. Despite the great business depression of the early 90's, culminating in 1896, it is evident that a superstructure of business and irdustry was beginning to rise on the fou'ndation that had been laid by the pioneers. It has been observed that no decade so marked the end of the primitive and the beginning of maturity in this section of Michigan, as the decade from I880 to I89g. So sharp was the break with the past in this decade that when the twentieth century dawned tihe past was speedily forgotten in the new glamor. Capital, number of employees, wages, cost of raw material and value of manufactured product all were at marked increase in I890 over the showing for the previous decade. Where up to I880 there had been some steady, though not spectacular progress, the returns for 1890 s'now a marked jump forward. However, it was to be in the years not so far beyond 1890 that Lansi'ng was to rise out of classification as n; overgrown village and become an industrial city of country-wide imnortance. Capital in I890 was $2,815,260 as compared with $668,205 ten years before. Wages, for the year reported, had jumped from $234,660 to $1,032,992. Material in I880 was bought for $I,071,953, but in I890 it cost more than twice that figure, and is put down as $2,I11,679. Value of product shows another marked advance. In I880, the value of the manufactured product was given as $I,596,156, but through the decade it had mounted to $3,926,826. As has been stated, Lansing's marked advance as an industrial city came shortly after 900o. In the decade between I89o.and I900, the first marked impetus that had come to the city appears to have been little more than held. That there was not more marked progress in the tenyear period is explained by the dark symbol of "I893," a year of INGHAM COUNTY 337 financial disaster not alone in Lansing, but elsewhere. It was a time when concerns that were considered strong, went down to defeat. Lansing was hard hit by bank failures and the Barnes industrial interests, then considerable, including the Lansing Iron and Engine Works, ceased from activity. The Bement leadership persisted, but not for long. On the whole it seems rather remarkable that the figures for I9go compare so well with those of 1890. In I890, the number of establishments credited to Ingham county were 215, in 1900 they numbered 293. Here was an increase in the number of concerns, but the truer index of the times is the capital decreased from $2,815,200 to $2,447,045; the number of hands employed shows decrease fromn 2,525 in I890 to 1,859 in I900; wages had fallen off from $I,032,992 to $740,749. Cost of material shows an unaccountable increase from $2,11,679 to $2,127,258, but value of product shrank from $3,926,826 to $3,851,925. But that a marked-it might almost be said, stupendous-change came in the next decade may be realized from the production figures for Lansi'ng alone in the year 1909, as reported in the census for 91o0. Production figures for the city in that year, were $7,765,000. Indeed, Lansing's. early and meager beginnings were verily of the past. How great the impetus of the Twentieth century may be judged in that for the year I919, reported in the federal census of 1920, the value of the Lansing manufactured product for that year is given as $104,722,115. In I840, thirteen hands were reported turning out a manufactured value of $1,470. I-low wonderful that, in three-quarters of a century, from nothing should come a condition where 5,285 hands should produce a value of $7,765,000 in a year. But more remarkable still is the fact that whereas the thirteen workers of 1840 turned out a per-hand value for themselves of around $ 13, in 9199, the 5,285 workers, by the aid of modern machinery and appliances, turned out a per-hand productio'n of around $1,470. Truly, industrial history was made in Ingham county in a comparatively few years. How little the man who first realized the power possibilities in the Grand river where it crooked about, where is now Lansing, realized what industrial progress would come to mean. What has been said thus far presents the history of manufacturing in Ingham county in pretty general terms. 'It tells results in terms of statistics rather than in terms of human experience. The moving story, of course, resides i'n what men did. As has been suggested, the marked change came with the last decade of the Nineteenth and the beginning of the Twentieth century. Comparing activities in Lansing in I890 with those in 1900, one may realize that an entirely new era has dlawned. The list of incorporated manufacturing concerns in Lansing in I890 does not afford a complete picture of the time, but such a list marks out the salient considerations. The list of incorporated concerns in Lansing, as given for 1891, are: Anderson Road Cart Co., incorporated 1887, capital $20,000. The incorporators were J. J. Frost, J. V. Barrv, B. F Davis and G. W. Freeman. The plant was located at the southeast corner of River and Lenawee streets. E. Bement & Sons was of3-22 338 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ficered b)y A. 0. Blement, Ireside'nt C. A. Gower, vice-president, anl G. \V. IBement. The plant of this concern was on the east side of Grand street. The office was at the northeast corner of Ottawa and Grand, and the plant buildings were mostly at the foot of Ionia street. The Capitol Lumber Co. was incorporated in I889, with a capital of $50,o000oo. T. S. Ayres was president, L. Price vice-president, and H. W. Rikerd was secretary. The concern was located at the southwest corner of Franklin and Cedar streets. Its manufacturing appears that usual to a lumber concern in the way of fabricating building material. The Elder-Todd Co., incorporated in I889, with a capital of $5,oo000, was;i paper box concern. F. Thoman, J. S. Moffitt, R. C. Ostrander and W. AM. Elder were the incorporators. The latter was superintendent. It was located at 22 North Washington avenue. The Genesee Fruit Co., with its $i,ooo,ooo capital, arrests attention. Frank Edson was president, Ogden S. Miller was vice-president, John Mott secretary a'nd treasurer, and L. Shepard Foster manager. Its product was cider and vinegar. It was a foreign corporation, probably one of a chain of such plants through the county. It was located at Beach and South streets. The Lansing Iron andl Engine Works was incorporated n I885. In I89I, Orlando F. Barnes was president, Edward A. Barnes vice-president, and J. Edward Roe secretary and treasurer. The plant was at the southwest corner of Shiawassee and Cedar streets. 'he Lansing Lumber Co., with a capital of $Ioo,ooo, was officered by C. F. Barnes president, Guy W. Re'nyx and Charles E. Wheeler. It was at 335 East Michigan avenue in 1891. The Lansing Wagon Works was incorporated in I886. In 189I its capital was $I6o,ooo. Fred Thoman was president, Merritt L. Coleman was secretary and treasurer, and E. F. Cooley general manager. Its plant was on the east side of Grand street, near Shiawassee. The Lansing Wheelbarrow Co. was incorporated in I88I. In I891, J. H. Moores was president, C. 13. Stebbins, vicepresident, Arthur Stebbins secretary and treasurer. Its plant was it the southwest corner of Saginaw and Cedar streets. The Lansing Wire Mattress Co. was incorporated in I89o, with a capital of $25,ooo. F. '. Gould was president, W. A. Beamer vice-president, A. Beamer secretary and treasurer. Its plant was at the corner of Larch and Transit streets. Marple-French-McGrath Co. was incorporated January I, I890, with a capital of $25,000, and with W. H. Marple, W. E. French and F. H. McGrath incorporators. Its plant was at 401 North Washington avenue. It manufactured candy. The Michigan Condensed Milk Co. was incorporated in 1887, with $Ioo,ooo capital. James M. Turner was president and treasurer, and Hart A. Farrand was secretary. The plant was east of the bridge on Shiawassee street. The Michigan Knitting Co. was organized in I889, with $0o,ooo capital. Its incorporators were R. J. Shenk, W. H. Reynolds, E. P. Slayton and G. P. Sanford. The plant was on Ottawa street, east of Washington avenue. It manufactured caps, sweaters and the like. The North Lansing Milling Co. was incorporated in I889, with a capital of $150,000. J. F. Schultz was president, D. C. Hurd was vice-president, and C. H. Osband treasurer. The mill was at the corner of Franklin IN GHA3M COUNTY 339 and Turner streets. The P'otter -MIanufacturing Co. was incorporated in Ieblruary, 188), with a capital of $Ioo,ooo. Its product was furniture. The officers were G. N. Potter president, and J. W. Potter secretary and treasurer. The plant was at the crossing of the Michigan Central an(l Grand Trunk railroads. The Riverside Brick and Tile Co. was incorporated May, I888, with $50,000 capital. The officers were James MI. Turner president and treasurer, C. P. Ten Eyck secretary, and William Appleton manager and( superintendent. The plant was on Elm street and bank of Cedar river. The foregoing list is unaccountably incomplete. Later lists of incorporated companies give the date of incorporation of the Olds Gasoline Engine Works as July I, I890, but even this was the second incorporation of a company gathered around the idea of a vehicle propelled by an internal combustion motor. The inference is that the compilers of the directory hardly took the new concern seriously, or else did not take their task seriously, in those (lays. However, it see.ms reasonably certain, from news)paper citations of the time, and other evidences, that the list for 1891 gives a pretty informative picture of industrial Lansing at that time. It is to be noticed what a strong drift there was just prior to 1890 for incorporation. Bigger if not big business is indicated and a new tendency of the times. The list of incorporations for 1891 may be compared with the list given for I90o. Some concerns of importance persist, others have disappleared. and there are new concerns to 'note. For the most part the change seems to indicate the tendencies of the times. The list of incorporated manufacturing concerns given for Lansing in 1901 is as follows: Alexander Furnace and Manufacturing Co., incorporate(l May 5, I894, capital $30,000. Officers of the company were L. A. Alexander, C. HI. Alexander. Its plant was located on Mill street, two numbers south of Michigan avenue. Bates & Edmunds Motor Co. was incorporated December 20, I899. Its capital was $25,000oo, and its officers were R. W. Morse, M. F. Bates, J. P. Edwards and J. Edward Roe. Its plant was at 337-341 East Michigan avenue. E. Bement & Sons was incorporated October 9, I897. The officers were A. 0. Bement, C. A. Gower, G. W. Bement and C. E. Bement. Clark & Co. was incorporated May 12, I897, with a capital of $5o,ooo. The officers were Albert Clark, Frank G. Clark and A. A. Nichols. Its plant was on the east side of Grand street, at the foot of Washtenaw street. The Creole Cigar company was incorporated December 30, I899. Its officers were A. M. Darling, Theo. Hirsch and A. S. Bennett. It was located at 716 Turner street. The Genesee Fruit company was incorporated September, I890, with a capital of $400.000. Its officers were Franklin Edson of New York City, Frederick Mott, Utica, New York, and L. Shepard Foster, manager. Its plant was at Beech and South streets. Hall Lumber company was incorporated February 24, 1894, with a capital of $25,000. Its officers were B. F. Hall, H. A. Hall. Its 340 HISTORIC MICHIGAN location was at the intersection of the Michigan Central railroad and East Michigan avenue. Hugh Lyons company was incorporated January i6, I894, with a capital of $36,000. Its officers were Hugh Lyons, C. J. Luce, H. D. Luce and Elgin Mifflin. Its location then was at 406-418 East Michigan avenue. The Kneeland Crystal Creamery company was incorporated August 9, I895, with a capital of $75,000. Its officers were C. L. Kneeland, E. J. Kneeland and J. A. May. Its location was at 707 East Michigan avenue. Lansing Brewing company was incorporated March i6, 1898, with a capital of $25,000. Its officers were Lawrence Price, 0. E. Spaulding, A. S. Bennett and L. L. Sattler. The plant was at the northwest corner of Turner and Clinton streets. Lansing Cooperage company was incorporated February 23. 18)9, with a capital of $6.ooo. The officers were J. F. Schultz, John Warner and J. F. Schultz, Jr, Lansing Veneered Door company was incorporated May 7, 1896, with a capital of $5,ooo. Its officers were M. C. Broas, I. P. Broas and Charles Broas. It was located at the south end of Mill street. Lansing WVagon works was incorporated January 27, I887, with a capital of $15o,ooo. Its officers were Fred Thoman, E. F. Cooley and J. A. Moyers. It was located on the east side of Grand street, near Shiawassee street. Maud S. Windmill & Pump company was incorporated July 7, 1892. with a capital of $40,000. Its officers were E. F. Cooley, A. Woodmancy and Charles Smith. It was located on the west side of Cedar street, between East Shiawassee and Condit streets. Condit street is now changed to East Ottawa. Michigan Condensed Milk company was incorporated January 27, 1887, with a capital of $300.000. Its officers were R. A. Alger of Detroit; B. F. Parsons, of New York City; J. C. McVaul, Detroit, and E. P. Gregory, Howell. The plant was on the north side of Shiawassee street just east of the bridge. Michigan Knitting company was incorporated May 4, I895, with a capital of $25,000. The officers were A. 0. Bement, O. L. Matthews, J. Himmelberger and J. P. St. John. The plant was at East Kalamazoo and Hosmer street. North-Molitor Manufacturing company was incorporated October I, I891, with a capital of $3I,ooo. The officers were C. A. Gower and H. S. Bartholomew. Its plant was on the east side of Grand street between Ottawa and East Shiawassee streets. It manufactured agricultural implements. Olds Gasoline Engine works was incorporated July I, 1890. The officers were R. E. Olds, S. L. Smith and F. L. Smith. It was located at 220 River street and at I308-I8 Jefferson avenue, Detroit. The Oviatt Wagon company was incorporated February 27, 1900, with a capital of $Io,ooo. The officers were S. E. Oviatt, J. A. Metcalf and E. P. Oviatt. It was located at 315 South Capitol avenue. INGHAM COUNTY 341 The Potter Manufacturing company, makers of furniture, was incorporated February 5, I889, with a capital of $Ioo,ooo. The officers were G. N. Potter, J. W. Potter and H. R. Potter. It was located at the crossing of the Michigan Central and Grand Trunk railroads. The Rikerd Lumber company was incorporated February 3, I891, with $I5,000. The officers were W. C. Winchester, H. W. Rikerd, George West and E. S. Porter. Its location was on Mill street. The Willard K. Brush company, makers of candy, was incorporated April 24, I900. The officers were Willard K. Brush and James Beavis. It may be noted by comparing the immediately foregoing list with the list of incorporated companies for I891 that quite a number had persisted, new concerns had come in, and some that were prominent in I89I had disappeared. Of the concerns of importance to disappear may be noted the Lansing Iron & Engine works. This, however, persisted in a small way though not as an incorporated company. Its re-located plant was at 201-203 South Grand avenue. Samuel E. and E. Clement Jarvis were proprietors. The Lansing Boiler & Engine works conducted by A. F. Molitor and F. M. Seibley had succeedled to the former plant of the Lansing Iron & Engine works. "Ranse thinks he can put an engine in a buggy and make the contraptio'n carry him over the roads. If he doesn't get killed at his fool undertaking, I will be satisfied." So said the father of Ransom E. Olds to Dr. Frank Kedzie one (lay when the latter had occasion to visit the shop of P. F. Olds & Son. In the directory for I883 the name of P. F. Olds & Son first appears among the manufacturers of Lansing. The concern is listed as founders and machinists. On one of the early letter-heads of the -)lds Motor Works, various views are printed and one shows "The start of the Olds Gasoline Engine & Motor Works." A little twostory shop on ground space eighteen by twenty-six feet is indicated, with a lean-to behind, apparently for the power plant. This building stood at the southeast corner of the junction of East Kalamazoo street with River street. That location became famous for the start and considerable growth of the automobile industry in Lansing. P. F. Olds & Son first made a small steam engine and boiler, built as a unit, of which the boiler was fired by gasoline used in a suitably arranged burner. This power outfit was particularly well suited to small print shops and was quite widely sold to such establishments. It was a steam engine of this kind which brought Dr. Frank Kedzie to the Olds establishment on the occasion when the elder Olds made the remark about his hopeful son "Ranse" getting killed at his foolish work. Dr. Kedzie had gone to the shop for some repairs on one of the Olds steam engines which was in use at the college. This Olds steam engine at the college is worthy of mention because it was a marker of the beginning of a great era of progress. Dr. Frank Kedzie, then a professor, had persuaded his father, then president of the college, to buy one of the Olds engines wherewith to actuate a Gramme dynamo that had recently 342 HISTORIC MICHIGAN been brought from Paris. The elder Kedzie also was of the belief that the users of the engine would get their "fool heads blown off," but youth prevailed, and when the Olds steam engine was belted to the small electric generator, the first electric light was produced at Michigan Agricultural College from a power generator set. The electric generator or dynamo as it was then called was designed to be actuated by hand power operating through a crank and suitable gearing, but Yankee genius hitched on the Olds steam engine and made it work. The steam engine manufactured by P. F. Olds & Son is also worthy of mention for the reason that in his earliest attempts at building an automobile, Ransom E. Olds used one of these steam engines. Eugene F. Cooley, one of those who originally gave backing to the automobile idea of Ransom E. Olds, remembers the attempt to use the steam engine. But fortunately the day of the internal combustion motor was just at hand, and so the experiments were continued with a gasoline engine. The persistence of Ransom E. Olds resulted in an automobile that would run. It was sufficiently impressive to attract the attention and support of Lansing backers. Again Eugene F. Cooley says of that early demonstration: "Here was a contrivance that would run on the roads by means of power developed within itself. I did not see any great possibilities for it, but nevertheless any contrivance that would do that I felt was worthy of some encouragement. I am sure I did not see any great future for the invention, and I do not think others did, but we felt that if developed the power vehicle would have some sale and that a business possibly could be developed which would show a profit. I am free to say that I had not the faintest vision of what has eventuated in the automobile business." So it was that on August 2I, I887, the Olds Motor Vehicle company was formed. The original stock certificates of that company are still preserved. The stock bears the signature of A. C. Stebbins, secretary, and of E. F. Cooley, vice-president, on two shares and of E. W. Sparrow as president on the other shares. The stock bears date of September 7. The capital was $5o,eoo, represented by 5,000 shares of stock of a value of $Io a share. Those first certificates run to R. E. Olds, trustee for P. F. Olds & Son, 1,250 shares; to Ransom E. Olds, 1,250 shares; to E. W. Sparrow, 500 shares; to Arthur C. Stebbins, 500 shares; to Fred M. Seibly, 500 shares; S. L. Smith, 500 shares; Alfred Beamer, 187 shares; James Peamer, 187 shares; Frank G. Clark, I25 shares, and E. F. Cooley, one share. In the foregoing list appears the name of Frank G. Clark as the holder of 125 shares. Mr. Clark's name is often coupled in the popular romance that is passed along traditionally concerning the beginning of the automobile. Young Clark, as he was called then, early shared the vision with Ransom E. Olds of motor propelled carriages. His father was a carriage manufacturer of the firm of Clark & Co., carriage builders, going back into the early history of Lansing. The plant stood at the northeast corner of the intersection of Washtenaw INGHAM COUNTY 343 with Grand street. The story is, and it is vouched for, that in the beginning of the automobile building enterprise Ransom Olds was to furnish the motor and Frank Clark the carriage. The story goes further that after a time both young men were forbidden to carry the project on by their respective fathers, and then the young men evaded the parental mandate by working nights. But whatever may have been the intimacy of beginning the enterprise, something over two years after the enterprise was formally incorporated, the records show the I25 shares of stock issued to Frank G. Clark transferred to R.. Olds. Bearing on the beginnings of the enterprise, there is still preserved an important minute of the first meeting of the Olds M\otor Vehicle company. At the directors' meeting, August 2I, 1897, it was moved by Mr. Stebbins that R. E. Olds be elected manager for the coming eleven months. This was carried. It was moved by Mr. Stebbins that the manager be authorized to build one carriage as nearly perfect in manner as possible and complete it at the earliest possible moment. This also was carried. This last motion originally read. in the handwriting of Mr. Stebbins, that the manager be authorized to build "one perfect carriage." But the word "perfect" was crossed out and the words as "nearly perfect as possible" substituted. The carriage was built "as nearly perfect as could be" and now reposes, among the exhibits of the Iprogress of civilization, in the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. The car authorized to be built, when completed. would run, but as has bee'n said of it, "it would not run with a sufficient degree of enthusiasm to warrant great expectations of it on the part of all concerned." It appears to have been decided by all concerned, before two years were over, that experimenting in motor car production required more capital than the Olds Motor Vehicle company had provided. Reorganization followed in May, i899. The new concern was known as the Olds Motor works. The office of the new concern was stated as Lansing. The stock was subscribed by five persons. The number of shares was 200,000, representing $2,000,000. Of the shares authorized 20,000 were subscribed for as follows: Edward W;. Sparrow, Lansing, 10 shares; James WV. Seager. Hancock, Michigan. TO shares; Samuel L. Smith, Detroit, I),960 shares; Fred L. Smith, Detroit, Io shares; and Ransom E. (lds, Lansing, io shares. It meant that $200,000 was paid in. In connection with the list of names, the part played by the Smiths deserves to be noted. Samuel L. Smith was a capitalist, known in the parlance of the time as a copper king. One of his sons was Fred L. Smith, who lived in Lansing. It is the testimony of one well acquainted with the beginning of the automobile builling enterprise, that Fred L. Smith, as a voung man, was thoroughly and enthusiastically a believer in horseless carriages. Though the first experimental carriage did not run with sufficient enthusiasm to encourage most of the stockholders in the original company, it appears otherwise with him. Ransom F. Olds, Fred L. Smith and Edward W. Sparrow, it may be noted, 344 HISTORIC MICHIGAN came over to the new enterprise from the original undertaking. It appears probable from the stock subscription to the reorganized company that Fred L. Smith had thoroughly sold his father, Samuel L. Smith, on the possibilities in automobile manufacture. Angus Smith, another son of Samuel L., early came into the reorganized company and with his brother and R. E. Olds was active in the management of the concern that finally got down to automobile building. It was about this time, probably with a view to enlisting further stock subscriptions, that the business in large part was transferred to Detroit and continued there for some years. It was under the reorganization that the famous curved dash runabout, which was celebrated in a popular song of the day as a "Merry Oldsmobile," was produced and marketed. For those times the imposing number of 1,400 cars was produced in the year 900o. The next year the total rose to 2,100 cars and to 2,500 in 1902. The Oldsmobile made the first important strike of popular fancy for the automobile. It is not claimed by Mr. Olds that he made the first motor vehicle, though his was among the earliest, but he does claim, and the claim is substantiated, that from his model and under his manufacturing direction, was produced the first automobile for the general market. The success of the Oldsmobile was by no means local. In a short time its vogue was world wide. Sir Thomas Lipton and the Queen of Italy and other celebrities boasted their first automobile ride in an Oldsmobile. Of outstanding significance in the history of this concern is the marked effect it had on automobile manufacturing in general. It appears to have made the impress on the enterprising minds of Detroiters which resulted in that city becoming the first motor vehicle city in the world. Dodge Brothers, then operating a little machine plant in Detroit, were given an order for 2,000 transmissions by the Olds Motor works and so the Dodges were started on their way to fame and fortune. The Cadillac company, headed by Henry XM. Leland, is said to have made its first great business stride forward because of an order for 2,000 motors placed by the Olds Motor works. The Olds Motor works also graduated from its shops and management, a long array of men to call the roll of which would be to call the roll of the celebrities of motordom. In I902, the Olds Motor works was beset with fire in its Detroit plant. It had already begun a program of expansion and this was being provided for by larger buildings at Lansing. So the fire largely resulted in the concentration of manufacturing here. Previously, on the initiative of an organization known as the Lansing Business Men's association, forerunner of the present Chamber of Commerce, the property in the southern part of Lansing, along the north bank of the Grand river, from South Walnut street west to Logan street and from Isaac street south to the river, had been purchased and offered as an inducement to the Olds Motor works to concentrate at Lansing. The Olds Motor works did not immediately accept that offer, and reimbursed the Business Men's association, but it had come INGHAM COUNTY 345 into possession of the property and so came back to Lansing with full opportunity for expansion. It was in I903, that Ransom E. Olds left the Olds Motor works and proceeded to organize the Reo Motor Car company. He took with him from the Olds Motor works most of the men who have since built the Reo motor car into one of the most prominent places in the automobile manufacturing industry. The Olds Motor works continued under the general management of F. L. Smith. who had become increasingly active in the management of the business. Horace T. Thomas, designing engineer, having left with Mr. Olds, he was succeeded by N. T. Harrington. Production in 1903 reached 3,000 cars. A new high production mark was reached in 1904. In that year more than 5,000 curved'dash machines were turned out and marketed. That year was also notable for the first transcontinental race, in which two Oldsmobiles were driven from New York to Portland, Oregon. The manufacture of a two-cylinder motor was also begun. In I906 the plant here hung out the sign, "Largest Automobile Factory i'n the World," which was true. Production that year ran to 6,500 cars. It was in this year that the curved dash was abandoned and Oldsmobiles began to be designed on lines foreshadowing cars as they are seen today. C. B. Wilson was factory manager at this time and to him is given credit for establishing methods that are in use as standard in practically every automobile manufacturing plant today. It was about this time that Roy Chapin, a young man bred il Lansing and educated at the University of Michigan, who had served for some time with the Olds Motor works, left that organization and with four other men from the organization, Bezner, Coffin, Brady and Jackson, formed the E. R. Thomas of Detroit, which later became the Chalmers company. Again this quintet, which had had their automobile experience in building and selling the Oldsmobile, branched out to form the Hudson Motor Car company. Improvement in models was shown through the decade. It was in 90o6 that the first medium-priced four-cylinder car was put out. Again in I908, the first six-cylinder model was put out. The following year. I909, more six-cylinder cars were put out than by any other automobile concern. Changed then appears to have been the spirit of the undertaking, for it was as late as 1905 that the two-cylinder machine was given to the public. It was known as the "Double Action Olds." The next outstanding event in the history of the Olds Motor works was when it was acquired, in 191o, by W. C. Durant, for the General Motors company. Under the General Motors company, as a subsidiary of that concern the Olds Motor works remains to the present time. With the coming of General Motors control, \V. J. Mead was appointed general manager, succeeding S. L. Smith. In I912, Mead was succeeded as general manager by 0. C. Hutchinson. John Steele came also as chief engineer, succeeding Harry MI. Stillnan in that 346 HISTORIC MICHIGAN capacity. There also came during the managerial incumbency of Mr. Hutchinson, Jay Hall, Rupert E. Paris and Edward V\erLinden. The latter came from the Buick concern at Flint, where he had been factory manager. In I913, Mr. Hutchinson resigned as general manager and G. W. Nash, as president of the General Motors company, took the title but arranged to have Messrs. Hall, Paris and VerLinden do the executive work. With the coming of W. C. Durant to the presidency of the General Motors company, Edward VerLinden was moved up to the position of general manager. The next major change in the history of the Olds Motor works came with the retirement of Mr. Durant from the General Motors company and Mr. VerLinden from the general management of the Olds Motor works. Mr. A. B. C. HIardy came to the head of the concern, May I8, 1921, and remains at the head of the concern to the present day. On August 21, 1922, the ()lds Motor works completed its first quarter century. During that period it had pretty well epitomized the history of automobile development in general. The famous, low-priced curved dash runabout had been succeeded )by increasingly costly cars, which remained the chief output until 1913, when the concern turned once more to lighter and less expensive models. The war had its effect on the Olds Motor works as it did on practically all manufacturing concerns. With the advent of war arrangements were made to turn out kitchen trailers and this was (lone, some 2,000 l)eing..produced. It was the intention to put the plant onto the production of Liberty motors, and arrangements were made to this end, when the war closed. The Reo Motor Car company was formally announced as a new automobile manufacturing concern, August 17, I904. Though one of the earliest of automobile manufacturing concerns, the dawn of the enterprise is not clouded by that uncertainty which characterizes the beginning of so many large undertakings. Twenty years have elapsed since the Reo Motor Car company was founded, and during that time its history has not been clouded and devious, but a plain record. It has been said, "Happy is that country which has no history." In industry the Reo Motor Car company is an exemplification of that thought. It has been a consistent, day-by-day, steady pull toward increasing success of practically the same men who founded the undertaking. There has been no intricacies of reorganization, and refinancing. It might be said that the Reo Motor Car company was organized by experienced men in the line to build automobiles, in a (lay when the industry, though still young, was of definite promise, and from the day of founding to this the Reo Motor Car company has steadily and consistently made automobiles and sold them. Such, in brief, is the history of the concern. The twenty years in which the Reo Motor Car company has been making automobiles is a short time, comparatively, as measured by the calendar, but when one remembers that the Japanese-Russian war was being fought, that Theodore Roosevelt was president, that Lan INGHAM COUNTY 347 sing had a population slightly in excess of 20.000 and that the leading daily paper of the city had a circulation only a little over 3,000 copies, one may realize that a good deal of water has gone over the dain since the Reo Motor Car company came into existence. Another glimpse at the history of the Reo company is had in the employment figures for the nineteen years of its existence. The average number of employees for 1905 was 304; for 1906, 573; for I907, 427; for 1908, 619; for 1909, 936; for 1910, 1,201; for I9II, I,162; for 1912, 1,480; for I913, 1,030; for I914, 2,344; for I915, 2760; for I916, 5,000; for 1917, 4,826; for 1918, 3,757; for I919, 4,147; for 1920, 4,653; for 1921, 3,625; for 1922, 3.963; for I923, 4,317. History of the Reo Motor Car company, it appears, is more a matter of personality than it is of the devious outs and ins of an institution that has passed through many hands and various fortunes. Personal purpose to do a definite task rather than experimentation also characterizes the history of the undertaking. The names that stand out pre-eminently in the history of Reo are R. I. ()lds, Richard H. Scott, H. T. Thomas, George 1IE. Smnith, H. C. Teel. D. E. Bates and R. C. Rueschaw. Extended reference to Ransom E. Olds need not be made here. How he developed a salable automobile and manufactured and sold it has bleen told in connection with the Oldsmobile. Withdrawing from the Olds Motor works in I903, Mr. Olds proceeded to organize the Reo Motor Car company, taking the initials of his name to designate the new concern. Mr. Olds continued in active participation for some time after the Reo Motor Car company was launched in 1904. (Gradually, with the accumulation of a large fortune assured, Mr. ()lds withdrew from active management. He, however, continued as president until within the past few years. Richard H. Scott. at present president and general manager of the Reo Motor Car company, has been with the institution from its very beginning. Hle came to Lansing in 1899, at the solicitation of R. E. (lds to devote his mechanical abilities to the manufacture of gasoline engines in which Mr. Olds was pioneering. MIr. Scott retained connection with the Olds Gasoline Engine works until I904, when it 'was merged with a new corporation closely identified with the Olds Motor works, known as the Seager Engine works. It was at this time that Mr. Scott came into the Reo organization. He has been continuously and pre-eminently with that organization ever since. Previous to coming to Lansing, Richard H. Scott had a varied training in mechanics, in directing men and in factory methods and management. His life experience is one of those typical romances wherein a boy leaves a sequestered home and goes out into the world to win success and fortune. M\r. Scott was born on a farm in Ontario, Renfrew county, Canada, July 23, I869. As a farm boy his was the usual experience. Besides helping about the farm he had to walk miles to the country schoolhouse for the beginnings of his education. He was seventeen years old, when, as the saying is, he struck out for himself. During his summers, having the knack of 348 HISTORIC MICHIGAN things mechanical and the taste as well, he had run a threshing machine engine and so acquired his initial capital for his venture in the big outside world. He went first to Ottawa and worked in a small machine shop. In the meantime he came in contact with a family from Warren, Ohio, and so began hearing of opportunities in the "States." When this family returned to Ohio, young Scott went with them and at Warren, Ohio, entered a three-year apprenticeship with the Paige Tube works. He worked successively for concerns manufacturing steam engines, mechanical appliances and electrical devices. It was at Bucyrus, Ohio, that he made the acquaintance of H. C. Teel, a young man about his own age. This attachment has continued through the lives of both these men since and today Mr. Teel is Reo factory manager and member of the board of directors. Eventually Mr. Scott went to Toledo. It was from there that he came to Lansing, Mr. Olds having heard of his ability and persuaded him to come here. Old Lansing directories of early in the twentieth century disclose that Mr. Scott resided on River street. Lansing, close to his work at the Olds Gasoline Engine works. When the Reo Motor Car company was organized, Mr. Scott took charge of production as factory superintendent. He remained in this capacity until 1915, when Mr. Olds, wishing to retire from active management to give him more time to look after other interests he had acquired, Mr. Scott was chosen general manager. It was in I923 that Mr. Olds retired from the presidency of the Reo Motor Car company and then Mr. Scott succeeded to that office and is president and general manager at the present time. In connection with reference to Mr. Scott's activities in behalf of the Reo Motor Car company, it appears appropriate here to mention the facilities the company has offered by way of enabling its employees to provide for their common welfare. This is a phase of manufacturing in Ingham county that deserves to go into the record. Perhaps one of the best expressions of the attitude of the management toward its employees is that so many of the workers have become veterans in the business. The Reo Motor Car company is not understood to have entered into that species of so-called "welfare work" wherein the employer exercises a paternalistic control over workers, but there has been a man-to-man recognition that is accounted to have built up a strong community feeling between workers themselves and the management of the Reo plant. A case in point is the relationship that has come to exist between men and their foremen. If grievances arise they may be carried to the division superintendents at any time. In the event the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the decisio'n of the superintendent, there remains the recourse of carrying the matter to Mr. Scott. Among the welfare benefits for Reo employes, which have been inaugurated under Mr. Scott, is a'clubhouse adequate as to size and appointments, which is open at all times to both men and women employes. There are bowling alleys, pool and reading rooms for the men and parlors open to the use of all. A moving picture theatre, capable of seating 1,700 is operated in this building, free to INGHAM COUNTY 349 employees and their families two nights each week. Free concerts and lectures are interspersed. In the basement is operated a large cafeteria where employees may obtain food at actual cost. The sick and the needy are also looked after and there is a special fund provided from which loans may be accorded as occasions may arise. Continuing the thought that the history of the Reo resides largely i'n personality, brief sketches of those already named as leaders of the Reo Motor Car company are here presentel. D. E. Bates, secretary and treasurer of the Reo Motor Car conlpany, is a Lansing product. He was born in Lansing, November 9, I883. He received his schooling in the grades and high school and was graduated in 1900. I-e entered the City National bank that year and remained in its employ until he went to the Reo organization January I, 1905. H. C. Teel, factory manager for the Reo Motor Car company. was born at Sulphur Springs, Crawford county (Ohio, February 26, 1870, but in early childhood went with his parents to live in Bucyrus in the same state. He attended school at both Sulphur Springs and in Bucyrus, but his apprentice days as a machinist were in the latter city. After leaving school he began at eighteen years of age at the Frey-Scheckler works. He remained three years and then worked a year under instructions with the Franz & Pape company, of the same city. He was back for a time with the Frey-Scheckler company, and then once more with the Franz & Pone company until he went with the Harris Automatic Press company at Niles, Ohio. The Toledo Machine Tool company claimed his services for a year before Mr. Tell came to Lansing to become foreman of the Olds Gasoline Engine works, where he remained until he joined the Reo organization. George E. Smith. purchasing agent for the Reo Motor Car company, was lorn in W\ashington, D. C., May 31, 1873, where he lived and went to the city schools until he was eight years old. At that age he went with his parents to live on a farm in Virginia, where he remained until he was sixteen, going to the country schools when work on the farm permitted. At the age of sixteen he went back to XVashington, where he spent the next four years working in a wagon shop. He left this business to enter the employ of Gormully & Jeffery, who were wholesale distributors of bicycles. Jn I899, this firm was reorganized and Mr. Smith went to the New York office, where he looked after the purchasing of materials. In I899 this business was taken over by the Pope Manufacturing company and moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where bicycle manufacturing was carried on in connection with the manufacture of automobiles. Mr. Smith went to Hartford with the new firm, where he looked after their purchasing until he came to Lansing on September 30, 1905, to take charge of the material purchasing for the Reo Motor Car company. Horace T. Thomas, designing engineer for the Reo Motor Car company, was born on a farm near Newberry. Vermont, August 9, I873. He attended school until he was thirteen years old. Three 350 HISTORIC MICHIGAN years later he began an apprenticeship in a machine shop in Lowell, Mass. During his first year he was paid at the rate of 75 cents a day. The next year he was raised to a dollar a day, and to a dollar and a quarter the third year and to a dollar and a half the fourth year of his apprentice term. When he finished he was so skilled that he could keep three lathes in operation at one time, roughing. grinding and finishing. During this period he attended evening classes at Lowell high school. The depression in 1894 closed the machine shop, and young Thomas went back to Vermont and began as a draftsman in a small shop there, and remained for more than two years. This shop also failed and then the future designer of Reos turned to the manufacture of steam whistles for sawmills. Coming to Michigan he entered Michigan Agricultural college as a special student in I897. He was graduated in 90or and went to work for R. E. Olds. in Detroit, that same summer. M/r. Thomas came back to Lansing as mechanical engineer for the Olds Motor works and remained there until he resigned in 1903, at the time Mr. ()lds severed his relationship with the company, and went with the Columbia Motor Vehicle company, until August, T904. He returned to Lansing that same year and designed the first Reo. He has since held the position of chief engineer for the company. In course of time he was elected to the directorate and vice-presidency of the company. R. C. Rueschaw. sales manager for the Reo Motor Car company, was born in Chicago, March 30, I868, where he resided, graduating from the public school in 1884. After attending business college for a year, he entered the employ of the Excelsior Children's Carriage & Toy \Vagon works in 1885 and continuing with them as assistant bookkeeper until 1887, when that company was succeeded by A. Featherstone & Co. He continued with them in their accounting department as bookkeeper. In addition to the manufacture of velociIedes and bicycles A. Featherstone & Co. obtained the exclusive rights to manufacture the Dunlop pneumatic tire under a license from the Dunlop Tire company of Dublin, Ireland. After one year in the accounting department, he was transferred to the sales department as traveling salesman in the Middle West, covering the territory between Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City. In I891, A. Featherstone & Co. opened up their eastern branch in New York City, where he was assigned the position as assistant manager in charge of sales. He continued in that position until I895, when A. Featherstone & Co. were absorbed by the American Bicycle company and he then was appointed manager of the eastern branch with headquarters in New York City. He continued in that position until I898, when the American Cycle Manufacturing company purchased the American Bicycle company and made their headquarters at Hartford, Connecticut, where he was transferred and appointed superintendent of agencies. In I900 the Pope Manufacturing company absorbed the American Cycle Manufacturing company and entered in the manufacture of bicycles and automobiles and Mr. Rueschaw continued with them in the posi INGHAM COUNTY 351 tion of superintendent of agencies. When the Reo Motor Car company was incorporated at Lansing, he became affiliated with R. M. Owten company, who at that time were sales agents for the Reo Motor Car company, and appointed sales manager with headquarters in Lansing. A few years later, when the Reo Motor Car company began selling their product direct, he was assigned the position of sales manager for that company, which position he is now filling. DURAN.T 'MOTOR CO()MPANY Lansing is the site of the first plant built by W. C. Durant for the purpose of making Durant cars. It is among the largest Iurant plants, covering al)Jproximately 6,ooo,ooo square feet of floor space and forty-eight acres of land. The railroad docks for the Lansing plant include I4,350 feet of tracks and accommodate 148 freight cars. The Durant Motor company of Michigan was organized Saturday, May 21, 1921, and ground for the Lansing plant was broken May 23, of the same year. The first four-cylinder Durant car was turned out December 17 of that year and the first Star car September 20, I922. The one hundred thousandth car was produced July 24, I(23, just eleven months later. Sales of Durant and Star cars last year brought to the city of Lansing approximately $35,o00,ooo. Of this amount more than $3,000,000 has been paid out to the employees of the Durant MTotor cotmpany of Michigan residing in Lansing. These figures show an increase in the volume of business done in the Lansing plant over the preceding year of approximately I50 percent. WV. C. DURA\NT W\. C. Durant is generally considered to have had more to do with the building of General Motors corporation, the greatest motor building organization ever known, than any other single man. When Durant Motors was incorporated ini I921, Mr. Durant in the face of one of the most far-reaching business "slumps" of recent years, laid plans for the conversion of thousands of silent and empty factories into hives of industry. With the utmost faith in the future, Mr. Durant undertook the financing of one of the most gigantic industrial organizations in the country. The enterprises thus conceived are today employing 50,000 workers on Durant products exclusively in seventy-seven cities in the United States. In the manufacture of gas engines, Lansing easily stands in the front rank of Michigan's industrial cities. Mention is made of the principal firms engaged in this line of endeavor and where the material was available a short history of the concern is given. HISTORY OF TIHE NOVO EN(GINE COMPA\NY The Novo Engine company, Lansing, Michigan, U. S. A., is the outgrowth of the Hildreth Manufacturing company, which was, in turn, the Hildreth Motor and Pump company, Hildreth & Son, Cady & Hildreth, and first of all, Cady & North. 352 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Cady & North were the owners of a small machine repair shop. This concern did business in Lansing, Michigan, in the nineties. Cady & Hildreth succeeded Cady & North and began manufacturing picket sawmills, continuing in the business for some years. Hildreth & Son, succeeding Cady & Hildreth, commenced building small twocycle marine engines and farm pumps. This concern became the Hildreth Motor and Pump company in qo9I, remaining thus until it was reorganized in December, I906. With the reorganization the firm name was changed to the Hildreth Manufacturing company, with C. E. Bement becoming secretary and manager. In 19II, Mr. Bement selected the name "Novo" and the name of the company was changed to the Novo Engine company, remaining thus today. Until about 19o8, marine engines and small farm pumps were manufactured. However, the continuous type of cement and mortar mixer, which was then coming into general use, created a demand for a reliable gasoline engine for its power unit. Visualizing the extensiveness of this new field of business th2 management proceeded to manufacture a self-contained simple and relialle gasoline engine. Profiting by the experiences of the very few manufacturers of gasoline engines at that time, improvements were incorporated in its first gasoline engine that have been tima proven. Among such improvements was the use of "jump spark" — or as it is now called. "spark plug ignition." Previously, "make and break" ignition was in general use. The first four-cycle gasoline engine manufactured was a single cylinder, vertical hopper cooled type of two to two and one-half horsepower. This was in I908. In 909) another size engine, four to five horsepower was built, which was later followed by a three and one-ha;f horsepower engine. These same engines, with some modifications and improvements, are the present three, four and six horsepower Novo single cylinder engines. From 190I on, various types and sizes of industrial equipment was added to the line of manufactured products. This equipment consisted of spraying outfits and two sizes of hoisting outfits. By I912, four sizes of hoisting outfits (Nos. I, 2, 3 and 4), four sizes of diaphragm. eighteen sizes of centrifugal and ten sizes of force pumping outfits and one, one and one-half, two and one-half, four, five, six and eight to ten horsepower single cylinder engines. The next vear, 19I3, eleven sizes of gasoline engines were built, including a twelve horsepower two-cylinder and a fifteen horsepower two-cylinder engine. In striking contrast with four-cylinder gasoline engines of today of, say, fifteen horsepower, these two engines were very large and heavy, standing four and one-half feet in height and weighing about a ton. Industrial gasoline engines of today weigh practically one-half as much as did gasoline engines of ten or eleven years ago. Eleven sizes, one to fifteen horsepower, of gasoline engines; two types-seven sizes of hoisting outfits; seven sizes of diaphragm pumping outfits; three types-twenty-one sizes of force and deep well INGHAM COUNTY:.53 pumping outfits and two types-eleven sizes of centrifugal pump units constituted Novo's increasing line of products in 1913. A double drum reversible hoisting outfit made its appearance the following year, as well as a saw rig, a duplex and a triplex pump, and a small direct connected air compressor outfit. It is significant to note that the first Novo built air compressor outfit had a capacity of fourteen to twenty-one cubic feet of free air per minute displacement. The present largest size (in I924) of Novo air compressor outfit has a capacity of 170 cubic feet displacement. The next five or six years was devoted to the improvement of existing outfits, with of course the elimination and addition of such units as was found unsuited or needed by the trade. Generally, it may be said that the increasing use of industrial equipment resulted in the demand for larger and more powerful machinery, supplanting the smaller units which in the begilning met the needs of contractors and builders of that time. In 1921, work was started on multi-cylinder gasoline engines, the first one of which was the present EF, four-cylinder twenty-five to forty horsepower. This was followed by the AF, four-cylinder, twelve to eighteen horsepower, and later by the LF, two-cylinder seven to nine horsepower. The addition of these more powerful engines, in response to the ever-increasing demand for speed and capacity, made it necessary to build larger and more powerful equipment. This was in response to an insistent demand from the trade. The complete line of industrial equipment, in 1924, as manufactured by Novo, is as follows: Seven sizes of single cylinder gasoline engines (these are, it is interesting to note, now equipped with high tension magneto for ignition) two sizes of two-cylin:ler four cycle engines; three sizes of four cycle four-cylinder engines; moderate pressure, single cylinder, double acting pumping outfits; high pressure, single cylinder, double acting pumping outfits; high pressure, duplex, double acting pumping outfits; open top diaphragm pumping outfit-single and double pump; closed top force diaphragm pumping outfits-singie and double pumps; direct connected and chain driven centrifugal pumo)ing outfits. Three sizes of portable air compressor outfits, 45. 90 and 170 cubic feet displacement. Type HH Handy Hoists, single drum, single speed-non-reversible; Type OH hoist, single drum, single speed, non-reversible; Type G hoist, single drum, single speed, non-reversible Type M hoist, single drum, single speed, non-reversible; Type TN hoist, single drum, single speed, reversible; Type DH hoist, single and double drum, one and two speed and reversible model heavy duty hoists; combination hoist, engine and compressor (two-in-one) outfits. Four sizes; log skidder outfits. Double drum two speed, portable gasoline log skidder; deck hoists, three sizes for fishing boats and wharf hoisting; drag line hoists, for gravel pit and other excavation work. A comparison of the size, capacity and capitalization of the Novo Engine company in I908 at which time it was known as the Hildreth 3-23 354 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Manufacturing company, and in 1924 will emphasize the growth of the organization under the management of C. E. Bement that may not be visualized in any other way. In I908 the total floor space of the entire factory was less than Io,ooo square feet. Twenty-five men were employed half of whom were molders or foundry workers. The foundry had a capacity of about six tons per day. The company was then capitalized at $75,000. Now, 300,000 square feet of floor space is devoted to the manufacture of Novo equipment. Normally 6oo men, exclusive of executives, salesmen and office employees, are employed the year around, for the demand for construction machinery is constant and steady. The present foundry is 625 feet long and has a capacity of ninety tons per day. The Novo Engine company is now capitalized at $I,350,000o. Of the twenty-five or thirty men constituting the working force of the Hildreth Manufacturing company in I908, eight are still in the organization, not including C. E. Bement. They are as follows: H. G. Holmes, chief engineer; E. P. Teel, factory superintendent; Ira Mann, foundry superintendent; A. Hall, traffic manager; J. Hineline, experimental man; George Benhart, foreman tool room; M. Weinman, yard foreman, and Fred Tomrell, watchman. Bates-Edmunds Motor company, located at 238 Mill street, has long been in the list of Lansing's enterprising concerns manufacturing internal combustion engines. The officers of the company are: James P. Edmunds, president and general manager; Harry D. Hill, vicepresident; E. M. Johnson, secretary; J. Edward Roe, treasurer. The New Way Motor company, with a factory and offices at 706 Sheridan street, are manufacturers of air-cooled engines. Officers of the company are: William H. Newbrough, president; Harry E. Thomas, vice-president; Harry J. Sproat, secretary and factory manager; Homer G. Heidt, treasurer and sales manager. With the coming of the automobile and the necessity of large quantities of those products produced by the old-time blacksmith with his forge, anvil and hammer, drop forges have developed, and several enterprises of this character are found in Lansing. The Atlas Drop Forge company is the oldest and largest of its kind in Lansing, and was established in I906, the first location being on Cedar street, where they occupied a building belonging to W. K. Prudden. In I9I4 they moved to their present location on West Mt. Hope avenue and at that time they were outside the city limits. The growth of the city has since brought them within its boundaries. At the time of organization, November 20, I906, the capital was one hundred thousand dollars. Today the capital is one million dollars. The outstanding note which proves the stability of the enterprise is seen in the fact that the stock is held by the same individuals as in the beginning or by the families or heirs of those men. The organizers were R. E. Olds, R. H. Scott, F. B. Piatt, J. H. Moores, S. H. Carpenter, Smith D. Young, John Boh'net, C. M. Morton, Dr. H. A. Haze and thirty-two others. The first board of INGIAM COUNTY 355 directors were R. E. Olds, Smith D. Young, E. F. Peer, H. W. Bundy, Charles M. Morton and J. H. Moores. The present directorate comprises R. E. Olds, R. H. Scott, J. P. Hopkins, R. Bruce McPherson, Dr. H. A. Haze, E. W. Goodnow and 0. C. Hartig. The officers today are: R. H. Scott, president; J. P. Hopkins, vice-president and general manager; Bertha L. White, treasurer; E. W. Goodnow. The plant is one of the most up-to-date of its kind, built on a tract of nine acres of land and during normal times employs two hundred and fifty men. The Federal Drop Forge was organized January 5, I920, located at 2200 South Washington avenue, Lansing. It has a capital stock of four hundred thousand dollars. The plant is new and up-to-date and the equipment is such that they can give employment to one hundred forty men. The officers are: M. R. Carrier, president and general manager; C. E. Bement, vice-president; J. P. Hopkins, secretary and treasurer. These with H. F. Harper, B. S. Gier, H. C. Teel and H. F. Lundberg form the board of directors. The officers and directors are the same as when organization was made except that H. C. Teel succeeded S. H. Carpenter, deceased. Lansing Drop Forge company was established about ten years ago under the name of Emergency Forge company. The old concern was of slow and uncertain growth. In I9I7 the name was changed and came into possession of the present owners. They are: 0. Refior, president (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania); E. H. Refior, vice-president; E. M. Refior, secretary and treasurer. Melling Forging company is located at 501 East North street. J. W. Wilford, president; Edmund C. Shields, secretary; H. J. Sprout, treasurer. Lindell Drop Forge Company.-In I9IO, Charles E. Lindell established Lindell Tool and Die company, occupying a small building in the rear of his residence. Mr. Lindell did most of the work, sometimes employing one or two helpers. This concern had steady growth and is now one of considerable proportions, located at 832 West Main street. In I923, Lindell Drop Iorge company was incorporated and a drop forge plant erected at South Logan and New York Central railroad. They have equipment such as will give employment to fifty men. The company includes both these establishments. The officers are: Charles E. Lindell, president and general manager; Gus F. Liden, vice-president and assistant general manager; George W. Jewett, secretary and treasurer. Capital Casting company was organized in April, I905, with the following officers: J. A. Weston, president; Charles Daman, vicepresident; 0. D. Harvey, treasurer; D. A. Wright, secretary. At that time they employed six men. They now have fifty men on the pay roll. Their plant and office is at 500 South Hosmer, where they manufacture gray iron castings. The officers are: P. H. Healy, president; F. M. Seeley, vice-president; Sherwood S. Bennett, secretary and treasurer; James J. Carey, manager. 356 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Mention is also made of some of the leading firms who are helping to make Lansing an important industrial center. Dail Steel Products company, 750 East Main street. Ernest I. Dail, president; Ray Potter, vice-president; E. W. Goodnow, secretary; F. N. Arbaugh, treasurer. Michigan Screw company, 506 South Hosmer street, are manufacturers of screw machine products. Ray Potter, president; Hugo B. Lundberg, vice-president and general manager; Clarence R. Morris, secretary; William H. Dahlberg, sales manager. A. D. Crosby, Inc., 626 South Hosmer street, contractors and manufacturers of interior marble work. including tile floors, walls, mantels, etc. Terrazzo work, artistic fireplace furnishings, bathroom accessories and chimney supplies. Reliance Engineering company, manufacturers of gasoline engines and general machine work. Lee A. Wilford, president; H. J. Fisher, vice-president; Edmund C. Shields, secretary. Hugh Lyons company, 700 East South street, manufacturers of display fixtures and truck bodies. A. E. Lyons, president; Harry G. Hughes, vice-president; H. D. Luce, secretary and treasurer. The Bean Spray Pump company, 735 East Hazel street. Ideal Power Lawn Mower company, 704 East Kalamazoo street. The Auto Body company was incorporated in I9oI under the laws of Michigan, based on the conception of two or three Lansing business men that there was a field for a company building automobile bodies. At that time the automobile business was new and uncertain and these men, including Lawrence Price, E. S. Porter, Harris E. Thomas and Harry E. Bradner, believed in the future of the automobile industry. The old stone planing mill on Franklin avenue, being a small two-story building, was purchased and used, in a small way, for making bodies. There was very little automobile body business then and orders were taken for sleighs, buggy parts and any sundry items that could be had. From this small beginning with about fifteen men and a nominal capital of $12,000, the company has grown to a capitalization of $I,500,000, and a plant embracing approximately one-half million square feet of floor space, with some ten acres of property and employing, in normal times, from I,ooo to 1,200 men. The plant has produced 70,000 automobile bodies in one year and paid out in wages over $I,ooo,ooo in a single year. This company has been a factor in the growth and development of the Olds Motor works, Reo Motor Car company, Durant Motor company, all of Lansing, and several other automobile manufacturers in other cities. HUGH LYONS & COMPANY In the '8o's Mr. Potter from Potterville, Eaton county, moved his small factory, with some of his workmen, to Lansing. He purchased a piece of land south of the Cedar street bridge and east of the present Reo factory. He manufactured furniture, but found shipping and INGHAM COUNTY 357 marketing facilities in Potterville inadequate to compass any enlargement, hence the removal. He purchased a large strip of land on both sides of Red Cedar river east of his factory. The land on the south of the river he platted, but that on the north side he reserved for a park. This latter tract was donated to the city in Mayor Rutter's administration and has been made convenient by extending the streetcar line so it enters the grounds. Since the donation by Mr. Potter our present city forester has changed the tangled woodland into a beautiful park. The workmen and their families from Reo and other factories in that vicinity use this park as a meeting place and pleasure resort. To add to its attractions, deer and other wild animals have been placed in enclosures where their habits and peculiarities can be observed with safety. A large pavilion has been erected, walks and drives laid out, water is supplied from wells on the grounds, while on the south side flows the Red Cedar river, which furnishes all that could be desired in boating and other aquatic sports. After he had constructed his buildings Mr. Potter sold the same to Hugh Lyons, a Canadian manufacturer of showcases and other furniture for stores and other mercantile establishments. This was a new industry in our state, and outside of a small factory in Detroit was the only one of its kind in central Michigan. Mr. Lyon enlarged his factory, installed new machinery and had a large trade. This was a most profitable factory, as the store fixtures in those clays were old-fashioned and inconvenient. Even the counters in our firstclass stores were inconvenient, with their long, broad tops and large legs. If enclosed they were unsanitary and the hidden space underneath was a catch-all for waste and dirt. Mr. Lyons found he could get his black walnut and other high-grade lumber without much transportation, and this was a great saving in operating expenses. Mr. Lyons was a progressive man and the business men of our city wanted such a man at the head of our city government. He was elected mayor and served two terms. During his administration several improvements were made and reforms introduced. He was a hard worker and the additional business of governing our city with his own large factory ruined his health, with the result that he died a few years after serving his second term. His son has continued the factory and is to-day managing it with the same skill and foresight that his father used. Within the past few years this factory has branched out and is manufacturing bodies for the Reo and other automobile factories in our city. This branch calls for such cabinetmakers and other skilled workmen as this factory has always employed. This factory has for years employed from 250 to 275 high-priced men, and some of their workmen have been with the concern for years. Receipts for sales of this factory vary somewhat, but range from $,ooo000,00oo to $I,500,000 annually. The State Journal announced a short time ago that Hugh Lyons & Company had installed an electrical system in their plant to manufacture their own electricity for power and lighting. Other factories 358 HISTORIC MICHIGAN must follow this plan or be out of date in this progressive industrial age. One of the pioneer factories in the development period was the Jarvis Engineering Works. It had existed before in rather a small scale under the name of Jarvis, Hildreth & Co., with their place of business on the corner of West Washtenaw and South Capitol avenue. Their building was used, after they vacated it, by W. H. Porter for a livery barn. It is now used, since it was rebuilt, for a sales room and garage. After this firm was formed into a company under the name of "Lansing Iron Works" is built on the east side of the river on the corner of East Shiawassee and Cedar street. A few years ago these buildings and grounds were sold and after passing through several hands are now the offices and yards of Michigan United Railways. Mr. Jarvis moved his business to South River street and erected new buildings. This new site was in the early '7os known as the Mineral Springs. A well was bored on this land and in I870 a hotel was erected to accommodate the patients who came to be treated in the hydropathic way. Mr. Jarvis a few years ago sold the water from this well to all who wished to test its virtues. The pump house is in ruins and the hotel is gone. When the factory first started, cast iron columns, window caps, door sills, water table for brick buildings were made. Patterns were made of these articles and cast in their foundry. In the '70s this kind of structural iron had a large sale and all big buildings erected during that period had some of this iron in their walls. After the new state capitol was built with stone window caps and sills there was not so much demand for this work. When builders began to make window caps and sills from cement and sand this branch in the factory was discontinued. About this time iron frame with tile or brick covering came into vogue. During the past few years they have built several iron frames for public buildings, among which are the Prudden block, Masonic Temple, Plaza Theatre, new Tholman building and others. Of all the old manufacturing firms started in the '7os this one has survived and is doing business. CHAPTER XXII NEW STATE CAPITOL BUILDING The wooden building built in 1847 was too small to accommodate the increase in state business during the Civil war. Governor Blair and some of the military officials had their headquarters at Detroit and only used the old building for sessions of the legislature. The above mentioned was not the only 'inconvenience, for arrangements for heating and lighting the building were old fashioned and crude. The offices and other rooms were warmed by large wood stoves and the lights were candles before I86I and after that date kerosene oil lamps. The water used in the building was taken from an open well in the back yard. The fuel-wood-for the stoves was stored in the basement. The building was not fireproof and the valuable state papers, war records and books in the state library were stored in iron safes, basement and other places with no fire protection. The original building had been enlarged, but the addition was of the same material as the main building so that danger from fire was greater instead of less. We have mentioned how bad the railroad transportation was until the close of war, how the state remedied the deficiency immediately after the war. The next great work was to pay or make some provision to pay war debts, bounties to soldiers, make arrangements to care for the disabled, and the dependent children and widows before the people could arrange, through their members in the legislature, to build a new state house. The lighting in the old building was improved in 1872 by piping it for gas, but it was only a temporary improvement. The ventilation was so poor during sessions of the legislature that members complained and said their health was impaired by being compelled to occupy offices or sit in the assembly rooms. The talk of moving to a more suitable building in another city was heard at every session from I86I to 1870. These faults and complaints could only be stopped or remedied by building a new, up-to-date, fireproof building. The attention of the legislature was called to the unsafe condition in two or three sessions without any action, but in I870-71 an act was passed to build a new building on the original site, or where we find it today. Where the old building stood was only the temporary site. A committee was appointed to receive plans for building and bids for construction. The same legislature made appropriation to be spread on the tax rolls of the different counties to pay for the new building when finished. We have no record of any bond issue to raise funds to build. Twenty plans were submitted to this committee by architects from this and neighboring states. The plans of Elijah Myers from Springfield, Illinois, were accepted and the legislature authorized him to build the building and also send plans to different contractors for cost of construction. In I905 we were in Denver, 360 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Colorado. While there we visited their capitol building. This building in style and shape was similar to our own. \We found that Mr. Myers was the architect of that building. The Nemiah Osband company of Rochester, New York, were the builders. DESCRIPTION OF BUILIDITN( The style of architecture in this building is Palladian. This is a classical style and has its origin in the architecture of Greece and Rome. The building itself consists of the main part with dome and two wings extending from opposite sides of the building in the form of a cross. The main part is nearly square, while the wings are oblong and the outside walls of the wings are set in from the walls of the main building so as to give or relieve the contour of the building. It makes the building look smaller or shorter at the front. The same arrangement of the roof, i. e., carrying the walls of the main part higher. This with dome gives better proportions and beauty to the whole. By placing the building in the center of the square we have room for a lawn and background, which with trees and shrubbery makes a fine surrounding for the building. In I904 we were visiting Albany, New York. W7hile.there we saw the new granite capitol building. It is a large building but too large for the site or plot of ground on which it is placed. The only lawn is in front of the building, the walls of the building on the north and south and west coming to the sidewalk. There is no space for trees and shrubbery. The shape of the building is square with four small towers at the corners. The outline in the front is broken by a large entrance and porch. The porch is so large that it seems to be built into the building or the building built onto the porch. On entering the building we find the architect had made an open court in the center to get light and ventilation into the center of the building. The capitol building at Albany, New York, cost over twenty million dollars, but we think Michigan has a better building, more convenient and more up to date. The foundation is made of crushed limestone, sand and cement. The limestone came from Lamont, Illinois, was crushed and prepared on the capitol grounds. Some of the residents can remember the large heaps of this material used in the foundation. A trench eighteen feet deep was filled with this material for the foundation of the dome. The outside walls are built of sandstone from Amherst, Ohio. The dimensions of this building are as follows: Length, 345 feet and 2 inches; width, 191 feet 5 inches; height of dome, 265 feet from ground. The rotunda of dome is 44 feet 6 inches in diameter. The carving or relief work in the eastern pediment represents progress. The estimated cost of this building was one million two hundred thousand dollars, but the amount agreed upon was $I,144,057. Ground was broken for the basement in 1872 and it was completed December I, I877. The actual cost when completed and fur INGHAM COUNTY 361 nished is as follows: Erection of building, $1,200,000; heating, $70,o00; cornice, $65,000; change of entrance, $30,000; electricity, $25,000; furniture, $40,000. Total cost, $I,430,000. Total amount appropriated, $1,432,265.22. Balance of appropriation, $2,265.22. This shows there was no cost plus in building and furnishing our present building. The interior arrangement has been changed some and the walls have been redecorated in the interval since the building was finished, but this has added to its beauty. The furniture is black walnut, which is highly prized by the state caretakers and is now valued at $80,ooo. This was the largest building ever erected in our city previous to I880. The high school boys and girls were constant visitors and builders were glad to have them come if they:1!id not ask too many questions or interfere with workmen. Some of the school boys secured jobs about the building. They were messengers, call boys for the derrick operators and carried water in tin pails with dippers to gangs of workmen. All the men in the gang drank out of the same dipper and the water came out of an open well on the square. The state board of health was started in 1872, so had not started to test the drinking water or make sanitary rules in regard to a common drinking cup. The great novelty was the stone saw that sawed the sandstone into suitable blocks to be cut and carved for side walls. Some wondered how they could do it with a strip of soft iron. sand and water. It is an example of patience, strict attention and constant care. It made one recall or think of the story about a Chinese philosopher who was walking and thinking about some difficult problem when he observed a poor workman trying to fashion a needle out of a bar of iron by friction from a damp piece of cloth with sand on it. When questioned by the philosopher he said if he had time and patience he could do it, or hoped get a needle before he got too old to use it. How they lifted the blocks by derricks after placing a three-pieced, three-sided, ringed iron in one or two places in the blocks of stone. The wire guy cables and the movable arms of same did the work of elevating and placing the block of stone in the wall with almost human intelligence. A sailor from one of the lake ports went to the top of the derricks at stated intervals, slid down the guys and painted them. This was equal to walking a wire or rope suspended at a great height from the ground. Some of the students in perspective drawing watched the head stone cutter cut the blocks in the eastern pediment from the small plaster model and saw how he enlarged it on his block. The stone cutter gave a valuable practical demonstration of enlargement in drawing. When they laid the cornerstone Lansing closed all business places and helped entertain the crowd. The streets were full of Free Masons and their brass bands. It was ideal weather and the vast crowd went home tired but contented to let the capitol remain at Lansing and not change or move it to some other city. James Appelward, from Detroit. was general superintendent of construction. After the work was finished he lived in town until 362 HISTORIC MICHIGAN he died. His widow did the same. Mr. Glaister, who had charge of the stone work, was another man who moved his family here and educated his children in our public school. He and his wife are gone, but the children are married and reside in our city. William Appleward, son of James, became a noted architect, married Miss Bailey of our city and opened an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was killed in a railroad accident in Chicago in 1905. Other workmen who were employed when the capitol was building have become permanent residents. Most of the workmen were from our city and the state of Michigan. Few claimed to be of foreign birth. A Lansing firm of brickmakers on East Michigan avenue made the bricks for the interior walls. The people of Michigan are to be congratulated for erecting and finishing this building so soon after the Civil war and paying for it when finished with a war debt on our tax rolls that we had to pay. We never could have accomplished it but for the great revival in all lines of industry and commerce and the great advancement in agricultural interests in our state. It was also a great incentive to the public to erect more substantial buildings and introduce better heating and lighting systems in these structures. The state board of health was helped by an example of their sanitary plumbing and water closet installation by the state building the first sewer in the city. All our modern improvements we enjoy today had their beginning when the capitol was building. CHAPTER XXIII THE STATE JOURNAL With the coming of the capital to Lansing, came journalism, and from that day to the present, one or more newspapers have functioned in the city. Continuity of journalistic effort has been the portion of this community and that continuity finds the State Journal the inheritor, by lineal descent, of the main efforts in journalism of the past. Reporting the affairs of state government has an importance to Lansing papers that has been held from the beginning. As the name implies, the State Journal renders state service. Recognition of its peculiarly advantageous position has made it the pre-eminent news purveyor for the central portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The State Journal shares with only one other paper, outside of Detroit and Grand Rapids, the premier circulation position within the state. The State Journal came under the present management early in I914. Charles N. Halstead, prominent as the advertising manager of the Grand Rapids Press, bought the State Journal from the Robert Smith Printing Company and called to his assistance Ard E. Richardson. The two have held the stock of the paper for the past ten years. During that time the State Journal has advanced i'n circulation and prestige. It was the first paper in the state to adopt the nine-column page and the second paper outside the large centers to require two presses for daily production. The State Journal is served in telegraphic news by the Associated Press, of which it is a member, and by the United Press. It is the immediate successor of the Journal-Repiublican. Under this name it was published by the Robert Smith Pri'nting Company in I9II and into I912. The history of the State Journal is, therefore, the history of the State Republican and the Lansing Journal, which had been combined. The Journal, through its immediate predecessor known as The Free Press, was first in the Lansing field, the first paper printed in this city. The initial issue was January I, 1848. It was published by Bragg and Harmon and the name was changed to Michigan State Journal. The editor was John Harmon, of Detroit. The office of publication, according to Albert E. Cowles, writing in I904, was in a two-story frame building back of which the Hudson House then stood, or back of where the Strand theater now stands. The structure stood east of South Washington avenue somewhere in the rear of Nos. 211I to 215. There was a book bindery in the second story, under the management of a Mr. Gumbert. The editor of the Michigan State Journal was J. P. Thompson, who served in that capacity from 1855 to 1858, when J. M. Griswold became the editor. There does not appear to be competent testimony as to the politics of the paper, even though papers of that period were strongly political but it seems reasonable to infer that the paper was in accord with the Democratic party, than in con :64 HISTORIC MICHIGAN trol. The Republican party_ was not yet formed and the Whigs were not of great strength in this region in the early days of Lansing. There is considerable testimony that the Jourinal suspended in 1862 and remained suspended until I866. Albert E. Cowles says that in spite of records of the State Pioneer and Historical Society and of a statement in Durant's History of Eaton and Ingham Counties this was not so, to his personal recollection. Mr. Cowles states that from 1858 to the forepart of 1862 the paper was edited by Joseph W. Griswold and in the latter part of 1862 and all of 1863 by Samuel L. Kilbourne. But even Mr. Cowles' memory may have failed, for files of the State Republican for I863 tell of the revival of the Journal. There is a charac-,teristic editorial expression of that period telling of the revival. The editor of the State Republican said, in effect, that he suppose: the paper is being revived to declare the war (Civil war) a failure and to hinder the government in putting down rebellion. The inference is that the Journal was suspended for only a short tine. It is known that the Journlal was edited in I864, I865 and up to June 6, I866, by George W. Peck and William H. Chapman. It is stated that Chapman hadl an interest in the paper though Peck was popularly supposed to be the editor. In 1866 John W. Higgs became proprietor, editor and publisher and changed the name to the Lansing State Democrat. He continued in control until July T2, 1872, when William Ht. Haze and George P. Sanford came into control. This change of ownership reflects the Greeley campaign of that year. Sole control of the paper passed to Mr. Sanford, January I, 1873. The name was changed to the Lansing Jolurnal under which it operated until its consolidation with the State Republican under the name Jolural-Republicanl. Though the nlame remained the same, ownership did not continue in Mr. Sanford's hands. In I88I, Mr. Sanford sol:l to Louis E. Rowley, who began the publication of the daily edition, though the weekly was continued. In February, I893, the Journal was incorporated and the owning concern was known as the Lansing Journal Company. Mr. Rowley continued to hold control of the publication until 900o, when he sold his stock to Ira H. Clark, who continued publication of the paper down to the time it was sold to the Robert Smith Printing Company and merged with the State Republican. The other progenitor of the State Journal was the State Republican. Though the name does not strongly indicate the fact, nevertheless the present-day paper draws more strongly from the past through the State Republican than through the Journal. As the Joiurnal was the old Democratic organ, so the State Republican, as the name implies, was the staunch organ of the new Republican party. The birth of the Republican party and of the State Republican were almost contemporary. Since the Republican party came into suchn strong dominance in the state it is natural to finl the State Republican the strong paper through and after the Civil war down to the time when the political significance of newspapers began to fade in the face of their new economic importance and manifestation. The Lansingl Republican, the other taner from which the State Journal derives ori-i'n. came into being ns - weekly. April 28. T85. Henry Barnes. of Det-oit. INGHAM COUNTY 365 issued the first two numbers and then the paper was taken over by Rufus Hosmer as editor and George A. Fitch as proprietor. Changes were swift in those days, as may be judged from the fact that in the fifth issue the name of Herman E. Hascall appears as publisher and so continued until August II, 1857, when the publishing firm became Hosmer & Kerr. This concern was in turn succeeded lby John A. Kerr & Company and it by Bingham, George & Company, and then by W. S. George & Company. The publication office was in a large frame structure housing a job printery and bi'ndery on West MNichigan avenue near Capitol avenue. Mr. Hosmer died April 20, I86I, and was succeeded by George Jerome, of Detroit, as silent I)artner. Mr. Kerr died July 30, I868, and was succeeded by William S. George. Stephen D. Bingham, who had been editor of the Republican for several years, was a partner for one year, from May i, i868. The name of Dewitt C. Leach appears as co-editor with Mr. Hosmer, June 18, 1855. but he retired in August the next year to become Republican candidate for congress and was elected. In November, I856, he returned to editorial work, but remained only seven or eight months. He was succeeded by C. B. Stebbins, who served as editor about a year, when Mr. Hosmer took over editorial direction of the paper. Isaac M. Cravath became editor May I, I86I, but he soon enlisted in the Union army as a captain and led a company in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry Volunteers. He left the paper in October and Mr. ]lingham again became editor, and continued until early in I862 when he was succeeded by George I. Parsons, who was editor about a year, when he in turn was succeeded by Theodore lFoster who continued as editor until his death, December 27, 1865. Stephen D. Bi'ngham was again called upon, and for the third time became editor. He remained at the task until September I, 1873. In the meantime news values became more pronounced and Nelson B. Jones and W. S. George became editors and James W. King was made city editor. Mr. King in turn became editor and so continued until January I, I886, when Thorpe and Godfrey became the owners of the paper and changed the name of the State Rcptblican. Frank Godfrey served as managing editor until the close of I888. On his retirement from the partnership William M. Clark became editor and remained in that capacity until July I, I896. The ownership of the paper passed into the ha'nds of the Robert Smith Printing Company, in which ownership it remained until transferred to the present owners. The State Republican became a daily January I, I886. The paper was begun as a weekly. A semi-weekly edition was begun January 5, 1875, and continued until January, I88o, whe'n it became a tri-weekly. The weekly edition was maintained in the meanwhile, except that it was suspended from January to November, I875. The weekly edition was continued for some time after the paper became a daily. More recent editors of the State Republican were H. S. Hilton, from July i, 1896, to September, 1901; W. I. Bartholemew followed Mlr. Hilton and continued until May 13, 1892, when Roy G. Jones became editor. Others at the editorial helm down to the present have been E. V. Chilson, Douglas D. Martin and the present editor, Frederick A. VanFleet. CHAPTER XXIV A FINAL SURVEY AND SUMMARY A writer, in recording the history of any people, must give the reader a picture of their environment, difficulties and obstacles overcome, and how and in what manner progress was made. The history of settlement must begin with the first or original inhabitants, who they were and how they lived. The genesis of the aboriginal race in Michigan, including Ingham county, is lost. It belongs to the remote past. It can be determined only by comparison. This method recognizes the similarity of social customs, tribal government, symbolical worship of divinity, and way of recording time, as well as family, tribal and governmental history on weapons and household utensils. The study of these records reveals to the student that the Indian or red race had many things the early races in the eastern hemisphere possessed. From this similarity we can reason that at the beginning there were one or more branches in the creation of man. These branches inhabited Europe, Asia and Africa, the islands between the two continents and finally America. Climate and environment will form the different types in any race. The development of the Indian race under French rule and the English government left them in possession of their lands. When our national and state governments obtained possession of these Indian lands with red tenants after the war of 1812, by treaty with Great Britain, the territorial and national governments had to settle this ownership. This was a difficult thing to do without bloodshed. The national government found a man, selected and appointed him governor of the territory of Michigan. He was a general and a lawyer, who understood how to deal with Indians and with the French and English settlers who held leases of lands under their respective governments and who were residing on these lands as well as their Indian neighbors. This man was General Lewis Cass. He met tlle different tribes of Indians, made treaties with them and bought or exchanged their holdings, by giving them lands in Indian territory or the new territories west of the Mississippi river. How General Cass made this purchase and exchange are matters of state not county history, but he did it without bloodshed or much friction. The chiefs of different tribes feared him, but respected his honesty in this land deal, although some French and English fur traders tried to block the treaty with the Saginaw Indians by firewater. The bravery of General Cass in settling this drunken row was a lesson to these traders. Ingham county was formed (I829) within the territorial administration of Governor Cass. It would be well to indicate or tell the individual land-holder how and in what manner he acquires title to his land. This may involve a repetition of what has been written INGHAM COUNTY 367 about the early settlement and early purchases of lands, but if the reader can understand the different steps, can read his abstract of title and understand it better, the repetition can do no harm. The first step in a land purchase, the first item i'n an abstract of title, defines the national possession. This national possession is obtained by treaty or purchase from other nations and the original inhabitants on the land. If other nations have planted settlements among the original inhabitants, the purchaser must recognize these rights, if so stated in the treaty under provisions of citizenship or right of aliens to own property. The general government had the acquired territory surveyed and platted into towns six miles square. These plats are numbered from some meridian aindi base line, as we have indicated when we mentioned government surveys, etc. These towns are subdivided by government surveyors into sections one mile square, and lastly each section is subsequently divided in four parts. Now the general government appoints officers to look after this territory and to sell and colonize same with settlers. During settlement the territory officials select groups of townships and designate the same as counties, with appropriate names. There are usually sixteen to twenty of these townships in each county. When there are settlers enough in any township to organize a government it is organized. It is the primary unit in county, state and national government. When there are enough township governments, the county is organized or established, and when the counties have enough inhabitants the state government is organized by act of congress. Through all this organization and settlement the United States government is the first owner of the land. Before a state is formed the United States government deals direct with the purchasers of land. Some of the old settlers have old deeds bearing the signature of one of the presidents of the United States and his secretary who were in office before the state was admitted into the Union. After a state was admitted into the Union the general government made her a trustee or custodian of the lands. Don't make any mistakes about this fact. The state is an agent or custodian for the United States. When the state as trustee sells land, then a detailed description of sale, called an abstract, goes with the deed. The United States sale is direct and does not require any detailed description, so there is no abstract. A full description would read as follows: The United States gives to the state of Michigan power to sell to John Smith a piece of land located and described according to the original United States government as follows: Northeast quarter of section four of town two, north of range two west, containing i6o acres of land more or less. Abbreviation: "NE '4 of Sect 4 T 2 N of R 2 W," containing 160 acres more or less accd. orig. survey. Michigan lands have been estimated at over 36,000,000 acres. The general government with the help of the state has sold over 33,000,000 acres. The balance unsold is land granted to the state to hold in trust for educational purposes. This 33,000,000 acres of land sold would net the state at $I.25 an acre, $41,250,000. This was increased by interest, so the total amount must have been, since I837, to the present 368 HISTORIC MICHIGAN time, over $Ioo,oo0,ooo. When some of this land was sold in the upper peninsula, $1.25 was a small price for most valuable mineral land. What could the state do? The geological survey begun by Dr. Douglas Houghton stopped at his death, was not finished and is not finished now. The state, as trustee to the general government, did not want to, or did not have money enough to, pay for this survey, so it was dropped, or the work left to the professors of the University of Michigan to mine for fossils and specimens. The primary-school fund and other educational funds had their start in a grant of land by congress to the state, as trustee, to be sold and the funds kept in the state treasury. The state must not only keep funds but also pay interest on the same to the schools of the state. This amount of interest was so small that certain specific taxes were and are today, put with the amount so that each pupil in the state between the ages of five and twenty years can get something to pay his teacher. This interest money cannot be used for any other purpose. The interest on university, agricultural college and normal school funds can be used only to pay instructors and for instruction. The congress of the United States can, by legislative acts, make the state of Michigan show how and in what manner it has been a good steward in handling these lands and these different funds. If it can be shown that the state has been careless and wasteful, has used the lands and funds for other purposes, an act of congress can remove the funds from the state treasury to the treasury of the United States. The state is only a custodian of these millions held in our state treasury. The removal of the state capital from Detroit to the woods of Lansing township, and the clearing out for and building of an embryo city and capitol building in the dense forest in seven months, show as vast an amount of daring and courage as was ever recorded in any state history. This event took place in a period of financial panic and in days of "wildcat" money. Some of the old settlers have said that hard work, kindly co-operation and great hopes for the future were better than money, and had a wider and freer circulation. Time has shown that they told the truth. The war period is always an epoch of depression, of hatred and of avarice. The after-war repair work is always blocked and hindered by gunmen-drifts from the battlefields-and war profiteers. Can the pages of any history be searched for any good effects from the shedding of the blood of our fellowmen? Ingham county never had a military camp or rendezvous during the Civil war, so we were not troubled by camp parasites and camp followers or drifts. The only gain in this war was the improvements in rural districts and the introduction of labor-saving machinery on the farm and in the workshops. The changes in our social relations, our civic and industrial activities after the Civil war were so marked that volumes could be written about the same. Our schools and the improvement in their service have been noticed and commented upon, in this volume, as have also INGHAM COUNTY 369 the going out of the seminary form of instruction And the coming in of the broader high school system. The birth and establishment of our great industries have been treated in a progressive way. It has been shown that cheap factory sites, abundance of materials and good transportation have been great inducements and given permanency to factories when established. With the factories has come increased population, and the housing and feeding of the same have given the production and building occupations excellent markets and also chances to show industrial architecture in its progressive stage. In final word, the writer and his co-laborers hope that future historians of our city and county will fill in all vacancies in the outlines of this rather brief record, and make our capital city and Ingham county their permanent homes-homes so fixedl that their friends will make a beaten path to their doors. 0 3-24 0 Personal Records Lloyd C. Abbott, 716 Chicago avenue, vice-president of the American State Savings bank of Lansing, was born in St. Louis, Gratiot county, Michigan, in I873, the son of Carlton and Eliza M. Abbott. The family came originally from England, settled in Massachusetts, thence passed on to New York state and Ohio. Mrs. Carlton Abbott is living with another son, G. L. Abbott, at I910 Jerome street, Lansing. Lloyd C. Abbott attended the old Pine River school at St. Louis and Albion high school, was graduated from Lansing Business university and became a bookkeeper for the Capital Wagon company, serving a year. Then for six years he worked as a bookkeeper for the Lansing Wheelbarrow company and gave two years to the Alexander Furnace company. In 901o he went to the Lansing State Savings bank, the title of which was changed to American State Savings bank in 1921 and has been continuously with this institution twenty-three years, working his way through the different positions of the bank. He has been draft teller, receiving teller, paying teller, assistant cashier, cashier, director, and is now director a'nd vice-president. In I906, Mr. Abbott was married to Miss Gertrude Irene Ingersoll of Eaton county, Michigan, the daughter of J. Newell Ingersoll, a nephew of Erastus Ingersoll, a settler at Delta Mills, Eaton county, in I836. Erastus Ingersoll blazed a trail, established a mill, became the father of twelve children and the progenitor of a clan of prosperous and respected citizens. His grandson was Robert Ingersoll of watch fame. The Ingersoll family came from England and has been abundant in its contribution of teachers, preachers and lawyers. David and William Ingersoll were Revolutionary soldiers. Mrs. Abbott attended Olivet college. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution and a member of the Congregational church. She became the recipient of a medal for Red Cross service performed during the World war. Mr. Abbott is a member of the Masonic order and of the Country club. B. J. Adams, the assistant secretary of the Motor Wheel Corporation, taught school and received a thorough secretarial training. He did not follow the life work of his father. Mr. Adams was born in Michigan, in Williamston, September 21, 1882, attended the school at Winson. Michigan, and the high school. He pursued courses in various colleges and for six years taught school in Michigan and was identified, as teacher, with a commercial school in Cleveland. In I90o, Mr. Adams came to Lansing as bookkeeper for the Prudden Wheel company and was soon promoted to the office of cashier and later secretary. As such he served until the time of the merger with the Motor Wheel corporation. Since that time he has been assistant secretary of the larger organization. In September, I912, 372 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Phillipe Hazel Paine. of Lake Linden, Michigan. The couple have five children-Robert James, Frances Elizabeth, Marion Croft, Paul Delmer and Marjorie Jean. Mr. Adams is a member of the fraternity of Masonry and an Elk. He is a member of the Lions' club and has been president of that organization. His father, J. B. Adams, a native of Michigan, was a painting contractor. His mother before marriage was Winnie Riggs, the daughter of a preacher, a circuit rider. Close application to work added to his native ability has given Mr. Adams merited success in all his work. Bruce E. Anderson, assistant cashier of the Capital National Bank, is well known in banking circles of Lansing as one of the most able financiers in the city. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado, January 24, 1892, the son of William L. anl Pearl D. (Dunn) Andersonthe former was born in Pennsylvania, October Io, I865, and the latter in Illinois, August 6, I866, and both of them are still living. William L. Anderson went to Pueblo soon after the Indian massacre and engaged in the coal business in which he has since remained. He was a member of the commission which wrote the charter of Pueblo, and he is actively interested in church work and in Republican politics. There are three children: Bruce E., Frances, now Mrs. E. G. May, and George S., who is a graduate of Dartmouth college. Bruce E. Anderson received a graded and high school education, graduating from the latter institution in I909, and then attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the chemical engineering course as a member of the class of I9I3. During the year 19Q2, he was in Europe with the Flanders Motor company on an advertising and demonstrating campaign. After his graduation from the university, he worked through the Reo factory and was then placed in the sales department, after which he went to the Ideal Power Lawn Mower company as secretary and treasurer, a position which he retained until the outbreak of the war with Germany. In 1917, h-e offered his services to the government and was -sent to the second officers' training camp at Fort Sheridan, where he was commissioned first lieutenant of infantry. He was then transferred to detached service as superintendent of the mechanical shops at Fort Sam Houston, and after a time, he was again transferred, this time to the machine gun section of the 3I3th cavalry. He was then assigned to the Sixty-ninth field artillery as captain of A battery. After graduating from the School of Fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was made instructor of equitation at the School of Fire for field artillery. He was honorably discharged from the army in I918 and at once returned to Lansing, where he became manager of the Lansing Body company, a position which he filled until I920. Thereafter until January I, I924, he was secretary of the First Bond and Mortgage company, a work in which he met with such signal success that he was sought as assistant cashier of the Capital National bank, a position which he still retains. During the time of his connection with the Capital National bank, Mr. Anderson has so handled the affairs of his department that he is already INGHAM COUNTY 373 considered one of the able men in financial circles in Lansing. On October 17, 1914, he married Gladys Olds. the daughter of R. E. Olds, of Lansing, and to this union have been born two children, Olds and Marguerite Dunn. Mr. Anderson is vice-president of the R. E. Olds company, vice-president fo the Y. M. C. A., treasurer of the Ingham County Tuberculosis society, and president of the Social Service Bureau, and he was chairman of the Community Welfare Campaign. He is a Mason and a Shriner and is a member of the Phi Delta Theta college fraternity, the Rotary club, Lansing Country club, University club of Grand Rapids, and the Zach Chandler club, of which he is treasurer. George P. Anderson.-Of splendid Scotch-Irish ancestry, George P. Anderson, president and general manager of the Brick and Supplies corporation, has utilized every legitimate means at his command for the futherance of his business success, and has succeeded. Endowed by nature with grit and tact, Mr. Anderson has applied himself with zeal and conscientious effort to the manifold problems of the business world, grounded himself in correct business tactics and thus has contributed in no small measure to the prosperity of the city. The concern which he heads wholesales and retails building materials of all kinds and for all purposes. George P. Anderson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 7, I888, the son of John Anderson, born in Scotland, June i6, 1850. The father was a carpenter contractor in Cleveland and it is but natural that the son should inherit a sort of predilection for building materials. Mr. Anderson's mother was Elizabeth G(randy, a native of Ireland. George Anderson was graduated from high school in Cleveland and entered the wholesale drygoods firm of Root-McBride, remaining with the big concern some time. For five years he was on the road traveling out of New York City for a large importing house and, returning to Cleveland, became city salesman for the Cleveland Builders' Supply company and was advanced to the position of assistant to the president, a deserved recognition of merit and ability. Later Mr. Anderson went to Chicago as sales manager for the Wisconsin Lime and Cement company and then he came to Lansing as sales manager for The Briggs company until he organized the Brick and Supplies corporation, of which he is the president and general manager. On November 24, I915, Mr. Anderson and Miss Gladys Heywood, of St. Thomas, Canada, were married and to this union a daughter, Elizabeth Ruth, was born. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Illinois Valley Manufacturers' club, of the Elks and of the Masonic fraternity. He is also a Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rite consistory at Grand Rapids. He is held in the highest esteem by an ever-widening circle of friends. Alex Andros, proprietor of "The Sugar Bowl," located at o06 Washington avenue, Lansing, is one of the leaders of the Greek residents of Lansing and is one of the respected citizens and business mea of the city. He was born in Greece in 1874, and came to America in 1893. He located first i'n Chicago, where he followed the confectionery business, and he recalls that in the early days of his career he worked 374 HISTORIC MICHIGAN for three dollars a week. He was industrious and ambitious, and his efforts were rewarded with success. In 1903 he came to Lansing, being the first of his nationality to locate here. After working for others a few years he was able to engage in business for himself and he now has one of the up-to-date establishments of its kind in the city. Mr. Andros married Miss Elizabeth Myers, of Grand Ledge, and they have become the parents of five children: Anthinia, Marion, George, Jane and Eline. Mr. Andros casts his vote with the Republican party and his aid can always be depended upon to promote the civic and social welfare of his adopted city Claude C. Atchison, sheriff of Ingham county, is an exemplar of the co-ordination of Christianity and public service. He is likewise an example of patriotism, having relinquished all thought of self to enlist twice in the service of his country in periods of stress and need. Working his way up by a series of connections that meant hard work, tireless energy and small com.pensation, Mr. Atchison has attained a position of great responsibility, and a secure position in the minds and hearts of his townsmen. He is very popular, not from the mere stanldpoint of political measurement, but because of his intrinsic worth and the character of his public service. Claude C. Atchison was born in Lansing, at Kalamazoo and Chestnut streets, in I890, the son of Thomas B. and Anna Atchison. The mother's maiden name was Anna Hawkins. The father came from New York state with his father. Thornton D. Atchison, and moved to Ann Arbor. Thomas B. was born in I853 and was only eight years of age when he came to Michigan. At sixteen he married and his bride was but a girl of fifteen. Thornton D. Atchison returned to New York state, but Thomas remained in Michigan, became a blacksmith and shortly after his marriage came to Lansing to work at the Clark Carriage works. He became foreman of the plant and was well known as a master craftsman. His wife was born in 1854 in Vermont. Her father was a Methodist minister and was, with his two brothers, drowned in Lake Champlain. The daughter, then very young, came to Michigan to visit a sister and was married. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Atchison had four children-John, of Lansing; Hazel, wife of John T. Watkins, of Lansing; Roy, of Buffalo, who has charge of the distribution of Willys-Knight cars, and Claude C. The latter obtained an elementary schooling and sold newspapers to work his way through school, buying his own clothing and supplies. Thus was implanted in him early the seed that grows into honor, sobriety, faithfulness. He became receiving clerk for the Olds (;as Power works, then took a six months' course in stenography and bookkeeping at the Lansing Business university. For ten years he worked for the street car company and in 1916, with the outbreak of trouble in Mexico, Mr. Atchison took up arms and served ten months with Battery B of the field artillery. Coming back to Lansing, he was united in marriage to Lucille Butt, daughter of A. T. and Addie Butt. In I9I7 with the advent of the United States into the World war, " INGHAM COUNTY 375 Mr. Atchison again dropped thought of self and enliste:l in Company G, Forty-seventh infantry of the Fourth division and served fourteen months overseas. He fought in the Argonne, Belle Laque, Mt. Fauconn and was with the Army of Occupation until June, I9I9. Mr. and Mrs. Atchison have one daughter, Geraldine Lucille. Mr. Atchison has served as sheriff of Ingham county two years, with great credit. He is a member of the Elks, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, of the American Legion and Eagles and was secretary of the grotto in 1922. He was the progenitor and organizer of the labor charter of the street car men of Lansing. Faithful to the interests of labor and of employer but mostly concerned with the public welfare, Mr. Atchison has ingratiated himself into the hearts of the masses. L. B. Austin.-Gradual and definite advance, merited by faithful adherence to the finest ethical standards of the business, has left an impress on the commercial works of Lansing. Mr. Austin conducts an extensive real estate and insurance business in the Prudden building. His success has been the direct issue of hard work and scrupulous regard for details. Providence permitting, the future is pregnant with rich possibilities, for Mr. Austin is vet a you'ng man. He was born near Mason. Michigan, July 6, 1893. His father, Fred G. Austin, was born in the same state on January 20, I863. Fred Austin remained a farmer until about 1906 when he came to Lansing and now faithfully serves the public as an interurban conductor. He is widely and favorably known. The mother of L. B. Austin was, before her marriage, Flora E. Barlett, who was born five miles east of Mason. L. B. Austin attended the country schools, early became inured to toil, and for ten years was in the purchasing department of the Olds Motor works. On May I, 1922, he went into the real estate business with Mr. Hudson, under the firm designation of Austin & Hudson. He acquired Mr. Hudson's interest on November I, 1923, and personally directs the business, employing, however, a number of salesmen. On June 7, I916, Mr. Austin was united in wedlock to Eva Marie Duncan, of Lansing. They have one child, a daughter, Charlotte Jane. Mr. Austin is a Mason and has risen to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Royal and Select Master, and a member of the Lansing Real Estate Board, subscribing faithfully to the high standard prescribed for realtors. His concern does a general business in real estate, also handling insurance of various types and loans. Joseph W. Bailey.-Definitely interesting is the family history of Joseph W. Bailey, president of the J. W. Bailey Real Estate and Insurance company, 6oI Prudden building. The father of Mr. Bailey enjoyed a distinction in vocation that was shared by very, few. Coming also of sterling English stock, Mr. Bailey was given a heritage in that fidelity to principle and honorable dealing that is characteristic of the British. The father of Mr. Bailey was James Bailey, born in England on November 5, 1805. The mother was Sovina Pitchforth, of Slaighwaite, England. The marriage was solemnized 376 HISTORIC MICHIGAN in Yorkshire and to this union were born nine children, namely, Jessie, Ephraim, Manasseh, Cyrus, Miriam, Eseneth, Mary, all departed from this life, and Joseph W. and James, who are yet living The senior Bailey came to the United States in I842, settling in Michigan, and devoted himself to the weaving of silk vest patterns, all of which was carefully done by hand, during a period when the wearing of silk vests was, sartorially, the best word. The most meticulous dressers of the community consulted Mr. Bailey and his handicraft brought him a reputation that transcended the boundaries of the community in which he lived. But he was a versatile man and taught music for many years and farmed a large tract of land near Portland, Michigan. While not active in politics, Mr. Bailey had the courage of his convictions and was avowedly a Republican, manifesting a keen interest at all times in the policies and candidacies of his party. Joseph W. Bailey was born in Battle Creek, July I, I847, long before the new science of dietetics had established an international interest in that city. He attended the Portland high school and spent a year as a clerk in a mercantile establishment and then embarked in the newspaper business. He established and owned the Portland Observer, in I868, and continued ownership of that paper for fifteen years, when he entered the real estate business, remaining six years longer in Portland. In I888, Mr. Bailey came to Lansing and opened a real estate and insurance business to which he has devoted patient attention for a period of thirty-seven years. Adhering to a rigid policy of fair dealing and insisting upon satisfaction in every transaction, Mr. Bailey naturally wrested the success which merit invariably commands. The name is virtually a household word in Lansing and is tantamount to enunciating the finest and most lasting business policy. The J. W. Bailey company, of which Joseph W. Bailey is president, is now doing an extensive business in the erection and sale of dwellings and store buildings in Lansing, erecting annually from forty to fifty houses. These homes are modern in every way and have contributed much to the upbuilding of the city and county. In 1872, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Dana Jension, of Eagle township. Mrs. Bailey's father was one of the first settlers, owning about seven hundred acres. At one time he was active in politics and was a member of the state legislature. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Officially, he is president of the J. W. Bailey Real Estate and Insurance company. He is a member of the Real Estate Board and of the Chamber of Commerce, both co-operating in the advancement of the city. There are six children, Mary, Lena B., William J., Stella J., Eva J., and Bess B. O. H. Bailey.-Mr. Bailey enjoys the distinction-and it is a distinction because it is well known that there is a considerable turnover in retail grocery establishments-of being in business in one place longer than any other grocer in the community. He has been in business on his own account twenty-four years. Mr. Bailey is an INGHAM COUNTY 377 astute business man, but progressive and of splendid personal traits. His objective, or ideal, is service, and compensation has been found in the substantial character of his patronage. He was born in his present home in the city of Lansing, in I879. His father was John J. Bailey, born in Lockport, New York, in 1854. The father was a carpenter and contractor. In young manhood he studied medicine for a period of two years, but had to give up medical study on account of the condition of his eyes. He died in I9I7. The mother was Dora Eicher, before her marriage. She was born in Lansing in 1855. In 1903 0. H. Bailey married Katherine B. Trierweiler, who was born in 1879 in Westphalia, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were born three children, namely: Ruby, born in I905; Orla, born in I907, and Robert, born in I9I5. Just like many other successful men, 0. H. Bailey began as a "newsie", carrying papers on the street and handling an office route. He was a newsboy from the age of six to fourteen years. When Mr. Bailey was a boy he had to cross on a boat that section of South Logan street where the 01Ols Motor works now stands, and in the glorious summer months doffed shoes and stockings and waded across Logan street. He attended the public schools in Lansing, but earned his pennies after hours. In I893 he went to work for Mr. Leonard in the grocery business and remained with him seven years and in I901 went into business for himself. Mr. Bailey is active and popular. His family attends Central M. E. church. He is a Mason and belongs to Blue lodge No. 33 and to Capitol chapter No. 9 of the Royal Arch Masons. He is past president of the Grocers' and Meat Dealers' association and at the present is treasurer of the organization. He is also treasurer of the Lansing Association for the Blind. In all civic welfare and philanthropic enterprises the support of Mr. Bailey is inevitable and dependable. John Baird is director of conservation, state department, of Michigan and is charged with serious responsibilities. His office is in the state office building. Mr. Baird is a native of Canada, born in Quebec February ii, I86o, a son of Robert and Bridget (Joy) Baird. In 1878 the family came to Michigan and located at Zilwaukee, Saginaw county. John Baird received his early school training in Seaforth, Ontario. For many years he was interested in the manufacture of salt at Melbourne, Saginaw county, and for a period of twelve years was deputy state salt inspector. He was representative from the Second district of Saginaw county and was a member of the state senate from the Twenty-second district comprising Saginaw county, 190o-06. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1907-08. Mr. Baird was appointed chief deputy game warden of the Public Domains Commission and a member of the Forestry and Fire Commission. He later became dirktor of state conservation. Mr. Baird has held numerous public offices in Saginaw county, he having been a member of the township board of supervisors thirteen years and chairman one year; chairman of the Republican county committee; a justice of the peace and a member of the county roal committee. In I88I, Mr. Baird was united in marriage to Miss Ann Grifford, of Saginaw, 378 HISTORIC MICHIGAN who died in I922. There were born four children, Robert, Florence, William and Ann Baird. Mr. Baird is a member of the Elks and of the Independent Order of Foresters. Arthur D. Baker.-Immediately following his graduation from the Michigan Agricultural college in I889, Arthur D. Baker began a connection with the Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance company as a clerk, advancing to the position of secretary, treasurer and general manager of this influential protective agency, which has meant much to the economic life of Michigan. Mr. Baker is a native of Lansing, born in I869. His father was Lieutenant Luther Byron Baker, of Genesee county, New York, born February 20, I830, dying on May 24, I896. The mother was Helen Davis Baker, a native of Massachusetts. The father came to Lansing at the close of the Civil war. In the period of the great Rebellion he served in the United States Secret Service with his brother, Major Joseph Stannard Baker. Their cousin, General L. C. Baker, was then at the head of the United States Secret Service. During the war the senior Baker, father of Arthur D., had a horse fall from under him, the bullet striking the rider's leg but not seriously wounding him. Another horse was procured. which he christened "Old Buckskin," and the faithful animal was retained by him long after army duty. "Old Buckskin" was for years the cynosure of all eyes. He, driven by Lieutenant Baker, headed every G. A. R. parade. The father was riding "Old Buckskin" at the time he captured J. Wilkes Booth, President Lincoln's assassin, who died in his arms. He will long be remembered and bears an interesting place in American history as a member of the party that captured the assassin of the saintedl Abraham Lincoln. After the horse died it was taken over by the Michigan Agricultural college, stuffed and placed in the museum, where it remained until a few years ago, when it had to be removed because of conditions. Lieutenant Baker was the owner of a hundred-acre tract shortly after coming to Lansing, the land being the site of the Reo automobile plant. For twentyfive years he was in the auditor general's office, a remarkable record of public service, and he passed from earthly cares esteemed and venerated. Baker street was named after him. The last six years of the life of Lieutenant Baker were spent in public speaking descriptive of the capture of J. Wilkes Booth and his participation in the event. Arthur D. Baker displayed zeal as a student in college, and with the same energy applied himself to his tasks at the office of the insurance company. His interests, however, are varied and he has given considerable time to other business enterprises and to social and community efforts. He was president of the Union Building and Loan association, which is the oldest institution of this character in Lansing; was a director of the City National bank for twelve years, and also president of the Western Insurance Bureau of Chicago. He is also the president of the Association of Flour Mill Mutual Insurance Companies of the United States. Mr. Baker was president of the Country club of Lansing during the two years when its present clubhouse and grounds were being construcetd. In I896 he was INGHAM COUNTY 379 united in marriage to Edith C. Cooley, daughter of Eugene F. Cooley, of Lansing, and granddaughter of Judge Thomas A. Cooley, of Ann Arbor. Jesse N. Baker is a member of the Baker-Mickelson Lumber Company of Mason, and is widely and favorably known in the lumber trade. He was born on a farm in Rome township, Lenawee county, Michigan, in 1892. His father and mother were Charles and Carrie (Pennicost) Baker. The parents of Mrs. Baker were plain, wholesome-thinking people. Her father was born in England. The daughter was born in New York state and moved to Lenawee county. Charles Baker was born on the farm on which the son arrived. The Bakers were old residents of that section. Charles Baker was a farmer in early life, became a salesman and now lives in Jackson. Jesse received a common school and high school education, then entered the lumber business in Jackson. and in April, TQ20, he moved to Mason and became a partner i'n the Baker-Mickelson Lumber Company. In January, 1920, Mr. Baker married Miss Madeline Woodfield. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic fraternity. affiliated with blue lodge, chapter and commandery. He is also a Shriner, a Hoo Hoo and a Kiwanian. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party. Major J. Stannard Baker, of St. Croix Falls. Wiisconsin, belongs to a type of man now unfortunately disappearing from our American life; the type of the soldier, the pioneer, the unbending individualist. For thirty-five years he has been a resident of the St. Croix valley. His sturdy figure, carrying its years with the military erectness and vitality of youth, his snow-white hair, his alert step, not less than his unusual vigor of character and intellect, have long made him a notalle figure in the life of his community. Major Baker was born on a farm in Stafford, Genesee county, New York, March 20, 1838. He came from sturdy Puritan stock. His great-grandfather was Captain Remember Baker, one of the leaders with Ethan Allen and Seth Warner of the Green Mountain Boys, whose exploits in the early days of the Revolutionary war, in one of which Captain Baker lost his life, are among the notable episodes of that great struggle for freedom. Major Baker's grandfather was an officer in the United States Army, serving under General Wayne in his western expedition. His father, who also was a soldier, serving in the war of 1812. migrated from Vermont in the early days of the last century and settled in what was then the untracked wilderness of western New York. He was a man of extraordinary character and convictions, a leader of his community, playing a vigorous part in the great questions which then agitated the country. He was a staunch abolitionist, a member of the anti-Masonic party, at one time sheltering in his home the family of the Morgan who lost his life for revealing the secrets of Masonry, and a temperance reformer when it meant ostracism and persecution to take a position against the power of the liquor interests. Up to the age of sixteen Major Baker spent his summers at work 380 HISTORIC MICHIGAN on the farm, and in the winter he attended school, part of the time at Brockport institute, New York, where his older sisters were teaching. His ambition was to obtain a thorough education and at the age of seventeen he left home, and by teaching school and doing other sorts of work he was able to enter Oberlin college, in Ohio. Infected with the western fever, it being the time of the "Pike's Peak or Bust" excitement, Major Baker started west in I859, with his older brother, H. C. Baker. They went to the end of the railroad and took passage in a steamboat up the Mississippi river to St. Paul, then a straggling frontier village. The country was still under the baleful influence of the panic of I857. After a struggle of many weeks trying to get work when there was no work to be had, Major Baker went to Hudson, Wisconsin, where his brother had begun the practice of law. Here, luckily, he found work during harvest, running a threshing machine on what was then known as tIudson prairie. In the winter he taught school near River Falls, having among his pupils John E. Glover, now of New Richmond; Wellington Vanatta, a leading attorney of St. Paul, and George Burrows, since then an officer in the Unite:l States Navy. With the money saved from his work he was able in I86o to enter Wisconsin University. Senator John C. Spooner, Senator Vilas and John Muir (the famous naturalist) were fellow-students. But he was not destined to complete his course. In I86I came the news of the outbreak of the Civil war. The students went wild, recitations were abandoned, a military company, of which every member wanted to be an officer, was organized. But Major Baker finished the school year, after which he went to Iowa, where he had built up an extensive book and map business employing twenty men, during his vacations at the university. Eager now to enlist and go to the front, he rapidly closed up his work and was on the point of joining the Sixth Iowa cavalry when he received an appointment, along with his brother Byron, in the United States secret service, of which General L. C. Baker, a cousin, was then chief. After a brief visit at the old home in western New York he reported at Washington and began his new duties in 1862. His work in the secret service called for high qualities of courage, skill and judgment. He was often employed on delicate secret missions for Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war, and his work brought him more than once into personal relationships with President Lincoln. He was sent repeatedly on dangerous missions inside of the Confederate lines in Virginia, in all of which he acquitted himself with notable success. In such high regard was he held that when the First District of Columbia cavalry was organized he was offered and accepted the appointment as ranking captain of the regiment. He soon rose to be major and for a greater part of the last two years of the war, owing to the absence of the colonel, L. C. Baker, who was chief of the secret service, and Lieutenant Colonel Conger, who was on detached service, Major Baker was in active command of the regiment. The First District of Columbia cavalry was composed largely of INGHAM COUNTY 381 ~ regular army men, and was armed with the then new and famous Henry repeating rifles-the only entire regiment so armed. While originally intended to serve only as an auxiliary to the United States secret service bureau, the First District of Columbia cavalry was soon ordered to the front, and, being composed of trained soldiers, mounted and armed in a superior way, much more was expected and demanded of it than of the ordinary cavalry regiment. Previously to July, I863, it was engaged in scouting, raiding and fighting the guerrilla bands then infesting northern Virginia, and just before the battle of Gettysburg it was ordered to upper Maryland to hang upon the enemy's rear and cut their lines of communication. The regiment took part in the battle of Boonesborough July 8, I863, and from that time until it was ordered to the front, the following fall, it was on duty in and about Washington, lower Maryland and northern Virginia. During the winter of i863-64 the regiment was on duty in southern Virginia, near Norfolk and Suffolk, and along the great Dismal Swamp canal. In the spring of I864 it became a part of General Kautz's cavalry division and took part in all the raids, battles and affairs in southern Virginia and about Petersburg and Richmond during the strenuous campaign of that summer. In June and July it took a prominent part in the Wilson raid, one of the most notable and daring of the war. Roanoke Station. Reams Station, Stony Creek, Nottaway River, were only a few of the hard-fought battles of this raid in which Major Baker commanded his regiment and lost many of his best officers and men. On August 24 and 25, when General Hancock's corps was driven back so disastrously from Reams Station, it was this regiment, commanded by Major Baker, which held the'enemy in check during the afternoon and night of the 25th, thus saving Hancock's corps from complete annihilation and giving it time to reorganize. In September, Major Baker was placed i'n command of a picket line many miles in length, extending along the rear of Grant's army, then investing Petersburg, with a reserve of about 200 men at Sycamore Church, Virginia. At this point, on the night of the i6th, he was attacked by a force of the enemy, consisting of Lee's, Rosser's and Butler's divisions, commanded by General Wade Hampton, with six pieces of artillery, consisting in the aggregate of over 20,000 men. It was here, in a fiercely fought night battle of two hours' duration and against these overwhelming numbers, that Major Baker, while making a last determined stand with his few remaining men about him, received a saber wound on the head, and was left for dead. Early in the morning he was aroused by the sensation of someone trying to pull off his boots. When he stirred, he heard a voice say: "He is alive; bring him along." He was thus taken prisoner. Sorely wounded and covered with blood, he could not walk, but was placed on a wounded horse and when he could no longer ride, he was carried by some of his own faithful men who also had been captured. During the first day of his captivity a Confederate soldier, seeing the fine pair of cavalry boots he wore, forcibly took them. Major 382 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Baker demanded to see the Confederate officer who was in command, and upon being carried to General Wade Hampton's tent, demanded the return of his boots-and got them. Years afterward, when General Hampton became United States land commissioner, Major Baker wrote to him asking him if he remembered the federal officer who was brought to him on a stretcher after the battle of Sycamore Church, and who demanded the return of his boots. To this General Hampton replied that he remembered perfectly, and complimented him on the vigorous defense he made against such overwhelming odds. Major Baker, after suffering greatly on this march, was taken to Libby prison, at Richmond, where for five months he lay a prisoner. Reaching the prison desperately wounded, given no care, he was compelled to sleep on the floor in a wholly unwarmed building during nearly all of the terrible winter of I864-65. If he had not been possessed of an iron constitution, undaunted courage and a profound religious faith, he never would have survived. But his motto all through life has been: "Admit nothing to be a hardship." And though he was finally exchanged, coming out broken in health, he was still undaunted. After a few weeks' rest at his old home in New York he again went to the front, took command of his regiment and served in all the battles of that campaign, fired the last shots on the field of Appomattox and saw the surrender. His older brother, Luther Byron Baker, who had served as a lieutenant and quartermaster of the First District of Columbia cavalry, was the officer who, in command of a detachment of cavalry and secret service men. pursued and captured John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. After the war Major Baker was offered a commission in the regular army, but owing to the state of his health, he decided to resign. After the war General L. C. Baker had gone to the new capital of Michigan, the town of Lansing. Here Major Baker and his brother, Lieutenant Baker, followed him, each taking with him his cavalry horse. Many of the old residents of Lansing still remember seeing the gallant figures of the two young officers riding their horses. Like many another soldier, Major Baker found that he had left the army with a good knowledge of military art, but with no preparation for civil life. At first he returned to Wisconsin University, thinking he would complete his course there and graduate, which he could have done in a few months' time. But he found himself a man grown, experienced beyond most in the sternest realities of life, and he turned away from the swarming younger students with discouragement. Having saved considerable money from his service pay, he went into the iron manufacturing business at Lansing with his cousin, M. S. Baker. But this enterprise, and a number of others which he attempted, owing to lack of training and continued ill health, the result of his war services, were not very successful. In 1874 he suffered a violent attack of pneumonia, from which he recovered with difficulty. This, combined with the fact that he now had INGHAM COUNTY 383 a wife and three small children to support, and that he was conscious of a growing deafness, the result of the wound on his head, left him in deep discouragement. At this juncture, his brother, H. C. Baker, appeared. H. C. Baker was then prosperously engaged with Senator John C. Spooner, the firm name being Baker & Spooner, in the practice of law at Hudson, Wisconsin. He took Major Baker with him to Hudson, where, after a few weeks of complete rest, he recovered enough to go to St. Croix Falls, which was to be his future home. He arrived on August 31, I874, and at once took up his work as resident agent for the large land holdings in northern Wisconsin of Caleb Cushing and General Benjamin F. Butler and of the corporation controlling the great water power and town plat of St. Croix at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He brought his family from Michigan in the spring of I875. Since then he has been steadily and prosperously engaged in the land business, operating in four counties in northern Wisconsin. A few years ago the business was incorporated under the name, Cushing Land Agency, with Major Baker's son. H. D. Baker, as active manager. Major Baker was married in i868 to Alice Potter, whose family were of New England descent, a great-grandfather being the famous Ezra Stiles, president of Yale College. They had six sons: Ray Stannard Baker, now author and editor, of New York City; Professor Charles Fuller Baker, of Claremont College, California. whose scientific studies in the botany and entomology of Central and South America and of the Rocky Mountains, have been noteworthy; Henry Denio Baker, who is manager of the business at St. Croix Falls; Clarence Dwight Baker, who died in I906, at the beginning of a useful career; Professor Hugh Potter Baker, of State college, Pennsylvania, and Professor James Fred Baker, of the Agicultural college, Michigan. Major Baker's first wife died in 1883, and he was married a second time in I886, to Mary L. Brown, of New Richmond, Wisconsin. They have four children: Winifred Lovila Baker, a student in Carleton college; Florence Baker, Joseph Stannard Baker, Jr., and Oscar Roland Baker, who are still at home. Owing to his deafness, which in later years has become extreme, Major Baker has never taken any part in public affairs, though he has been deeply interested in church work, being one of the founders and supporters of the Presbyterian church at St. Croix Falls. A thorough student, he has kept abreast through his library with the best thought of the world,, his interest in new things being as vivid as that of a young man. He has interested himself in forestry, and is conducting an extensive experimental planting near his home. Surrounded by his young family, with the older sons often coming home with their wives and children, spending his winters at his home in St. Croix Falls, and his summers at his place on Deer Lake, Major Baker's old age is one of unusual brightness and contentment. Having passed through years of storm and stress, the adventures and 384 HISTORIC MICHIGAN sufferings of the soldier at the front, the months of painful captivity, the years of struggle for a chance in the greater activities of the world, Major Baker now enjoys the health, the happiness and the prosperity which come of a well spent and arduous life. Lieutenant Luther Byron Baker.-It is a far cry from I924 back to the days of the Civil war and few, indeed, remain who participated in that memorable contest. Each year their number grows less, and to us who are living falls a duty that we must hold sacred unto the end-to cherish and preserve the memory of those noble men who offered their lives on the altar of their country and many of whom made the supreme sacrifice that "a government of the people, for the people and by the people, should not perish from the earth." Among those who offered their services in the hour of the nation's greatest need, none is more worthy of a place in a volume of this character than the late Lieutenant Luther B. Baker, of Lansing. He did his full share, both as a soldier and a citizen, and so lived his life that he achieved the greatest honor which can come to any man-he died secure in the love and esteem of those who knew him best. Luther Byron Baker was born at Stafford, Genesee county, New York, February 2o, I830. His parents, Luther Alexander and Mary (Stannard) Baker, were natives of Vermont. The family trace their descent from Ethan Allen and Remember Baker, both of whom contributed to the fame of "The Green Mountain Boys" during the Revolutionary war. Our subject passed his early life on his father's farm, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He then entered Oberlin College, which he attended for some time, later returning to the home farm, remaining there until twenty-eight years of age. In 1858, in company with his brother, Major J. S. Baker, he emigrated to Iowa and was engaged in the book and stationery business there until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he and his brother were called to Washington by a cousin, General L. C. Baker, who was chief of the United States secret service in the national capital. They both accepted positions in this branch of the service, in which they remained two years, being frequently assigned to duty requiring them to make excursions into the enemy's country and seeing much active war service. In I862, General L. C. Baker organized what was known as the First District of Columbia cavalry and in this command Luther B. Baker was given the office of lieutenant. He ably served with that command until the close of hostilities in I865. After being mustered out of the service, he returned at once to the secret service and made himself famous by the capture of J. Wilkes. Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. On the night of Lincoln's assassination, General Baker dispatched him with an escort of twenty-five cavalrymen to scour thoroughly the country around Port Royal. He was the first to strike the assassin's trail after crossing the Rappahannock river, was the first to deman: his surrender at the Garrett barn where he ,. INGHAM COUNTY 385 had taken refuge. He was the only one who conversed with Booth before the barn was fired and was the first to reach him as he fell, mortally wounded by a bullet fired from Corbett's rifle as he attempted to make his escape. He gave Booth a drink of water from his canteen and received his dying message to his mother. He and his cousin made the final disposition of Booth's body. In later years, Lieutenant Baker from the lecture platform graphically described the pursuit and capture of Lincoln's slayer and a copy of this lecture is now preserved in the archives of the State Historical society, at Lansing. After the close of the war, Lieutenant Baker came to Lansing and purchased a hundred acres of land, part of which is now occupied by the Reo Motor Car company; that was in I866. He followed farming for a short time, but he soon accepted a position in the auditor general's office, and this he ably filled for the remainder of his life. His death occurred in Lansing on May 24, I896. Mr. Baker was married in the city of Lansing, in 1868, to Helen M. Davis. a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Waite) Davis. Four children were born to this union: Arthur D. is a well-known business man of Lansing. and Luther H. is associated with him. The twin daughters were Lucelia and Helen. Helen died at the age of thirty-five years and Lucelia is the wife of Dr. Wilbur 0. Hedrick, head of the department of history and political economy at the Michigan Agricultural college. Lansing. The wife and mother passed to the life beyond on April 25, I918. On coming to Lansing, Lieutenant Baker brought with him his famous old war horse "Buckskin." which name was later shortened to "Buck." This horse he rode all through the war and in his pursuit and capture of Booth. He and the horse were familiar figures in Lansing on Decoration Day and Fourth of July celebrations, when Mr. Baker often acted as marshal of the day. After the death of the horse, his skin was mounted and was preserved at the Michigan Agricultural college for a number of years. Mr. Baker was a man who never sought public office, but always affiliated with the Republican party. In religious matters he and family held membership and he was a deacon in the Plymouth Congregational church. He was also one of the founders and a life-long member of the Charles T. Foster post, G. A. R. Luther H. Baker.-Fire insurance, safeguarding manufacturing enterprises and commercial establishments against loss by fire, has been one of the greatest factors in the development of modern industrialism. Luther H. Baker has been connected with this form of insurance selling in Lansing for over twenty years and has attained a place of prominence in business circles through the ability and farsightedness that he has shown in the work. He was born in Lansing, September 8, 1872, a son of Luther Byron and Helen (Davis) Baker, the former of whom was a native of Batavia, New York, and the latter of Massachusetts. Luther Byron Baker attended Oberlin College and then secured employment in the Michigan auditor 3-25 386 HISTORIC MICHIGAN general's department after the Civil war. He was lieutenant in the First District of Columbia cavalry and had command of the party that captured the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. He was in the United States secret service and was in New York City at the time of Lincoln's assassination, but returned to Washington at once. Soon after the Civil war, he came to Michigan and bought one hundred acres of land at Lansing, which he later sold and upon a part of which the present plant of the Reo Motor Car company is standing. He was a deacon of the Congregational church and was prominent in Sunday school work for the same denomination. He was greatly honored and revered in the city, and although he was many times asked to run for office, he refused to hold a political position of any sort. Helen Davis Baker, his wife, was the daughter of Thomas Davis. She came to Lansing in 1867. She had three brothers: Frank, a merchant at Wacousta, Michigan; Eli H., who was secretary and treasurer of the Clark Carriage company, which at one time was one of the largest manufacturing concerns in Lansing; and Arthur, who was the founder of the Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance company, which has grown into one of the largest of its kind in the United States. To Luther Byron Baker and his wife were born four children, as follows: Arthur D.; Luther H.; Lucelia, the wife of W. O. Hedrick, and Helen, who died in 1918. A memoir to Lieutenant Luther B. Baker appears on other pages of this work. Luther H. Baker obtained a graded and high school education and then attended the Michigan Agricultural College, in which he was graduated with the class of 1893 and with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He elected to follow the profession of teaching, his first place being at Galesburg, Michigan. From 1893 to 1903, he served as principal of various high schools, being located at Albion three years and at Kalamazoo two years. The balance of that period was spent in Galien, as superintendent of schools. He believed that his abilities were suited to other work, however, and decided to give up educational work, so that in I903 he returned to Lansing to become associated with the Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance company. In this work he found congenial employment and was soon made its secretary-treasurer, a position which he still occupies. He has contributed much to making the concern what it now is-one of the most successful fire insurance companies operating in the United States. He is assistant secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Millers Mutual Fire Insurance company and of the Mills Mutual Agency, secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Shoe Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance company, and secretary and treasurer and a member of the governing body of the Mutual Fire Prevention Bureau of Chicago, of which he was one of the organizers in I9II. He is also a director of the East Lansing Building and Loan association and of the East Lansing Realty company. He served two terms as alderman on the East Lansing council and was a member of the East Lansing school board for six years, being its president the last year. He is a member of the Kiwanis club. May 28, I899, he married Una Jacobs, INGHAM COUNTY 387 the daughter of Burban and Wealthy (Dewey) Jacobs, the former of whom was the son of a Methodist preacher of London, Ontario, and to this union have been born two sons: Maurice J., a student at the University of Wisconsin, was sport editor of the Capital News during his vacation in I923; Luther Byron is a student in the East Lansing high school. Ray Stannard Baker ("David Grayson"), author, was born at Lansing, Michigan, April 17, 1870; son of Major Joseph Stannard and Alice (Potter) Baker. He received the degree of Bachelor of Science from Michigan Agricultural College in I889, and that of Doctor of Laws in 1917. He took a partial law course and stu-lies in literature at the University of Michigan. He married Jessie I., daughter of Professor William James Beal, January 2, I896. He was reporter and sub-editor of the Chicago Record, I892 -97; managing editor McClure's Syndicate, I897-98; associate editor McClure's Magazine, I899-I905; one of the editors of American Magazine, I906-I5. He was special commissioner of the department or state in Great Britain, France and Italy, I918; director Press Bureau of American Commission to Negotiate Peace, at Paris, I919. Clubs: Century, Players (New York); Cosmos (Washington. D. C.). member National Institute of Arts and Letters. He is the author of "Boys' Book of Inventions," I899; "Our New Prosperity," 1900; "Seen in Germany," I90I; "Second Boys' Book of Inventions," I903; "Following the Color Line," 1908; "New Ideals in Healing," 1909; "The Spiritual Unrest," I9Io; "What Wilson Did at Paris," I9I9; "The New Industrial Unrest," 1920; "Woodrow Wilson and World Settlement." a history of the Peace Conference from original documents, in three volumes, 1922; "The Public Papers of Woodrow Wilson," authorized edition, edited (with Prof. W. E. Dodd), in six volumes, 1024-26. He is also, under pseudonym of David Grayson, author of "Adventures in Contentment," 1907; "Adventures in Friendship," 9IIo; "The Friendly Road," I913; "Henipfield," I915; "Great Possessions," 1917. He has been a contributor to American and English magazines. His home is at Amherst, Massachusetts. Ralph W. Ballantine.-Forming a congenial association with Smith C. Young and A. C. Stebbins, Ralph W. Ballantine, young and energetic, gives impetus to the Ballantine Company, 225 South Capitol avenue, Lansing, in the handling of real estate and mortgages. The association. of the three is a strong one, and the Ballantine Company has attained an enviable position in the business world. Mr. Ballantine was born in Charlotte, Michigan, March 13, 1894. His parents, John and Sophia Ellen Ballantine, came from widely separated localities, the former from Michigan, the latter from New Jersey. Ralph W. Ballantine attended grade and high schools at Laingsburg, Michigan, and spent two years at Olivet College, leaving this institution to join the forces of the Brown Insurance agency at Lansing, I915-I6. Then he went with the Young Brothers' Realty company, remaining there until December, I917, when he joined the United States Navy, shipping to South America for duty as ensign. Upon his discharge 388 HISTORIC MICHIGAN from naval service and his return to Lansing he became again associated with the Young Brothers' Realty company, but this association continued only a short time, and Mr. Ballantine then assumed charge of the insurance department of the Michigan Mortgage company. This position he retained a year and a half. On January I, 1922, Mr. Ballantine, Mr. Young and Mr. Stebbins organized the Ballantine company. It was launched under the most favorable circumstances. Mr. Ballantine is secretary and treasurer of the organization, Mr. A. C. Stebbins is the vice-president, while Mr. Smith G. Young is the president. Mr. Ballantine deserted single life on September 8, 1915, marrying Miss Beulah C. Sowle, of St. Johns, Michigan. They have two children, Ralph W. Ballantine, Jr., and Betty Ellen. Mr. Ballentine is a member of the board of Directors of the Y. M. C. A. He is a member of the Lions club and belongs to the Maso'nic fraternity, the Elks and the Country club. In the Masonic fraternity he is a Knight Templar and a Shriner, and he is uniformly popular by reason of his many excellencies of mind and heart. Rudolf G. Bannasch.-Ambitious and determined, though measurably handicapped by birth in a foreign country, Rudolf G. Bannasch has overccome apparently insurmountable obstacles and has won success. Today he owns and personally manages the largest business of its kind in Lansing, welding and general repair work. The concern also builds truck bodies, employs a large force of skilled mechanics and is, from the standpoint of service and remuneration, profitable. Mr. Bannasch was born in Germany in T885. He came to America in 1912, settling in Lansing. His father is Adolph Bannasch, born in 1850, a blacksmith by trade. Love of this skillful trade was undoubtedly transmitted to the son. The elder Bannasch has retired from active work and is living in the old country. His wife, also born in Germany, in 1850, is living but her health is not good. Children of the Bannasch family include Albert, Otto (who died October 7, 1923), Emil, Rudolf G. and Eric (who works for his brother as a welder). Rudolf G. Bannasch attended the public schools in Germany and after coming to America applied himself with characteristic diligence to the mastery of the English language. In I913 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Gangnuss, who was born in Brighton, Michigan. Mrs. Bannasch died July 23, I92I, and her death was an irreparable loss to Mr. Bannusch, to whom she was greatly devoted. She toiled and sacrificed and saved to aid her helpmate and contributed in no small degree to the planting of the seed which germinated and developed into the plant of success. For a year after arriving in Lansing, Mr. Bannasch worked for the Olds Motor Corporation, was with the Reo Company and for a while with the Drop Forge company. For three years he worked for Christy & Brown, blacksmiths, but, driven by a laudable ambition, he entered business for himself on April I6, I916. His stock was scant, his tools few. But his measure of hope was big, his resourcefulness ample. Today he has the largest floor space and the biggest business of the kind in Lansing, using the most modern methods and machin INGHAM COUNTY 389 ery. Five men are on the staff throughout the winter and more during the summer months. The floor space is eighty-five by fiftytwo feet, but a big addition will be built, completing a full two-story structure. Mr. Bannasch does a large part of the work on heavy trucks, such as coal and lumber trucks. He also builds truck bodies and does a general welding, blacksmithing and repair business. Walter F. Barker.-Obtaining a splendid all around practical training in mechanics and electrical construction, Walter F. Barker asserts the stamina and progressiveness of a forward-looking young business man and is president of the Barker-Fowler company, iI6T2 East Ottawa street. His predilection for mechanical work was probably transmitted by his father, James E. Barker, a native of Lancastershire, England, who immigrated to Detroit, Michigan. The senior Barker was a stationary engineer, working faithfully at the trade. For nine years he was chief boiler inspector of the city of Detroit. The mother was Alice (Taylor) Barker, also a native of England. Walter F. Barker was born in Detroit, January I8, I885, and went through the grade schools but did not finish high school, preferring at that time matriculation in the school of experience. He began work for the Detroit United Railways and then went to Fremont, Ohio, where, in their interests, for four years he worked as master mechanic for the Lakeshore Electric railroad. He then returned to Detroit. About 1907, Mr. Barker came to Lansing and worked as a fireman on the steam road that ran up the gully between Lansing and St. Johns. His mechanical equipment secure, and ambitious to give business direction to his ability, Mr. Barker established the firm known as the Barker-Cole Electric Company. During the World war the name was changed to the Barker-Fowler Electric Company and Mr. Barker became, and now is, the presiding officer. He is also vice-president of the Capitol Electric Supply Company and a member of the board of directors of the Auto Electric Company. Aside froin business, Mr. Barker also has strong connections. He is a Rotarian and an Elk and as a Mason he has affiliation with the blue lodge and on up to the Scottish Rite. In I906, Mr. Barker was married to Miss Cora D. McKernan, of Detroit. They have two children, Margaret Louise and Mary Elizabeth. Orlando F. Barnes.-The Barnes family have been closely associated with the settlement and development of Michigan since I836 and more especially with Lansing since I875. Orlando F. Barnes, the subject of this brief notice, has proven himself "a worthy son of a worthy sire" and contributed his full share towards the upbuilding of Lansing and the entire state. Mr. Barnes was born in Mason, Ingham county, Michigan, on November 7, 1856, the son of Orlando M. and Amanda F. (Fleming) Barnes. The father came with his parents to Michigan in I836, the family settling at Aurelius, Ingham county, where the grandparents passe:1 the remainder of their lives. The father passed his early life in Ingham county, was educated in private schools and later entered the University of Michigan, in which he was graduated in I850, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, while later 390 HISTORIC MICHIGAN he was given the degree of Master of Arts. He followed the practice of his chosen profession in Mason for a number of years and finally removed to Lansing, where he remained until his death. November II, 1899. In 1862 he was elected to the state legislature and in 1877 became mayor of Lansing. He took a prominent part in the life of the community and founded a number of the leading industries which the city now enjoys. Orlando F. Barnes is a direct descendant of John Barnes, one of the Pilgrim families of America. He attended the public schools of his native county, and thereafter entered the University of Michigan, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of I88o and with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The same year he entered upon a business career that brought both wealth and influence. For years he was identified with a number of manufacturing and banking institutions, but he withdrew from such lines during the depression of I893, and in I896 went to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he spent four years. In IgoI he returned to Michigan to interest himself in real estate in the northern part of the state. His interests in that section became extensive and incidentally it is to be noted that he became the owner of one of the largest stock farms and other valuable property. He became conspicuous in the development of Michigan, held a number of public offices and became a founder and the treasurer of the Northeastern Michigan Development Bureau. At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Barnes was elected mayor of Lansing and was re-elected in 1883. He also served five years on the school board and two years as chairman. In i886 he became Democratic candidate for congress, Sixth district, and he was again nominated in I890, but declined because of the demands of private business. For four years he was a member of the Democratic state central committee and twice has been chairman of state conventions. In two campaigns he was candidate for presidential elector. On January I, I913, Governor Ferris appointed Mr. Barnes a member of the state board of tax commissioners and the following January I he was chosen chairman. On January I, I915, he was reappointed and continued as chairman, his membership on the board covering eight years. On April 20, 1882, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Mary L. Woodward, of Boston, who is a member of an old family and who was graduated in Vassar college. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, two dying in infancy. Orlando M. Barnes was a graduate of the University of Michigan in Igo6, the third generation of the family passing through "Ann Arbor." He was also a graduate of Harvard law school and was engaged in practice in New York. He died May 2, 1924. Lena Barnes, graduate of Vassar College, married Howard V. Luce. They reside in Cleveland and have one daughter, Sara. Mildred, also a Vassar graduate. is the wife of Carl Haessler, of Ravinia, Illinois, and has two children. Eleanor, a Vassar graduate, is the wife of Barnard Pierce, prosecuting attorney of Ingham county, and they have two children. Orlando F. Barnes is a member of the Masons, Pythians and Country club. He and Mrs. Barnes are members of the Congregational church. INGHAM COUNTY 391 Mr. Barnes was president of the Lansing Iron and Engine works; was an incorporator of the Lansing Wheel works and became president in 1887; and was an incorporator of the Lansing Lumber company. He had important banking connections and other business identification. His enterprises have done much for the development of Lansing. He is a member of the National Tax association and has read three papers before that association. He holds membership also in the American Academy of Political Science and has interested himself in matters of taxation during the past ten years. Fred Barratt was born in Nottingham, England, famed for its lace industry, and apparently he was able to escape the lure of that industry to enter the service of the community by dispensing food. Mr. Barratt came from England to this country in I9OI and proceeded to Lansing, where he is happily and successfully located in the operation of a retail grocery and meat market at 830 East Kalamazoo street. The business formerly belonged to his uncle, William Barratt. Fred Barratt was born in 1879 and attended the elementary and high schools of Nottingham. He was graduated from high school and then took up work in the office of a lace concern. Later he performed clerical work for a wholesale grocery establishment and in I898 he went into business for himself. Ability, desire to please and knowledge of the many details of the business, especially buying, are harmoniously combined in him. Mr. Barratt's father was John Barratt, who was born in 1855, in Nottingham, and who was a shoemaker by trade. He died in November, I923. The mother was Ellen (Hopewell) Barratt, born in 1855 and dying January 5, 1882. Edwin and Alfred Barratt are brothers of the subject of this sketch. They are both engaged in the shoe-repair business. Fred Barratt was married in I902 to Fannie Hill, whose birth date is December 2, I877. To Mr. and Mrs. Barratt have come three children. They are Ellen, who was named after her paternal grandmother, born in I903; Doris was born in I907; and Guy was born in I012. Mr. Barratt is held in the highest of esteem by all who know him for his excellence of heart and mind and for the individuality with which he has clothed his business. Donald Bates is represented in a specific mention in the record of the Reo Motor Car Company on other pages of this work. Louis Beck.-The name of Beck has long been associated with business life of Lansing, largely through its connection with the clothing and men's furnishing establishment that was founded sixty-four years ago and that has sustained an unbroken line of family ownership. The late Louis Beck was born in New York in J862 and dlied on Christmas day of I912. He was a mere boy when the family came to Michigan and his father, Samuel Beck, established the Beck store, the original location having been next to the site of the present store, which is known throughout the state. Louis Beck, after graduating from the Lansing high school, joined his father in business. On February 6, 1887, he was united in marriage to Sarah Wolf, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, her father, having been a pioneer of Fort Wayne and the owner 392 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of a packing house. Mrs. Beck received her early education in Fort Wayne and attended St. Mary's Convent. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Beck, Samuel Alfred Beck, secretary and treasurer of the Louis Beck Company and the third in the line of succession to administer the business founded by his grandfather. Louis Beck served as superintendent of public works, and in other relationships was deeply and vitally interested in the civic and material advancement of the city. He was a director of the American State Savings Bank and a member of the board of trustees of the cemetery and of the electric light company. Mr. Beck was secretary and treasurer of the F. B, McKibben Company, a real estate, building and loan organization, when it was formed and later became its presiding officer. His counsel and guidance were frequently sought and as freely given. Wallace S. Beden, insurance counselor and broker of Lansing, while one of the younger men in the business world is winning for himself an enviable place through his alertness and ability. Mr. Beden was born in i891 on a farm in Midland county. MTichigan. The father, a pioneer, was born in a log cabin. A grandfather, Benjamin Gilbert Bedlen, was one of the first graduates of Ypsilanti College. He'was a man of great influence politically and in public life. The Beden family is traceable to the Cramptons, who were on the Mayflower. The mother of Wallace S. Beden was, before her marriage, Helen Christlaw, born in Canada. She and Mr. Beden were married in Michigan and became the parents of three children, Wallace being the second. Wallace attended grade and high school in Midland county and was graduated from Michigan Agricultural college in June, I916, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He soon afterward entered the United States geological survey. In May, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army for service in the World war, serving in the Fourteenth infantry of the regular army and the Ninetyfirst and Nineteenth divisions. In December, I917, while in the service, Mr. Beden was married to Helen M. Brown of Lansing, daughdaughter of William C. Brown, a prominent lumberman of that city. Mrs. Beden is a graduate of Lansing high school, took a special twoyear course in Rockford, Illinois, and is a member of the Lambda Rho Tau sorority. The Bedens have two children, Helen Jane and Robert Wallace. After the war, Mr. Beden returned to Lansing and entered the insurance field as counselor and broker. He is a member of the National Association of Life Underwriters, of Delta.Sigma Phi fraternity, of the Masons, Knight Templar, Scottish Rite and Shrine. He also belongs to the American Legion, Army and Navy club, Country club and Kiwanis Club. He and Mrs. Beden attend the Congregational church. Mr. Beden has received special recognition from the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York for the splendid accomplishments of his office. Clarence E. Bement.-Among the men who have contributed to the upbuilding of the industrial, commercial and social life of Lansing, none is more entitled to specific mention in Xa volume of this ^ — % INGHAM COUNTY 393 character than Clarence E. Bement, vice-president and general manager of the Novo Engine company, which is one of the most widely known establishments of its kind in the United States and which has done much toward putting Lansing "on the map" industrially. Mr. Bement is a member of one of the old and substantial families of the state and has, by virtue of his own sagacity, vision and self-reliance, risen to a position of prominence among the business men and manufacturers of the middle west. Clarence E. Bement was born at Fostoria, Ohio, March 20, I856, and is a son of Edwin and Maria Louisa (Roberts) Bement. The father was a native of Massachusetts, he having been born near Springfield in i8II and having died in the city of Lansing, Michigan, March 4, I880. The mother was a native of New York, her birthplace being near Rochester. She was born in I820 and departed this life in I898. The paternal grandfather, Reuben Bement, was born near Westfield, Massachusetts, and pursued the vocation of farming, like his father before him, throughout his life. The Bements were of rugged stock, coming from England, the type that perhaps was best fitted to blaze the path for a new governmental order, a new civilization, predicated upon man's divine origin and certain inalienable rights. The I:ements settled in the colony of Massachusetts in I640 and fought valiantly in the French and Indian wars. Reuben Bement and his son Edwin pressed westward, coming to Ohio and settling south of Cleveland in a village that is now called Bement. Reuben Bement died in Fostoria, Ohio, Edwin Bement became a millwright and, with his lrother Orson, established a foundry in Fostoria, in I846. Orson died and Edwin continued the business with a younger brother, Augustus. They developed a large plant. Orson, Augustus and George were brothers of Edwin and a sister Emily married James Kelley of Fostoria. Edwin Bement and his brother Augustus continued together until the outbreak of the Civil war. Augustus took up arms with an Ohio regiment, fought throughout the war and returned a captain of infantry. During the war Edwin Bement continued the operation of the foundry and machine shop. Augustus, on the close of military service, went into the planing mill and house construction business..Edwin carried on the machine shop and foundry until I869, when he sold the business to J. B. Roberts, his brother-in-law, and came on to Lansing. Edwin Bement and Louisa Roberts were married, however, in Fremont, the home of the Roberts family. There were three sons born of the tnion, Arthur O., George W. and Clarence E. The father and eldest son, Arthur O., came on to Lansing to establish a foundry. They rented a small place at the foot of Kalamazoo street, near the land that the city has purchased in connection with the erection of a bridge across the river. It was called Houghton's foundry. The father spent the entire winter gathering the timber with which to erect his own building, and construction was begun in the early spring on a site that is now occupied by the Reo service station on North Grand avenue. The first heat was taken off on July I, I870, and it was an auspicious 394 HISTORIC MICHIGAN occasion. This plant was devoted to the making of plows and castings, and the firm designation was E. Bement & Son. In the fall of I870 George W. Bement joined the firm, and the name was changed slightly, to E. Bement & Sons. In 1876 the concern began the production of stoves in addition to plows, and added also the manufacture of bobsleds. By I880 the business had expanded materially and a full line of stoves and a variety of agricultural implements were in production. The concern was turning out between 5,000 and 10,ooo bobsleds a year. Further expansion marked the course of the Bements and in 1885 between 700 and 800 men were employed and the plant was by far larger than any other industrial concern in the community. The depression of I897 was not without a marked influence on the Bement enterprise, but there was a slight return to normal conditions in 1901-02. In I904, George W. Bement died, and in the following year the business passed into other hands. The Bement offices and works were the training school for many men who in later years achieved distinction and financial success in various lines of commercial and industrial activities. Clarence E. Bement was graduated from the Lansing high school in I876, then attended the University of Michigan, but left the university in the spring of I878 to become associated with his father and two brothers. In I880, when Edwin Bement died, the name of the concern was changed to the E. Bement's Sons and Clarence became the superintendent, assuming complete charge of the manufacturing end. In the fall of I880, Mr. Bement was united in marriage to his cousin, Miss Carrie Roberts, daughter of Chauncey Roberts. In 1907, Clarence E. Bement became connected with the Hildreth Manufacturing company, now known as the Novo Engine works. This is a nationally known establishment and one of the largest of the kind in the United States. The Hildreth company was making marine engines and in I908 it began the production of four-cycle industrial engines, also doing a general foundry and jobbing business. The business has constantly expanded and the company produces two and four-cylinder engines, contractors' equipment, hoist pumps and air compressors. Mr. Bement's interest in business, however, is not exclusive. He is a leader in civic movements and is especially interested in public education. He was with the board of education for a period of fourteen years, from I890 to I904, took active part in the establishment of the Central library and was superintendent of the building of and for the Lansing high school. He served two terms as president of the Chamber of Commerce and was one of the ten original directors of the old Business Men's association. Mr. Bement was president of the manufacturing division of the Chamber of Commerce for two years. He is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers and of the National Industrial Council and was president of the influential Michigan Manufacturers association. Mr. Bement is a Republican. In religious conviction he is a Congregationalist. His father was active in politics and in church work in Fostoria and was instrumental in building the First Presbyterian church there. INGHAM COUNTY 395 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Bement have two children, Robert S., who is production manager of the Novo plant, and Constance, who is librarian at Port Huron. Other business connections of Mr. Bement include a place on the directorate of the American State Savings bank, of which he is the vice-president, vice-presidency and directorship in the Federal Drop Forge company and membership in the board of directors of the Auto Body company. Mr. Bement is an enthusiastic Rotarian. Sherwood S. Bennett, secretary and treasurer of the Capital Castings company, is a native of Michigan, born at Wyandotte, Wayne county, November ii, I874, the son of John S. and Sarah (Morgan) Bennett. The father was born in London, England, and was seven years old when he came to America, in 1855. He came to Lansing in I879 and entered the retail drug business. He has been conspicuous in the political life of the city and is now serving his fourth term as city assessor. He was the first county coroner, a position he held for three years; was a member of the common council six years; treasurer of the school board six years; mayor four years, and city treasurer three years. His continuance in office emphasizes the fact that his efficiency as a public officer has been appreciated. His wife was a native of Marion, Indiana, and died March 19, I923. Sherwood S. attended the public schools of Lansing and when only a boy entered the office of E. Bement & Sons, continuing in their employ sixteen years. In April, 1907, Mr. Bennett became secretary and treasurer of the Capital Castings company, and the success of this enterprise is due in no small measure to his ability as an officer of the concern. Mr. Bennett has always been interested in community affairs, and for three years served as a member of the city police and fire. board. He is a member of the Buyers' club. Knights of Columbus and Traffic club. He is Great Chaplain in Michigan for The Maccabees of the World and has been on the executive committee of the Great Camp office. In June, I898, Mr. Bennett married Miss Elizabeth Kinsley, of Lansing, and they have had six children: John and Eleanor are deceased; Sherwood, Jr., is attending Detroit University; Howard, Helen and Harold are the younger children, and the two last named are twins. Mr. Bennett and his family are communicants of the Catholic church. They reside in a beautiful home at 722 North Pine street. Harry C. Benson, D. D. S., is a well and favorably known Lansing dentist whose offices are at 401 South Washington avenue. He comes of good, substantial Vermont stock, the kind that defied the elements, the Indians and the rigors of pioneering. He was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, July 31, 1875. His father, born in 1853, in Benson, Vermont, was William H. Benson. He breathed the atmosphere and the spirit of old Fort Ticonderoga, which, indeed, was the playfield of his childhood days. Mr. Benson was a contractor and builder and died in 192I. The mother of Doctor Benson was Mary E. (Capen) Benson, who was born in 1853. There were two other sons, C. J. Benson, who was born in I880 at Laingsburg, Michigan, 396 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and who now resides in Canada; and H. W. Benson, who was born in I885, and who is a salesman for the Remington Arms company, as well as a sportsman and gun expert. Doctor Benson was graduated in the high school at Laingsburg in I895, and spent two years in the office of Doctor Wheeler at Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island. In the fall of I897 he entered the University of Michigan and was graduated as a dentist in 900o. He maintained an office in Laingsburg from March, 900o, to August, I912, when he came to Lansing and established himself in the practice of his profession. On June 29, I904, Doctor Benson wedded Irene M. Graves, who died August 4, I909. On October 24, I917, he was united in marriage with Jennie M. Beardslee, of Laingsburg. Doctor Benson is a Democrat in political inclination and at one time served as register of deeds for Shiawassee county. He is an Odd Fellow and past grand master of that order, is an Elk and is a member of the Peanut Hunting club. He is very fond of bird and deer hunting and is quite expert. Doctor Benson is a Congregationalist while Mrs. Benson gives allegiance to the Presbyterian church. A. L. Bertram.-Everybody calls Mr. Bertram "the stucco man" and the appellation is merited, for he assuredly knows the meaning of stucco and uses this knowledge to advantage. This is A. L. Bertram, builder of homes. Mr. Bertram, by developing this specialty, has demonstrated the fact that concentration upon one special line of endeavor not only makes for proficiency, but for profit as well, and it is uniformly conceded that he is entitled to all the profits he enjoys, because he has given Lansing and vicinity a type of home that has added immeasurably to the beauty and attractiveness of the city. Mr. Bertram was born in Clinton county, Michigan, June 12. 1884, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Klocklner) Bertram, natives of this state. The father was born in I849, and was a farmer by vocation for many years, but is now living in retirement at Fowler, Michigan. A. L. Bertram obtained his education in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of seventeen years started to learn the trade of carpenter. His success is unquestioned and he has successfully followed that trade, but with a specialty. Mr. Bertram came to Lansing in 1907 and began the construction of high class residences. He met with success. Nine years later, in I916, he indulged this specialty, the stucco business, which he has brought to a high plane and which has brought him prestige and the consciousness that service and satisfaction have been the strongest elements in his creations. Mr. Bertram is esteemed by all who know him, because of his excellent personal qualities, his desire to aid where aid is needed, his capacity for work and his insistence upon a high standard of workmanship. In 1907 he was united in marriage with Miss Alta C. Fandle, of Clinton county. They have two children: Oliver C. and Helen T. Mr. Bertram, aside from his family and business obligations, finds time and enjoyment in the fellowship of the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a loyal member. INGHAM COUNTY 397 Ernest W. Binkley, D. D. S., was born in Holt, Michigan, September 7, 900o, his father being William E. Binkley, a tiller of the soil. The elder Binkley was born in Fremont, Ohio. His wife, the mother of Dr. Binkley, was Catherine (Lott) Binkley, who was born in Holt. Doctor Binkley was united in marriage to Gladys Exner of Manton, Michigan, December 27, 1923. Her father, Rev. William Exner, was born in Holt and her mother, who was Eva Brumm, was born in Nashville, Michigan. Doctor Binkley was graduated from the Lansing high school with the class of IQi8, and the same year entered the Michigan Agricultural College, enlisting in the officers' training school, and the following year matriculated at the University of Michigan, from which institution's dental department he was graduated in June, I923. He has practiced dentistry in Lansing since graduation, and has a practice that is continuously growing. Doctor Binkley is well equipped intellectually and professionally, and seizes every opportunity to keep abreast of the times, especially in connection with the latest developments in dental science and methods of technique. Levi C. Bird was one of the more substantial citizens of Washtenaw county and later of Clinton county, a farmer of great discernment and a man whose zeal for the welfare of the community in which he lived was manifested on many occasions. He was a gentleman throughout and had in the companionship of his wife a delightful helpmate of culture and refinement. Mr. Bird passed away in California, whither he had gone in search of health, on December 31, I918. Mr. Bird was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, September 23, I837. His father, Samuel D. Bird, born in New Jersey, came to Michigan in 1831 and cleared the land, establishing a home in Washtenaw county. He died in 1877 at the age of seventy-two years. His wife was Rachel Drake, also of New Jersey. Samuel D. Bird was a man of prominence, held the offices of justice of the peace and township supervisor, and was a Presbyterian of pronounced piety. Levi C. Bird was reared on the farm, attended school in a log schoolhouse, performed the varied duties common to the farm and in I859 made a trip by water to California, in which state he remained almost seven years, during which he was engaged in mining. He returned by water in I866, farmed the Washtenaw county farm four years, then moved to Clinton county and established a fine, comfortable farm and home on the. Grand river road which runs from Grand Rapids to Detroit. In I86) Mr. Bird was married to Miss Helen Chubb, in Livingston county. Miss Chubb was the daughter of Major S. and Axie (Bennett) Chubb. Her parents came from New York to Michigan in the early days and took up government land in Livingston county. Mr. Bird was a Democrat, but evinced little interest in politics, preferring the development of his farm interests. In 1892 he retired from active work and moved with his family to Lansing. In I9IO he removed to California for the benefit of his health and his condition improved. Upon his death, in I9i8, Mrs. Bird returned to Lansing to reside with her daughter, on West Washtenaw street. 398 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Mr. and Mrs. Bird had two daughters: Mae, the wife of J. T. Mack, is a successful business woman, conducting a grocery at Pine street and Michigan avenue. She conducted for twenty years a millinery business in Battle Creek and was similarly engaged in the west and northwest. The other daughter, Jessie E., is the wife of Ralph L. Ripley, wellknown printer of Lansing. They have one son, Warren L. Ripley, who is associated with his father in the printing business, and who married Lucina Dodd, they being the parents of a son and a daughter. A. G. Bishop.-Subscribing to the doctrine that "cleanliness is next to godliness" and that it is just as germane to clothing as to bodily conditions, A. G. Bishop has successfully capitalized the idea and directs a cleaning and dyeing establishment that is well known for the meritorious character of its service. Mr. Bishop operates at II4-I6 West Washtenaw street, in the city of Lansing, the fourth oldest cleaning and dyeing establishment in the state. It cannot be controverted that the rehabilitation of clothing and of other articles of personal adornment and of household use is an essential element of thrift, and that renovation, instead of discarding, tends to the conservation of wealth and to the checking of waste, which, unfortunately, has become a national offense and weakness. To combat this, Mr. Bishop is doing his best. Mr. Bishop was born in Allen, Hillsdale county, Michigan, February I6, I865. His father was Thomas E. Bishop, a native of LeRoy, New York, born in I838, and coming to Michigan in I856. He found farming to his liking and was so engaged. The mother was Mary A. Graham, of Allen, Michigan. A. G. Bishop attended the country schools and worked on his father's farm until I883, when he went to Kalamazoo to clerk in a general store. He was thus engaged until I889, when he applied himself to a twoyear course to master the cleaning and dyeing business. Then he came to Lansing and started in business for himself, establishing the fourth oldest establishment of its kind in the state. Deserting bachelorhood, Mr. Bishop, in I89I, married Sara A. Conger, of Rome, New York. Mr. Bishop evidences a peculiar pride in his work, having made a searching study of every phase of this important business. He is a member of the National Association of Cleaners and Dyers, but he holds fraternal interests outside his field of daily labors. He is a member of the City Park and Cemetery Board. In the Masonic fraternity he is affiliated with Lansing Lodge No. 33, Capital Chapter No. 9, Lansing Council No. 27, Dewitt Clinton Consistory, Grand Rapids, and Saladin Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids, the Order of the Eastern Star and the White Shrine of Jerusalem. He is a member of Lansing Lodge No. 196, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Allan R. Black, the assistant trust officer and counsel for the Capital National Bank of Lansing, comes of a distinguished sire, and has himself achieved distinction in the practice of law. He began his legal career in association with his father under the firm name of Black & Black. Mr. Black was born in Detroit, Michigan, December 27, I89I. His father, Cyrenius P. Black, was a native of New York INGHAM COUNTY 399 state, and for twenty-four years was engaged in general law practice in Lansing. He was United States district attorney, a public position which he maintained with dignity and honor to himself and the federal government. He served two terms in the state legislature and in 1915 was a member of the important commission on compilation of the state statutes, which body effected a general compilation of state laws. Cyrenius P. Black passed away in I916, leaving a splendid legacy of good works to serve as an inspiration to his son. He married Miss Eva Turner, a native of Lansing. Allen R. Black attended the public and high schools of Lansing and was graduated in 1913 from the University of Michigan, with the degree Bachelor of Laws. He immediately became associated with his father, and at the time of the latter's death, the son was appointed to complete his father's work with respect to the compilation of state statutes. During the World war, Mr. Black attended the central machine-gun officers' training school at Augusta, Georgia, receiving a commission as second lieutenant. During the period, 1920-22 he was assistant city attorney of Lansing, and in January, 1923, he was made assistant trust officer and counsel for the Capital National Bank. On November 28, I914, Mr. Black was united in marriage with Miss Irene Shumway, of Williamston, Mlichigan. There are two children, Allan R. Black, fr., and Frank Shumway Black. Mr. Black holds membership in the Bar Association, Lansing Country club, Lansing commandery of the Knights Templar and the Elks. His official position attests to the confidence reposed in him and in his ability. Lee Black.-Schooled in the "university of hard knocks," which more often imparts values that cannot be gained in class room, Lee Black has constructed a place in the profession of architecture, and a position in the public esteem that reflect in no small degree the spirit of sacrifice, of ceaseless toil and of unbending idealism. Born in Cedar Springs, Michigan, May i8, 1877, Mr. Black attended the village school at Cedar Springs, the high school and business college. And then came the real course in hard knocks and practical experience, invaluable to the lad of courage and dauntless spirit. The father, William McDonald Black, who was born in Scotland. in 1843, came to the United States when a young man and settled in Cedar Springs, where he is yet operating a dry-goods store of his own. His wife, the mother of Lee Black, was Margaret Dobson, and she was born in Canada. Lee Black worked for his father a few years, but his ambition transcended the routine of retail merchandising and he set out to be an architect. This profession Mr. Black has followed with success for seventeen years. In 1914 he established an office of his own in the Oakland building, later removing to the Capitol 'Savings & Loan building. Mr. Black at one time served as clerk of Cedar Springs and was a member of the school board. November 28, 9Ioo, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Chapman, of Cedar Springs. There are three children, Kenneth Chapman, Graeme McDonald and the "last edition," born recently and christened William Dobson Black. Mr. Black is an enthusiastic Kiwanian. He gives 400 HISTORIC MICHIGAN much thought to the promotion of public matters as well as to his own professional work. F. J. Blanding, executive head of the F. J. Blanding Company, distributors of Fords and Lincolns, was born in Redlands, California, February 8, I888. His father was Fred Blanding, a native of Minnesota, who for some years was identified with the government land office in that state. The mother, formerly Emma Sly, was born in Birmingham, Michigan. F. J. Blanding shortly after leaving high school pursued a two-year course in the University of Michigan, in the engineering department. He also played professional baseball for six years, first in Ellsworth, Kansas, then in San Antonio, Texas, and thereafter with the Cleveland American team. Next, Mr. Blanding took charge of a farm for.his aunt, the old home place, remaining on the farm one year. For another and subsequent year he worked in the Ford factory in Detroit. In 1917, Mr. Blanding came to Lansing as a Ford dealer, establishing the firm of Clarkson & Blanding. In the late fall of I917, Mr. Blanding purchased the interest of Mr. Clarkson and in the spring of I918 he incorporated the business under the title of the F. J. Blanding Company. Mr. Blanding, on November 27, 1914, was united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Shields, of Cleveland. Three children were born to the union, George F., Robert James and Katherine. Mr. Blanding is a thirty-second degree Mason, an Elk, member of the Lansing Country club, the Detroit Athletic club, the Lansing Automobile club and of the Auto Dealers' association. Clare W. Bliss, manager of the Lansing Lumber Company, has been a leading figure in the lumber business of Lansing for many years. He was born in that city March 13, I887, a son of Oscar V. and Margaret (Barnard) Bliss,' both natives of Ohio, from which state they immigrated to Michigan. Oscar \W. Bliss farmed, operated a grocery store, and played a prominent part in the activities of the church with which he was affiliated. Clare W. Bliss obtained his education in the common and high schools of his home community and then began his apprenticeship in the cabinetmakers' trade. After he had learned this vocation, he followed it for a time, but soon became associated with a hardware firm, with which he continued until I907. In that year he went into the lumber business, finding it such congenial work that he has since devoted his efforts to this field of business. He was first connected with the Griswald-Nichols Lumber Company and later with the Gill Lumber Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan. After some time spent in the employ of the latter concern, he came to Lansing to accept a position with the Hall Lumber Company, a firm with which he made such a brilliant record that when an outside firm established a branch known as the Lansing Lumber Company he was offered the position of manager. He still manages the affairs of the same concern, a duty which he has performed so well that the concern has gained a high place among lumber companies in this city. November 10, I907, Mr. Bliss married Viola B. Edwards, of Allegan, Michigan, and to this union have INGHAM COUNTY 401 been born two children, Jean and Gail. He is a York Rite and a Scottish Rite Mason and holds membership in the Shrine, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Eastern Star, and the Rotary Club, of which he is vice-president. He is also secretary of the Y. Mi. C. A., treasurer of the Social Service Bureau and chairman of the board of trustees of the Plymouth Congregational church. His political support is given to the Republican party. George J. Bohnet, treasurer of the Capital Auto Company, 300 South Capitol avenue, has the distinction of having built the first steam automobile in Lansing, a task that required consummate skill.and fine mechanical training. But Mr. Bohnet did not indulge this hobby very long, choosing another outlet for his ability and skill. Born in Jackson county, January 10, 1875, he attended the county and high schools and worked a short time in a drug store. Mr. Bohnet came to Lansing and hal dlifficulty in obtaining employment. He finally secured a job with E. Bement & Sons, manufacturers of farm implements, in the machine shop, where he remained two years. Then he embarked in the bicycle business, but left it in a short time and entered the music business. While diversely engaged during these years Mr. Bohnet saw a limitless field in automobiles and applied himself to the construction of a steam car, doing all the work himself. He completed his self-imposed task in a year and a half and on June 6, IQoI, drove the car for the first time at night on the streets of Lansing. It was the first steam car in Lansing. It was mechanically so successful that he was asked to build another car and he agreed, ten months being required to complete the task. Every part was made by hand and assembled by Mr. Bohnet. He soon reached the conclusion that the steam car was not practical for public purposes, so he entered into a partnership with MLr. Prudden to sell (ldssmobiles, which he continued until 1906, when he organized the Capital Auto company to handle the Reo cars. This continued until I917, when the Reo made the Lansing retail sales a factory branch, so the Capital Auto company took on the Dodge Birothers cars. Mr. Bohnet was united in marriage in 1904 to Miss Blanche L. Harris of Cement City, Michigan. He is widely known throughout the city a'nd environs, and is a member of the Elks, of the Country club, of the Auto Dealers' association and of the Lansing Outing club. The Capital Auto company is located at 300 South Capitol avenue. The growth of the company's business has been steady and profitable. Mr. Bohnet's father was Peter Bohnet, a native of Germany and a machinist by trade, who came to this country in 1870. The elder Bohnet is living, in retirement, in Lansing. The mother was also a native of Germany and before marriage was Christine Oesterle. She passed away in I923. John Bohnet, whose residence is at 732 West Ottawa, Lansing, was born in this city in I870. He is a son of Martin and Nannie (Artz) Bohnet, who were born in Germany and who came to America when quite young. Martin Bohnet, who was a blacksmith, died in I903. His widow still resides in Lansing. John Bohnet obtained a 326 402 HISTORIC MICHIGAN limited education in Lansing, leaving school at the age of twelve years, and at the age of thirteen years he went to work for Clark & Company, carriage builders of Lansing, his compensation at the beginning being five cents an hour. For fifteen years he was with this concern. I-is early job was to be at the factory very early and start the fire in twelve stoves, making the place warm when the other workers arrived for their day's duties. While with the Clark establishment Mr. Bohnet learned upholstering and carriage painting and trimming and became a skilled workman. He worked at thi3 trade after leaving the Clark shop, then opened a repair shop of his own. When the Olds Motor company opened, Mr. Bohnet obtained the contract for the upholstery work, and later he sold the department to the Olds Company. Similarly he did the upholstery service for the Reo Company and then sold the department to the company. Subsequently he organized the Bohnet Company, which did a general painting and upholstering business, selling, also, the IBohnet all-season demountable automobile tops. The business was located at Washtenaw and Grand streets, the same location where but a few years before Iljr. Bohnet had worked for five cents an hour. The Bohnet Colmpany was sold in I919, and the head of the concern has retired from the more active cares of business life. Because of his sound business judgment and constant hard work, the different enterprises in which Mr. Bohnet has been associated have resulted in gratifying financial success. He has taken an active and very useful and helpful part in the wonderful development that has marked Lansing life in the past generation. Mr. Bohnet has been married twice. His first wife was Nellie B. Stephens, who was killed in an automobile accident. The second wife was Mrs. Gail Schmidt, of Syracuse, New York. Mr. Bohnet, a Democrat, was elected city clerk two terms and for eight years was a member of the police and fire board. He was a member of the Governor's Guard and had a:lvanced to first lieutenant at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. Unable to pass the physical test, Mr. Bohnet was sent back to Lansing, did his "bit" as secretary of the social membership organization, and for his service was elected honorary member of the SpanishAmerican War Veterans. During the first term of Governor Ferris, Mr. Boh'net was appointed a member of the industrial school board, holding the place six years. He has served two terms as exalted ruler of Lansing Lodge of Eiks, in I907 and 1922, and at the present time he is a trustee. He has been a director of the Lansing Savings & Loan association from the time of its organization. He is a member of Lansing Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M., the Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine. Mr. Bohnet, keenly feeling the disadvantage of inability to attend school as long as he wished, has generously aided in the education of several young people. No resident of Lansing is held in higher esteem. Harry J. Bond.-The esteem and the confidence of the entire community constitute a large part of the valued possessions of Harry J. Bond, mayor of Mason, Michigan, and widely known banker of INGHAM COUNTY 403 that thriving community. Mr. Bond is not only well known for his aggressiveness, his perspicacity, but his many excellencies of heart and mind have endeared him to the entire community and accorded him a place of leadership in civic influence. Mr. Bond was born September 9, 1874, the son of Horatio J. and Julia A. (Ferguson) Bond. Horatio J. Bond was born May I, 1842, in Rome Center, Lenawee county, Michigan, and was a son of Epinetus Bond. After the Civil war he located at Holt, on a farm. Horatio J., with Messrs. Elmer and Baker, formed a partnership in the operation of the first store in Holt. Horatio was also county treasurer, and an active Republican. He returned to farm life, then came to Mason and die(l in that city. Mrs. Horatio Bond was the daughter of John Ferguson, who ran a hotel in Holt in the old days of the stage coach. Harry J. Bond, the only son, went to school at Holt and to high school in Lansing, being graduated in 1892. He assisted his father awhile in the county treasurer's office, then enlisted in the Spanish-American war with Company F of the Thirty-first Michigan regiment and in I902 began a connection with the First State Savings Bank of Mason as a clerk and assistant cashier. He thus served until 1913, when he resigned to be able to give attention to other interests. He is now a director and vice-president of the First State Savings Bank, at rason. O)n December Io, I902, Mr. Bond married Miss Iva E. Rayner, daughter of Charles J. and Augusta (Wells) Rayner. The Rayners are an old Ingham county family, highly respected and influential. The Wells family and connections are also estimable Ingham conty folks. Harry J. Bond is a Pythian and Elk, Mason and Shriner; also a Kiwanian. He is serving his second term as mayor of Mason, having been elected while he was in Florida. In addition to his banking connection, Mr. Bond is a director of the First Bond & Mortgage Company and a director of the Brick & Supply company. He is also a director of the Welfare Loan Association. W. F. Boos, prominent in real estate circles in Michigan's capital city, is securely established in this important line of business, maintaining offices at 403 Capital National Bank Bluildin-. His early life work. however, was along mechanical lines, and this he laid aside to concentrate in the vocation that offered the greatest appeal. In his special field he has attained commendable success. Mr. Boos is a Wolverine, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 5, I876. His father was John Boos, a native of Germany, who came to the United States at the age of four years, in 1849. John Boos was a gardener by occupation and during the last twelve years of his life was engaged at the Mt. Hope cemetery. His wife, Margaret (Otterlein) Boos, was born in Canada. The maternal name, Otterbein, is suggestive of descent from Philip Otterbein, whose theological writings gave rise to the founding of a great religious organization. W. F. Boos attended school in Grand Rapids and Lansing and his first work outside school was with the Clark Carriage Company in Lansing. He was with this concern five years. For a similar period 404 HISTORIC MICHIGAN he was with H. L. Wilson, and a year and a half was spent in the employ of the Reo Motor Car Company. Mr. Boos then bought a real estate business, but sought also to embark in the un-!ertaking business. He relinquished this latter in a short while to be in a position to give his entire time and attention to the real estate business, in which he has been successful. Incidentally, Mr. Boos is president of the Lansing Creamery Company. He is an active member of the local, state and national organizations of realtors. He is a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and is deputy grand knight of the local council of the Knights of Columbus, being necessarily very active in the latter. On January II, I899, Mr. Boos was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Koehler, a native of Germany. There are four children: Gladys M., the wife of Dr. F. Hoyt Taylor; Mabel, a student at St. Joseph's; Ruth, a student in the Lansing high school; and Roberta, attending grade school. Jeanette M. Bopp.-Starting at a time when it was most unusual for a woman to engage in business, Jeanette M. Bopp has achieved an outstanding degree of success in the conduct of a rooming house business in Lansing, has attracted the patronage of discriminating and refined people and has earned an enviable reputation in the business history of the city. Miss Bopp is a thoroughly trained business woman, discerning and reliable. In addition to her rooming house, she is president of the Brown Machine Company of Lansing. A consistent member of the First Baptist church, she is also a member of the Daughters of Rebekah and of the Security Benefit Association and is keenly alive to the civic needs of the community and the social welfare development of the city. Miss Bopp is a native of Brownsville, New York, and was born in 1877, a daughter of John Jacob and Dorothea (Decke) Bopp, both of whom were born in Germany, coming to A/merica when quite young. A brother, William J. Bopp, resi:!es in Los Angeles. Miss Bopp came to Michigan in I88I, settled at Delta Center, then came to Lansing and received her early education in Ingham county. For thirty-four years she operated a first-class rooming house on Capitol avenue, beginning the venture wheni there was considerable prejudice against woman's entrance into the world of business. But Miss Bopp possessed the qualifications, the courage and the integrity essential to success and her choice was wise. In a clever and pleasing way she made her place attractive and homelike, appealing to the people of Lansing and to sojourners for a short time within the city. Miss Bopp is now the proprietor of a rooming house conducted upon the same high plane on which she started, her establishment is widely known and its proprietor commands the respect of the community. Clarence E. Boughner.-In the conducting of his business as a retail dealer in meats and groceries, Mr. Boughner has had an admirable training of practical order. There is to his credit a fund of experience to which must be added a spirit of complaisance and cordiality. His establishment at 524 South Logan street, is one of the best known in Lansing. Mr. Bough'ner is a native of Lansing and was born June I -a" i; t a iis~ IJfi lr..~:i~ ~~-~~ " d IIP84)yrli*X INGHAM COUNTY 405 30, 1885. His father, Elias L. Boughner, who was born May 4, i86I, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, worked as a coach driver for 0. M. Barnes for eleven years, and thereafter became otherwise engaged. His wife, whose maiden name was Alice Waite, was born July 29, i86i, at Eagle, Michigan. Bessie May Boughner, sister of the subject of this sketch, married Albert L. Horn. Clarence E. Boughner was married in 1907 to Clara Bailey, whose date of birth was June 26, 1884. There are three children to help brighten the Boughner home: Dorothy, born August 15, 1908; E. L., born January 3, 1915, and Betty May, born March 6, I916. Clarence Boughner attend.ed the public schools and went as far as the junior year in high school. For awhile he worked for the 'national Grocery Company, and thereafter for Orla Bailey until 1903. He then became associated with his father in the grocery business, and this alliance continued for a period of six years, or until the business was sold out in I909. Mr. Boughner learned the trimmer's trade and worked for a number of large automobile manufactories, including the Olds and Reo in Lansing; Chevrolet in Flint, and in Grand Rapids. On February 26, I923, he purchased Mr. Nye's grocery at 524 South Logan street, stock, fixtures and all, and here he is located pleasantly. Mr. B-oughner is a member of the Elks. Willard I. Bowerman.-Among the younger men who have contributed much toward the upbuilding of Lansing, none is more widely or favorably known than the subject of this brief review, Willard I. Bowerman, who is engaged in the real estate business and maintains offices at 40I American State Savings Batik building, Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Bowerman is a native son of Michigan, having been born in the village of Williamston, on March 30, I890, the son of Michael H. and Sophronia (Revenaugh) Bowerman, the former of whom was born at Fairport, New York, in 1836. When he was a young man of twenty, Michael H. Bowerman came to Michigan to settle at Williamston. There he engaged in the saw mill business and also operated a nursery, a store, and a bank. He was an intensely energetic man, as may be seen from the varied activities to which he^gave his attention. He died in 1900, aged sixty-eight years, and his widow died in 1923, at the age of seventy-one. They were the parents of two chillren, Willard I. and Tithie, the wife of S. F. Edwards. Willard I. Bowerman obtained his elementary education in the country school of his home community, and his preparatory education was received in the high schools of Lansing and Ann Arbor. He then matriculated at the University of Michigan, in the law school, from which he was graduated in 1913, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The following year, he entered the fire insurance business, in which he continued until 1916, with considerable success. In that year he took up real estate and has continued in that work ever since. He has become very successful in that field and is recognized as o'ne of the most able and astute real estate dealers in the city of Lansing. He does not, however, confine his entire attention to real estate, for as president of the Bower 406 HISTORIC MICHIGAN man Finance Corporation he has formulate-, a policy for the enterprise that has made it one of the secure financial ventures in the city. November 24, I913, he married Clara Speers, and they have three children, Willard I. Jr., Virginia Louise, and Stuart M. In Masonry, Mr. Bowerman is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Consistory and Commandery and also a member of the Moslem Temple, Mystic Shrine, in Detroit. In 1923 he served as the president of the Lansing Real Estate Board. He affiliates with the First Baptist church. Mr. Bowerman erects from fifty to seventy-five houses annually. All these are sold to the factory workers of Lansing on small down payments. He has thus provided homes for hundreds of people who would otherwise be deprived of that privilege and comfort. Charles G. Brenner.-One of the largest establishments in the city of Lansing devoted to plumbing and heating is that with which Charles G. Brenner is identified, as a member of the firm of Brenner & Remer, 1115 North Washington avenue. The concern is an evolution, an,:l has attained its high standing by reason of the practical experience of the men constituting it, and their devotion to the finest service ideals. Mr. Brenner, who was born May 27, I886, in Highland, Kansas, attended the grade and high schools of that city and for three years applied himself to the plumbing trade under Mr. Holbrook, for whom he worked in St. Louis. After that, Mr. Brenner worked throughout the south and west, directing plumbing, heating and ventilating construction. In I9II he came to Lansing and, with Evert Thompson, established a plumbing shop in the basement of the Dunham hardware store. Later Mr. Heeb bought the interest of Mr. Thompson and the firm operated as Brenner & Heeb and on December II, I019, it was incorporated and the present location taken. In 1923, Mr. Heeb disposed of his interest to Mr. Remer. For the conduct of a general contract business, the concern maintains a warehouse 44 by o04 feet andl the show room, which indeed is a show place of Lansing, is 80 by 22 feet, the largest devoted to the purpose in the capital city. Charles G. Brenner is alive to the civic as well as commercial needs of the community and in all asserts a wholesome interest. He is a member of the Master Plumlbers' association, the Elks and Odd Fellows and an honorary member of the Metropolitan club. Leland C. Briggs.-Serving his country in the Spanish-American War for a period of eighteen strenuous months, and later, during the World War, relinquishing all else to give his time without pay to the government, in the United States Department of Justice Secret Service, Leland C. Briggs is acceptedly a citizen of whom all Lansing can be justifiably proud. But there is also a type of patriotism that is not resplendent with the glamour of epaulets and bayonets or helmets. It is the patriotism of peace, so admirably reflected by quiet, conservative business men who are creating new values all the time and enriching the community not only with what they make, but with the very thoughts they think. It is both as a patriot of war and of peace that Mr. lriggs has manifested himself, and his modesty and his unwillingness to INGHAM COUNTY 407. receive encomium adld but another credit mark to his splendid life record. In the city of Lansing, Leland C. Briggs is the treasurer andtl general manager of The Briggs Company, 400 East Michigan avenue, manufacturers of face and common brick. The company was organized in I904 by Mr. iriggs. It does also a general business in builders' supplies, a line of basic importa'nce. Leland C. Briggs is a native son of Lansing, born July 22, 1878. His father, Leland H. I ri(Ts, was born in Almont, Michigan, in 1848, and twenty years later came to Lansing as deputy state land commissioner, he having spent eighteen years in the capital. Thereafter he formed a plartnershil) in lle grocery business, the firm operating as Johnson & Iriggs. In 19o1, Mr. lBriggs relinquished the cares of earth and passed to that land "from whose bourne no traveler returns." His wife was Helen J. Johlnson, of Lansing, daughter of I). 1B. Johnson. Leland C. Briggs, with a great degree of pride, turns to the fact that he is a direct descendant of the first settlers in Lansing, the Johnson family. He has pointed to this rather than to his own contribution to the community and the nation. Mr. Briggs received his education in the La'nsing schools and after being graduated in the high school, he enlisted in the army for service in the Spanish-American war. He was in the service eighteen months, with a creditable record. Upon his return he obtained a job as timekeeper for the Lalnsing Wheelbarrow Conmpany and later worked as receiving clerk for the E. Bement & Sons. In 9304, fired by the ambition to advance and ultimately to found a business in which he could apply an administrative hand, Mr. IBriggs launched The Briggs Company. His success and that of the comnalany have bee'n marked and definite, and the concern occupies a secure )lace in the industrial life of the city. He was married in lo19 an';l hacs three children, Helen, Griffin and Betty. Notwithstanding the call of business and the other responsibilities that fell upon him, Mr. Briggs gave up all sucli interests as a sacrifice for his country when the natiol became involved in the World war. He entered the secret service upon the nominal pay basis of one dollar a year, devoting all his time to the government. This sacrifice is not without its compensation in the evidences of appreciation that family, friends, city, county, state and nation have tenderel. It is a service that, if need be, would be cheerfully repeated. It was a manifestation of the unselfish spirit of American men, business men and wage earners alike, that built up and sustained the national morale. It is the same loyalty and unselfishness that have happily combined in Mlr. Briggs to promote the business over which he personally presides, and the general business, social and civic interests of the entire community. Although a very busy manl, -Mr. Briggs is much devoted to the Masonic fraternity. I-e is a past master of Lansing Lodge, No. 33 F. & A. M., a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and of the Detroit Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Chamber of Commerce, Lansing Country club and cr the widely known Detroit Athletic club. As a part of his war-time ef 408 HISTORIC MICHIGAN forts, Mr. Briggs was responsible for the enlistment of 328 men from Michigan for training at Camp Sheridan. He gave six months of service as deputy United States marshal, under Marshal Behrendt. W. D. Brinkerhoff, representative undertaker, president of the William H. Joy establishment, 406 South Washington avenue, is one of the best known residents of Lansing. Besides his business connections with the Joy concern, Mr. Brinkerhoff is county coroner, a position he holds with credit to himself a'nd the county. Mr. Brinkerhoff was born December 24, 1871, near De Witt, Michigan, the son of Odell B. and Ella (Dills) Brinkerhoff. The mother hailed from Ohio. Her father became, however, one of the early settlers of Lansing. Odell Brinkerhoff was born in 1849 in Michigan, conducted a general store at De Witt but his health failed during the latter years of his life and he went on a farm. When a young man, Mr. Brinkerhoff drove a stage coach between De Witt and Lansing. He officiated as clerk of De Witt township and was widely known. The son, W. D. Brinkerhoff, attended the district and high schools at De Witt and up to I906 conducted a farm. In that year he came to Lansing and entered the undertaking business, acquiring the success that vigilance and hard work invariably bestow. On February 6, I896, Mr. Brinkerhoff took as his bride, Miss Nellie Taylor, who came from the rural section just north of De Witt. They have one daughter, Doris. Mr. Brinkerhoff is a Mason, ranging from the Blue Lodge to the Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan club and the Isaac Walton association. Clark L. Brody has made a splendid record in connection with agricultural affairs of broad scope, an:l his activities have touched many and varied lines of farm work in the state in which he is a member of the State Board of Agriculture and secretary and manager of the Michigan State Farm Bureau. He was born at Three Rivers, St. Joseph county, Michigan, February I, I879. His grandfather, Louis K. Brody, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and came to Michigan in 1827 and here pre-empted land which he cleared and farme:l for the remainder of his active life. The parents of Clark L. Brody were, James P. and Emma L. (Seeley) Brody, who were born in Michigan, in I845, and 1854 respectively. James P. Brody lied in I9T5, and his wife died in 1904. He was a farmer by vocation a'nd was active in civic a'nd political affairs. He and his wife were the parents of three sons of whom Clark L. was the eldest, the others being Clarence A. and James S. Clark L. Brody obtained a graded and high school education after which he took a course of study in a business college. In 900oo he entered the Michigan Agricultural College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science as a member of the class of 1904. Thereafter until 1915 he farmed, and during this time he devoted much attention to this vocation and dairyi'ng. The success which he attained in this sort of work led to his appointment as agricultural agent of St. Clair cou'nty, a position which he held until I921, when he was called to Lansing as secretary and manager of the Michigan 4 Ss"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" csL INGHAM COUNTY 409 State Farm Bureau. In this capacity, he has contributed much to the agricultural development of the state during the past few years, and as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, he has been of great service to the farmers of the state. November 15, 90o6, he married Margaret E. York, of St. Joseph county, Michigan, and to them have been born six children: Viola A., Marjorie L., Beatrice L., Carol M., Clark L., Jr., and James Kenneth. During his ceurse at the Michigan Agricultural College Mr. Brody was elected a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity. He is a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal church and of the Lansing Kiwanis club, and is recognized as a man of high ideals. William Brogan, founder and owner of the Dancer-Brogan Company, Lansing's leading mercantile establishment, is a native of Michigan and Ingham county, having been born at White Oak, this county on January 17, I86I. His parents, Christopher and Bridget (O'Neal) Brogan, were natives of Ireland, ant1 inmmigrated to the United States about I847. Their marriage occurred in the state of New York, where they continued to reside for the first ten years of their married life. In I858, in order to better his condition, Christopher Brogan determined to come west, and with his wife and young son entrained for Detroit, which was then the end of the railroad. From Detroit they took stage to the village of Dexter, where the wife remained, while Mlr. Brogan, with all his earthly possessions, which consisted of eighteen dollars in money and an axe, started on foot for the village of White Oak; there he entered eighty acres of timbered land, o'n which he at once began the erection of a log cabin and to clear the land for cultivation. This continued to be the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brogan throughout the remainder of their lives. The father prospered at his farming operations and added to his landed estate from time to time until at his death, which occurred in August, I909, he owned 275 acres of well improved farm land. The wife and mother passed away in I912, aged seventyeight years. They proved themselves to be worthy citizens of their adopted state and endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Seven children were born to them, four of whom are still living. William Brogan grew to manhood among the pioneer surroundings of his early home. He inherited the rugged characteristics of a worthy sire who chopped the trees and cleared a path for civilization through the primitive forest, and his rise in the commercial and social life of his native state has been due to his untiring efforts, sterling ho'nesty, backed by a firm and lasting determination to succeed in whatever undertaking he had at hand. After attending the country schools, he studied at Valparaiso (Indiana) Normal School for a period of one year; the following four years he spent as a traveling salesman, but in 1893 he accepted a clerkship with W. J. Dancer, of Stockbridge, Michigan, who conducted a large general merchandising business in that place. Mr. Brogan remained in Stockbridge until 1903, when he came to Lansing as secretary-treasurer and general manager of the 410 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Dancer-Brogan Company and has been the dominating spirit of this great establishment since its founding. In January, I92I, he purchased the interest of his partners in the business and is now its sole owner. Besides attending to the manifold detail work connected with this large establishment he has found time to contribute his full share toward the upbuilding of the city's best interests. He was one of the first members of the Iansing Country club and is also serving as president of the Prudden Building Company, which in 192I erected the beautiful Prudden Block on the corner of Michigan and Washington avenues. He is also a director of the American State Savings Bank, director of the Lansing Capitol News Company and fills a like position with the Lansing Electrical league. — is extensive interests are reflected also in the fact that he is a stockholder of the Brick & Supplies Corporation; Lansing Stamping & Tool Company; Reo Motor Car Company an:l. the Gray Motor Car Company. Fraternally he is identified with the Elks and Knights of Columbus. In i888, Mr. Brogan was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Berry, of Jackson county, this state, a'nd she departed this life January I, 1922. To them were born two children: William Edward married Esther Rosensweig and they have four children: Agnes A. is the wife of Raymond R. Brogan. anal. they have three children. In religious matters the family holds membership in the Roman Catholic church. Elvin D. Brown.-Mr. Brown is the directing spirit of a real estate and insurance business with headquarters at 210 Tussi'ng building, an enterprise in which his father was associated. This was the building and selling of homes on the installment plan, a method which gave considerable stimulus to home ownership in Lansing. Mr. Brown is a native of Ingham county. He was born April 28, 1884. Htis father. Hiram WV. Brown, was born in Albany, New York. in 1862 and died in 1920. In early years the senior Mr. Brown sold produce but the last eighteen years of his life saw his activity and thought given 'o real estate and insurance. The mother was Cora Brown, nee Wood. She was born in I862 in Ingham county and passed awav in 1895. There were two children born to Mr. and Mrs. HIiranm W. Brown, Elvin D. and Lena C. The latter died in 1912. Elvin D. Brown attended the country schools and the high school at Mason. tie went to Lansing Business College and was graJluated therefrom in 1(04. Mr. Brown worked in a cracker factory and was in charge of three departments, and in i906 entered the field of real estate and insurance, the business being incorporated as the Brown Insur.ance company. It specialized in the buying and selling of farm lands and city property. The father organized and was president of the real estate board. Elvin D. Brown, in addition to his con'nections with the realty business was the secretary and manager of the Brown Machine and Engine company, which was organized and incorporated in 91II. This concern, however, was sold to Mr. Hathaway, president of the Capitol Machine company in the fall of 1922. Mr. Brown lives on a farm about thirteen INGHAM COUNTY 411 miles out from the city but drives back and forth to and from the office. In the profession of real estate he sta'nds high, enjoys the confidence of the public and has developed a large clientele. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and attends the Congregational church. Mr. Brown was married in I908 to Ottie M. Koonsman. who was born in Albion, Michigan, in I884. Mr. and Mrs. BIrown have four children: Robert M., born in 1913; Daniel, born i'n 19I5; Jeannette, born in I917, and Frank, born in I922. J. Earle Brown.-J. Earle Brown, attorney and active in politics, who bears the distinction of having been the first Democratic city attorney of St. Johns, Michigan, was born in Clinton county, Michigan, January 27, I872. He was graduated from the University of M\ichigan in I896 and for two years there pursued a special course in law, opening an office in Bay City. In 1897, indulging a strong desire, lIr. Brown went to Alaska, where he spent two years. Returning to Lansing, he spent a short time as a newspaper rel)orter. In St. Johns ill I899, Mr. Brown opened a law office and later opened an office in Lansing, still retaining the one in St. Johns. Ilowever, in 1)I6, he closed his St. Johns office and transferred his residence to this city. In the same year Mr. lrown was unite(l in matrimony to Miss Maud Stuart, of London, England. In politics Mr. Brown is a strong Democrat and was a delegate to the national convention in 1912. He obtained the distinction of serving as the first Democratic city attorney inl St. Johns. M\Jr. Brow'n has, since leaving school, followed closely as a st(dent, the operations of his party and his counsel and judglment are frequently sought. Mr. Ilrown was president of the lBusiness Mlen's association at St. Johns. iFraternally he is well and amply connected, being a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilo'n fraternity, the Elks, Knights of Pythias, Masons, (Odd Fellows and Modern Wooldmen of America. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, council of Royal and Select Masters, Comma'ndery of Knight Templar and of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The father of Mr. B1rown was Ezekiel F. Brown, who was born in Monroe county, New York, April 10, 1842. The mother was Louisa S. Tallam, of Pennsylvania. The elder Brown was a farmer and school teacher, associated with the Brown-Scranton school. He was known as one of the best equipped and proficient teachers of the times. J. Earle Blrown's law offices are located at 6o8 American State Savings Bank building. Vernon J. Brown.-Although a long tenure in public office was marked by faithful service and although he was occupied for five years in retail mercha'ndising, yet V. J. Brown finds newspaper ownership and management the field of his chief desire. He is the proprietor of the Ingham County News, of Mason, Michigan, one of the oldest newspapers of the state. Mr. BIrown was born in Ingham county on March 20, 1874. His father was John M. Brown, who was a native of Seneca county, New York, where he was born on May 2, 1825, and where he attended the schools of the period. When eighteen years of age John M. Brown came west to drive a stage coach between Milan, Michigan, 412 HISTORIC MICHIGAN and Toledo, Ohio. In 1853 he came to Branch County, Michigan, and became a farmer. Leaving that county at the close of the Civil war, he came to Ingham county, where he resided until his death. Before leaving Ohio Mr. Brown married Miss Blooma Bemis. There were five children, Charles W., Mary L., Frank A., George L. and Nettie E. The wife and mother passed away the very year they came to Ingham county. In October, 1867, Mr. Brown married Nancy Jane Kent, daughter of Moses and Minerva (Jacobs) Kent, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Brown was born May 29, I84I. Two children were the issue of this union, Vernon J. and Jessie M., the latter of whom was born June 26, I880. Vernon J. Brown attended high school at Mason and farmed for himself for a period of ten years. Then he came to Lansing and entered the auditor general's office. He remained in this service four years. For five years Mr. Brown capably administered the office of secretary to the superintendent of the Industrial School for Boys. Retail business then called him, a'nd for five years he was engaged in the retail selling of groceries. For a period of four years he was the clerk of Ingham county, giving a creditable public service. On March 6, I923, Mr. Brown purchased the Ingham County News, one of the first papers in the state and a factor in the molding of community thought. O'n December 31, I895, Mr. Brown married Maude R. De Camp, also of Ingham county. There are five children, namely: Hugh J., born November 25, I896; Nelson D., born November 4, 1897; Ruth E., born April 25, I899; Russell M., born August 13, 1903, and Dorothy H., born September 27, I9I3. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He was the first president of the Kiwanis club of Mason. William C. Brown.-Serving also a long and honorable career as a public official in support of the legal rights and interests of the commonwealth, William C. Brown, attorney-at-law, 502 Capital National Bank Building, Lansing, is unquestionably one of the most helpful and useful citizens of the community. He has been assistant, then prosecuting attorney a'nd in I923 and 1924, was assistant city attorney, an official position fraught with responsibility, for the city attorney's office must pass upon all questions affecting the interests of the municipality. The office, as a matter of fact, stands as a watchdog not only of the public treasury, but of all other public interests as well. Mr. Brown was born November 3, 1877, i'n Indiana county, Pennsylvania, the son of David C. and Jemima (Fulton) Brown, both natives of Pennsylvania, where the father was born in July, 1851. He was a farmer and a school director and quite active in commu'nity affairs. William C. Brown attended the country schools anid seized every available opportunity to further his intellectual equipment. He attended the Pennsylvania State Normal, from which he was graduated in I899. He later matriculated at the University of Michigan and in the law department thereof was graduated in 1904, with the degree of L. L. B. He at once began the practice of law at Lansing. He served as assistant prosecuting attorney from I911 to 1913 and on January I, INGHAM COUNTY 413 1914, became the prosecuting attorney, so serving until December 31, 1918. Between I9I9 and 1921 he was a deputy member of the Ilndustrial Accident Board and was deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry from 1921 to I922. In 1923 he became assistant city attorney and served in that capacity one year. During the World war, Mr. Brown was a member of the Home guard. On August 14, 1907, he was united in marriage with Miss Maude E. Justice, of La'nsing, and there was born one daughter, Helen Louise. Mr. Brown is a Mason, Elk, Eagle and Odd Fellow, is a member of the Six O'Clock Club and is on the executive committee of that well-known organization. He also is attached to the county and state bar associations. His various affiliations evidence the fact that concern with the sterner phases of life as revealed in the law, have in no wise hardened his nature and he is happy in the indulgence of the fraternal spirit. R. Guy Brownson.-It is frequently asserted-and experience seems to bear the truth of the statement-that newspaper men, or men who have had newspaper training, invariably make good in whatever field they choose after leaving newspaper work. Active contact with newspapers seems to develop self-reliance and a versatility that serves as excellent capital in any vocation or avocation. And so the journalistic experience of R. Guy Brownson has undoubtedly been of value to him i'n carving out the success that his long service in the field of insurance has yielded. For twenty-two years Mr. Brownson has been associated with the Cana:!a Life Insurance Company. His office is at 212 American State Savings Bank building at Lansing. Mr. Brownson, one of Lansing's busiest and most worthy citizens, was born in this city July 18, 1874. His parents were Chauncey E. and Anna M. (Robson) Brow'nson. The mother was born in Plymouth, Mich., and the father was a native of New York state. Chauncey Brownson was a carpenter. contractor and in the early days specialized in the building of stairs, a most difficult and skillful specialty. He was an adept woodworker. His handicraft is shown in the wooden handrail curves in the Capitol. His artistry brought him far more than a local reputation. Incidentally, he was one of the early firemen of the city of Lansing, a sturdly citizen and highly respected. R. Guy Brownson attended the grammar and high schools, leaving the latter upon graduation, in I895. During his high school days he was advertising manager of the high school paper. Upon leaving school he worked on the Republican state newspaper as circulation manager and for six years as the advertising manager, giving him various contacts and a knowledge of business practice that proved exceedingly valuable. Then he turned to life insurance, and for twenty-two years he has represented the Canada Life Insurance Company, with a splendid record. Love of country compelled Mr. Brownson to doff hat and coat during the World war, and he aided in preparatory work. Through his personal efforts 50r men were recruited for service in the naval forces of Uncle Sam. It would be superfluous to say that Mr. Brownson is an extremely busy man, yet a large portion of his great activity is given to agencies and services 414 HISTORIC MICHIGAN beyond the confines of his insurance office. First, he is a devoted Mason and belongs to all the Masonic bodies and is active in them, aiding in the construction of "That home, not made by human hands, eternal in the heavens." In 9go5-o6, Mr. Brownson was eminent commander of the Knights Templar of Lansing and in I920 was elected grand commander of the state, serving one year. He is a noble of the temple of the IMystic Shrine in the city of Detroit, an honorary member of the two commanderies of Knights Templar in that city, and also an honorary member of the Commandery and the Shrine temple in the city of Grand Rapids. His constructive zeal was shown also by his aiding in the formation of the Lansing Rotary club, of which he is a charter member, and no better illustration or example of the Rotary axion, "He profits most who serves best," is to be found than in the life of Mr. Blrownson. He is a member also of the National Association of Credit Men, president of the Lansing Life Underwriters' association, and vice-president of the Dudley Paper Company. He was a director of Lansing's Chamber of Commerce in 1912-13, and in 1923 he served as president of Lansing Life Underwriters' association. Mr. Brownson was chairman of the executive committee of the memorable homecoming celebration in 1913. On July 12, 899, Mr. IBrownson was united in marriage to Henrietta R. Nesen, of Lansing. There are two children, Charlotte M. and Iarold Nesen. R. S. Budd.-With the slogan that has become well known, "Everything in Music," R. S. Budd has climaxed a career of ceaseless work and faithful service and succeeded in establishing a business which is known throughout Michigan. In this upward and onward struggle. Mr. Budd has carved a splendid reputation. In association with him is his father, who has charge of an important department, a happy combination that is encountered too little. Mr. Budd, the directing genius of Budd's Music House, 216 South Washington avenue, Lansing, was born in Flushing, MVichigan, August 25, I876. He is a son of John E. and Mary (Moss) Budd, both natives of the Wolverine state. John E. Budd was born in 1852 an:1, the greater part of his life was spent in agriculture. At the age of thirty he purchased a threshing outfit and did most of the threshing for the farmers round about Flushing, and now, in his later years, he is associated with his son, being in charge of the sewing machine department of the splendid Budd store. R. S. Budd attended school up to the tenth grade and then aided his father on the farm, so that he early became accustomed to hard and tedious work. Some time later, he established a farm of his own, and the operation of this he continued until about 1898, when he began work for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, at Vernon, Mich. He remained with that concern three years and in 1901 came to Lansing to be manager of the branch of the Singer Company. On November i, i909, he established a business of his own, in the selling of the White sewing machine, and out of that unpretentious commercial venture grew the present business. The Budd establishment represents many years of patience and sacrifice and toil, but success crowned the efforts. INGHAM COUNTY 415 of Mr. Budd and the store is one of the best and most complete in the state of Michigan. In I895, R. S. Budd and Lillie I. Jones, of Flushing, Michigan, trod the steps of the hymeneal altar. Iour children were born of the union, Sidney, Earl, Gertrude and Roy. The sons are all associated with their father and grandfather in the store and have done a great deal towards making it what it is. Mr. ludd, subject of this sketch, is deservedly popular in the community and sustains a wholesome and helpful interest in all community affairs. He is a Knight of Pythias, an Elk and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Oscar E. Bulkeley, superintendent of the Board of Water and Electric Light Commlissioners of the city of Lansing, was born at Oneida, Illinois, April 2, 1885, the son of John A. and Emma -I. (Copley) Iulkeley, the former of whom was a native of Canton, Illinois, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was an artist and a photographer until the failure of his health necessitated his removal to Colorado, where he engaged in ranching. Oscar Bulkeley attended the graded schools and the Riverside, California, high school, graduating from the latter institution in 1902. He then entered Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois, from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Science as a member of the class of I905. For a time thereafter he was in the employ of the Grand Junction Electric Light Company, and i'n I906, he became associated with the Amalgamated Copper Company, being located at B-utte, Montana, for four years. He remained with this concern until February, I9o0, when he entered the Universitv of Illinois to further equip himself for engineering work, for by that time he believed that he wished to be a civil engineer. He graduated in 1912 in the course of civil engineering and then went to Rockford, Illinois, as engineer of the water department. Shortly afterward he was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent, remaining in that work until January, I916. His success with the water department of Rockford brought about his selection as superintendent of the water department of Jackson, Michigan, where he continued until April, 1918. At that time he was sought by the DuPont Engineering Company for its construction department in the building of the mammoth government powder plant, near Nashville, Tennessee. Soon afterward he was placed in charge of its water works plant where he remained until after the armistice. From February, I919, until January, 1920, he was an engineer with the Ross P. Beckstrom Engineering Company, of Rockford, Illinois, leaving there to come to Lansing as engineer for the Water Board. On May I of that year he was made acting superintendent and on November I, he became superintendent, a position which he still retains. On December 21, 1912, he married Edna S. Best, and they have two children, Mary Louise, born March 20, I916, and William Warren, born (ctober 4, 1922. Mr. IBulkeley is a Mason and a Rotarian and is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta, college fraternity, and Tau Beta Phi, honorary engineering fraternity. He holds membership also in the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Works association, and the Lansing Engineering club, he be 416 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ing president of the last named organization. He affiliates with the Plymouth Congregational church and takes an active interest in all of its affairs. He votes independently, preferring to exercise his franchise in the way he sees fit, without regard for party allegiance. William J. Burgess, vice-president and manager of the Rikerd Lumber Company, at Lansing, is one who has succeeded through hard work and the will to better his business life. He was born in Longwood, Ontario, February Io, I884, the son of James A. and Sarah M. Burgess, both of whoni were born in that same city. of English descent. James A. Burgess was for many years connected with the Imperial Oil Company in Canada, and after leaving the employ of this company, he again took up farming, an occupation which he had followed previously to his acceptance of the position with the oil company. In 1914 he retired from active business and removed to Lansing, where he now resides. William J. Burgess obtained his education in the graded and high schools of his native city, and although it was the wish of his parents that he train himself for educational work, he went to work on the farm with his father, continuing in that way three years. By that time he had decided to secure a business education, and accordingly he entered the business college at Chatham, Ontario, where he pursued a general business course. In 1904, he came to Lansing to enter the employ of the Rikerd Lumber Company as a stenographer. With this firm he found work that was highly congenial, and he applied himself to it with his characteristic energy and ability with the result that he was steadily promoted, until at the present time he is vicepresident and manager of the company. His conscientiousness and his integrity in his business dealings make the concern one of the be-t thought of in its field in the city, and the growth of the company has been materially aided by his efforts, for he has worked with H. W. Rikerd in the utmost harmony throughout all their business relations. On September 30, 19I5, Mr. Burgess was united in marriage with Lillian B. Anderton, of Barrie, Ontario, and they have one son, William Anderton Burgess, who was born July 19, 9I17. Mr. Burgess is a Mason, a director of the local Hoo Hoo club, and a member of the Lumbermen's association. John L. Bush.-The versatility of successful business men is evidenced in their ability to grasp a situation, largely because of their willingness to tackle different jobs, extend their horizon and add to their service capital. This has been particularly true of John L. Bush, one of Lansing's best known and substantial business me'n and exponents of civic progress. Mr. Bush, after a rather varied experience, directs a large and important business in real estate, loans and insurance, all of which are not unrelated. Mr. Bush was born May 19, 1871, near Hadley, Michigan, a son of John J. Bush, a native of Germany, who came to the United States as a child. The parents of John J. Bush settled in New York City and the father entered the meat business. When John J. Bush was a young man the family came to Michigan, about 1858. The elder Bush went to work as a farm hand and in I870 INGHAM COUNTY 417 the son bought a farm which he operated until his health declined, and then he moved to Hadley, living in retirement until his death, which occurred in March, 9Ioo. John J. Bush married Mary Anna Ruff. also a native of Germany, and she passed from mortal life in I888. John L. Bush attended country school until he was thirteen years of age, and this supplied virtually all the class-room education he had, but the sterner realties of life supplied much more than can possibly be obtai'ned in the class room. He worked on a farm until twenty-two years of age, at which time he was united in marriage to Miss Ella May Shotwell, a native of Michigan, whose parents were natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage Mr. Bush moved into the village of Hadley, where he engaged in several different kinds of work, his experience proving valuable. Then he entered a general store and undertaking business in which he remained for a few years. Next, M\r. Bush moved to Owosso, where he worked for a hay dealer for some timne, then took to a grocery connection and as head clerk, after a connection of six years, resigned his job. During the six years' association with the grocery, Mr. Bush had been dealing in real estate, and seeing the possibilities in such field, came to Lansing, forming a connection with Grinell Brothers, as credit manager. He continued real estate operations and in December, I9IO, the J. L. Bush Company was established for the handling of a general line of real estate, loa'ns and insurance. He started the Lansing Business Men's Credit Guide, which sulpplies the credit rating of every person in Lansing. The book was printed in his office three or four years, when he disposed of his interest in it and at the same time discontinued the collection departmnent. Mr. Bush now represents eight fire insurance companies and eight casualty companies and handles automobile and plate glass insurance and personal bonds. He was appointed local representative of the Home Guarantee Association, which helps everybody who wishes to build or own his home by loaning money, in a way that the contractors, middle men and others do not obtain excessive profits. The plan has proved to be helpful and has been the instrumentality by which many wage earners and others have obtained their ow'n homes and made themselves independent of landlordism. While Mr. Bush was living in Hadley, he enriched his experience by serving as marshal of the village, so his contacts with his fellowmen have been numerous. He is a self-made man in all that the term implies, self-reliant and aggressive. Mr. Bush is a member of the Elks lodge. Claude E. Cady, proprietor of the Capitol and Gladmer theatres in the city of Lansing, is one who realized the opportunities of the motion I)icture industry and possessed the courage to espouse a cause which has since grown to be one of the largest enterprises in the United States. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, May 28, 1878, the son of W. E. and Nellie L. (Smith) Cady, the former of whom was born in Madison, Lake county, Ohio, October 31, 1852, and the latter of whom was born in85in 858, in New York state. Mlr. Cady's grandfather, Curtis Tisdale Cady, came to Lansing in 1854 and bought a tract of 3-27 418 HISTORIC MICHIGAN land forty rods square, located on the modern Sheridan and Pennsylvania streets, where he built a log house. He later organized the sawmill company of Cady & Glassbrook, dealing in sawmill and threshing machine engines. He was a patternmaker by trade, and it was only natural that he should found the business which now operates under the name of the Novo Engine Company and is one of the largest manufacturing enterprises in Lansing. Of his children, only two, W. E. and Mrs. Maude Rummell, are now living. At an early age, W. E. Cady went i'nto the shops operated by his father, and there he thoroughly absorbed knowledge of the various phases of the metalworking trades. He then was sought by the Lansing Iron Works as superintendent of the assembling department, and he continued in that work until his retirement from active life. He was interested in city politics and was twice elected to the position of alderman, and he was also a strong member of the Lansing lodge of the Independent Or;-!er of Odd Fellows. Doctor H. M. Smith, the maternal grandfather of Claude E. Cady, came from New York in I862 and settled in Lansi'ng, where his daughter Nellie L., married W. E. Cady. Claude E. Ca:ly obtained his education in the public schools of Lansing, and after graduating in the high school, he secured employment in a grocery store. In this work he found a congenial occupation a'nd determined to continue in the same line of business. When he believed that he had acquired sufficient knowledge of the business to enable him to operate a grocery store for himself, he opened one on Pennsylvania and May streets. The success with which his efforts were attended is shown by the fact that upon several different occasions the expansion of his trade forced him to move to more suitable quarters in different parts of the city. In this field of endeavor, he continued for seventeen years, but at the end of that time, he turned his attention to the motion picture theater business. In those days, moving pictures were in their infancy and the productions placed upon the market were scarcely of a quality to merit the enthusiasm which they provoked. However, Mr. Cady was one of the few who realized that in the new industry lay opportunities that would develop rapidly to a point of the greatest commercial and industrial importance. He accordingly became interested in the operation of moving picture theaters, and now controls the Capitol and Gladmer houses, two of the high-class theaters in the city. He is also interested in motion picture houses in various parts of the state. His business is not confined solely to this field, however, for he is a director of the Perry Barker Candy Company and of the Lansing Storage Company. Mr. Cady has been active in city politics, having served as alderman for the Seventh ward for a period of six years, and for five years he has been a member of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners. February 2, 1899, he married Pacia Wooll, the daughter of Charles A. and Eva B. (Fenlason) Wood, of Lansing. She died in December, 1922, leaving two children, Stanley W. and Clella E. Mr. Cady is active in lodge work, he being a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In connection with his INGHAM COUNTY 419 work in the theater business, he is a past president and is now a director of the Michigan Theater Owners association, attesting the prominence which he has attained in his work. Leo E. Cahill.-Mr. Cahill presides over and directs the destinies of one of the largest coal enterprises in Michigan. His yard and office are located at 621 Franklin avenue, Lansing. Mr. Cahill was born in Lansing, February 23, 1883, and is thoroughly conversant with local conditions. His father was C. W. Cahill, a native of Michigan, born in 1848, and for twenty-six years was connected with the Michigan Industrial School at Lansing, and then turned his attention to the coal business. The mother was Margaret A. Kilmartin, of Ionia county, Michigan. Leo Cahill attended the Lansing public schools and business college and thereafter was employed in the traffic department of the New York Central and Michigan Central railroads until November, I9I3, when he entered the coal and coke business. He has continued the enterprise on a high plane, developing it into one of the largest in this section of the country. In 190o, Mr. Cahill was united in marriage to Miss MIargaret E. Murphy, of Canada. There is one child to brighten the hearthstone, Leo E. Cahill, Jr. Mr. Cahill by reason of his knowledge of the business and his desire to be of service, was county fuel administrator in I922. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, Y. M. C. A., Chamber of Commerce and is the president of the North Side Commercial club, of Lansing. Mr. Cahill is held in the highest of esteem, not only in business circles but throughout the community, by reason of his adherence to high business standards, his scrupulous regard for others and his willingness to give of time and ability to the promotion of public aims and community development. William F. Cairns.-Struggling against odds, encountering many knocks in the terrific struggles of life and supporting his mother from a very early period in his life, William F. Cairns, who has practiced law in Ingham county thirty years, owes his success to determination, to fidelity to an ideal and rigid adherence to the highest ethical and professional standards. His success has been gradual and certain, for in addition to his clientele, Mr. Cairns enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community. Mr. Cairns was born in western Ontario, Canada, June 12, 1859, the son of Samuel and Hannah (Markwick) Cairns. The father was born in Scotland but reared in New York and thence passed on to Canada. He was in manufacturing but turned to agriculture, and when he died, at the age of fifty years, he was a farmer. The parents of Mrs. Cairns came from England. Mrs. Cairns died in i880, leaving, with her husband, a splendid heritage of moral stamina. William F. Cairns attended grade school at Dexter, Michigan, and then taught school at that place. For five years he clerked and held a job on the road in order to obtain money with which to meet expenses at college. Practicing rigid economy, he matriculated at the University of Michigan, did creditable work and was graduated in law in I89I. He has followed his profession in Ingham county thirty years continuously. He has served as justice of the peace and as school 420 HISTORIC MICHIGAN commissioner in Washtenaw county, but did not at any time relinquish private practice. On February 8, 1882, Mr. Cairns married Clara Phelps, of Dexter, and four children were the issue of the union. They are Mabel E. Calhoun, Kate Ireeland, Everett H. and Frances M. Cairns. The early struggles of Mr. Cairns, his ambition to succeed, to obtain a liberal education and to practice the profession of law have never dimmed his vision or minimized his heart interest. As a faithful son, from very early life, he was the support of his mother, to whom he manifested a deep filial devotion. Many were the tribulations and trials undergone in his youth and more mature life, and every success was wrested by strength of character and the compulsion of ideals. Nothing possessed by Mr. Cairns, in a material sense, was given him. All was earned by hard work and indefatigable energy. Mr. Cairns is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellors and the Modern Woodmen of America. Edmund A. Calkins.-A valuable experience in engineering and in statistical work featured by supervision of public works for several years and re-inforced by connection with the old state railroad comnmission, admirably equips Mr. Calkins as statistician of the Michigan Public Utilities Commission. He is a native of Genesee county, Michigan, and was born January 7, I873. He is a son of Edmunt-d Calkins, who was born in New York state and who came with his father, Caleb Calkins, to Michigan in I84I, when he was seven years old. In I84I Caleb Calkins bought farm land in Genesee county which remains the property of the family. Edmund A. Calkins received his early education in FIlint, attending private and normal schools. In 1893 he entered Michigan Agricultural college and was graduated in I898 with the Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Calkins was a member of the engineering staff of Ingham county, Michigan, from 1899 for a number of years and was the official surveyor of the county two years. In 1913 he joined the Michigan Railroad Commission and has been in the service of the state since then. In 19I9 the Michigan Public Utilities Commission was created, supplanting the railroad commission and other regulatory bodies and since that year Mr. Calkins has been the statistician of the commission, a position necessitating meticulous regard for exact data. His position has required much research concerning corporate utility development, with the result that Mr. Calkins has acquired a'n extended knowledge of the history and experiences )f railroads in the state. In I904, Mr. Calkins was united in marriage to Miss Nettie C. Hertzberg, of Ingham county. Her parents were natives of Germany. The Hertzberg family came to America in 1844, her father, William Hertzberg, locating in Ingham county about 1858. Mr. Calkins is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge at Mason. He is also a member of the Michigan Historical association and of the National Geographic society. Charles Callard, president of the Bishop Furniture company, has had a long and useful and valuable career in furniture. His training has comprehended all phases of the business from the mechanical side INGHAM COUNTY 421 up. In fact Mr. Callard was born in a furniture atmosphere, being a native of Grand Rapids. August 26, I873, was his natal day. His father was A. Callard, a native of England who came to the United States when he was thirty-five years of age. He at once entered furniture manufacture in Grand Rapids as superintendent of the Widdicomb Furniture company, remaining with his employer twelve years. Mr. Callard, who died in I892, was also active in Democratic politics but never aspired to office, content to serve his party as best he could and to respond to every duty that allegiance to political principal compelled. His wife, the mother of Charles Callard, was an English woman by birth. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Lathrop. Charles Callard attended the public schools in Grand Rapids and Owosso, worked for his father eight years alid then entered the furniture manufacturing business for himself, at West Haven and Bancroft, Michigan. For the past twenty years he has been connected with the factory at Bancroft and for some time has had association with factories in the east. On February 24, I923, Mr. Callard organized the Bishop Furniture store with himself as president; Alfred Bishop, vice-president, in charge of the store in Lansing, and Howard B. Thompson as secretary and treasurer. The Bishop company handles a complete line of furniture and does a large business. Mr. Callard on June 30, I896, was married to Miss Linda Hart, of Owosso, 5Michigan. They have two children, C. Gordon Callard, who is the factory superintendent of the Lansing Paint and Color company, and Neal R. Callard, who is a student at Ferris Institute, Big Rapids. Michigan. Mr. Callard is a member of the Lansing Country club. He is a Mason, Knight Templar and Shriner, a man of considerable activity and of wholesome interest not only in the promotion of trade interests, but in the upbuilding of the communitty. William J. Carbaugh, well known and enjoying the esteem of the entire community as an attorney and citizen, is a 'native of Michigan, and was born in Portland. September 29, I868. His father was William Carbaugh, a native of Harper's Ferry, Va. The father was devoted to farming but in later years gave freely of his time to the breeding of Holstein cattle. He also served as a road commissioner and died in 1894. The mother was Elizabeth Gates Carbaugh, a native of New York state. William J. Carbaugh began his schooling in Portland and was graduated from the high school of that village. He later entered the University of Michigan and graduated in 1892 with the degree of LL. B. Then he formed a law partnership with Virgil Hixon under the name of Hixon and Carbaugh, in Manistique, Michigan. In the course of two years the health of Mr. Carbaugh showed a decline and for six years he lived on the celebrated Lookout Mountain in an effort to regain it. He succeeded and in 1914 came to Lansing and established himself in the practice of law i'n the Capital National Bank building, later moving to 704-6 American State Savings Bank. Mr. Carbaugh is attorney for the Maynord-Allen State bank of Portland. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fel 422 HISTORIC MICHIGAN lows and the Six O'Clock club. July 2, I892, he married Harriet M. Swathel, of Ann Arbor. She is a graduate i'n medicine from the University of Michigan and a woman of great capability. Mr. Carbaugh is much devoted to his chosen profession but is interested in all civic and community efforts in which he exercises an unfailing help. James J. Carey is the president of the Columbia National Fire Insurance Company, 426 South Washington avenue, Lansing. He is also the general manager of the Capital Castings Company and i'n the community he maintains a place that is secure and honorable. Mr. Carey is a native of Canada, August 17, 1870, being the date of his birth. His father, Redman Carey, born in I818, came to Canada from fair old Ireland about 1841 and passed away at the venerable age of eighty-seven years, he having spent his entire life in Canada as a farmer. James J. Carey went into business for himself in May, I902, choosing the foundry business. In 1905 he formed a partnership with Joseph Gearson, as the Gearson and Carey foundry. In 1917, Mr. Carey became vice-president of the Columbia National Fire Insurance Company, of which he is now the president. Joseph Gearson is vicepresident and E. T. Lyons is secretary and treasurer. Mr. Carey is also general manager of the Capital Castings Company. On January I6, I900, Mr. Carey was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Costigan, of Detroit, whose father was born where the city building of Detroit now stands. There are two children, Geraldine, who is Mrs. H. R. Fi'nn, and Margaret, who is attending school at Georgetown, D. C. Mr. Carey is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Elks and of the Lansing Country Club. He is held in great esteem by countless friends and acquaintances. C. C. Carlton.-Thoroughly indoctrinated in the gospel of the automobile and having a fundamental knowledge of the industry in all its phases, from mechanical construction on up to advertising and the selling end, C. C. Carlton has had a wide experience and a valuable one.in his various connections. He is widely known as the secretary of the Motor Wheel Corporation. He is yet a young man, but his advance in the business world has been substantial and he has occupied positions of great trust and responsibility. Mr. Carlton was born in the "Rubber City," Akron, Ohio, May 17, I882, the son of Wallace L. and Ella M. (Tinker) Carlton. Both parents were born in Mantua, Ohio. The father, born in 1855, went to Akron when twenty-two years of age and entered the employ of the Buckeye Mower and Reaper company, which became absorbed into the International Harvester company. Mr. Carlton was general auditor and branch manager and maintained that office thirty-six long years-an amazing record when set against the sudden shifts and rapid changes in personnel these days. The Carltons and the Tinkers represented sterling Yankee stock, both grandfathers of C. C. Carlton coming from Connecticut. The paternal grandfather settled in Mantua township in I8I2, and on the Tinker side, in the same township in I816. C. C. Carlton attended high school in Akron and Buchtel college, which is now the University a2~1txf Lit; I INGHAM COUNTY 423 of Akron. He was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in I904. During the next seven years he was superintendent of schools in a number of Ohio cities and towns but during the same period studied in the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago. In 1912 he became private secretary to Harvey S. Firestone, at Akron. In 19I4 he was made secretary to the president of the Firestone company and manager of the rim plant. In 19I7 he came to Lansing as general sales manager of the Prudden WVheel company. In I9I9 he became assistant to the president and in I920 when the Prudden Wheel company was merged into the Motor Wheel Corporation, Mr. Carlton was made secretary and director of sales and advertising of the MIotor Wheel Corporation, which position he maintains today with credit and dignity. During the war Mr. Carlton represented the wheel builders of America in their dealings with the government and in their formulation of war aims and plans. In I906, Mr. Carlton was united in marriage to Anna L. Durling, of Wadsworth, Ohio. There are three children, James Clay, sixteen years old; Eleanor Janet, aged thirteen, and Thomas Robert, aged nine. Mr. Carlton holds membership in a number of fraternal, technical and important trade organizations. He is in close contact with industrial and social leaders. He is a Mason, holding membership in Blue Lodge, chapter of the Royal Arch, Commandery of the Knights Templar and Consistory of the Scottish Rite. IHe is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine; belongs to the Elf Carafies, Lansing Country club, the Rotary club, Detroit Athletic club, Old Timers, Old Colony club, Society of Automotive Engineers. Of the latter he is vice-president of the general standards committee. He is also president of the Manufacturers' club of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce. In civic and social welfare movements Mr. Carlton's aid is frequently sought. Frank L. Carpenter.-Among the men prominently identified with the industrial interests of Lansing, as well as with the social life of the city, few have gained so high a reputation for ability and keenness of discernment as has Frank L. Carpenter, treasurer and comptroller of the great Durant Motor Company of Michigan. He has not only achieved notable success in business, but has gained distinction in the management of large affairs, and his labors have constituted a potent factor in the industrial life of this city. Beginning his business career at the age of sixteen, Mr. Carpenter has made his way to prominence and honorable prestige through his own well directed energy and efforts, and well deserves a place in the front rank among the leading business men of the country. He was born in Elkhart, Indiana, February Io, I889, the son of A. B. and Edith (Braden) Carpenter, of Elkhart, Indiana, the former of whom was supervisor of patterns for a number of years for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Raiiroad, now a branch of the New York Central, and is now living retired at Elkhart. Frank L. Carpe'nter obtained his education in the public schools of his native town and the Indianapolis Manual Training School, graduating from the latter institution in I905. Soon after completing his course at this institution he accepted a position with the 424 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Nordyke-Marmon Automobile Company of Indianapolis, and remained with this concern for three years. In I908 he went to Flint, Michigan, as stock record clerk for the General Motors Company, later becoming chief clerk to the superintendent. He was then transferred to the Cost Department, and served in that capacity for five years, becoming assistant chief cost accountant. His association with this corporation brought about contacts with all the departments and problems connected with the building of automobiles, and was destined to have important influence in directing his subsequent activities. Later Mr. Carpenter was with the Flint Foundry Company for a time, and then came to Lansing as auditor for the Olds Motor Works. When Mr. Durant established the Star and Durant plant in Lansing, which later became the Durant Motor Company of Michigan, Mr. Carpenter became treasurer and comptroller and also a director. Mr. Carpenter's time and energy have been devoted to the interests of this great corporation since its inception, and its success and popularity may be attributed in no small degree to his quiet faithfulness and untiring efforts. Although the scope of his work has always been broad and he gives close and loyal attention to business. he also gives generously of his time and means to charitable movements and all measures tending to the public good. He also finds time to get the most out of the finer social amenities of life, and his friends who are legion, recognize in him a man of high ideals. He is a member of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and of the Chamber of Commerce of the TUnited States. He is an Elk a'nd a member of the Lansing Automobile Club and the Racket Club of New York City. He married, July 30, I908, to Miss Grace Bryans, of Detroit, Michigan, and they have one daughter, Edith, who was born in 1910. Mark C. Carpenter represents the comparatively new science and technique of osteopathy. Dr. M\ark C. Carpenter, has as an exponent of drugless therapy, attained an unmistakable success. He is a native of Vermont, born in Blarre, September I9, I884. His father was Solon E. Carpenter, born in Orange, Vermont, in 1850, and died in I9oo. The mother was Carrie (Bowles) Carpenter, who was born in 1852 i:l Vermont, and is still living. Crichton Carpenter, with the Packardl service in Detroit, and Hugh H. Carpenter, deputy clerk of the supreme court, at Lansing, are brothers. Mark C. Carpenter attended seminary at Goddard and was graduated in I906. In 19o8 he entered the Pacific College of Osteopathy at Los Angeles and was graduated in June, 1911, with the degree. Doctor of Osteopathy. He practiced until the fall of I913, then took a special and post graduate course in Chicago, and returned to Lansing in the autumn of 1917. Dr. Carpenter is a member of the Church of Christ. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity through Lodge No. 33. Dr. Carpenter was united in marriage in 1911 to Ethel M. Cook, who was born in I879. Their children are Mark F. Carpenter, born 1912; Robert Douglas Carpenter, born I914, and Richard Cook Carpenter, born 1917. -Dr. Carpenter took ~ll id WA _ ~~~~:0:0C< INGHAM COUNTY 425 special pains in the matter of professional equipment and has supplied himself admirably as an exponent of the system founded by Dr. A. T. Still and which is appreciably growing in number, so far as practicioners are concerned, and in strength and influence. Samuel H. Carpenter.-The industries of a city do not grow of their own accord, but are the results of a lifetime of well directed efforts on the part of some individual or company. The late Samuel 1-. Carpenter, of Lansing, contributed his full share towards the upbuilding of this city as a manufacturing center, and by his death the capital city lost one of its most enthusiastic supporters-a man who possessed a firm and abiding faith in her future a'nd who ever stood ready to advance any worthy cause that made for the betterment of the civic or social conditions of this, his adopted city and home. At the time of his passing to the life beyond, on July 22, 1922, he was serving as )resident and general manager of the Atlas Drop Forge Company, with which he had been identified since its organization, in Io06. Ite was the only one who held the office of general manager of this colmpany during his lifetime, and he so ably administered its affairs that, notwithstanding the great financial lel)ression of I906 and 1907 and the exhausting years of the World war, this industry grew from a small shop to one of the industrial giants of the middle west, and with a reputation for soundness and squareness second to none. Samuel -I. Carpenter was born at Cedar Falls, Iowa, March 8, I864. His parents, Thaddeus and Abigail Carpenter, were natives of Virginia and Vernlont respectively. To them were born five sons, of whom one brother, T. B. Carpenter, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, has since been killed in an auto accident. William Carpenter, now residing in California, is the only one surviving. The subject of this memoir spent his early boyhood in and about Waterloo, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools of his native state and by a course in college at Fairbault, Minnesota. He began his business career in Waterloo, Iowa, in company with his brothers, J. B. and W. B. The brothers there operated a clothing business under the title of "The House of Carpenter." He continued in business in Waterloo some time, but about I903 he came to IMichigan, first locating at Flint, where he remained some time. He then spent two years in California, returning to Michigan in I906, and locating in Lansing, as secretary and general manager of the newly organized Atlas Drop Forge Company. The business at that time was small and unpretentious, but under Mr. Carpenter's able management it has grown continuously until today it is one of Lansing's most prosperous and promising industries. Besides successfully operating the Atlas Drop Force Company, Mr. Carpenter found time to become interested in other of Lansing's enterprises and at the time of his death he was serving as vice-president and director of the American State Savings Bank, and director of the Federal Drop Forge Company. He was an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce and held membership in the United States Chamber. He was identified also with the Michigan Manufacturers Association, was a member of the 426 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Elks, and was a Rotarian, and a member of the Country Club, showing that he possessed tastes and interests transcending the merely material. In 1915, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Alta B. Allen, a daughter of Elias and Sarah Byers. He was a regular contributor to and attendant of the Plymouth Congregational church, and he so lived his life as to merit the respect and esteem of the entire community. Earl Ingram Carr, M. D.-Among the younger members of the medical profession. who have risen to prominence, none is more widely known than the subject of this mention. Dr. Carr was born at Auburn, New York, February ii, i886. His parents, Clayton F. and Fannie (Ingram) Carr, were natives of New York and Massachusetts, the father having been born in the former state February 14, 1859. The Carr family is of English descent, the founders of it having come to America among the earliest of our colonists. Members of the family took a prominent part in founding and developing our National Government and suffered severely during the Wyoming massacre in I695. His mother's people came from one of the old Massachusetts families and trace the line of descent back to the days of the Revolutionary war. The mother was born December II, 1858. Clayton F. Carr, the father of our subject, was for years engaged in the farm implement business and was associated with D. M. Osborn at Auburn, New York, the inventor of the Osborn self binder, which was one of the first successful binders placed on the market. Mr. Carr assisted in the development of this machine, which proved to be such a wonderful labor-saver and developer of the country in general. He was highly successful in this business and continued in it until his death, which occurred in 1899. The mother is still living and resides in Lansing. Earl Ingram Carr was the o'nly child born to his parents. He received his early education in the grade and high schools of his home commu'nity, and graduated from the latter in I904. For a time thereafter he studied while engaged in other work and then entered the University of Michigan from which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in I9go. Later he became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. During the ensuing two years, he was surgeon interne in the university hospital, in which work he began his specialization in surgery. With the conclusion of his work at the hospital he accepted a position as assistant surgeon with a copper mining company in northern Michigan and later became a member of the Copper Range Medical Staff, and continued in that work until I9I4. In that year he came to Lansing in company with Dr. W. E. McNamara and formed the firm of McNamara & Carr, which is still in existence, and in that connection it is proper to say that Drs. McNamara & Carr attend to nearly all of the accident surgery throughout central Michigan. After coming to Lansing, Dr. Carr devoted himself entirely to the practice of surgery, and in this field has become known not only throughout the state of Michigan but also the nation at large. The prominence which he has attained is attested by the fact that he was chosen to be one of the party of surgeons that made a clinical tour of Europe in 1922, a tour which, I INGHAM COUNTY 427 although it was organized informally, was under the auspices of the American College of Surgeons. Doctor Carr and Doctor McNamara rendered an invaluable service to the medical profession of Lansing when they built the Medical building, which is fitted out in the most modern way for medical and surgical uses. Besides attending to his large practice Dr. Carr is surgeon of the Orthopedic clinic of Lansing, a member of the hospital surgical staff of the Edward W. Sparrow hospital and is also surgeon and head of the surgical division of the St. Lawrence hospital and chief consulting surgeon to Michigan Department of Health. November 8, I916, Dr. Carr married Ruth Smith, a daughter of the late Senator Charles Smith of the Upper Peninsula, who was one of the pioneer mining men of that section and prominently identified with the famous Calumet & Hecla Copper Mine, and to this union have been born two daughters, Charlotte, and Fannie S., now deceased. Dr. Carr has taken a'n active interest in the various medical societies-both state and national. He is at present vice-president of the Tuberculosis society, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, county chairman of the American Society for the control of Cancer, and is a charter member of the Kiwanis club, a member of the County, State and American Medical associations. He is a director of the F. B. Mcr Kibbin Real Estate Securities company. M. Ralph Carrier has played a leading part in the commercial development of Lansing during the past thirty years. He was born in Marengo township, Calhoun county, Michigan, February 20, I866, the son of Edwin B. and Cornelia C. (Root) Carrier, both of whom were natives of Cayuga county, New York. His grandfather, Burt Hackaliah Carrier, came from New York to settle near Marshall, Calhoun county, Michigan in I837, and it was here that Edwin B. Carrier obtained his education. He was born in Cayuga county, New York, May 13, 1832, and his wife was born in the same county in I83I. Her family was over $400,000. The firm first operated as the Lansing Spice & Exthe occupation of livestock dealer and farmer until his retirement from active business life. He died in I914, his wife having preceded him in death in I889. He was a trustee of the Franklin Avenue Presbyterian church for many vears, and in political matters, he supported the principles of the Republican party. M. Ralph Carrier attended the graded schools and after three years in high school entered Albion college where he studied two years. At the age of twenty-one years, he assumed full charge of the dry goods store of E. B. Carrier & Company, which had been purchased by his father some time previously and continued in that work until I891, laying the foundation of his knowledge and ability in the operation of a commercial house. In that year, he organized the Northrop, Robertson, Carrier company with a capital of $2,I00, and how well the enterprise was conducted is attested by the fact that when he sold the business four years ago the inventory was one of the first to settle at Lansing. Edwin B. Carrier followed tract company, but from handling these articles, the scope of the concern was widened to include groceries of all kinds, thus becoming one 428 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of the leading wholesale grocery firms in Lansing. On January I, 1920, Mr. Carrier effected the incorporation of the Federal Drop Forge company, at which time he became president and general manager, a position which he has since retained. Although the company is comparatively new in Lansing, it has already become a strong factor in the commercial life of the city, a rank which it has attained almost entirely through the efforts of Mr. Carrier. On April 7, 1887, he was united in marriage with Jane Cushman of Bath, M\ichigan, a'nd to this union have been born two children, Reno G. and Florence, the wife of Boyd Small of Lansing. In Republican politics in Lansing, Mr. Carrier has been active. In I894, he was elected alderman from the Fourth Ward and served four years and during his last year of service was president pro tem of the council and for three months was acting mayor of the city. He has the distinction of being the. youngest alderman ever elected in Lansing. At the age of twenty-one, he became a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he also holds membership in the Elks and the Odd Fellows, the Rotary club and the Chamber of Commerce, having served as the president of both organizations, and the Country club, of which he is now president. For two years, he was president of the Michigan Wholesale Grocers association, and he holds the same office in the Carrier-Stephens Wholesale Drug company. He is a vice-president of both the American State Savings bank and the Lansing Cast Stone company. For fifteen years, he was affiliated with the Franklin Avenue Presbyterian church as chairman of the board of directors, but is now associated with the First Presbyterian church. R. D. Castle.-Relinquishing the bakery business, to which he gave many years, R. D. Castle became associated with his brother, A. R. Castle, and J. C. Ramsey in a co-partnership owning and operating the Lansing Commercial Body and Cab company. R. D. Castle was born in Ovid, Clinton county, Michigan, July 3, 1884. His father, born in 1849 in Clinton county, was a stock buyer of prominence and now lives in retirement, in Lansi'ng, with his son. The mother was before her marriage Mary N. Pritzer, who was born in I856 in Athens, Illinois. Mrs. Castle died on January 27, 1924, survived by husband and four sons. They are R. Daniel, A. R., 0. H., who has charge of the auto assembly of the Dort company in Flint, and A. C., who is a harness maker living in Chicago. R. D. Castle was married on January 28, 1906, to Bessie E. Roller, who was born June 22, 1885. There are two children, Bessie M., born February 21, I907, and Roy Douglas, born March 29, I908. R. D. Castle went through the public schools, leaving high school, upon commencement day, 1898. He we'nt to work for the Harry Lewis bakery at Ovid, spending three years in such connection. Then in I90I he came to Lansing and worked for E. J. McFarland and later worked for Charles Maier in the latter's bake shop, advancing so that he was placed in charge of the shop. Then he went to Chicago and, worked in a bakery on Forty-third street for a few months, then returned to Lansing and resumed charge of Maier's shop. Between these moves six months were spent in Jackson and in INGHAM COUNTY 429 May, I914, Mr. Castle purchased the Charles Maier bakery and operated it for about seven years. Mr. Castle built a bakery at the corner of Saginaw and Johnston streets, a wholesale establishment, but sold this in I920. On May I, I923, Mr. Castle and his brother, A. R. Castle and J. C. Ramsey established a partnership operating the Lansing Commercial Body and Cab company. A. R. Castle, it must be emphasized!, is a wood worker by trade and started to work for Sam Pearl in a carriage establishment i'n Ovid, when a mere boy. Later he worked for the Stewart Body company in Flint and was superintendent of the Lansing Body company for six years before becoming associated with his brother and Mr. Ramsey. R. D. Castle is a member of the Baptist church. In all relationships he is aggressive and energetic. Clark S. Chamberlain, clerk of Ingham county, is one of the aggressive and public-spirited men who have contributed materially to the advancement and betterment of his county. He is not only an able an:!; loyal official, but he has been identified with the promotion of business enterprises of marked iml)ortance and is numbered among the thorough representative citizens of the community. Mr. Chamberlain was born in Lock township, Ingham county, Michigan, July 28, I867, the son of George S. Chamberlain and Millicent (Clark) Chamberlain, and comes of prominent old established American families which date back to the colonial epoch. His father and mother were both natives of New York state, the former of whom was born in Genesee county, February 2, 1838, and died in Ingham county, Michigan, February I9, 1920. The latter was born in Yates county, February 7, I844, and died in Ingham county, Michigan, May 12, I921. His paternal grandfather, Orson Chamberlain, removed with his family from Genesee county, New York, to Ingham county, Michigan, in 1844, and settled in Lock township, where he engaged in farming and was one of the influential and highly respected citizens of the community. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Clark, removed with his family from Yates county, New York, to Ingham county, Michigan, in 1845, and also settled in Lock township, where he likewise engaged in farming and was prominent in local politics. Both families are numbered among the frugal and enterprising citizens of the county, have always been law-abiding people and are active factors in all measures tending to the public good. Clark S. Chamberlain is next to the oldest of ten children born to his parents, seven sons and three (aughters. His educational advantages were those afforded by the grade and high schools of Inghanm county and the Indiana State Normal School, Valparaiso, Indiana. For twelve years he successfully con:lucted a grocery business and for five years he served as deputy county clerk. His record as deputy clerk was marked by such substantial and conservative ability, as well as for executive force, that in the last election he was elected to the office of clerk of Ingham county, a position he still retains and has proven himself a man of ability and probity. Although the scope of his work is broad anld le gives close and loyal attention to 430 HISTORIC MICHIGAN his official duties, Mr. Chamberlain gives generously of his time and means to charitable movements and all measures tending to the public good. He also finds time to get the most out of the finer social amenities of life and his friends, who are legion, recognize in him a man of high ideals. He is a Mason, an Elk and an Eagle and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married June 20, 1900, to Miss Julia A. Mann, a daughter of Charles W. Mann, and a member of an old and much respected Ingham county family. Myron A. Chapin is secretary and treasurer of the Capitol Savings and Loan company, I12 East Allegan street, Lansing. He was born February 14, I868, in Massachusetts. His father was Albert Chapin, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1839. The senior Chapin followed farming throughout his life. At the age of two weeks, Myron Chapin was deprived of the tender care of a mother by her death. When the son reached school age he was given every opportunity the public school afforded. In I887 he came to Lansing and entered the employ of Jones and Porter, real estate and insurance. In Mlarch, I890, the Capitol Savings and Loan association was organized and Mr. Chapin became associated with that financial institution and in the course of a few months became secretary and later its treasurer. On January 4. 1898, Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Sarah G. Gilliland, of Pennsylvania. They have one daughter, Margaret G. Mr. Chapin supports the various civic and promotional enterprises having for their object the advancement of Lansing and vicinity, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. The Capitol Savings and Loan association has done and is doing much to promote the spirit of thrift and systematic saving. It is universally conceded that the building and loan association has (lone more than any other agency in the average community to indoctrinate the public in the value and desirability of making idle dollars do useful work. The building and loan association stresses the family budget system and while it does not plead for parsimony, does show the value of systematically distributing income and laying aside a certain portion each week or month for the proverbial "rainy day" that is bound to come into all lives. The saving of this surplus makes home ownership possible and provides for the future. It is contended by building and loan association executives that industrial strife is always at a minimum in communities where there is widespread individual ownership of homes and that the home owner generally makes the best type of citizen. Leo G. Christian, M. D.-The father of Dr. Christian was a physician and belonged to the class of faithful country doctors, who, in pioneer times were the arbiters of family, community and civic as well as purely medical problems. While Dr. Leo G. Christian is not a country doctor, he shows the same fidelity and perseverance that marked the days of his father when medical science had not advanced to the position it occupies today. He was born in Missouri in November, 1887, went to school at Moberly. was graduated from the high school and Notre Dame. He attended St. Louis University depart INGHAM COUNTY 431 ment of medicine where he graduated in 1912. Then he served as i'nterne at the City hospital in St. Louis and at the Wabash hospital in Moberly. His interneship was followed by four years of practice in Houghton, Michigan, and two and a half years in Westphalia, Michigan, and in April, I923, the doctor came to Lansing, where he quickly won the esteem and affection of patients and friends. April 14, I923, he was married to Miss Mary G. Coughlin of Hancock, Michigan. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Knights of Columbus. Dr. Christian's father was Robert T. Christian, who was born in Missouri in 1837 and who followed his professio'n in that state when many developments, now common in medical practice, were unknown. Roy M. Chrouch.-Held in the highest of esteem by a large and ever increasing clientele and an ever extending circle of friends, Roy M. Chrouch is leaving an indelible impress upon the professional and civic life of La'nsing, in which city he has been successfully practicing law for more than eight years. He was born at Monroe, Illinois, December 29,'I883, and is a scion of old and influential American stock of the early colonial period in our national history. He is eligible for affiliation with the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, as he is a direct descendant of Charles Chamberlain, who was a lieutenantcolonel of the patriot forces in the Revolution and who served during the greater part of that great conflict for national independence. Mr. Chrouch is a son of L. 1-. and Estelle (Ostrom) Chrouch, the former of whom was born in Michigan, December 7, 1863, and the latter of whom was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in which city her father servel as postmaster. L. B. Chrouch was district passenger agent for the Grand Trunk railroad covering a long period but secured retirement some time ago. The parents of Roy Chrouch came to Flint, Michigan, when he was about four years of age. Here he attended the grade schools, went through high school and attended the University of Michigan for two years and then worked for the Denver and Rio Grand railroad at Marshall's Pass, Colorado, for a period of four years. Returning east, Mr. Chrouch went to Owosso, Michigan, and opened a law office but on January I, 1916, came to Lansing an:l entered the law office of Seymour Person, where he remained a short time, and in 192I established himself in practice with offices at 4I5 Capital National Bank building. He has asserted a strong interest in politics but not to the extent of holding public office, with a single exception, that of circuit court commissioner. At the present date (1924) he is a candidate on the Republican ticket for the nomination of representative to the Legislature. July Ii, 191I, he was united in marriage with Miss Kathryn Bowen, of Sylvania, Ohio, and they have two chillren, Richard, eleven years old, and Marjorie, aged nine years. Mr. Chrouch is a member of the Michigan State Bar association and of the Lansing Country club. He is diligent in the practice of his profession and is a contender for a high standard of practice and a strict code of ethics governing the profession of law. 432 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Verne H. Church.-Mr. Church was born in 1875 on a farm in Lowell township, Kent county, Michigan, the son of Eustace E. and Elizabeth A. (Leary) Church. The father was born in Montcalm county, Michigan, the mother in England. The Church family is descended from very early English settlers in America. A grandfather, Harley B. Church, came to Michigan in 1845 and the descendants have been identified with the agricultural interests and development of Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties. A sister of Verne H. Church, Lena D., resides in Ionia county. The Church family moved from Montcalm county to Ionia before Verne H. was five years old and he received his early education in the grade and high schools of Saranac. He next attended commercial college in Grand Rapids and was graduated in 1893 after which he went to the farm and remained there until I899 during which he applied himself to home study and some private school work. Mr. Church then entered the newspaper field and for two years published the Clarksville Record. During the same periol, however, he was interested in the drug business. I'n I902-he entered the United States government service as observer in the weather bureau at Columbia, South Carolina, and in the course of two years was transferred to Toledo, where he was stationed eighteen months, then assigned to duty at Chicago. He remained in Chicago six months and was transferred to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was made chief clerk of the weather bureau and a similar post he held for two and onehalf years in Salt Lake City. Mr. Church was promote(l to section director and transferred to Indianapolis in charge of the climatological service of Indiana in 1909, but on July 3, 1914, resigned and the following day was appointed agricultural statistician in the federal bureau of crop estimates and sent to Michigan. Later the name was changed to bureau of agricultural economics. Mr. Church opened the first office of the kind in Michigan, in the postoffice building at Lansing, and on July I, I919, the federal authorities entered into an agreeme'nt with the secretary of state for a co-operative crop reporting service. In I921 the work was transferred to the state department of agriculture, which department was formed at the time. Mr. Church has thus been continuously in the government service for twenty-three years. On November Io, 1897, Mr. Church and Miss Cora L. Harker, of Saranac, Ionia county, were married. Mrs. Church is a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Church have four children. They are Jessie E., who married Mulfred D. Briggs, of Lansing; Geneva M., Verna A. and Lawrence A. The members of the family are all attached to the People's church of East Lansing. Mr. Church is a member of the American Farm Economics association. He is also a member of the Michigan Economics association and of the Michigan Academy of Science and was vice-president of the agricultural section of the latter for one year. For many years he was a member of the state grange and secretary of a local grange. In addition to these Mr. Church is a member of the Masonic fraternity belonging to East Lansing Lodge No. 480, INGHAM COUNTY 433 all of the York rite bodies in Lansing, a'nd Murat Shrine, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Charles A. Clark was early taught the habits of industry and economy, and there were developed in him the elements that go to make up a self-made man, diligence, zeal and capacity for work having combined to insure his success. Mr. Clark, who is widely known as a contractor of Lansing, Michigan, was born in Sandstone, Jackson county, Michigan, in 1862, the son of Joseph and Permelia C. (Keller) Clark. His early education was limited to rural schools of Ingham county. No other educational opportunities were available. It was necessary that he work and until the age of thirty he toiled on a farm. Then he came to Lansing, worked for the Lansing Lumber company and was engaged in this line of work for some years, but later turned his attention to the construction business. Mr. Clark is the pioneer of Lansing in building and selling homes. He has erected more than 400 residences in the city. Later Mr. Clark combined real estate and contracting and has prospered, but behind his prosperity is the unfailing urge of hard work. He has become an extensive land owner, among his holdings bei'ng a farm in lonia county, one in Ingham county and one in Shiawassee county. In I877, Mr. Clark was married to Julia BIritton and two children were the issue of the union, Beulah L., who married Ralph Wertz of Detroit, and Alberta, who is the wife of Clair Neller of Lansing. In 1912, Mr. Clark was married the second time, his wife beitig Ada D. Chapel of Lansing. H. Merton Clark.-Self-culture has long been the ideal, the educational goal toward which H. Merton Clark has been striving and in furtherance of such aim has contributed much to the Art Journal and to other publications. Possessed of a rare culture, a charm of personality and a practical idealism, Mr. Clark has been an inspiration to the community in which he has lived for a number of years. Even in the furtherance of his private business, the ownership of an art store at 327 North Capitol avenue, Mr. Clark is contributing much to the furtherance of cultural influences and to the popular promotion of art interest. Indeed it has come to be realized by the masses that art is not something far distant, something quite detached from our lives, but that it is a recognition of certain standards of taste that should be incorporated into the arrangements of daily living. Art is not abstract, but concrete, a principle given accentuation by Mr. Clark. The subject of this sketch was born in Vernon, New York, January 5, 1878. His father, Holmes T. Clark, was born in Vernon in I854. He was in the real estate business at Vernon and came to Michigan in I886, spending three years in the office of the auditor general. The senior Clark was also engaged in the operation of a fruit farm. His father was a fruit grower and operated a large dairy farm and a cheese farm in New York state. He was Franklin Clark. H. Merton Clark attended school in Grand Ledge, Michigan, and the high school in Lansing. For two years he worked in the Crotty book store and while so engaged wrote an especially strong article 3-28 434 HISTORIC MICHIGAN on self-culture for the Art Journal. Mr. Clark went to New York to study interior decorating and on returning to Lansing opened an exclusive art store. In I912 he was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Loyd, of Lansing. Mr. Clark's mother was Helen Klenn Clark, also a native of Vernon. Mr. Clark is an active and helpful member of the Merchants Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. His popularity is attested by the fact that he is the secretary of the Kiwanis club. He also holds membership in the Elks. Fred L. Colvin.-The secretary of the F. J. Blanding company, 300 East Michigan avenue, obtained early training in rubber. For fifteen years he was in the employ of the Bacon Falls Rubber company and ended as assistant manager of the Chicago branch of that company. Then Mr. Colvin decided to go on the road selling automobile accessories and on July I, I9I7, came to Lansing and started with the Clarkson-Blanding company, Ford dealers. When that company was incorporated in I918, Mr. Colvin became treasurer and sales manager. The concern is the F. J. Blanding company. During the World war Mr. Colvin was attached to the aircraft division of the Packard Motor Car company, where valuable experience was also gained. Mr. Colvin was born in Connecticut, October Ii, 1882. His father, Fred E. Colvin, was a native of Rhode Island, born in 1847. He was connected with woolen mills and met death by accidental drowning when the son was but four years old. The mother was Ella B. Colvin, nee Lounsbury, also a native of Connecticui. Fred L. Colvin left school at the age of thirteen and determined to make his way through the world by hard work and has attained success. October I, I923, he was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude A. Alden, of Grand Rapids. Richard W. Cooper.-From the printer's case, with rule in hand, to the reportership of the supreme court of Michigan succinctly tells the story of the advancement of Richard W. Cooper. The advance, too, carries with it a mastery of the law and the right to practice that profession. Mr. Cooper departed from the traditional career of his forbears, all of whom were engaged in gardening in England. He came of a family of gardeners. It was the family trade, zealously followed for many years. Richard chose typography, which fortunately became a stepping stone to higher things. Mr. Cooper, the incumbent of a position of great importance yet little understood by the laity, was born in Devonshire, England, September 23, I867. His parents were Richard and Louisa (Matthews) Cooper, two families of fine old English stock. Richard's father came to Canada alone and the son accompanied his mother and the other members of the family to the new world the same autumn that accidental death befell the father. In the Cooper family were six children, John, Richard W., Elizabeth, Sarah, Emma, Mary, all living. The senior Cooper died in 1872 at the age of forty-two years. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, passed away in I918 at the unusual age of eighty-six. The son, Richard W., attended school in Canada, then applied himself to the printing trade. After mastering the printing INGHAM COUNTY 435 trade he returned to school, obtained a teacher's certificate and taught school in I888. In I889 he came to Lansing to work for the State Printing company, under Darius D. Thorpe, working as printer and proofreader eight years, and in I897 became associated with the supreme court as proofreader under John Brooks, then state reporter. In I909, Mr. Cooper was admitted to the bar and in 1918 became the state supreme court reporter, succeeding James M. Reasoner. On October 29, I891, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Frances (oddard, of Oshawa, Canada. Five children were born, only two surviving. They are Herbert G., of Lansing, and Marian, now Mrs. Leland Fitch, of Mt. Pleasant. A son, Gordon \V., offered himself for the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. Richard W. Cooper is a member of Central M. E. church.and has served on the board of trustees many years. Socially he is a Mason and belongs to the Six O'Clock club. He is treasurer of the South Lansing Land company and since I895 has been a member of the school board. Horace Benjamin Corell.-Mr. Corell is chief of the fire rating division of the Michigan state department of insurance, is second deputy of the department and fills the position with credit to himself and the commonwealth. Mr. Corell was born in Niles, Michigan, July 22, I876, a son of George Abraham and Morna Alice (Gragg) Corell. The father was born in Pennsylvania and came to Michigan with his family in 1851. The mother was born in Niles and has spent her entire life in that city. She is a daughter of M. D. Gragg. a pioneer of the state and for thirty years the agent at Niles of the Michigan Central railroad. Horace Benjamin Corell attended grade school in Niles and was graduated from high school in 1895. For a few years he farmed and taught school in Berrien county. During the Spanish-American war he served as clerk in Company I, Thirtythird regiment, Michigan volunteers. Returning to Berrien county he engaged in the shoe business in Benton Harbor, then entered the mail service, in which he was occupied eight years. Poor health compelled a Western trip and for some time Mr. Corell was on a ranch in Nebraska. Returning to Benton Harbor in I909 he engaged in insurance work for three years. While in Benton Harbor he served as an alderman several years. For approximately seven years Mr. Corell was associated with the Michigan Inspection Bureau at Kalamazoo and in 1918 came with the Michigan state department of insurance as chief of the fire rating division. Unusual ability has been shown in the administration of this post. In I906, Mr. Corell was married to Miss Rhobie A. Bready, of Niles, daughter of Rev. Robert H. Bready. Mr. and Mrs. Corell have one son, George Horace. Mr. Corell is a member of the United Spanish War Veterans, of Lansing Masonic Lodge No. 33 and of the Order of Blue Goose. During the World war, while with the Michigan Inspection Bureau, Mr. Corell did special work with the state fire marshal. Robert C. and Roy C. Corlett.-The Messrs. Corlett came of a family of lumbermen the head of which, R. J. Corlett, was long identified with the lumber industry. The senior Corlett was born 436 HISTORIC MICHIGAN in Canada in I849 and when a young man moved to Toledo and became attached to a furniture factory. When the plant was transferred to Hillsdale, he went along. In 1899, Mr. Corlett engaged in the lumber business for himself and the well-known establishment is operated under the name of R. J. Corlett & Sons, specializing in lumber, interior finishings and coal. Mill operation is a part of the business. The father has charge of the yard at Hillsdale, while Robert C. and his brother, Roy C., are in charge of the yard in Lansing. M. G. Corlett is stationed in Battle Creek and F. W. Corlett in Mishawaka, Indiana, the combination of father and four sons evidencing a spirit of unity and a degree of team work that has insured the success of the business and established the wisdom of the foundation laid by the senior Corlett. The latter was an alderman for several terms, a member of the board of public works and a street commissioner several terms. His wife was before marriage Amelia Jane Cole, of Canada. Robert C. Corlett was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, February 8, 1882. He attended high school in Hillsdale and then entered the service of his father in the lumber yard. In June, I920, he came to Lansing to open a branch of the Corlett business. In I905, Mr. Corlett was united in marriage to Miss Esther M. Cole, of Hillsdale. They have one son, James. Mr. Corlett is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Order of the Hoo Hoo, a lumbermen's social fraternity. Roy C. Corlett was born in Hillsdale, October I, 1885, attended high school and business college in that city and for fourteen years was in the Corlett lumber yard in Hillsdale. In I923 he came to Lansing to join his brother, Robert C. On August 15, I9I0, Mr. Corlett was married to Miss Ina Schwartz, of Hillsdale. They have one daughter, Betty Jean. Mr. Corlett is also a member of the Masonic fraternity including Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Eastern Star, Shrine and Commandery of the Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Hoo Hoos. Sam R. Corkin, who owns and operates a grocery at 906 West Saginaw street, is a native of Ireland, filled with pluck and determination and has to his credit a long and increasing list of satisfied patrons. Mr. Corkin was born July 31, i884, near Cork. His parents were born in Ireland and came to this country in 1887, settling in Clinton county, Michigan, where they farmed. The father, William Corkin, was born in I859. He now lives, retired, at St. Johns, Michigan. The mother, Lizzie (McBride) Corkin, was born in I860 and is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. William Corkin were born four sons, Tom, Ed, Will and S. R. Samuel R. Corkin was married in 1905 to Miss Edith Cunningham, who was born December 6, I888. They have three children-Gaylord, born in 1907; Eloise, whose advent was in I910, and Marion, who came upon earth in 1912. Samuel R. Corkin went through the,public schools at St. Johns and later clerked in F. A. Percy's grocery in St. Johns. In I920 he came to Lansi'ng, seeking a better field and a more promising outlook. He purchased the Scott grocery at 435 North Butler boulevard, which he conducted for three years, when he moved to his present location at 906 West INGHAM COUNTY 437 Saginaw, where he has been established since. Mr. Corkin is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He adheres to the Baptist faith. Harry D. Cove.-Harry D. Cove, treasurer of the Cove Lumber and Finish company, has enjoyed a thorough training in the lumber business and is conversant with every detail. After leaving school he worked on a farm until the death of his father and then entered the lumber business, in the development of which he has labored painstakingly and effectively. Mr. Cove is a Buckeye by birth. He was born in Fostoria, November 27, I859. His father, Henry Cove, was a farmer and lumberman. The senior Cove was born in 1825 in Pennsylvania and died in I880. The mother was, prior to marriage, Barbara Bare, also a Pennsylvanian. Harry D. Cove attended the Charlotte schools, plunged vigorously into farm work and gained entrance into the lumber business after the death of his father. In I908 he came to Lansing and established the Cove Lumber and Finish company, a representative concern, enjoying a lucrative patronage. In I883, Mr. Cove was married to Miss Mary Fhaner, of Rochester, New York, whose parents came from Germany, first settling in New York state, but soon removing to Eaton county, Michigan, where they established a home, residing there until death. Mrs. Cove passed away in I912 and two years after her death, Mr. Cove married Clare Marzen, also a native of Rochester, New York. Mr. Cove is the father of two sons, Norman and Floyd, both sons of his first wife. He is held in the highest esteem, socially and in a business way. Norman B. Cove.-Availing himself of the splendid training and the advantages enjoyed by business association with his father, Norman B. Cove has by hard work and faithful service carried on the lumber enterprise established by his worthy forbear. Mr. Cove is president of the Cove Lumber and Finish company, 631 East Michigan, Lansing. His personal direction is seen in every phase of the company's business. Mr. Cove is a native of Charlotte, Michigan, his natal day being October 5, I886. His father is Harry D. Cove and his mother before marriage was Mary Fhaner. He was graduated from Charlotte high school in I904 and immediately entered his father's business. On March 29, IqII, Mr. Cove and Florence E. Reeves of Lansing were married. They have one son, Norman Lou. Mr. Cove is a Kiwanian and Elk. He is treasurer of the Central Mill and Warehouse company and treasurer of the Kraas Lumber company of Lansing. During the World war he was stationed in Portland, Oregon, eight months in the spruce production service. John Crater.-Putting conscience into his efforts, John Crater, proprietor of the American Dry Cleaning company, 1217 Center street, is performing a most useful service to the community. He learned the tailor's trade and has had special training in the art of dry cleaning and clothing renovation, the importance of which has become fully recognized as a part of the conservation movement that has engrossed the nation. Mr. Crater is,a native of Russia, and was early inspired by the opportunities of this section of the United States. He is a son of Philip Crater, a tiller of the soil, and received 438 HISTORIC MICHIGAN his early education in Russia but was obliged to terminate his school career at an early age to be of help to his father on the farm. Then he learned the trade of tailor and worked at this trade until he came to Canada in I9I3. His first Canadian home was in New Britton. Then Mr. Crater came on to Lansing. He was here only five months when he was enabled to buy the Moose Pressing Parlor, in I913. The American Dry Cleaning company is an enlargement of this smaller business. Two brothers of Mr. Crater came over later, Albert in 1914 and Jonathan in I920. They are associated with John, a felicitous arrangement involving three brothers. In 1916, John Crater was united in the bonds of wedlock to Miss Angeline Lapen, of Bay City. There is one son, Donald. Mr. Crater is known and esteemed for the faithful service he supplies and for his insistence upon satisfaction in every transaction. He is a member of the Lansing Commercial club. A. D. Crosby.-Early trained in the principles of toil and the spirit of thrift that hard work engenders, A. D. Crosby upon leaving school applied himself to the business of which he is a master and in the conducting of which he has been eminently successful. Mr. Crosby is president and general manager of the corporation bearing his name, at 626 South Hosmer street, Lansing, manufacturers of and contractors in marble, tile and terrazzo. The Crosby establishment is up-to-date throughout, for its directing genius is aggressive and well thought of in the community outside as well as inside business circles. Mr. Crosby comes of a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living. He was born September Io, 1875, in Port Byron, New York. His parents were William and Altheria Crosby, the mother's maiden name being Roberts. Both parents came from the Empire state. The father was born in July, 1848, and died November I, 1892. He was engaged in the paper manufacturing business. Mrs. Crosby, born May 3, I850, is living in Syracuse, facing the golden west of life, whose deepening shadows bring to her the deep affection of loved ones and also the loyal regard of innumerable friends. A. D. Crosby attended the common schools and then started in the business of his choice, thirty years ago, in Syracuse, New York. He has followed this business successfully, and he came to Lansing, Michigan, in I913. Here he established a business which grew substantially, and in February, I923, it was incorporated. On March 22, 1897, Mr. Crosby married, two children being born of the union, Thelma and Loie Louise, the latter of whom is deceased. The first wife died, and by a second marriage, two more children have been added to the family, Jack and William.. Mr. Crosby is a devoted Mason, a loyal Elk and a Rotarian. Politically he is independent. Mr. Crosby has been usefully active in the promotion and execution of community enterprises and social welfare activities, and in the upbuilding of the community his loyal support and unquestioned ability can ever be summoned. Crotty Brothers.-In I88I there came to Lansing, William and John Crotty. They were born, reared and educated in Boston, Massa INGHAM COUNTY 439 chusetts. They were booksellers. For a number of years they were partners and had a store on North Washington avenue, where now the Empress theatre is located. William married and went into the real estate business, leaving his brother in the book store. In connection with the book trade this firm handled all kinds of stationery, blank books, legal blanks, also pictures and photographs. From the beginning the stock in all departments was up-to-date and displayed in an attractive manner, the while customers were waited upon by courteous, obliging clerks. The establishment soon became the mecca of all book-lovers and purchasers. Men from all professions, all lines of business and industry can be met there, singly and in groups, as visitors or purchasers. The grave justice of the supreme court rubs elbows with the clerk from the automobile factory, or the teacher from the public school. When the rush of business for the day is over and the crowd is smaller, we find or imagine we are in some public library, as some who are left are quietly scanning the catalogues or reading titles of display books or conversing in low tone with the clerks concerning styles and printing of wedding stationery. The atmosphere of peace is decidedly scholastic and the display is so attractive that the factory worker, the professional man, and scholar will not leave without purchasing. John Crotty, the present proprietor, has made the buying and selling of books his life work, and as he has no family he has made books take the place of wife and children. We don't know of a better critic or judge of what is best in latest publications. It is a pleasant sight to see him with an open book in hand leaning over the counter and reading to a customer some extract from an ancient or modern author and commenting on same in his old-fashioned manner that carries conviction to purchaser. In modern terminology, we would call it psychological salesmanship. We don't know of any Lansing pioneer book-seller who made buying and selling books his specialty except Mr. Emery and his son. Books in pioneer time were a side line in some drug store, where they were displayed with perfumes, toilet articles and smelly drugs. In the forty-three years of continuous business Mr. Crotty has by hard work, built up a taste or desire among the people of Michigan's capital city to purchase and read not the trash but what is good in books-works that will benefit, not injure, them or their children. Mr. Crotty was forced to move his store to East Allegan street. He was a long time getting used to his new store after spending nearly forty years in the old place. We think he was homesick. In the autumn of I924 he is found permanently located, and the new store is assuming all the aspects of the old store on North Washington avenue. Alva M. Cummins, a representative member of the bar of Ingham county, with office headquarters in the Capital National Bank building, in the city of Lansing, has his home at 427 South Walnut street. He was born February 24, I86o, in Perry, Shiawassee county, Michigan. He is a son of Jeptha and Phebe (Dickerson) Cummins, Michigan pioneers who came from New York state and first settled in Almont, 440 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Lapeer county, Michigan. Alvin M. Cummins obtained his early education in Perry and when he was twelve years of age his parents went to South Dakota, where he continued his education in Groton College. Returning to Michigan later, he attended Kalamazoo College. Mr. Cummins came to Lansing and began the study of law under the preceptorship of Samuel Kilbourne. He was admitted to the bar in I89I. tie then went to Mason and practiced for seven years. In I897-98 he was prosecuting attorney of Ingham county. In I899, Mr. Cummins removed to Lansi'ng and became a member of the law firm of Thomas, Cummins & Nichols. This title was retained until I912. The firm name was then changed to Cummins & Nichols, and it remained such until I922. Since 1922 Mr. Cummins has been practicing alone. Mr. Cummins has established an honorable position in the profession of law and is sincerely interested in civic and political movements. Intelligent, observant and energetic, Mr. Cummins has been a source of genuine support in community co-operation. In politics he is a Democrat but always subordinates partisanship to public weal. He is well known throughout the state and has served on the Democratic state central committee. He has been president of the school board and made a creditable race for Congress in this district twice, in I9I0 and 1912. In 1922, Mr. Cummins made the race for governor of Michigan, against Groesbeck. He was chairman of the convention that year and had no intention of entering the race. The presentation of his name to the convention occasioned the greatest surprise to him, but he had the support of the party throughout the state. Mr. Cummins presented the name of Governor Ferris for President at the memorable Democratic national convention in New York in the summer of I924. In I9o8 he was a delegate to the convention that nominated William Jennings Bryan. In I892, AMr. Cummins was married to Jennie Osborne, who died in I898, leaving one daughter Mildred. On February 22, 1900, he was united in marriage to Fannie Fitch, a daughter of Charles Carrol Fitch and Mary K. Fitch. Mr. Fitch was a son of Hon. Ferris S. Fitch, Michigan pioneer and a leading citizen of Ingham county, for whom the town of Fitchburg was named. He settle:l in that section in I848, was prominent in Democratic politics and in 1852 and 1854 was elected to the state legislature. He was regarded the wheel-horse of the Democratic party for his yeoman service to the organization throughout the state. He was a charter member of Mason Lodge, No. 70, Free & Accepted Masons. His son, Charles Carrol Fitch, father of Mrs. Cummins, was likewise a prominent Democrat of the state a'nd was in the legislature from I889 to 1893. He was elected register of deeds in I884 and I886. He came to Mason in the early '6os and was in the abstract office fifteen vears. He was an influential member of the board of education of Mason for twelve years and was the promoter and president of the water and electric light company of Mason. Mrs. Charles C. Fitch has for a number of years been an active club woman of Lansing. She has been interested in the League of Women Voters, having been the president. She is now INGHAM COUNTY 441 vice-president of that boly. She is a member of the Womanl's Historical Club. Mr. and Mrs. Alva M. Cummins have two children, Charles Fitch Cummins and Dorothy Mary Cummins. Mr. Cummins was the first president of the Kiwanis club in Lansing and for many years has been a member of Lansing lodge of Masons. AMrs. Cummins has been regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Cummins is a member of the County, State and America'n Bar associations. A very substantial contribution to the commonwealth of Michigan has been made by Mr. Cummins and is a source of pride to himself and his countless friends. In 1913 he was appointed by Governor Ferris as chairman of the commission to revise the laws governing court practice. The members of the commission prepared and reported a complete revision of the court laws of the state which was submitted to the legislature and passed as the judicature act of I915. Roscoe D. Cummins, D. D. S., began the practice of dentistry in Lansing in April, I920, after a long and brave World war service with the armed forces of the United States, at home an:l abroad. He fought valiantly on the battle fronts of France, was seriously wounded and was discharged with honor. Although but thirty-two years of age, Dr. Cummins has an unusually creditable record and one that has endeared his to an ever enlarging circle of friends. Dr. Roscoe D. Cummins was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, in 1892. The Doctor is a son of A. I. and Mary (Davis) Cummins, both of whom were born at McComb, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Cummins were the parents of five children: Daisy, Guy, Helen, Roscoe D., and a daughter who is decea.sed. Roscoe D. Cummins married Mildred Burlingame in 1917, an:! to the union one child came, Charles Roscoe, who was born in June I920. Dr. Cummins was graduated in the Hillsdale county high school in I91. He entered the University of \Iichigan the next year and in this great institution he was graduated in I915, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. For eight months he practiced and in 1917 he enlisted in the United States army. Dr. Cummins was commissioned a first lieutenant of the dental corps and served at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas. In February, 1918, he was sent overseas, with the II9th Field Artillery. He la'nded at Liverpool, moving south to Southampton thence crossing the English Channel to Havre, France. Dr. Cummins engaged in active service with the First American Field Artillery in the Toul sector, the Alsace sector and in the memorable Chateau Thierry drive. On the Vesle front he was severely wounded on August 5, I918, and was sent to a hospital, where he spent six months. Thence he was invalided home, aboard the steamship Terrialba, landing in the United States in 1919 and receiving his discharge, February I6, I9I9. In April, 1920, Dr. Cummins began the practice of his chosen profession in Lansing. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge No. 32, the Elks, the Presbyterian church, and the Sixth District, State and National Dental societies. Elmer R. Dail.-Thoroughly conversant with the problems oi civil engineering and atten:dant construction work, Elmer R. Dail brings 442 HISTORIC MICHIGAN to his position as manager of the Jarvis Engineering Company, a knowledge that is helpful and commanding. The Jarvis Engineering Company is located at South and River streets, Lansing. Mr. Dail was born in Holt, Michigan, in September, 1887. His father, Louis H. Dail, a native of Ohio, was born in 1843, and came to Michigan in I850. The father passed away in I904. The mother before her marriage was Caroline Weigman, also born in Ohio. Elmer R. Dail attended grade school at Holt and thereafter entered Michigan Agricultural College, in which he was graduated as a Civil Engineer, in I9IO. He worked for the Gier-Dail Manufacturing Company a short while, then went with the Michigan Bridge & Pipe Company, on highway and bridge work for three years. Next he associated himself with the Jarvis Engineering Company, and in I9I5, he was m me manager, with full charge of plant and construction work, which position he retains. In I912, Mr. Dail was united in marriage to Edith M. Gunn, of Holt. There is one son, Harry Ray Dail. Mr. Dail, in addition to his business responsibilities and duties, gives time to the Chamber of Commerce of which he is 'a member. He is also an energetic Rotarian, and in the Masonic fraternity he is a Knight Templar. He is numbered among'the more progressive and forward-looking Lansingites. Frank H. Dains, who is in the plumbing and heating business at 628 East Michigan avenue, Lansing, has an excellent mechanical groundwork. He attended the public schools of Lansing and was graduated in the high school in 19)I. Later he entered the Michigan Agricultural College, and in that institution he graduated in I909. He took civil engineering work in I9IO and entered the plumbing business with his father-in-law, Mr. Armstrong. In 1920 he bought the interest of the latter and he has been proprietor of the concern ever since. The organization engages in all kinds of plumbing work, and steam fitting and heating, supplying materials, fixtures, etc., and furnishing the most skillful labor possible. Mr. Dains is serving at the present time as president of the Master Plumbers' association. His standing in the trade is high and his fine caliber and business integrity have combined to make the business successful. Mr. Dains is a Kiwanian, a member of Masonic Blue Lodge No. 33 and Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was born in 1882 in Redford, Michigan. His father was E. P. Dains, born in I850 in Redford. The mother was likewise born in Michigan, in I854. Before marriage she was Marriette Hutchinson. In I91o, Frank H. Dains was united in marriage to Helen E. Armstrong, who was born in I888. There are two children, George Dains, born in 1914, and Robert Dains, born in I916. Benjamin Franklin Davis.-The organizing, founding and building of a large and successful banking business is no small undertaking and few men are possessed of the requisite ability, yet the subject of this brief sketch, Benjamin F. Davis, president of the City National Bank of Lansing, has not only accomplished that task but has also found, time to launch other business enterprises that under his skillful INGHAM COUNTY 443 guidance have grown to large proportions and are today dominating factors in the world of commerce. Benjamin Franklin Davis was born at Elba, Genesee county, New York, October 14, 1844, and is a son of William F. and Mary Maria (Hague) Davis. His grandfather, William Davis, the founder of the family in America, was born in 1776, i'n London, England, where he engaged in merchandising until the latter part of the eighteenth century, when he came to America, located in New York City and there passed the remainder of his life. His death occurred in I809. His wife, whose maiden name was Fanny Davis, was likewise a native of London, having been born in that city in 1769 a'nd having (lied in New York City in 1834. They were the parents of several children, among whom was William Fuller Davis, who was the father of our subject, and whose birth occurred in New York City in I805. He was engaged in the banking business in his native city for a number of years and then removed to Elba, Genesee county, New York, where he farmed o'n a small scale until 1853, when he became one of the pioneer residents of Lansing, Michigan. Here he continued to maintain his home until his death, which occurred in I875. He married Mary Maria Hague, who also was born in New York City, in 1809, and who died in the city of Lansing in 1889. Six children were born to this union viz: Benjamin F., Rebecca, Frank, Cordelia, Mary and Sarah, of whom none are now living, except the subject of this review. Upon his arrival in Lansi'ng, William F. Davis purchased a quarter section of land in what is now the southeast portion of the city and there built his home on Cedar street and on a knoll diagonally across from the present plant of the Reo Motor Car Company. Both parents were highly respected pioneers of both the city and state. Benjamin F. Davis received his early education in the public schools of his home community and in the fall of I853, came with the family to Lansing, where he also attended school and later matriculated at the Michigan Agricultural College, pursuing a course of study there until 1864, when he was compelled to leave college on account of failing health, an epidemic of malaria having swept over this section of the country at that time. While he was convalescing, his u'ncle who was an officer connected with the Quartermaster's Department at Washington, D. C., offered him a position in that department, which he accepted and which he continued to fill until I867. In that year he returned to Lansing and engaged in the stave and lumber business, in which he continued till I88I. He then organized what is now known as The Lansing Company and of this he was manager until I886. The Lansing Company is one of the largest organizations in this city and was brought to Lansing solely through the interest of Mr. Davis, who enjoys the distinction of being the only man who, singlehanded, brought an important outside industry to this city. In i886 Mr. Davis organized the City National Bank, whose original capital stock was $Ioo,ooo. Under his careful guidance this institution has grown consistently year by year until today it has a capital stock of $250,000, $250,000 surplus and $350,000 of undivided profits and de 444 HISTORIC MICHIGAN posits of over $8,ooo0,000. It is considered one of the strongest banking houses in the middle west. Mr. Davis became its first cashier and general manager, serving as such until I909, when he was unanimously elected president, which position he is still filling. Besides ably discharging his many duties in this position he has served as treasurer of the Michigan Agricultural College for over thirty years. In I912 and 19I3 he filled the office of president of the Michigan Bankers Association and he was also a member of the executive committee of the American Bankers Association for a period of three years. He served as a director of the Pere Marquette Railroad from 1914 to I917 and also as a director of the Michigan United Railway Company, from its inception, and what is now known as the Michigan Electric Railway Company, still being a director of that corporation. He was one of the organizers and directors of the Lansing Storage Corporation, which is now the Michigan Butter & Egg Company. In I875, Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Eva Sparrow, a sister of the late Edward Sparrow after whom the E. W. Sparrow Hospital was named. Two daughters were born to this union-Bessie and Edith, the former of whom became the wife of James M. Reasoner, reporter of the Michigan Supreme Court who died in 1922, and both daughters make their home with their father. The wife and mother was called to the life beyond in I889. Mr. Davis contracted a second marriage in 1902, the lady of his choice being Sara Day, daughter of the late Dr. Fisk Day, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Davis is now one of the few pioneers of Michigan left who have see'n the state develop from a wilderness into a prosperous country and has contributed his full share toward this development. He has never sought political preferment but has never shirked a public duty when called upon to serve. In social affairs he is identified with the Masonic fraternity and holds membership in the Country club. He has always been a firm believer in the preservation of the pioneer history of the state of Michigan and has been an active member of the Pioneer Historical Society for many years, serving as its treasurer at the present time. Edward W. Davis, proprietor of the well-known Davis laundry at 332 North Washington avenue, Lansing, was born in this city, at the corner of Kalamazoo street and Washington avenue, where the People's Bank is now located. He is the son of Frank and Julia A. (Polhemous) Davis, who came from New York state. The father and the grandfather, William F. Davis, settled on land extending from what is now the Grand Trunk depot to Mount Hope avenue and from Washington avenue to Pennsylvania avenue. In later years, Frank Davis was a traveling man for H. J. Carrier Safe Company, of New York. He was active in Universalist church councils. Grandfather Jacob Polhemous came from New York state and settled at Delhi. For years he conducted a hotel on Capitol avenue, Lansing. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Davis were nine children. A daughter, Sadie, died at the age of three years; Fred Davis resides in San Francisco; and Charles H. Davis is secretary of the Chamber of Commerce; next INGHAM COUNTY 445 came Edwin A., and after him William, who for years was identified with the Board of Health and who is now deceased. Following him were Edward W.; Mary, of Hollywood, California, now Mrs. Bert Lyons; Benjamin, who served in the Spanish-American war and who died as the result of wounds sustained; and the ninth is Howard Davis, of Detroit, representative of the Durant Motor Car Company. Edward W. Davis received his early education in the grade and high schools and started work in a drug store in 1898. Shortly thereafter he began work in a laundry, and he has continued in the laundry business since. On September Io, 1891, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Cecilia A. Russell, of Owosso, (laughter of William Russell. Mr. Davis, like his father, is active in the Universalist church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community in which he has lived fifty-eight years. Dr. William J. Veitch Deacon is director of the bureau of records and statistics of the Michigan Department of Health, a post that serves as a barometer for the health conditions of the state and all its political subdivisions. Dr. Deacon was born in New York City, October 27, 1874, and is of the second generation of the Deacon family born in America, his grandfather having come from England. On the mother's side there is Scotch lineage, from the fine old McCormick family. Dr. Deacon's great grandfather, William Veitch, was a commodore of the United States Navy and a naval attache of the court of Spain. Dr. Deacon received his elementary education in New York and went through high school. He attended Washburn College, Topeka, Kansas, giving two years to medical and academic work, then attended the Kansas City Medical College, in which he was graduated with the degree of M.D. and D.P.H. Post-graduate work was do'ne in Kansas University and at Harvard University and Dr. Deacon became associate professor of preventive medicine in Kansas University and lecturer at Washburn College, so serving several years. In this period he was a member of the advisory board of the Kansas state board of health from I905 to 19o9, and state registrar from I9II to 1918. The Doctor was sent to the Mexican border on special war service in public health work and in I9I9 he came to Lansing as epidemiologist of the state department of health of Michigan. He was then appointed director of the bureau of records and statistics of the department, the post he fills with credit to himself and the state. In I905, Dr. Deacon was united in marriage to Miss Myra Powell, of Cincinnati. They had two children, Thomas Crosby Deacon, who lost his life in France during the World war, and Myra Lu Deacon. Thomas Crosby Deacon was a member of the 312th Supply Company, (uartermaster's Corps, and was in the service a year and a half. He died in Chateauroux, France, sacrificing his life for his country. Miss Myra Deacon is a student at Michigan Agricultural College. Dr. Deacon, in addition to his other professional duties, has been a lecturer at the University of Michigan four years. His special efforts are in the direction of vital statistics and disease prevention and health conservation, in which he is 446 HISTORIC MICHIGAN rendering a distinct service to the state. Dr. Deacon is a Fellow of the American Public Health Association and chairman of the sectio'n on vital statistics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a past eminent commander of Topeka Commandery No. 5, Knights Templar. He has also taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, belonging to Topeka consistory, and also to the Red Cross of Constantine. The Doctor is attached to Plymouth Congregational church. He is a major in Adjutant General's Department Officers Reserve Corps, United States Army, and A. A. Surgeon in the United States Public Health Service. Elmer B. Decke.-Mr. Decke has had a long and valuable experience and training in the business of supplying the public with foodstuffs. As a matter of fact, he is an expert in that rather important service which, according to the story books of long ago, combined in one category, "butcher, baker and candle stick maker." Facetiously, it has been said that nowadays one can get everything but drugs at a drug store. But with the grocery it is different. The well ordered retail grocery establishment does handle a great variety of foods and of articles indispensable to the conduct of the household. To that extent, therefore, the modern retail grocer is indeed a specialist and a keen one at that. Mr. Decke knows the game. He was born in Lansing, June 30, I870. His father, William H. Decke, was born in I839, in Germany, and came to the Unite:l States in I854. He was engaged in the dispensing of meats at retail. The senior Decke died in I918. The mother was, before marriage, Mary Williams, and was born in 1839 in Newark, New Jersey. There were five children, C. C., George and Elmer B. Decke, and Frank and Hubert who are deceased. In I899, Elmer B. Decke was married to Nellie E. Kenyon, who was born in 1876. Mr. Decke's early education was obtained in the public schools of Lansing. In 1894 he went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the grocery and meat business until I919, when he returned to Lansing and became associated in business with his brother, George E. Decke. In 1921 he purchased his brother's interest and has since conducted the business alone. His store is at 627 West St. Joseph street, where he has been located for the past five years and has built up an extensive trade, his patrons being numbered among the best citizens of that community. Franklin DeKleine.-Heading the Franklin DeKleine company, the subject of this sketch presides over an establishment that means much to the commercial and industrial life of Lansing. Franklin DeKleine acquired a fundamental knowledge of the printing and stationery business and understands it thoroughly. Modern business practice and methods make such an establishment, specializing as it does in such service, indispensable. The company dominated by Mr. DeKleine sells every known device and appliance for the office and makes a further specialty in supplying all kinds of printing. As every business man knows, the conduct of an office or business is expedited by facilities and the development of a business is largely conditioned by the nature and character of the printed matter it uses in disseminating its INGHAM COUNTY 447 messages. This is exactly why the Franklin DeKleine company is concentrating upon printing, stationery and office appliances. Mr. DeKleine is a native of Michigan having been born in Jamestown, January 15, I874. His father was Henry DeKleine, a native of The Netherlands, born in 184I. The grandfather DeKleine was one of the pioneers of Ottawa county. He brought his family into the wilderness and there cleared and improved a farm and raised his family under those conditions and there passed the remainder of his life. His wife died shortly after coming to Michigan. At an early age Mr. DeKleine came to the United States, in 1847, and settled in Forest Grove, Ottawa county, became a successful merchant and later at Jamestown Center held several township offices and owned and farmed a large tract of land. The mother of Franklin DeKlei'ne was Frannie Boer, also a native of Holland. The senior DeKleine's land skirts three sides of Jamestown Center but the sturdy Hollander built not only upon material grounds but spiritual as well. Literally he built fine churches about the country surrounding Jamestown Center and for many years manifested an ardent and wholesome interest in the spiritual life of the community. In such an atmosphere Franklin DeKleine breathed inspiration and was privileged to lay the foundation of a life that has been one of service and of justifiable profit. The son received a common school education and attended Hope and Hillsdale colleges, also acquiring a basic knowledge of the printing industry and stationery business, for the two are essentially inseparable. For four years Mr. DeKleine had a store in Grand Rapids, selling office appliances. He then represented the Macey company for eight years as buyer and traveling salesman. In 1914 he came to Lansing and organized the Allen-DeKleine company and effected a reorganization of the concern in 1923 as the Franklin DeKleine company. Mr. DeKleine and Miss Harriet Macey were joinel in wedlock on June 28, 19oo, and two girls aided in brightening the home. They are Dorothy and Helen. Mr. DeKleine is a Kiwanian and an Elk. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. His church affiliation is with the First Presbyterian. Truthfully may it be said that by service Mr. DeKleine profits. Louis DeLamarter, D.D.-Dr. DeLamarter, one of the best-known and most respected Methodist ministers of the state, is a member of an old American family of French-Huguenot ancestry. He was born near Brighton in Livingston county, Michigan, i'n I850, the son of Peter and Rachael (Auchmoedy) DeLamarter, both of whom were born in New York state. The family is one of the pioneer families of the state, having come to Michigan in I837. Peter DeLamarter and wife settled in Livingston county and resided there until 1865, when they moved to Lansing. Louis DeLamarter received his early education in Livingston county, then attended ward school in Lansing and entered Michigan Agricultural college. He then applied himself to theology, took a special four-year course a'nd was accorded the dlegree, Doctor of Divinity, by Albion college. He served as pastor of the Methodist church in Leslie, Ingham county-his first pastoral appoint 448 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ment-afterward filling charges at Mason, Eaton Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Coldwater and at other places, his ministry featured by diligence and consummate desire to serve the Lord. For eight years, from 1872 to I880, Dr. DeLamarter was in the service of the state, in charge of the compilation and dissemination of vital statistics, and returned to ministerial labors in I880. For six years Dr. DeLamarter was field secretary for the endowment fund of the Michigan conference and from I9go to I907 was presiding elder of the Lansing district of the Methodist church. In I879, in Lansing, Dr. DeLamarter was united in wedlock to Mary E. Baker, formerly a teacher in the Lansing high school. She was born in New York state, is a woman of fine character and ennobling traits and has fully earned the respect and confidence of the many who know her. She has been a factor in her husband's professional success, self-reliant, dependable on all occasions and under all circumstances, helpful, a "rod and staff" to him in the conduct of church work. Mrs. DeLamarter possesses unusual literary ability and for many years her poems of diverse character enriched the columns of The Chicago Inter-Ocean. Dr. and Mrs. DeLamarter had four children. The third child, Donald, died in I898. The first child, Eric E. DeLamarter, is a musician of prominence in Chicago and is an organist, composer and director. He studied music in Paris. He has been the organist of the Fourth Presbyterian church. Chicago, fourteen years, has been director of the Chicago Symphony orchestra for some time and musical editor and critic of The Chicago Tribune for several years. He has been a member of the faculty of the Chicago Musical college. Mr. DeLamarter is the father of two daughters. Elsie DeLamarter, second child of Dr. and Mrs. DeLamarter, married Colby Dill, of Woodbridge, New Jersey. They have five children, two girls and three boys. Mrs. Dill is a graduate of Muskegon high school and of Goucher college, Baltimore. Before marriage she was supervisor of English in the Lansing high school and in the Springfield, Massachusetts, high school. Luella DeLamarter is making an enviable record for herself in public life. She is a graduate of Lansing high school and of Goucher college and did post-graduate work in the University of Chicago and at Columbia university. She taught in the Springfield, Massachusetts, high school and in Cape Mav Court House in New Jersey, later served as private secretary to Dr. Jenks and assistant editor of a periodical devoted to Chinese matters. She has also been the private secretary of Dr. Emery, in Pekin, China. Dr. Emery was then with the Asia Banking corporation. In I920 she was put in charge of American Re:l Cross work in Shanghai, China, and at the time of the Japanese earthquake rendered most efficient service. She dispatched the first unit of service to Tokio for the relief of the 'quake sufferers. Civic and club work command much of the interest and effort of Miss DeLamarter. William A. Depue.-Operating on East Main street a plant for the manufacture of cigar boxes and labels, William A. Depue has con-. tributed in no small measure to the industrial prosperity and prestige INGHAM COUNTY 449 of Lansing. He has had a long connection with the cigar box industry and by reason of this experience, his business sagacity and zeal, he has been able to develop a large and profitable trade. His early training indicated, however, a tendency toward school teaching but his course was diverted. He pursued a commercial education and later became a manufacturer. Mr. Depue was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, August 14, I858. His father was Jeremiah Depue, a native of Ohio, born in I834. He was a veteran of the Civil war and after the great conflict came to Michigan, bought raw land, cleared it and established a home. He followed farming as his means of livelihood. The father died in I92I. The mother, whose maiden name was Isabel Kelso, was born in New York state. Her parents came west in the early days and established their home along the Indiana a'nd Michigan state line, and; reared their families in the habits of thrift and economy that necessity compelled them to adopt. Mrs. Isabel Depue passed away in I916. William A. Depue first attended the country schools. Keen in pursuit of an education, he attended the Tri-State Normal school and obtained the qualifications that would enable him to teach. But he went to work in a general store in Branch county instead. Successively he was engaged in Fremont and in Ray, Indiana, spending ten years in a business career that gained for him considerable experience. For three years he worked in the cigar box industry in Coldwater, Michigan, and he came to Lansing in I896. Here he formed a partnership with S. J. Norton, on Washington avenue, to manufacture cigar boxes and labels under the firm name of Norton & Depue. This partnership continued three years, and Mr. Depue then bought Mr. Norton's interest, and thus he alone owns the plant, which is located on East Main street. As a manufacturer of cigar boxes and labels, Mr. Depue is widely known and bears a reputation that is enviable to say the least. In I891, Mr. Depue was united in marriage to Miss Emma Barnes, who passed away eleven months after marriage. Later Mr. Depue was wedded to Mrs. Anna Barnes, who, however, was not related to the former wife. This was in I900. Mr. Depue is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and of the Modern Woodmen of America. Frank Distel, Jr.-During a four years' connection with a large Calumet hardware concern doing heating and plumbing, Frank Distel, Jr., became interested in engineering and ventilating, pursued a special course of instruction and today presides over a large contract concern, the scope of which is best indicated by the name, Distel Heating Equipment company. The concern handles mostly contract work, including heating, plumbing and power-plant installation, locally and within a radius of one hundred miles of Lansing. The company is now (1924) executing an $85,ooo contract at Ann Arbor. Mr. Distel is a specialist in this line and is the only Lansing member of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating. Frank Distel, Jr., was born in Germany, April II, 1878. His father, Frank Distel, Sr., was born in Germany in I85I, came to the United States in I888 and settled in Calumet, Michigan. There he engaged in copper mining. He now resides in Detroit. 3-29 450 HISTORIC MICHIGAN His wife, Ludwina Distel, was also a native of Germany. She (lied in I88i. Another son, Leo Distel, is engaged in the hotel business an:l there is a daughter, Rose. Frank Distel, Jr., attended the public schools of Calumet and was graduated there in the high school in I896. He worked for the Frank B. Lyon Hardware company, of Calumiet, for four years, and it was during this period that he determined upon engineering and ventilating as a vocation. In 900o he started in business in Calumet, under the name of the Peninsula Plumbing & Heating Company. This continued until I921, when he sold the business and came to La'nsing. He established an office in the Oakland building, which was destroyed by fire in January, I924, and he then transferred to the Bauch building. The concern is one of the most important in Lansing and is widely known for the substantial nature of its service. The Distel Heating Company undertook the heating and plumbing in the United building and completed same in ninety days, which was thirty days previous to the contract time of completion. In I908 Mr. Distel was married. His wife, Marguerite, was born March 20, I884. There are two children in the family circle, Robert, born May 20, 19IO, and Lawrence, born August 24, 1914. Mr. Distel is an Elk and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Frank L. Dodge.-In every community there rise above the ordinary line of citizenship certain outstanding characters who, by virtue of their peculiar ability and power of leadership, are instinctively referred to as first citizens. In the discussion that usually precedes the formulation of public works or policies, their counsel and advice are first sought. Community leadership, too, is not always contingent upon wealth, but more often upon ability to formulate and to co-ordinate thought and action, the while possessing the courage of conviction. Even in a democracy where there is every opportunity for self-expression, mass thinking is largely conditioned upon and directed by individual leadership. And so there has for many years been in Lansing and vicinity an outstanding character, a pillar of strength, a tower of community leadership in the person of Hon. Frank L. Dodge, distinguished in the law, in official public service and in commonwealth development. The outstanding features of Mr. Dodge's brilliant career are not only of rare interest but also a source of great pride to Lansingtonians. Mr. Dodge is a native of Ohio, born at Oberlin, in 1853, and is a son of Hervey and Angeline (Stevens) Dodge, both of sturdy New England ancestry. The Stevens family comes of Revolutionary stock and its representatives were conspicuous in public life in New England and in the Buckeye state. Hervev Dodge, a cabinetmaker, was engaged in the furniture business in Utica, New York, and later in Ohio. Nathan Dane, the well-known lawyer, was an uncle to Mr. Dodge's father and the makers of the Dodge shoes, were relatives of Frank L. Dodge. The subject of this sketch is one of six children, five boys and one girl. His early education was gained in Ohio and for a few years he was engaged in railroad work in Cleveland, then became associated with his brother, Mr. W. H. Dodge, in the hotel busi C~L~~c4 INGHAM COUNTY 451 ness. His law studies began with the late Hon. Isaac M. Crane, one of the leading lawyers of Michigan, and upon admission to the bar, in Eaton county, Mr. Dodge entered into partnership with Mr. Crane. In 1879 Mr. Dodge came to Lansing from Eaton Rapids, and here he has since maintained his home, active in law and public service. For years he and Hon. C. P. Black, former United States district attorney, were law partners. In I885 Judge Henry B. Brown, of the United States supreme court, appointed Mr. Dodge United States commissioner, and in this office he served capably for ten years. As an attorney he has been connected with celebrated cases, among them the conspiracy suits growing out of the great labor strike at Saginaw. As a Democrat he was elected to the state legislature in 1882 and was returned by a largely increased majority in 1884. He was a member of the judiciary, state-affairs and other important committees. Within the period of his service as a member of the legislature Mr. Dodge introduced forty-one bills and resolutions, each carefully drawn and studied by himself, and during the entire session of the lawmaking body he was absent only a day and a half. Among the more important measures introduced by Mr. Dodge, and in due course brought to enactment, were that giving Lansing two terms of the circuit court and that providing state appropriation for the Lansing fire and police departments. He introduced the measure providing fire escapes for hotels, theaters and other public buildings. His able championship insured the passage of thirty other important measures. In I890 he was a candidate for state senator, on the Democratic ticket, carrying his ward, city and count ltagainst a heavy Republican majority. He was a member of the building committee that erected the court house at Mason, and for his efforts the citizens of Mason, as an expression of appreciation, gave his a banquet and presented him with a gold-headed cane. November 20, I888, Mr. Dodge was united in marriage to Miss Abby Turner. (laughter of Hon. James Turner, of an old and prominent family. Mr. Turner erected the first frame house in the northern part of Lansing. Mr. Turner and his associates built the Michigan Central Railroad into Lansing and the railroad now called the Pere Marquette. In I866 he was elected a member of the state senate from Ingham and Clinton counties. Upon the organization of the board of education, in 1851, he was elected a member, and he retained this position the remainder of his life. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodge. Sophie, Dane, a graduate of Lansing high school and Michigan Agricultural College, is the wife of C. C. Armstrong, of Cleveland, and they have two children, Marian Josephine and Franklin Wyllis. Frank L., Jr., for several years has been attached to the federal department of justice; Wyllis Osborn was graduated in Lansing high school and attended the University of Michigan until he enlisted in the World war, and he is now engaged in the real estate business in Lansing; Josephine Nicholson, a graduate of Hathaway Brown school, in Cleveland, is the wife of Andrus D. McLean, Jr., of Mansfield, Ohio, and is the mother of two children, 452 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Patricia Ann and Roderick Alexander. The fifth is Marion T. Dodge, a graduate from Lansing high school, then attended the Mary Lyon school at Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and is now attending the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Frank L. Dodge was the promoter, incorporator and secretary of the St. Johns & St. Louis Railway Company and worked assiduously at the project until it was materialized, a public service of great value to Lansing. He has been three times the Democratic candidate for congress, and each time ran far ahead of the ticket. Mr. Dodge has farming and other interests. At one time he owned oo00 head of fine horses. His beautiful home, at Io6 North street, on Dodge River Drive, is a show place of Lansing, surrounded by fine grounds and trees and superbly located on the bank of the Grand river. Many dignitaries have been entertained there-celebrated lawyers, members of the supreme court, William Jennings Bryan and others. The Frank Dodge subdivision is being built up with many modern homes by Mr. Dodge and his son Wyllis 0. Dodge. For twelve years Mr. Dodge was a member of the city council and four times its president. He was an alderman of his ward twelve years and was president of the commission that revised the city charter. For several years he was on the school board. He was a member and president of the police and fire boards a number of years. Mr. Dodge is an active member of the Ingham County Bar Association and the American Bar Association, and has been and is now chairman of the executive committee of the Michigan State Bar Association. He has been and is still the secretary of the State Supervisors' Association and has charge, locally, of legislative matters. He was appointed by Governor Ferris, under special act of the legislature, in 1914, chairman of the mediation and conciliation board, of which United States Senator James Couzens was an associate member. The members of the Dodge family are attendants at Plymouth Congregational church. Harold T. Donaldson.-By the nature of its operations, there is no single enterprise in any community that contributes more to the stability, prosperity and well-being of the community than the building and loan association. It inculcates in the young, and even the old, habits of thrift. It encourages systematic saving and the obviation of waste, and it not only encourages but provides the way whereby people may own their homes. Home ownership is the most certain safeguard against the invasion of forces or ideas repugnant or hostile to American ideals and institutions. In the promotion of the building and loan association no person has been more assiduous or helpful than Harold T. Donaldson, secretary and treasurer of the Union Building & Loan association, II9 West Allegan street, Lansing. Mr. Donal:lson is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. This may account in some measure for his interest in thrift. Mr. Donaldson was born at Bad Axe, Michigan, September 23, I890, the son of Thomas and Agnes Donaldson. The mother was born in Baltimore, the father in Connecticutt. Mrs. Donaldson was born on July 15, I849, and is living in Pontiac. The father INGHAM COUNTY 453 died in 1897 at the age of fifty-seven years. Both were of ScotchIrish parentage. Thomas Donaldson and his father came to Michigan before the Civil war, settling in Oakland county, and Mrs. Donaldson's folks also became pioneers within the same county. Thomas Donaldson was a druggist and followed that business the greater part of his life. He finally moved to Detroit and his death occurred in I897. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson had four children. Harold T. Donaldson attended the grade schools and was graduated from high school in I9Io. In 1912 he came to Lansing with the Vandervoort Hardware company, with which he remained two years. He then became associated with the Union Building & Loan Association, and in I9I9 he became its secretary and treasurer. On May 28, 1917, he was united in marriage to Louise E. Sherred, of Grand Rapids. There is one child, Kenneth, born in March, I922. Mr. Donaldson, by reason of his connection, is necessarily interested in civic movements and all general activities and programs promotive of Lansing welfare and advancement. He is a Republican, an Elk, a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of the Lions Club and the Country Club. Andrew Beach Dougherty, attorney general of Michigan, was born in St. John, New Brunswick, October 17, 1863, the son of Archibald K. Dougherty, who likewise was born in St. John and who came to Michigan in i868. Archibald K. Dougherty became a pioneer of Antrim county, Michigan, and was one of the best known and most beloved citizens of that section. From 1868 to 1878 he lived in Charlevoix, where he took an active part in public affairs. In 1878 he moved to Elk Rapids, and for seventeen years he was the postmaster there. In 1887 he became a member of the state law-making body. Andrew Beach Dougherty received his early education in Charlevoix and Elk Rapids but did not attend college. As a boy he was an omnivorous reader, and his mother was obliged to carry the light away at night so the lad could read no more and thus obtain the sleep he needed. Industry and studious habits have contributed to the very definite success of Mr. Dougherty. He read law in Elk Rapids, was admitted to the bar in 1889 and spent four years in Washington, D. C., as principal examiner in the general land office. Returning to Elk Rapids in 1894, he practiced law until 19I3. He served three terms as prosecuting attorney of Antrim county, beginning in 1894, and ten years as deputy attorney general, beginning such service when Justice Grant Fellows entered the department as attorney-general, January I, I913. He served four years under the regime of Governor Groesbeck when the latter was attorney-general and two years with Mr. Wiley. He was appointed by the governor to succeed Mr. Wiley, who resigned to engage in private law practice in Detroit. Among the more important cases before Mr. Dougherty were the Michigan Telephone, the Wisconsin boundary and the abstraction of water from the Great Lakes. It is said that no public officer possesses a wider knowledge of Michigan than he. Mr. Dougherty is a Mason, Elk and Shriner. In 1904 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. For some years he' 454 HISTORIC MICHIGAN was president of the village of Elk Rapids; also a circuit court commissioner. Mr. Dougherty is -unmarried. He has four sisters, Mary, Katherine, Mrs. Charlotte Clark and Mrs. Louise Amerson. Alfred Henry Doughty, who was elected mayor of Lansing, Michigan, in I923, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, February 22, 1881. His father, George Henry Doughty, was born in Boston, in 1854, and at an early age entered the plumbing business, shortly afterward expanding into steam fitting. In the course of time George Henry Doughty became one of the leading steam engineering contractors of Cleveland. He was a loyal Republican, was somewhat active in politics but never sought office, although tendered several public positions at different times. In 1893 Mr. Doughty and several workmen were drowned in Lake Erie, while engaged in a construction project that took them some distance out in the lake. The mother of Alfred Henry Doughty was Elizabeth Farrar Ranson, a native of Birmingham, England. She came to the United States when a mere child. Her father brought to the United States a cotton-ginning machine the operation of which aroused considerable interest. Mrs. Ranson later opened what is declared to have been the first hotel in her home city, but its career was brought to an early termination through the ravages of fire. Alfred Henry Doughty went through the public schools of Cleveland and took an accounting course and for a year and a half followed this profession, during which period he revised the cost department of the Peerless Motor Car Company and other large Cleveland corporations. He traveled for an Eastern house for twenty-one years, selling flour and cement sacks, and in 1902 he came to Michigan as representative of the company, but remained in the state only a short time. In I909 Mr. Doughty returned to Michigan, choosing Lansing as his headquarters. In I918 and I9I9 he served as an alderman and was re-elected in I92I. During this period he was in charge of the truck division of the local branch of the Reo Company. Incidentally Mr. Doughty built the first bus and speedwagon of the Reo concern. In I923 Mr. Doughty was elected mayor of Lansing. In 1914 Flora Dobie, who was born near Lansing in 1878, became the wife of Mr. Doughty, Mrs. Doughty having been previously married. There is one daughter, the wife of D. F. Ingersoll, cousin of the famous watchmaker. Mayor Doughty is a member of the Masonic fraternity, including blue lodge, chapter and council; of the Elks, Moose, Merchants' Bureau and the Kiwanis Club. He is also an honorary member of the field artillery. William M. Dowden, president of the Lansing Business university, was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, August 31, 1878, the son of Dr. James W. and Tamer (Clodfelter) Dowden, the former of whom was born in Indiana, April 27, 1843, and the latter of whom was born in the same state in May, I844. The paternal grandparents of William Dowden came from Kentucky to settle on a farm near Waveland, Indiana, about five miles from Crawfordsville, and it was there that James W. Dowden worked on the farm until he took up the study of medicine. After his preparation for the practice of medicine, INGHAM COUNTY 455 he practiced near Crawfordsville for nearly fifty years and was a prominent contributor to the American Medical Journal. He died at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife died in 1883, when William M. Dowden was but a boy of five. Of the eight children born to them, four are now living, and they are: William M., the subject of this review; Mrs. Perry White; Charles, and Mrs. Della Eberly. William M. Dowden attended the common and high schools of his home community and then entered the Central Normal school, of Danville, Indiana. From the first, he had ordered his education with a view to becoming a teacher, and in I907 he took a private normal training course. From I902 to I907 he taught in the public schools and in the latter year was made principal of the Parke County Consolidated schools, a position which he retained for three years. He had previously graduated from a business college and was thus well fitted for the next position which he accepted, namely, principal of the Wabash Commercial college, of Terre Haute, Indiana, where he remained for two years. During the next two years he gave up teaching in favor of becoming a traveling salesman, after which he was engaged in the insurance business in Terre Haute for three years. He then went to Chicago as an instructor at the Metropolitan Business college, where he remained for three years, when he went to Moline, Illinois, where he conducted the Brown school until the time of his removal to Lansing, which occurred in June, I920. Mr. Dowden came to Lansing to assume control of the Lansing Business university, which at the time was in rather straitened circumstances and badly in need of a manager of the experience and ability of Mr. Dowden to put it on its feet. With what success he has met may be seen from the fact that within a short time he was able to secure the present fine location at the corner of Ionia and Capitol streets, where the rooms are well equipped to meet the needs of the constantly growing classes. Mr. Dowden attributes much of his success to the help of his wife, who assists him in the work. She was a Miss Redenbaugh, the daughter of J. F. and Susie I. Redenbaugh, pioneer farmers and merchants of Indiana, and she and Mr. Dowden were married November 12, I902. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants' Bureau and Y. M. C. A., and he affiliates with the Universalist church. He is president of the National Federation of Private Commercial Schools, treasurer of the Private School association, and secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Business Schools association. From the last named offices which he holds, it may be seen what a high place Dr. Dowden holds among private school educators in the country, and with this fact in mind Lansing people, and particularly business men, should be glad that the city is afforded the advantages of a business college under such expert supervision. A. L. Dowling, cashier of the People's State Bank of Leslie, has contributed materially to the prestige of the institution and is a man of ability and probity. He was born in Leslie, November 25, 1874, 456 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the son of Dr. Martin S. and Lurine (Bennett) Dowling. The father was born in Somersetshire, England, and came to Lenawee county, Michigan, where he farmed for a long time. He finally turned his attention to the study of medicine. In I873 he moved to Leslie, and there he practiced his profession until his death, in April, I909, at the age of seventy-one years. The mother was born in Lenawee county, in I850, and died in I88I. There were four children in the family, Mrs. L. B. Bond, A. L., Clarence W., of Lansing, and Claude, of Shepherd, Michigan. When A. L. Dowling was twenty-five years old he started in the bank, gave the best that was in him, without stint, and advanced. The institution was incorporated as a state bank in I886. In I913, Mr. Dowling was united in marriage with Mildred M. Cole, of Leslie. They have two children, Albert M. and David L. Mr. Dowling is a Mason, Elk and Odd Fellow. Politically he is independent. Henry J. Downey.-Noted for the warmth and radiance of his nature, his open-mindedness and his eagerness to be of service to those in need, He'nry J. Downey, representative hotel man and long a citizen of Lansing, closed his eyes in final sleep, conscious of the good will of the entire community. His loss will forever be felt in Lansing. Mr. Downey was born in 1838, near Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio, and died October I, I894. The family came to Michigan when he was a small boy. The mother died in Saginaw and the family returned to Ohio, but after receiving an education, Mr. Downey came back to Michigan, in I862. His youngest brother died from the effects of illness contracted through service in the Civil war. In June, I862, Mr. Downey married Margaret Pence, of Seneca county, Ohio, and they immediately located in Capac, Michigan, where he bought timber land and started a sawmill. The family of Mrs. Downey is of Pennsylvania German origin. Her great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution. The Pence and Bowland families have been conspicuous in Seneca county, Ohio, for many years. There were eight children in the family of which Mrs. Downey was a member, six of whom are living at advanced ages. Two brothers were in the Civil war, one succumbing to illness contracted while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Downey had five children. Three died in infancy, two grew to maturity. Oscar C. died in I919, and Charles died in I92I. Charles Downey was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Pitt, a native of Genessee county, and two children were born, Margaret and Florence. Margaret married J. Daniel Derby. They have two children, Daniel Downey and Margaret. Florence became the wife of F. C. Martindale, general manager and secretary-treasurer of the Hotel Downey. They have three children, Florence, Mary and Charles Downey. In I880, Henry J. Downey moved to Durand, and for six years he conducted a hotel in that place. He went to Flint in i886 and for two years was engaged in the wholesale tobacco business, and in I888 he came to Lansing and purchased the hotel known as the Lansing House, which is now Hotel Downey. He refitted the structure and until his death con f 111 9 40elvp-x — ^nlb INGHAM COUNTY 457 ducted a clean, up-to-date hotel. His quiet nature, charming manner, desire to please and zeal for service ingratiated him in the hearts not only of hundreds of patrons, but of the entire community. He was' the soul of honor. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. The characteristics of the father were transmitted to the children, and during the World war the hotel was virtually placed at the disposal of the government. Mrs. Downey faithfully carries out her husband's ideals, as do the other members of the family. Mrs. Downey is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps and of the Order of the Eastern Star. Henry J. Downey was one of the founders of the Ingham County Savings Bank and served as its president for several years. This bank was later merged with the State Savings Bank. William C. Dudley, president and general manager of the Dudley Paper Company of Lansing, is an exemplar of the wisdom of thoroughness. In establishing and directing the destiny of a large and influential business, Mr. Dudley in all his relationships reflects the gospel of hard work, of patience, of capacity and of complaisance. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, July 12, I876, he went with his parents to Marlboro, Massachusetts. There he attended the high school and later New Hampshire State and Amherst Colleges. In each school, the young man lined up for athletics and played football with credit. He was associated with his father for a period of about four years and in I898 went to Cincinnati to acquire knowledge of the paper business. He began his paper career with the Cincinnati Cordage & Paper Company and later went on the road for that concern, covering Michigan. In I907 Mr. Dudley arranged with the company to start in business in Lansing as the Lansing Paper Company. The Cincinnati Cordage & Paper company, which is a solid and well-known corporation, owned a half-interest in the La'nsing Paper Company, the other half being controlled by Mr. Dudley, who, in I909, bought the other half interest and incorporated the business as the Dudley Paper Company, capitalized at $Io,ooo. Business increased so rapidly that in I91 the capital stock was increased to $40,000 and in 1917 expansion made it necessary to increase the authorized capitalization to $Ioo,ooo. The present capitalization is $300,000, just thirty times what it was when the corporation was formed. The company's warehouse affords 30,000 square feet of floor space and the company is very proud of its rapid advancement as distributors of paper of all kinds. The Dudley Company is meeting the growing demands of a growing community and to its variety of stock is added an element of courtesy and service that logically makes for success. On December I9, I901, Mr. Dudley was united in marriage to Miss Blanche B. Beaudry, of Massachusetts. Aside fron his business connections with the Dudley Paper Company. Mr. Dudley has been unsparing in his support of public and civic services. He served on the electric light and water board eight years and is a member of the state corrections commission. Reflecting the value of the Rotarian apothegm, or slogan, "He profits most who serves best," Mr. Dudley is, indeed, a true member and representative of 458 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Rotary. He is also a firm supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and is a Mason and an Elk. Hezekiah Nixon Duff is chairman of the Michigan Securities Commission, a regulatory body created by law for the safeguarding of the public against dishonest or questionable enterprises that are set on foot to mulct those who are allured by the roseate promises of quick wealth and enormous investment returns. The commission is of the greatest importance and its service should be so recognized by the people. Mr. Duff was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1876, a son of Col. Levi Bird and Harriet (Nixon) Duff. Both are of old American families, Mordecai Duff having come to America from Ireland during the Revolutionary period. Ancestors of the mother came in 1754, settled in Pennsylvania and became conspicuous in the history of that state. The great-grandfather of Mr. Duff, on his mother's side, was Major William Lee, a colonial war soldier, while his grandfather, Hezekiah Nixon, was the first mayor of Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Col. Levi B. Duff served as prosecuting attorney of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and during the Civil war was on the staff of General Kearney. Hezekiah Nixon Duff received his early education in Pittsburgh and was graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in I894, receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He entered newspaper work, and while in the university he was interested in journalism and filled different positions on papers. He was assistant editor of the Pittsburgh Leader and the Pittsburgh Dispatch. In I908 Mr. Duff came to Michigan as publicity man for C. W. Post, of Battle Creek. He later came to Lansing as capital correspondent of the Free Press, of Detroit, and as legislative and state-house correspondent became closely associated withi state affairs and made many friends i'n the capitol and throughout Lansing and Ingham county. He was engaged actively in newspaper work a quarter of a century. In I919 Mr. Duff was elected executive officer of the securities commission and when the law was changed in I923 he was appointed by Governor Groesbeck chairman of the state securities body, officially the Michigan Securities Commission. In the Spanish-American war, Mr. Duff was lieutenant of Battery B, Pennsylvania artillery. He is a member of the United Spanish War Veterans and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is a past state commander. During the World war his newspaper training admirably fitted him for his service as director of publicity of the Michigai War Preparedness Board, which acted under and responded to the National Council of Defense. Mr. Duff is a member also of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, of the Union League Club of Detroit, ahd of the Country Club of Lansing. Since assuming connection with the Michigan Securities Commission Mr. Duff has twice been president of the National Association of Securities Commissions, an organization consisting of the enforcement officers of the so-called "blue-sky laws" of the various states of the Union. In I903 Mr. Duff was united in marriage to Miss Sara Lindsay, of Pittsburgh. Two children have come into the family circle, Henry Lindsay Duff, INGHAM COUNTY 459 a junior in the University of Michigan, and Edgar Nixon Duff, a Lansing high school student. Mr. and Mrs. Duff are members of the Presbyterian church. Major Rolph Duff is commissioner of public utilities, a most important branch of the Michigan state government functioning for the protection of the public. Major Duff was born in I865 and has been a resident of Michigan twenty-eight years. For twenty-one years he was a Congregational minister, serving in St. Clair and in Armada. In 1917 Major Duff came to Lansing as private secretary to Governor Sleeper. He also served two years as private secretary to Governor Groesbeck and then was appointed public utilities commissioner. Major Duff is unmarried. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding affiliation with Evergreen Lodge No. 9, at St. Clair. He is also a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and of Plymouth Congregational church. Major Duff has brought to the state commission of which he is an executive a splendid judgment and a scrupulous regard for the elements of justice, that, in the last analysis, must recognize the identity of interest of the public and the public service corporations. L. S. Dunkin, M. D.-Following scrupulously the highest ethical standards of the medical profession, Dr. L. S. Dunkin has, although a young man, achieved an enviable reputation in practice throughout Lansing and Ingham county. The Doctor was born in Chicago, March 30, I898. His father and mother were born in Indiana. The father, Lemuel Dunkin, was born in I875. He is assistant general manager of the Grand Ledge Chair Company, Grand Ledge, Michigan. The mother before her marriage was Katherine Shine. Dr. Dunkin attended the Grand Ledge schools and was graduated in the Detroit College of Medicine in I921. He served an interneship at Grace Hospital, thereby enriching his experience. Dr. Dunkin began practice in Williamston, Michigan, in October, 1922, and has established a large and growing professional business there. He is a Mason and a member of the Ingham County Medical Society, manifesting a strong interest in the activities and educational efforts of this county body. In these days of monumental discoveries and startling disclosures of the laboratory, medical practice offers a marked contrast to that of a decade or so ago. Dr. Dunkin, zealous, and loving his profession for the opportunities for good it affords, maintains an interest that keeps him abreast of the medical, surgical and laboratory developments of the day. Charles E. Dunsmore in charge of six counties for the Remington Typewriter Company and has, by aggressive methods and a faithful regard for service obligations, developed a large a'nd constantly growing business. He is in charge of the Lansing sub-office, as manager, and has supervision of sales operations in Gratiot, Clinton, Shiawassee, 'Ingham, Livingston, and Eaton counties. Mr. Dunsmore was born in Ionia this state, in 189(. His father, Thomas E. Dunsmore, was born in the same community, in 1870. He farmed and was similarly engaged for a number of years and for the past few years has been 460 HISTORIC MICHIGAN custodian of the public schools of Ionia. The mother, born in Lyons, Michigan, in 1871, was, before her marriage, Jessie De La Vergne. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dunsmore, Mamie E. and Charles E. In the public schools of Ionia, Charles E. Dunsmore continued his studies until his graduation in the high school, as a member of the class of I918. While in high school he was president of his class in the sophomore and senior years. He supplemented his school work by an excellent training in the local postoffice. This developed perspicuity and speed of movement. After graduation Mr. Dunsmore took the civil service examination, passed, and was given a position in the money-order department of the Ionia postoffice, remaining there until I920. For the next two years he was engaged in study at the University of Michigan, taking a two-year pre-law course, and again adding substantially to his intellectual equipment and to his efficiency. Following this course, Mr. Dunsmore went with the Standard Oil Company, at Kalamazoo, and was placed in charge of stock and warehouses. Leaving this company he went with the Remington organization in Detroit, in January, I924, and on February 10, I924, was sent to Lansing to become manager of the sub-office. Mr. Dunsmore expects to establish dealers in the principal cities and towns within his territory. Mr. Dunsmore is a member of Ionia Lodge, No. 548, Benevolent and, Protective Order of Elks. John H. Ebel, president and manager of the Lansing Motor & Pump company, has a record in manufacturing circles. of which he may well be proud, for he has developed the concern of which he is president to its present high status in the manufacturing field of Lansing's commercial life. He was born in Henry county, Ohio, November 24, I869, the son of John and Johannah (Wesche) Ebel, both natives of Germany, the former having been born in Prussia, February 4, 1829, and the latter in Hanover, September 21, 1832. The parents immigrated to the United States, and landed in this country from different ships on the same day. John Ebel, the father of the subject of this review, first settled near Toledo, Ohio, and went to work for the railroad. In 1862, following his marriage, he settled in Henry county, Ohio, where the family remained until 1871. In that year, he removed to Indiana and in 1882 came to Michigan, and located near Grand Ledge, where he farmed until his death, which occurred in June, 1917, his wife having died in I914. John H. Ebcl began his education at the age of nine years and completed the work of the eight primary grades in four years. He then went on the farm and continued there until he had attained his twenty-fourth year. During that time he was also in the employ of the Holliday Windmill & Pump company. In I890, when the Maud S. Windmili & Pump company was organized, he became a salesman for that firm, and continued in the work until I901. The following year he organized the Lansing Motor & Pump company, of which he is president and manager. To him is due the credit for developing such a thriving concern, and his achievement in building up one of INGRAM COUNTY 461 the strong manufacturing enterprises in Lansing has gained for Mr. Ebel the reputation of being one of the representative and influential business men of the city. For three years he was a member of the Electric Light & Water Board, and was a member of the committee which had charge of the construction of the reservoir. June 25, 1893, he married Huldah A. Van Alstine, of Eaton county, Michigan, and to this union were born two children, Luewellon H., who is vice-president and superintendent of the Lansing Motor & Pump company, and Mabel F., who is now Mrs. W. C. Baguley. Mrs. Huldah Ebel died February 7, 1917, and on May 22, I9I9, Mr. Ebel married Miss Ruby B. Mickle, of Ceresco, Michigan. For the past twenty-one years Mr. Ebel has been a member of the Pilgrim Congregational church, in which time he has been superintendent oi the Sunday school, chairman of the board of trustees for three years, and for nine years was a member of that body, besides having been secretary-treasurer, and held other offices in the Sunday school. To his church work as well as to his business interests he has applied himself with the characteristic energy and ability that have marked him as one of the progressive citizens of Lansing. Though he exercises his franchise as he sees fit and has not allied himself with any political party, he nevertheless has tendencies to support the principles of the Democratic party. Bert C. Edington is the proprietor of Lansing's only exclusive rug store, the Edington Rug Company, which occupies its own fine new building at 422 South Washington avenue. The success of the establishment is in large measure reflective of the axiom that concentration upon one thing invariably yields the best results. Mr. Edington has made rugs the object of special study and has achieved outstanding success in this branch of trade. Mr. Edington was born in Clinton county, September 17, I876. His father is Frank Edington, a native of Michigan, who was a farmer but is now retired from the active cares of farm life. The mother is a native of Ingham county and her maiden name was Leuta Blodgett. Bert Edington attended the district schools of Livingston and Ingham counties and a business college at Fenton. For six years he was with the Burham & Company establishment and in 1904 started the Acme Carpet Cleaning company and thirteen years later disposed oi the cleaning part of the business and established the Edington Rug Company. This is Lansing's exclusive rug store, but its reputation has extended far beyond the city. Mr. Edington was married in October, I9go, to Miss Mary M. Stoll, a native of Clinton county. Mrs. Edington has been a resident of Lansing thirty years. Mr. Edington has acquired a reputation in his business that is valuable. He is a member of the Merchants' Bureau, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the well-known Six o'Clock club. Andrew J. Edwards.-Although he had ambitions in the direction of medicine, Mr. Edwards studied telegraphy but diverted and became an outstanding success in business. While engaged in the automobile business he sold the first Model T. Ford car in Ingham county. He 462 HISTORIC MICHIGAN operated a large farm, and for four years capably served the county as treasurer, elected on the Republican ticket. Mr. Edwards traces his ancestry back to stern Jonathan Edwards, of early colonial (lays. He was born on a farm near Adrian, Michigan, September 21, I865, the son of Darwin and Helen (Galusha) Edwards, both of whom hailed from New York state, near Rochester. The father was born in I832 and died in I885. The mother was born in 1833 and died in 1888. The Galusha family traces its lineage back to the days of Governor Galusha, of Massachusetts. Darwin Edwards moved to LeRoy township, Ingham county, in I869, and bought land of Mr. Turner, before the advent of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This he cleared, suffering all the hardships peculiar to pioneering. In the Edwards family were four children: Eliza, who died in I886; Charles, who died in 1916; Andrew J., who is the subject of this sketch, and Avery, who likewise is living. Andrew J. Edwards' educational opportunities were limited. He worked in the Webberville postoffice and a drug store between school hours, and thereafter he followed telegraphy until he was thirty-six years old. He then went into the hay and grain business at Williamston, with J. H. Linn, and remained four years. Later he established a Ford agency. In I913 he gave up business and moved to a farm a mile west of Webberville, and after five years he sold the 200-acre tract. In June, 1919, he assumed the office of county treasurer, in which he served four years. In I886 Mr. Edwards married Ada Warner, daughter of 0. M. and Laura (Sleeper) Warner. Mrs. Edwards' parents were from Livingston cou'nty but came to Ingham county in the '70s. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have two children, Harry D., engineer for the Linde Air Products Company, of New York city, and Harold W., a student in Michigan Agricultural College. Mr. Edwards belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of York Rite Masonry, and has passed the official chairs in these bodies. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. K. F. Egan.-An injury to his spine in a football game in the senior year of his schooling necessitated three years' inactivity on the part of Dr. K. F. Egan and brought about a changed attitude toward the world in general. Incapacitated for three years, Dr. Egan says he regained strength after taking chiropractic adjustments at the hands of Dr. Thompson, in Grand Rapids. He then entered school to become a chiropractor. Two brothers of Dr. Egan are also chiropractors, so it seems that the new drugless healing has become inseparably connected with the Egan family. K. F. Egan was born in Ottawa county, Michigan, in June, 1882. His father, James Egan, born, in 1843, in Ireland, as the name may suggest, sought opportunity in tje United States and in 1870 engaged here in farming. The mother, Anne Egan, nee Rigney, also a native of Ireland, was born in I847. There were eleven children-Martin, Joseph, James, Jr., Thomas, Elizabeth, Ann and K. F., and four other boys who have died. Joseph and Thomas are chiropractors. K. F. Egan was united in marriage in February, I912, to Miss Josephine Kenney, who INGHAM COUNTY 463 was born in September, I888. Six children have come to bless this union. They are Kieran, born November II, I912; Rita, November, I915; Kathleen, born on Christmas Day. I916; Ann, September, I917; Leo, December, 1920, and Patricia, May 8, 1922. K. F. Egan attended the Berlin high school, but was injured in a football game during the autumn of commencement year. He was confined for three years with serious injury to the lower part of the spine. In I908 he entered the Chiropractic College of Michigan, at Grand Rapids, was graduated the following year and received the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. He took a post-graduate course in Los Angeles under the personal tutelage of D. D. Palmer, founder of the chiropractic system. A. P. Davis was also an instructor. Dr. Egan returned to Lansing in the fall of I9I3 and has been in practice here since. He is a director of the Michigan Chiropractic association, a member of the Elks and of the Knights of Columbus. The members of the Egan family are attendants at St. Mary's Catholic church. Albert L. Ehinger is widely known in the real estate world, maintaining offices in the American State Bank building, Lansing. He has charge of the promotion and sales of the Chesterfield Hills property, a most favorable suburban development. Mr. Ehinger was born in Lansing January 6, 1892, the son of Louis and Josephine (Geisler) Ehinger, a record of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Albert L. attended the public schools of Lansing, grad. uating from high school. He then spent two years at Michigan Agricultural College, after which he determined on a round of practical business and professional training in newspaper work. He was in the advertising and business department of the State Republican, State Journal, Detroit News and the Kalamazoo Telegraph. He returned to Lansing in I916 to promote the sales of Chesterfield Hills Realty company. Mr. Ehinger is deservedly popular, subscribing to the creed of the responsible real estate dealer as exemplified by the Real Estate Board, of which he is a member. Mr. Ehringer enlisted December 8, I9I7, and was on detached service in Chicago and various points. He was discharged March 31, 1919. He is a lecturer for the Knights of Columbus, belongs to the Phi (Epsilon) and Electic societies and is a member of the Elks, Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus, Army and Navy Club, and Battery A, II9th Field Artillery. He is an officer in the Reserve Corps. Louis Ehinger was born in Portland, Ionia county, Michigan, October 3, 1857, a son of Frederick and Fredericka Ehinger, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born in 1825 and died in Lansing in I888, while the mother was born in '830 and died in Lansing in 1879. They were married in Germany and became the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Louis, Mrs. Sophia Waller, Mrs. John T. Bauerle, and Frederick W. Louis Ehinger attended the old Townsend Street school in the acquirement of an education and later was a student in the H. P. Bartlett Business College. For five years he found employment with the Adam Foresrer Company, and finally he was enabled to establish himself in 464 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the brewery business. In I9oo Mr. Ehinger bought a tract of land east of the city, and in I916 he platted what is known as the Chesterfield Addition. He is president of the Chesterfield Hills Realty Company, his two sons and his elder daughter being associated with him in the conduct of the enterprise. In I886 Mr. Ehinger was married to Miss Josephine Geisler, who likewise was born in Germany and who came to America at the age of twelve years. They have become the parents of four children: Clara, a graduate of St. Mary's, is a bookkeeper in the office of her father's company. Albert, educated in St. Mary's, the public schools and the Michigan Agricultural College, is manager of the Chesterfield Hills Realty Company. Walter, also a graduate of St. Mary's, is sales agent for the company and was in the nation's service in the World war period, he having enlisted December 10, 1917, and having been assigned to the aviation service. He was stationed in turn at Waco, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he received his honorable discharge in February, 1919. Agnes, also a graduate of St. Mary's, is at home. The family are devout worshipers at St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Ehinger is a member of the Elks and Odd Fellows lodges and the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a Democrat. C. Ward Ellis, M. D., one of the leading specialists of Lansing, was born at Pierport, Manistee county, Michigan, June 15, 1879, the son of Charles A. a'nd Harriet (Johnson) Ellis, both of whom were born in Massachusetts. The father took an active and prominent part in the civic life of the community in which he lived and about the year 1875 was the postmaster at Manistee, Michigan. Following his term as postmaster, he entere:l the retail drug business, later relinquishing his interest to enter the mercantile business, in which business he was successfully engaged for many years. Dr. C. Ward Ellis received his early education in the public schools and the Academy at Benzonia, Michigan, and in 1904 he was graduated in the University of Michigan. There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the afficted, to the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and that persons may enjoy a greater degree of satisfaction during the remainder of their earthly sojourn. There is no standard by which the beneficent influence of the physician and surgeon can be measured, his helpfulness being limited only by the extent of his knowledge and skill, while his power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring from the very source of life itself. Among the physicians of Lansing who have risen to eminence in their chosen field of endeavor is the subject of this review, whose career has been that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his profession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished medical men of his day and generation in the city of his residence. Dr. Ellis married Bertha Woodhams of INGHAM COUNTY 465 Corunna, Michigan, in 1907. To this union were born two children, Ruth and Shirley. Mrs. Ellis is a woman of marked ability, having attended the Ypsilanti Normal school, besides which she was graduated in the University of Michigan in I905 and in 1915, graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. C. Ward Ellis is an influential memnber of the Kiwanis club and of leading professional organlizations. Archibald M. Emery, directing spirit of one of the best-known book stores in M-ichigan, is a son of Wesley and Laura E. (Gibson) Emery and was born on North Center street, Lansing, December 24, I86I. He attended grammar school and the Michigan Agricultural College, which has done so much for the youth of Michigan a'nd adjoining states, and( in 1883 he entered the widely known book store of his estimable father. This establishment had been started ten years before. In I886, Mr. Emery was united in marriage to Miss Orah Glaister, of Lansing. They have two children, Laura and Helen. Mr. Emery manifests the public spirit and the civic zeal of his father before him. I-e is a loyal member of the Chamber of Commerce and a proud possessor of the Rotarian emblem, firmly subscribi'ng to the doctrine that "He profits most who serves best." Mr. Emery is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Wesley Emery, the father, was born in York, Livingston county, New York, and is a son of Samuel an:l Nancy J. (Wesley) Emery. As a boy he removed with his parents from Livingston to Cattaraugtus county, and attended Genesee College at Lima, New York. He we'nt through freshman, sophomore and junior years but in his senior year was obliged to leave college because of visual defect. As soon as the condition of his eyes permitted, Mr. Emery engaged in pedagogic service, and he taught school in East Avon, Barry Center and Barnegat, New York and at Grandville, Mlichigan. For three years he was in charge of the tnion schools at Lamont. For five years he followe:l the teaching profession in Lansing, and for a while at Okemos, and he then bought a large farm near Okemos. Giving up teaching, Wesley Emery spent eight years traveling for A. S. Barnes & Company, of New York, handling school books and taking charge of the company's western territory. He managed the company's agents in Michigan and other states and then established a retail book business in Lansing, to which his son, Archibald M. Emery, succeeded. Wesley Emery returned to A. S. Barnes & Company and, in association with MIr. Iartlett, early in 1887, opened an office for the transaction of real estate an:l insurance business. The firm is known as Bartlett & Emery, located on Washington avenue. Wesley Emery came to Lansing in 1853 and for five years was in charge of the city schools. He was a member of the board of education and of the board of examiners, served as township supervisor, treasurer of the Michigan Central Fair and held other positions of trust. He is a Mason and a member of the Universalist church. In 1851 Mr. Emery was married to Miss Adelia Gibson, of Barry Center, New York. Within a year she died and two years later he married her sister, Laure E. Gibson. Of this marriage one son was 3-30 466 HISTORIC MICHIGAN born, Archibald Martelle, who before the age of three was bereft of a mother's tender care and love, for death had invaded the family again. The son is established as the proprietor of one of the leading book stores of Michigan. In January, I870, Wesley Emery was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F. Van Dervoort, of Phelps, New York. Mrs. Emery has become prominent in reform movements of the day and is the author of a little book, "Seven Financial Conspiracies,' which has attracted much attention. Fred England, Jr., was a student in Michigan Agricultural College, in 1917, when ominous war clouds occasioned by the menacing Central Powers, called him to the service of his country. Subordinating all else, Mr. England enlisted in the Eighty-first Artillery as a private. Then he was made sergeant, then was promoted to sergeant-major and received commission as first lieutenant. For a year he served in France, his entire term of service with the armed forces of Uncle Sam covering a period of twenty-six months. And so this young main, fresh from school, manifested the exultant spirit of the colonists, turned to the bayonet and when the job was finished, beat the bayonet into a plowshare. MIr. England was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, August 29, 1894, and, therefore, is only thirty years of age, with a splendid patriotic background and a fine business connection to his credit. His father, born in I864, in New Hampshire, was long engaged in automobile manufacturing in Detroit but is now retired. He gave four years to the Massachusetts National Guard as a lieutenant. Fred England, Jr., attended high school at Amesbury and entered Michigan Agricultural College in I9I3. Then came his service in the World war. On his discharge from the army Mr. England went to work for his father and in I920 came to Lansing to work for the Durant Motor Car Company. In I922 he formed a partnership with H. J. Cook as the England-Cook Motor Sales Company, distributors of Chevrolet motor cars. On February 24, 1922, Mr. England was united in marriage to Miss Florence Stoll, of Lansing. They have one daughter, Margaret. Mr. England is a devoted Mason, running the range from blue lodge to consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is also a Shriner. Edward C. Ewer.-A well-rounded experience with the practical problems of business is an important asset in the life of E. C. Ewer, vice-president of The Briggs Company. Mr. Ewer has had a variety of contacts that added to his stock of knowledge but sharpened his judgment and broadened his power of observation. After being graduated from the Flint high school, he worked for the Bell Telephone Company as district manager at Alpena, Michigan, from 1892 to 1902. Then he spent two years in Lansing and resigned his position to become assistant general manager of the street car company in Lansing, which post he held one year. He then decided to enter the contracting business. He met with success, remained in the business several years, and in I909 he obtained an interest in The Briggs Company and became its city sales representative. This position he occupied a year. Mr. Ewer opened the roof and waterproof departments of the INGHAM COUNTY 467 company and has been the manager in charge of these departments since their inception. For the past ten years he has been vice-president and a director of this well known company, his alvancement being attributable to his ability, zealous performance of duty and desire to serve. Mr. Ewer was born in Flint, Michigan, January 2, 1869. His father was Edward A. Ewer, born in 1830, in New York state, who was an early settler in Flint, to which place he came by one of the old-time stage lines. Edward A. Ewer was in the contracting business for many years but in the latter part of his life was in service as a deputy sheriff. He married Sarah Fellows, a native of England. In I907 E. C. Ewer married Miss Sophia Hei:lt, of La'nsing. There are three children, Edward, Jr., Raymond and Elizabeth. Mr. Ewer is a Scottish Rite Mason, belongs to local blue lodge, chapter and commandery of Knights Templar and is a Shriner. He holds membership also in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Exchange Club. Tony Faggion.-Employing seven skilled mechanics and doing a general contract business in plumbing, heating and ventilating, Tony Faaggion has established an enviable reputation in that line. His office anl warehouse are at 19I5 East Michigan avenue, Lansi'ng. Mr. Faggion came to the United States from Italy in 1913, locating in Grand Rapids. He applied himself assiduously to plumbing and in I196 he came to La'nsing, where he worked for William Noyes for a year. Two years were then spent in the employ of T. J. Shields, and in February, 19I9, he engaged in business for himself, possessing experience and plick. He started in the Kerns hotel building, but in 1923 was obliged to secure larger quarters and moved to 20I8 East Michigan avenue. In 1924 he purchased property and built his present place of business at I9I5 East Michigan avenue. The Faggion establishment has (lone the plumbing and fitting for the Pearnfil and Washington apartme'nts, Estes undertaking establishment and similar structures. Mr. Faggion was born December 25, I890, in the province of Venice, Italy. His father, Peter Faggion, was born in I863. Tie is in the meat business in his native country. The mother, Josephine Faggion, was born in I879. Tony Faggion was united in marriage July 5, 1913, to Miss Anna Lora, also a native of Italy, where she was born October 6, I891, a daughter of Angelo and Isabelle (Lasery) Lora. The Faggions have three children, Armanda, born May I, I914; Arthur. born November 10, I9I5, and Sarah, born January 9, M197. Mr. Faggion has endeavored to attain the hundred per cent status in his trade, and his equipment and zeal have happily combined to enable him to reach the goal. H. B. Fassett, D. D. S., of Lansing, was born in Bennington, Vermont, March 8, I890, a son of H. B. and Caroline S. (Shakshober) Fassett. The father of Dr. Fassett was likewise born at Bennington, and the subject of this sketch is the elder of the two sons, the younger, John S., being associated with the Dye Manufacturing Company, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr Fassett in I910 was graduated from the 468 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Benningto'n high school. In 1915 he entered the University of Michigan, department of dentistry, and( was graduate:l in I918. However, on December 26, 1917, in connection with the nation's participation in the World war, he enlisted in the Dental Corps Reserve of the United States Army. He served at Fort Ogelthorpe, Georgia, and was discharged December 15, 1918. HIe practiced his profession at Grand Ledge, Michigan, from January I9, I919, to September, I919, move:l to Lansing in the later fall of that year and on July I, 1923, he was appointed city dentist on the board of health. Dr. Fassett attends the Baptist churcl, belongs to the Golf Club and is a Mason. He is active in the affairs of his profession and holds membership in the local and national dental organizations. He is favorably known and distinctly useful outside the dental field as well as within. Carrie E. Fenton and Grace Lena Fenton.-In the city of Lansing the Misses Fenton are the owners of Fenton's Corset and Baby Shop at I114 West Allegan street, a distinctive enterprise a'nd known throughout the state for the completeness of its stock and the character of service supplied. Miss Carrie was born at Adrian, Michigan, and Miss Grace in Lansing. They are the daughters of Jason and Jennie (Gould) Fenton, both natives of Lisbon, New York. The Fe'ntons came to Lansing in I872 and for a time Mr. Fenton conducted a meat market on Michigan avenue, but because of impaired health he felt obliged to seek climatic change, and located on a farm near Ellendale, North Dakota, where he took pre-emption, homestead and tree claims. Mrs. Fenton's father was Rev. Edward Gould, a pioneer in Wesleyanism. He was a cousin of Jay Gould, one of America's wealthiest financiers. Carrie and Grace Fenton were educated in Lansing, received a splendidl business training through service in various stores and planned to own an establishment. When the structure in which they are located was erected, on Allegan street, in I917, it seemed to meet all requirements, and they leased the space. The shop was opened during the gloomy clays of the World war, but the sisters persevered, displayed indefatigable energy, and have won substantial success. Their u'nique enterprise is known throughout the state for its completeness and for the astute and energetic character of its owners. The Misses Fenton are affiliated with the state organization of merchants. They are members of the Methodist church. Their mother resides with them. There is an unusually interesting bit of history associated with the Fenton family. In the early part of the present century the name of Edward Gould, born in Vermont, was associated with the Methodist ministry. While young, his parents moved to Plattsburg, New York, thence to Michigan. Edward Gould's father was inclined to infidelity. The son, so the story goes, in a skeptical but combative mood, attended a revival one night and when asked by the minister in charge whether he had religion replied: "No, and I don't want it, either." The revivalist's simple rejoinder was: "Well, religion will do well enough without you." Young Gould turned away. It set him to thinking, and for weeks his emotional nature felt the conflicting urge of so-called INGHAM COUNTY 469 rationalism and the spiritual impulse. He accepted the Christian faith fully and became a'n uncompromising exponent of it, was licensed to preach and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Hedding, in I830, and an elder by Bishop Waugh, in 1836. A man of powerful physique, but gentle and te'nder in spirit, he was known as "Father Gould," not only in the ranks of Methodism but also without. While preaching in New York Father Gould became personally acquainted with Joseph Smith, early apostle of Mormonism, whose doctrines he challenged. Smith, it is said, feared the withering attacks of Rev. Mr. Gould. F ather Gould was a strong anti-slavery advocate, an associate of Laura Havlin in her work of liberation, anil an intrepid tempera'nce worker. During the later years of his eventful life he aided the "Woman's Crusade." Usa H. Forester, retired merchant of Lansing, was born in Japan and brought to America when a small child, by an American, Edward Forester, of New York City. He was adopted by Mr. Forester and was given the symbolic name of Usa, United States of America. He attended school in New York state, then entered a dry-goods store as errand boy and in two years was advanced to take charge of the white-goods department. Later he became associated with the Forester retail and wholesale dry-goods establishment, but in I869 he came to Lansing. For a time he worked for Mark Cowles, then went to the H. A. Lee dry-goods store. Next he entered into partnership with H. P. Hitchcock in a book, stationery and wall paper business, the store being where the American State Savings Bank now stands. This association lasted five years and Mr. Forester becanm attached to the Emery & Forester book, stationery and wall paper establishment and later entered the same line of business on his own account, where the opera house is now located. Mr. Forester then built the store at 215 North Washington and there conducted his business until his retirement several years ago. Much credit is due him for his pluck and splendid business management. He started a poor boy, worked hard and gained the respect and confidence of all. He has been a resident of Lansing fifty-five years. In 1885 Mr. Forester was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Amos, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Forester died in 1913. They had one daughter, Margarite, who married William E. Wood, and who died in ii98. Mrs. Wood bore two children, Montie and Robert. Mr. Forester is a member of Lansing Lodge No. 33, Free & Accepted Masons. Louis Fortino, who is the proprietor of a retail meat and grocery establishment at 826 Oakland avenue, is a native of Italy. He has won success by doing exactly what so many men of foreign birth have done-seized every legitimate opportunity. He has made good. Mr. Fortino was born in I896. His father, Kyden Fortino, was born in the sunny kingdom of Italy in I844. He followed agriculture, but the family came to the United States in I9I3 and settled i:l Pueblo, Colorado. The mother was born in Italy. Her maiden name was Trassa Morone. Louis Fortino attended the public schools and 470 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the high school at Cosenza, Italy. After his arrivel in Pueblo he kept busy in various ways, hard work presenting no terrors. He found employment in a steel plant, worked in a grocery and did other jobs to aid his parents and himself. In I921 Mr. Fortino came to Lansing and worked for an uncle, Samuel Fortino, in the grocery business. In the early part of I923 Mr. Fortino bought the stock and fixtures of Hanson Gruderson, and conducts the business as his own, on Oakland avenue. He has met with success. In IQ2I Mr. Fortino was united in marriage to Julia Granoto, who was born in 1903, in Colorado. They have two children, Tony Fortino, born in 1922, and Trassa Fortino, born in I923. Charles Woodworth Foster, now a member of the Republican state central committee of Michigan, was a member of the state senate in 1915-I9. This epitomizes the active political career of Charles Woodworth Foster, member of a widely known and highly esteemed family of Lansing, Michigan. Mr. Foster, however, is not a politician by profession. He is a lawyer and his offices are at 807 American State Savings Bank building. His record of public service is unimpeachable, and as a barrister and citizen he enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community. Mr. Foster is a true son of Lansing, born in that city March 28, I873, the son of Seymour Foster, of whom individual mention is made in this publication. The mother, before her marriage, was Mary L. Woodworth. She was born in Rochester, New York, and her folks came to Lansing in I856 and established the first retail shoe store in the city. Charles Woodworth Foster at — tended common and grade schools in Lansing and was graduated in the literary department, University of Michigan, 1895, and law department, University of Michigan, I896. Two years were spent in the office of Judges Cahill and Ostrander, following which Mr. Foster opened an office of his own. In I904 his brother, Walter S. Foster, was graduated, and that year was admitted as a partner. Charles Woodworth Foster in I898 and 1902 served as circuit court commissioner; he was a member of the state senate in I915-I9 and has displayed ability and good civic judgment as a member of the Republican state central committee, besides having served as chairman of the Ingham county Republican committee several times. His ability as a leader and executive was demonstrated in this political service. On January 22, 1908, Miss Martha C. Campbell, of Indianapolis, and Mr. Foster joined hands in plighting the troth that makes for ideal companionship. Three children are the issue of the union, Dorothy, Jeanette and Charles Campbell. Mr. Foster is an Elk, a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi, of the Country club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Episcopal church. Seymour Foster.-Lansing and the state of Michigan will look in vain for a stronger or higher-minded representative than Seymour Foster. Aside from his personal worth and accomplishments, there is much of interest attached to his genealogy, which betokens lines of sterling worth and prominent identification with American history INGHAM COUNTY 471 for many generations. He was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan. July I, I845. His father, Theodore Foster, was born at Foster, Rhode Island, in I812. The grandfather, Theodore Foster, from whom the village took its name, was for many years closely identified with the colonial history of New Engla'nd and held many honorable and responsible positions, among which was that of United States senator from Rhode Island, from 1791 to 1803. The father of Seymour Foster came to Michigan in 1829. From 1837 to 1845 he was editor of the Signal of Liberty, an Abolition paper, at Ann Arbor, and subsequently he became one of the editors of the Free Democrat, published in Detroit. In 1845 he removed with his family to Scio, Washtenaw county, and engaged in general merchandising. In I855 he was appointed by Governor Bingham to the office of building commissioner for the state reform school at Lansing. Upon the complction of that institution in 1856-57 he was made its superintendent, and in September, I856, brought his family to Lansing. This position he finally resigned after an effective administration. In 1864 he edited the State Republican of Lansing, but owing to gradually failing health he was obliged to give up all active work, having been a victim of tuberculosis for the previous six years. He was an active, earnest supporter of the Union cause throughout the Civil war. His eldest son, Charles T., having been killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia, in I862 and with his son Seymour still in the army, it was his daily prayer that his life might be prolonged to see the successful close of the war and the return of his son Seymour. His prayer was answered and he died December 27, I865. Seymour Foster was eleven years old when the family came to Lansing, prior to which time his schooling advantages had been limited to that usually given in early (lays, in the "Little Red Schoolhouse." Upon coming to Lansing he entered the private school of Misses A. C. and D. C. Rogers, which was then located immediately west of where the Downey House now stands, in a two-story frame building which had formerly been a hotel, and known as the Ohio house. After three years of schooling he entered the drug store of 1. H. & H. D. Bartholomew as a clerk. The store was located on ground now occupied by the Prudden building. Lansing at this time had no railroad or telegraph nearer than Jackson, and obtained its daily news when the stage arrived from that city late in the afternoon, bringing the Detroit papers. It came to be a habit of our citizens during those stressful days of the Civil war to assemble in front of the bookstore of Wm. M. Carr, located where the State Savings Bank now stands, and await the arrival of the stage with the news. The gathering would then call for someone to read the news and the lot usually fell on Seymour Foster, who would mount a drygoods box and read the news aloud to the assembly. In I863, having arrived at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in Company B, Second United States Sharpshooters, commonly known as Berdan's Sharpshooters, which was attached to the First brigade, Third division, Second corps, Army of the Potomac. His initiation was the Bat 472 HISTORIC MICHIGAN tie of the Wilderness, and from that through to Lee's surrender at Appomattox he was never off duty for a day, having participated in thirty-seven general engagements and skirmishes. He was slightly wounded several times, never seriously, and on July 17, I865, he, with the little remnant of his company, was mustered out and discharged at Detroit. In 1871 he married Mary L. Woodworth, daughter of George R. Woodworth, a pioneer shoe merchant of Lansing, founder of the business now conducted by his grandson, H. P. Woodworth. Seymour Foster has always taken a lively interest in all political and civil affairs and is one of the best-known men in Ingham county. Since 1871 his business has been dealing in real estate. In political matters he is a Republican and has served as chairman of the city and county committees several times. In 1873 he was elected city clerk and was re-elected in I874. In I876 he was elected city treasurer and he was re-elected in I877. In I888 he was appointed postmaster by President Harrison. In I895 he was representative in the state legislature. In I897 President McKinley appointed him postmaster, which position he held for seventeen years. He is an active member of Charles T. Foster Post, G. A. R., named after his brother, who was the first man to enlist and the first to be killed in action from Lansing. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster: Charles W. and Walter S. are law partners; Mrs. Gertrude McEwing resides in Chicago, and Theodore G. is manager of the T. G. Foster Company, La'nsing. Walter S. Foster.-A diversity of interest is strongly manifest in the life of Walter S. Foster, prominent attorney of Lansing, Michigan, son of Seymour Foster and brother of Charles W. Foster, both individually represented by personal sketches in this 'work. Mr. Foster, professionally well empanoplied, radiates much more than the strictly professional interest in his community. He is active in the promotion and consummation of civic and humanitarian projects and has contributed in no small degree to the public service as the incumbent of the office of prosecuting attorney. Mr. Foster is a native of Lansing, born September 23, 1877. He attended Lansing high school and the University of Michigan. In I9oo he became the recipient of the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and two years later he received the degree of Doctor of Laws. In I902 he became a law partner of his older brother, Charles W. Mr. Foster served as county prosecutor from 1907 to I91o. During the World war his ability to co-ordinate and develop a communal spirit of co-operation was shown-in his chairmanship of the Ingham County War Board. He was chairman also of the Liberty Loan committee and chairman of the War Chest, both positions exacting much time and work. Mr. Foster became a second lieutenant of the state troops. His diverse interests are further shown in the fact that he is a director of the American State Savings Bank, a director of the East Lansing Bank, a director of the Holt Bank and secretary of the board of trustees of the Edward W. Sparrow Hospital. He is vice-president of the Michigan Bar association. September 5, I905, Mr. Foster was united INGHAM COUNTY 473 in marriage to Miss Lena A. Bailey, of Lansing. There are three children-Richard Bailey, Seymour Bailey and Joseph Bailey Foster. Mr. Foster holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, the Lansing Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Mary E. Frankhauser, state librarian, is favorably known because of the excellence of her professional service. Mrs. Frankhauser is a member of the Amlerican Library Association, the Michigan Library Association, the American Library Commission, and also vice-president of the mothers' association of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Mrs. Frankhauser was appointed state librarian December I, 1923, by Governor Groesbeck. She was born at Hillsdale, Michigan, her maiden name being Mary Eileen Powers, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (Holmes) Powers. She attended Hillsdale high school and Hillsdale College, and was married to William H. Frankhauser, who died in May, I920, shortly after his election to congress. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frankhauser two children, Mary Isabelle and Richard William. Mrs. Frankhauser is a communicant of the Episcopal church, and is prominent in club and civic organizations. B. C. Fowler.-Choosing electrical construction as his life work, B. C. Fowler, of the Barker-Fowler Electric Company, has attained an enviable degree of success. Mr. Fowler is a native of Kansas, having been born in Coronado, August 29, I886. He is a son ol Seth B. and Cora (Burger) Fowler. The mother was born in Ohio, the father in New York state, in November, 1851. Seth B. Fowler came to Eaton Rapids years ago an(t he has been for many years engaged in business as a contractor and builder. B. C. Fowler attended the high school at Eaton Rapids and worked at odd jobs until 1904. when he started as a wireman's helper for the Capitol Electric Company, at Lansing. He remained there until 1907 and then went to the northern part of Canada as superintendent of the Saskatoon power plant, holding this position two years. He returned to the Capitol Electric Company, remaining with it until I012, and then entered the employ of the Barker-Cole Electric Company, being with the company a year, when it was incorporated as the Barker-Fowler Company. While in Canada Mr. Fowler was a member of the Canadian Mounted Riflemen. In 19Io he married Miss Helen Walters of Lansing. She was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have one daughter, Margaret. Mr. Fowler is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar. He also belongs to the Elks and the Kiwanis Club. He is a director in the Canitol Electric Company and the Auto Electric Company, and he ranks high not only in the electrical industry but also for his general civic loyalty. David Friedland.-Battling with grim poverty when a mere lad of ten years, because of the desperate circumstances of the family, overcoming one obstacle after another and manifesting that staunch courage and willingness to work that is characteristic of the sterling Jewish people of Russian descent, David Friedland has made a success in business and has built up a notable enterprise. After coming 474 HISTORIC MICHIGAN to Detroit his father was ill for two years, and he and his youngest sister were the main support of the family. He had no false pride and did any honorable work to make a dollar, including that of a laborer in a stone quarry and driving a team for a coal company. He came to Lansing in 1902, when he was twenty-two years of age, and has since made this city his home. He is now the owner of the Friedland Iron & Metal Company, at 314 Wall street. He was born in Windau, Russia, September 15, I880, the son of Benjamin and Anna Friedland. The father came to Detroit in I888, in search of the freedom and the opportunity that the land of the Czars denied him and his people. He brought with him some of his children, but left his wife and David and a sister in Russia until he could earn enough money to send for them. The father was a carpenter. Family ties were broken by the separation, but when David was ten years old he and his mother and sister came to Detroit and joined the father and other children. But the reunion was, after all, fraught with tragedy, for the father was ill and the entire family in desperate circumstances. David's actual business career began when he was ten years old. He was obliged by force of circumstances to do anything honorable to earn a few dimes. but with faith in God he applied himself to peddling and doing diversified work. At the age of eighteen years he established a flour and feed store, which he called the Detroit Flour and Feed Supply Company. He sold this out after a year and traveled about the country buying hides and furs for a year. Then he bought sheep and poultry in Canada for a time, for the Detroit market, and at the age of twenty-one years he was enabled to marry, his bride being Bessie Graff, the daughter of David Graff, who was a farmer in Huron county, Michigan. In 1902 Mr. Friedland went to Grand Rapids and engaged in the grocery business, but was forced out by the flood. While living in that city he negotiated with the New York Central railroad for a place to start a waste material business in Lansing, and this he was able to do on the present site of the Lansing Oil Company. He later purchased property of the Thomas Milling Company and a Mr. Scofield at Wall and Center streets, where his present business is located, and from a humble beginning the establishment he founded has grown to large proportions and employs from fifty to sixty persons. Mr. Friedland also operates the David Coal Company, of which he is sole owner. Mr. and Mrs. Friedland have three children, Helen, who is Mrs. H. Lieberman, of Flint; Bernard, who is a student in the Lansing higi school; and Lillian, who is a teacher in the Lansing high school and is an elocutionist of outstanding ability. Mr. Friedland is conspicuous in the activities of the Jewish organizations of Lansing and is wholesomely active in civic and social welfare development. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is an Elk and a member of the Royal Arcanum, a fraternal insurance order. For four years he was president of the Jewish congregation and at present is head of the local Zionist organization, being a strong exponent of the ultimate restoration of Palestine as a Jewish state. For a year he was INGHAM COUNTY 475 president of the Order of B'Nai B'Rith. In the World war period he was a zealous Red Cross worker and was also a member of the secret service organization of Lansing. He also belonged to the American Defense society. He was president of the North Side Commercial Club and is yet a director of that organization. William N. Frink, as president of the Lansing Auto Sales Corporation, is one of the leading figures in the motor car sales business in Lansing, a work for which he had excellent preparation by holding positions of responsibility for various automobile manufacturing concerns. He was born at Port Huron, Michigan, February ii, i885, a son of Nelson T. and Mary (Chandler) Frink, both of whom were natives of Michigan, the former having been born in Port Huron in 1854 and the latter in Rochester. His paternal grandfather came to Michigan from Ontario, Canada, and his maternal grandfather immigrated to Michigan from New York. Nelson T. Frink was the general yardmaster at Port Huron for the Grand Trunk Railroad until 1904, when he removed to Saginaw, Michigan, where he remained for a time, later returning to Port Huron to become associated with the Port Huron Tunnel Company, with which he continued for the remainder of his active life. His wife died when her son William N. was sixteen years of age. William N. Frink was one of eight children born to his parents and obtained his education in the common and high schools of his native city, after which he entered the employ of the Grand Trunk Railroad, as office boy in the motive power department, continuing in that work from 1901 to 1904. In the latter year he went to Chicago, where he secured employment with the Northwest Elevated Railway system. Realizing that the trained man was the one who made a success of life, he entered the night school of the Armour Institute of Technology, and studied there three years. In I907 he returned to Port Huron, where he again became associated with the Grand Trunk Railroad, this time as efficiency man in the car department. After two years spent in this way, he went to Detroit to be with the Everett, Metzger & Flanders Automobile Company, a concern that was building a two-speed type car, but at the end of two and one-half years, he became general storekeeper for the Maxwell Motor Corporation, a position which he retained until I9I7. In the World war period he was transferred to the experimental department. where he took up the government blue-print specifications and built model cars, and when there was no further need for this sort of work, he was transferred to the purchasing department, as assistant purchasing agent. In January, T922, he came to Lansing to become secretary and treasurer of the C. F. Pirscher Company, a position which he filled until the concern was forced into bankruptcy. He then organized the Lansing Auto Sales Corporation, in October, 1922, and under his expert direction the concern has gained a leading place among firms of its kind, while Mr. Frink is regarded as one of the successful and representative l)usiness men of the city. In fraternal circles, he is a thirty-second degree Mason. The Lansing Auto Sales Corporation has affiliation 476 HISTORIC MICHIGAN with the Lansing Automobile Association and the Michigan Automotive Trade Association. Charles M. Fuller, who is associated with Frank X. Atzinger in the firm of Fuller & Atzinger, monument works, I o East Washtenaw street, is another native son of Lansing who has made good in the business world. For many years, however, Mr. Fuller was absent from the city of his birth, but he eventually returned and established himself securely. He was born April 21, I867. His father, a building contractor, was Dorman K. Fuller, who was born in Jackson, Michigan, in 1837. He came to Lansing in I858 and for service in the Civil war enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. After the war, Mr. Fuller started in the contracting business. He served on the Lansing school board a number of years and was alderman from the Third ward for fourteen years, an unusually long tenure. He was a Knight Templar Mason. His wife, mother of Charles M. Fuller, was born in Gouverneur, New York. Her maiden name was Mary N. Rhoades. Charles M. Fuller attended the Lansing public schools and after leaving school worked for the gas company as collector. At that time the company had 400 patrons and all the collecting was done by Mr. Fuller. He next worked for E. Bement & Son, in the cost department, until 1892. The following year he went to New York City, where he remained seventeen years, first working in the mill-supply business, and thereafter serving six years on the New York police department. Then he returned to Lansing, where for two years he was in the employ of the Olds Motor Works, and thereafter for a period of eight years, he was superintendent of the cemetery. In I92I, Mr. Fuller bought James Merky's monument works, forming a partnership with Frank X. Atzinger. In 1899, Mr. Fuller was wedded to Miss Louise Doggrell, of Brooklyn. They have two daughters, Ada A., now Mrs. B. 0. McKim, and Marjorie C., who is Mrs. Frank Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. McKim have two children, Virginia Lou and Marjorie Ruth. Rev. John A. Gabriels.-Thoroughly altruistic in his attitude toward all things, scholarly in his training, catholic in thinking, and passionately devoted not only to the spiritual welfare of his communicants but also the entire community, Father John A. Gabriels, 1531 East Michigan avenue, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, is one of the most useful citizens of Ingham county, Michigan. He is much beloved, not only by his faithful flock but by Lansing as a whole, for his sincerity, his breadth of view, and his devotion to all movements and efforts having as their objective the advancement of society, mark him as a man of benignant influence. He is especially interested in work among boys. Father Gabriels was born March 3, I88I, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John and Katherine Gabriels. His father, born in Holland, was engaged for years in the cigar business and now resides with the son Rev. John A. He is seventy-three years of age. The mother was born in Michigan. There is another son in the family, Anthony Gabriels, of Detroit. Rev. John A. Gabriels attended grade and high school, did prepara 9 - INGHAM COUNTY 477 tory work at the University of Detroit and studied theology at St. Mary's College in Baltimore. He received the degrees of A.B., A.M., and S.J.B. in June, 90o6, and on the first of July that year was ordained a priest by Bishop Foley. Father Gabriels was assigned to Saints Peter and Paul cathedral, where he served as assistant priest for twelve years. He then went to Ionia as chaplain in the Ionia Reformatory, where he remained four years. Through his special interest in this type of service he was transferred to Lansing. to be near the Indutstrial School for Boys. Father Gabriels is active in civic affairs, is identified with the Merchants' Bureau and Chamb-er of Commerce, and was the organizer of the Newman Club, a Catholic body, at the Michigan Agricultural College. The need of a church where the present Church of the Resurrection stands was keenly felt by the Catholics of the section. so property was purchased in July, ground was broken in August and on Christmas day, I122, the congregation was under roof and the first mass was held. This is a large parish, caring for Mason, Holt and contiguous territory. The parish started with 150 families. but now numbers 250. It gives promise of much development in the near future. Cyrus B. Gardner, M.D., F.A.C.S.-It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success. Little more can be (lone than to note their manifestation in the career of the individuals under consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the distinguished physician and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking example of well-defined purpose with the ability to make that purpose subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. He has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor Dr. Gardner has achieved success such as few attain, and his present eminent standing among the leading physicians and surgeons of Ingham county is duly recognized and appreciated. Cyrus B. Gardner. M.D., F.A.C.S., who has been enjoying an extensive practice in Lansing for the last four years, was born at Pinckney, Livingston county, Michigan, April 24, I880, the son of Henry B. and Elisa (Murphy) Gardner, both of whom were born in Michigan. The father was born, in I842, near Dexter, Michigan, where he followed the honored vocation of agriculture, besides which he was also actively interested in the politics of his community. Dr. Cvrus B. Gardner was educated in the common schools and was graduated from the University of Michigan in I904. He also attended the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. for two years, and then began the practice of medicine in Alma, Michigan, where he carried the burdens of a successful physician for ten years. At this time, in connection with the World war, he answered the call of his country and entered 478 HISTORIC MICHIGAN military service as a lieutenant in the medical corps of the United States army. Upon completing his service he was discharged with the rank of captain. In 1920 he located in Lansing, where he easily became one of the leaders in his profession. He married Bertha Irene Backus, April 8, I903, and to this union has been born one daughter, Irene Lucille. Dr. Gardner is an esteemed member of the surgical staff of each of the two local hospitals and is secretary of the advisory board of both hospitals. He is a member of the Lansing Country Club and the Lions Club, and is affiliated with various professionai organizations of representative order. John E. Garlent, well-known citizen of Lansing, has had an especially valuable training in the automobile industry and its allied branches. Mr. Garlent was born in Canada, October I8, I885, the son of Eli Garlent. native of Canada, whose life was spent in farm cultivation. The mother was Susan Pier, also a Canadian. John E. Garlent, after leaving the Brantford school, became associated with the printing business, but he relinquished this for the implement and carriage industry and early grounded himself in mechanics and technical equipment. In I906 Mr. Garlent went to Detroit as chief inspector for the Brush Runabout Company. He thereafter became superintendent of the machine shop of the Lion Motor Car Company, of Adrian, Michigan, was associated with the General Motors Corporation, and served the Hupmobile Motor Car Company of Detroit for three years. For two and a half years he was factory manager for the King Motor Car company and for a year and a half was with the Harroun Motor Car company. In 1919 Mr. Garlent came to Lansing, utilizing his splendid industrial training to great advantage to his employers and associates. When he came to Lansing he took charge of the Auto Wheel plant, and after the consolidation of the Motor Wheel Corporation, he took charge of the steel division of that corporation as works manager, which position he still retains. In I909, Mr. Garlent wedded Miss Agnes Eva Harding, of Detroit. There are three children, Katherine, Rhoada and John Garlent, Jr. Mr. Garlent is a Mason, Shriner, Elk and member of the Lansing Country Club. Myron L. Garlock.-Employing the slogan, "They must be as represented," to which he adheres with unvarying faithfulness, Mr. Gailock, one of Lansing's younger and more progressive business men, directs with dignity and credit and with satisfaction to all who have business relations with him the Garlock Sales Company. The company is distributor of the Overland and Willys-Knight motor cars. The story of Mr. Garlock's life, devoid of the glamour of the more spectacular, is one of wholesome ambition, ceaseless work and fidelity to an ideal of service. Mr. Garlock was born in Clinton county, Michigan, March 28, 1889. His father was Harvey C. Garlock, a native of Michigan, born January 26, 1859. He was a butcher and buyer of stock. The mother before marriage was Miss Flora Miller of Eato'n county. Myron Garlock attended the public schools of his native county, and after leaving high school he embarked in business INGHAM COUNTY 479 on his own account. For five years he operated a country meat store, applied himself with diligence a'nd conscientious effort and was eventually able to expand so that he established a general farm implement store. He came to Lansing in March, 1919, upon organizing the Garlock Sales Company. On October 15, I909, Mr. Garlock and Miss Vida Bateman, who came from near his home in Clinton county, were iunited in marriage. There is one son, Ronald. Mr. Garlock is a Mason, an Elk, and a member of the Exchange Club. For two years he was president of the local Auto Dealers' Association and was president of the state association of automobile dealers, this indicating the high standing he has in automobile circles. The Garlock Sales Company started on East Ottawa street, but one year of hustling proved the necessity of obtaining much larger quarters, and the company went to its present location, 405-II South Capitol avenue, where it occupies 25,000 square feet of floor space. The company operates on a high plane, guaranteeing satisfaction in every relationship with customers. The steady, substantial growth of the company's business proves the virtue and security of its policy and the administrative wisdom of Mr. Garlock, who is its president and general manager. Howard W. Geisenhaver was born in Clinton county, Michigan, January 2, I898, a son of Fred and Carrie (Waltz) Geisenhaver, who are now residents of Lansing, but who for many years were engaged in farming in Clinton county. Howard W. Geisenhaver was educated in the public schools and his boyhood days were spent on the farm. As a young man he worked at the plumbing trade, being employed by others until 1917, when he engaged in business for himself. He now specializes in sheet-metal work and heating, handling the Homer and Williamson furnaces. He understands all phases of the business, as will be attested by his many satisfied customers. He is also president and manager of the American Commercial Airways, a corporation engaged in giving instructions in piloting airships, carrying passengers and stunt flying. As this is the only firm in Lansing engaged in such an undertaking it bespeaks the enterprising spirit of Mr. Geisenhaver and his partner. As one of the younger business men of the capital city he is possessed of an ambition that is desti'ned to bring success in whatever undertaking he may direct his energies. Mr. Geisenhaver is still a bachelor. Like his parents, his religious belief is that of the Lutheran church, and he is a member also of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Joseph Gerson, vice-president of the Columbia National Fire Insurance Company, is a vibrant exemplar of capacity. for hard work, of dauntless courage and of the wisdom of thrift. Mr. Gerson's heritage contributed to these qualities-the patient, painstaking labor and the thriftiness of the Hebrew. The subject of this sketch was born in Paterson, New Jersey, May 21, 1876. His father was Isaac Gerson, a native of Poland, and the mother was Rebecca (Weisskupp) Gerson, a native of Austria. The father immigrated to the United States in I869, seeking, as have thousands of others, a land 480 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of opportunity. He has been in the jewelry business the larger part of his life, spending the past twenty years in Detroit, where he continues the direction of such business. Joseph Gerson attended the public schools in Dubois and Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and then entered his father's store, remaining there until I895 when he opened a retail store in Owosso, Michigan. In 1903 he came to Lansing, associating with the A. Simon Iron Company and maintaining this connection about fourteen years. While with this company, Mr. Gerson organized the Gerson-Carey Company. At the present time he is the vicepresident, as well as chairman of the executive committee, of the Columbia National Fire Insurance Company. He is also the president and general manager of the Duplex Truck Company and during the past ten years, by reason of his fundamental business training, his power of observation and his many contacts, he has handled a number of receiverships in Lansing. On October II, 1899, Mr. Gerson was united in marriage, in Lansing, to Miss Mollie Simon, of that city. They have one son, S. Jerome Gerson, who is a graduate of tle Lansi'ng high school. He also attended the University of MIichigan two years, taking a literary course, and is now in the contracting and building business in Detroit. Joseph Gerson is highly esteemed ill the social, fraternal and business life of Lansing and Detroit and his counsel is frequently drawn upon in the formulation of community activities. He is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Council of Royal and Select Masters, in Lansing, and to the Consistory of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine in Detroit. He is also an Elk and a Knight of Pythias. Mr. Gerson holds membership in the Lansing Country Club. the Redford Country Club ol Detroit, the Detroit Fleix Club and Temple Beth El, of Detroit. Robert N. Gibson.-Fortified by a liberal education, with all that it implies, Robert N. Gibson has been able to make the best of the opportunities that came to him. A preparatory law course, four years of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts and considerable traveling have fitted him for a successful direction of the business interest he has chosen, lumber. He is widely and favorably known in the trade. Mr. Gibson was born in Clintonville, Wisconsin, April 4, I889, the son of Robert G. and Phoebe E. (Rhinehart) Gibson. The father was born in Canada and died in I918, at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother was born in 1845 and is still living in Clintonville. Robert G. Gibson was a hanker, active in churc'n work and conspicuous in civic activities. Robert N. Gibson is the youngest of five children, and two of the number are living in the old home town. They are Bernice E. and Blanche N. Hirst. Robert N. Gibson went through the grade schools and was graduated from high school in 1907. He thereafter attended Ripon College, taking a preparatory law course and following a curriculum that led to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For three years he traveled, for the experience it yielded, then went to Owosso, Michigan, to enter the lumber business as a partner in the Sturtevant & Blood Company. This connection was maintained three years, and for three vears Mr. N~ INGHAM COUNTY 481 Gibson was with the Hager Lumber Company, of Lansing, as vicepresident. In I919 he founded the Holt Lumber Company, and in, I922 he started the Eaton Lumber Company, of both of which he is the owner. On June 15, 1915, Mr. Gibson was joined in wedlock to Miss Maude Nichols, of Appleton, Wisconsin. There are two children, Robert Nichols and Jane Ellen. Mr. Gibson is a member of the directorates of several business and financial concerns in Lansing. He is a thoroughly independent voter, a helpful citizen. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Lansing. Burton Sheridan Gier is a self-made man, having risen to prominence in the commercial life of Lansing as the first vice-president and treasurer of the Motor Wheel Corporation. He has acquired positions in business affairs which are not only a reflection of his personal ability but also the popular recognition of his integrity and high character. He was born in Owosso, Michigan, January 8, 1867, the son of James J. and Louisa A. (Welcher) Gier, former residents of Spencer, Ohio. The father was born in Ohio, March 5, 1835, and was a successful carpenter and contractor. Burton S. Gier attended country school in early boyhood, but worked out by the day on the farm and at carpenter work until 1891, when he entered business, beginning as a clerk in a wholesale woodenware house in St. Louis, Missouri. The panic of I893 caused him to lose his job, and he returned to carpenter work for a year, after which he again went into business in St. Louis, working nine years for the St. Louis Printers Supply Company. Following this he was manager of the machinery department of the Walter A. Zelnicker Railway & Mill Supply House until October, 1904, when he came to Lansing as sales manager of the Lansing Wheelbarrow Company. In June, I908, he formed a partnership with E. I. Dail, under the name of the Gier & Dail Manufacturing Company, which was later incorportaed under the same name. Their business was the manufacturing of postal-card racks and light pressed-metal parts. Out of this enterprise grew the Gier Pressed Steel Company, which very successfully carried on the manufacture of both light and heavy pressed-metal parts, particularly for automobiles. In I920 the Gier Pressed Steel Company merged with three other companies to form the Motor Wheel Corporation, and owing to the successful achievements of the Gier Company under the management of Mr. Gier, he was elected first vice-president and treasurer of the new concern. He has won and is deserving of the regard and esteem of his associates, for his keen business judgment and executive ability have marked him as a resourceful executive. February 20, I895,. he was united in marriage with Harriet Ellen Favorite, of St. Louis. They have been blessed with two children, Raymond Favorite Gier. who is connected with the sales department of the Motor Wheel Corporation, and Ruth Elizabeth Gier, who studied two and one-half years at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, and completed her college course and was graduated in the University of Michigan. Mr. Gier is a director of the Capital National Bank of Lansing, vice-president of the Mich3-31 482 HISTORIC MICHIGAN igan Children's Aid Society, president of the Riverside Homes Company, secretary and treasurer of the Lansing Home Building Company, and a director of the Y. M. C. A. He is secretary-treasurer of the Steel Wheel Corporation, in addition to being an active officer and director of the Motor Wheel Corporation. Mr. Gier is a member of Plymouth Congregational church of Lansing. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, is a member of the Elks Lodge, Lansing Country Club, Ionia County Country Club, Inter-City Golf Club, Society of Automotive Engineers, Rotary Club, Detroit Athletic Club, an associate member of the National Association of Newspaper Correspondents, a life member of the International Association of Fire Engineers, a life member of the Union League Club of Detroit, and a life member of the American Red Cross. Raymond F. Gier.-From happy college (lays of hallowed memory to the enervating duties of army hospital service; then a dropping of military routine to the quiet but laborious grind of farm life; then a radical change to the more orderly processes of a modern business office with its exactions and responsibilities-these represent the salient periods in the career of Raymond F. Gier. They serve to accentuate the versatile character of the man, for while they represent great contrasts, they cover but a short span, as Mr. Gier is now (1924) only twenty-eight years of age. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, November o1, I896. His parents, Burton S. and Harriet E. (Favorite) Gier, are natives, respectively, of Owosso, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri, and a personal sketch of the father precedes this review. Raymond F. Gier attended the public schools of Lansing, Michigan, spent a year at Ames, Iowa, in the Iowa State College, and matriculated at the University of Michigan. A profitable year was spent at this latter institution and then came the great World war. Oblivious to all else but the national security, he entered the army early, sailing for France on the I3th of July, 1917, and serving twenty.-three months in the medical corps at the Army Base Hospital No. 17, which was established by the United States Army in Dijon, France. Then he returned, buoyant and hopeful, conscious of having discharged a duty faithfully and creditably, ready for the arts of peace. He operated one of his father's farms and then entered his father's business, the Gier Pressed Steel Company, as office manager. He was advanced to the sales department of the Motor Wheel Corporation shortly after this corporation was formed by the merger of the Gier Pressed Steel Company and three other concerns. On September 3, I92I, he deserted the ranks of bachelorhood by taking as his wife Marian Lucile Creyts, of Lansing, Michigan. Two chiidren, Susanne Creyts Gier and David Burton Gier, add to the strengthening of the happy domestic bonds. Raymond F. Gier is a member of Plymouth Congregational church and of the Rotary and the Country Clubs of Lansing. He is a Mason, belonging to Lansing Lodge No. 33, F. & A. M., Capital Chapter No. 9, R. A. M.; Lansing Council No. 29, R. & S. M.; and Lansing Commandery No. 25, K. T. W. Arthur Gifford, president of the Gifford Engine Company, INGHAM COUNTY 483 Lansing, is the fourth of five children of Rev. Miram Wentworth and Elizabeth Rebina Gifford. Both father and mother came to Michigan from Canada, where the father began his ministerial work. 'The ancestry is mainly New England. One branch of the family came from England in I632. His father, Rev. Miram W. Gifford, one of five children, served as pastor, after coming to Michigan, on several charges of the Detroit conference of the Methodist Episcopal church; and between times found opportunity to write and publish several books on subjects of his special field. William Arthur Gifford has made his home in Michigan practically all his life. He was graduated from high school at Howell, Michigan, where he was active in high school athletics. He later graduated from the University of Michigan, department of engineering. Soon after entering high school he took up mechanical work, and he spent successive summers in various industries and steam plants and on board vessels on the Great Lakes. After his first year in the university he dropled out for one year, the first half of which was spent in construction work, the latter half in field engineering work for the Pere Marquette Railroad. Resuming his studies in the University of Michigan, he and his brother Roy both graduated in I906. The same year. the two brothers came to Lansing and entered the employ of the Olds (;as Power Company. After two years in various departments of the company both were sent abroad. Roy went to Europe, the West Indies and South America, and Arthur to Australasia, New Zealand, India and the Far East, to organize and develop the company's foreign sales and engineering work, Arthur going as representative for both the Olds Gas Power Company and the Olds Motor Works. In I9o1 Arthur went to Old Mexico for the Seager Engine Works of Lansing, and later that year was sent to Europe and then into Egypt as experimental engineer to develop the first gasoline tractor-plow ever used in the valley of the Nile. Fiction has no parallel for the weird combination of circumstances in which Mr. Gifford found himself involved on arriving in Egypt. An American engineer, a pseudo Egyptian prince, an American lady, tractors, engines, officials and a grand old Arab and his household-all confusedly entangled and needing unraveling; but, with now and then a boost to American boys stranded in foreign countries, it was all a part of the business of dealing with the sons of Mohammed and otherwise distributing Lansing's products over the globe. During his foreign travels Mr. Gifford's work not only associated him with officials of many foreign countries, but it threw him also directly among the laboring and agricultural classes. In Egypt, Mr. Gifford lived for nearly a year on the estate of an Arab landowner, several hundred miles up the Nile, eating their food, riding their horses and camels, and in a large measure sharing their social life. These associations were the source of first-hand knowledge of political, social and economic conditions in many parts of the world; and the observations and impressions made during those years, Mr. Gifford has recorded in the form of photographs which he made, and letters which he wrote home daily 484 HISTORIC MICHIGAN as he mingled with foreign peoples. Supplementary to that phase of his work which had to do with reporting on conditions abroad, Mr. Gifford made a study of the bird and animal life of Australasia and New Zealand, and the history and origin of the aboriginal races of Polynesia and the South Sea islands. Later during his travels in India, China, Japan and the Philippines in I909 he made a study of the development of international politics in that area, having in mind then to determine, if possible, some of the hidden influences behind certain political reactions which he observed and which he believed were the sequel to the cruise around the world of the American battleship fleet during the previous year. After finishing his special work in Egypt, Mr. Gifford visited the ruins and monuments of ancient Egypt, studying Egyptian history, the agricultural methods of the ancient peoples and the great engineering works of the early Pharaohs. Thus he was enabled to bring back an elaborate photographic history of the remains of many of their achievements. For his work in Egypt, Mr. Gifford received the personal thanks and congratulations of the American consul general in Alexandria; and from his Arab and Egyptian friends, the gift of a two-thousand-year-old signet ring, and an invitation in writing to return to Egypt to live. However, it was in Australia that he accomplished his most successful work in the matter of foreign-trade development. Close observation and study of the practical results and effects of the work of the American foreign missionaries was another and by no means the least interesting of Mr. Gifford's experiences, and it was one which served to convince him of the tremendous influence on the ultimate solution of the world problems, of the works and characters of those men and women, many of whom it was his good fortune to meet, and to two of whom, at least, he acknowledges a debt of gratitude. Work in foreign fields put Mr. Gifford in touch with many activities throughout the world, and on returning to Lansing in I9II, he had other opportunities for further travel and work in foreign lands, but personal considerations, a keener appreciation of America and American institutions, and of Lansing, enhanced by a broader knowledge of how other peoples live-coupled with a fuller realization of the all too numerous hazards to life and health in traveling alone in tropical and eastern countries-influenced him to give up foreign travel and go into business in Lansing. In 1912 he organized the Gifford Engine Company, to manufacture small gasoline engines and air compressors. He has since been connected with that company as president and manager. During the World war the Gifford Engine Company manufactured ordinance equipment for the government. Following the war the company discontinued the manufacture of engines in favor of a special line of automotive equipment which the company is now manufacturing on special machinery designed by Mr. Gifford and built in the company's own shops. With their new product the company is now making steady progress, and building uip both domestic and foreign trades. Mr. Gifford's foreign experiences, and his observations and impressions of conditions and prob INGHAM COUNTY 485 lems in other countries have developed in him an irrepressible interest in international politics, and in our own domestic problems-particularly that relating to the conservation and economical development of the country's natural resources. He believes that conservation on a broader basis than has heretofore been undertaken is vitally essential to our permanent national security and prosperity. His favorite sport is tramping with a camera and making photographic records of observations having to do with matters of conservation, and studying the relation of the whole to our civic and national life as compared with similar conditions in other countries. He is an enthusiastic lover of birds and other wild life-everywhere-and a firm believer in the imperative necessity of protection and conservation of wild birds generally, as an economic balance in the great scheme of creation and evolution-or the ultimate possible extinction of man and other animals from the ravages of those destructive agencies which the birds alone can successfully keep in check or destroy. Dr. A. A. Gillhooley.-Establishing himself in the summer of 1923 immediately after his graduation from dental college, Dr. A. A. Gillhooley has won for himself a most creditable place in the community of East Lansing. He is a native of Manistee, Michigan, where he saw the light of day for the first time on October 31, 1899. He is a son of George and Amalia (Audree) Gillhooley, the former a native of Canada and an interior decorator by vocation, and the latter a native of Manistee, Michigan. Edwin G. Gillhooley, another son, was born in I906. Dr. A. A. Gillhooley was graduated from public schools in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 1918 and the following year entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in dentistry in 1923. He has found in East Lansing a fertile field and one that flourishes under his painstaking directions. Dr. Gillhooley is a member of Delta Sigma Delta. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the district, state and local dental societies. The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal church. Ward Giltner, M.S., D.V.M., in charge of the department of bacteriology of the Michigan Agricultural College, was born April 5, 1882, on a farm near Ithaca, New York. After five years of experience in connection with the traditional values of farm life, he moved to Ithaca and passed an uneventful twelve years in that university town. He was graduated in the classical course in 1899. Efforts at football and other outdoor sports that engrossed the athletic and the frivolous were rather abortive in the case of Ward Giltner, because of the pressing need of a more economic expenditure of time, and the vacation periods, too, were spent in laborious toil. It is said, however, that no boy in Ithaca ever lived without drinking deep of the joys of skating, coasting, swimming, fishing and tramping, and Dr. Giltner shared in these, but he also sold papers and helped build houses, did chores and odd jobs, taught country school, tried to raise fruit in the Isle of Pines, studied advanced mathematics and German in high school, and then returned to the farm, where he managed a dairy outfit with indifferent success until 1903. That year he entered 486 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the veterinary college at Cornell University. He was elected to the honorary scientific society, Sigma Xi, and stood second in the graduating class. Graduation, he has admitted, impressed him very lightly, for to a man with a wife and daughter the most impressive thing was a job, and this he secured, at $I,ooo a year, in the Alabama Polytechnical Institute. While a student in the university he became expert in the laboring world along new lines, and ever since, as a teacher, Dr. Giltner has wondered whence came the most help-school or training in the "University of Hard Knocks." A delayed honeymoon, by way of New York city and an ocean trip to Savannah, Georgia, reversing Sherman's famous march to the sea, brought him to the "loveliest village of the plain" and two years were spent in teaching, studying and investigating animal diseases at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, at Auburn. The Doctor was working in association with Dr. Cary, and the two were able to make possible the first veterinary college in the south. In 1908 Dr. Giltner came to Michigan Agricultural College as research assistant in the experiment station, in I912 he became head of the department of bacteriology and hygiene, and in I923 he was created dean of the division of veterinary medicine. Dr. Giltner has been elected to a number of honorary societies, such as Alpha Zeta, Alpha Psi, Phi Sigma and Sem Bot. He has been vice-president and president of the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and has taken active part in the affairs of the veterinarian societies of city, state and nation. Twice has lie been tendered by the governor the appointment as state veterinarian of Michigan and once was named to the state veterinary registration board, but refused to qualify. Dr. Gilt'ner is a fellow of the American Public Health Association; a member of the Society of American Bacteriologists, the Association of American Pathologists and Bacteriologists, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Michigan State Veterinary Medical Association, besides being an honorary member of the Georgia and Illinois veterinary bodies. He was vice-president of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and assistant veterinarian of the state. Dr. Giltner has been exceedingly helpful in many lines other than those strictly professional. For six years he was a member of the local school board, as secretary and as president. He has been president of the local business men's association and is a stockholder and director of several business organizations, such as banks, building associations and land companies. The parents of Dr. Giltner were Richard Dana and Frances Victoria (Knickerbocker) Giltner. On December 20, 1902, Dr. Giltner was united in marriage to Mabel A. Decker. Noble E. Glassbrook.-Of strong personality, possessed of determination and pluck, Noble E. Glassbrook has achieved distinction in the field of insurance in Michigan, as state manager of the Ohio State National Life Insurance Company. When Mr. Glassbrook started with the Ohio State National, it was a new organization in Michigan and little was known of it. The company considered that if he sold C~i~s~artR INGHAM COUNTY 487 $6o0,000 worth of insurance in the state he would be doing exceedingly well. Instead he did $3,2o0,000 worth of business the first year, which, it is stated, exceeded any record of any company's business in the United States. Mr. Glassbrook is a native of Michigan. born in Delta, February 20, I889, the son of Harvey W. and Nellie A. (Glosser) Glassbrook. Both grandfathers were of New York state and the mother was born in that state, she having been two years old at the time of the family removal to Michigan and being now seventynine years of age (I924). Her father was a farmer. Grandfather Glassbrook also came from the Empire state, which he left when his son Harvey was four years old. He moved to Bass Lake, Michigan, and worked as a blacksmith, but bought eighty acres of land and had a charcoal kiln. Harvey W., one of seven children, was born August 15, I849. Grandfather Glosser came to Michigan in T834. The Glassbrooks represent a mixture of Dutch and English. Harvey W. Glassbrook had a meager education, was obliged to work when ten years of age, and has followed farming since with unvarying success and while living in retirement, still manifests a lively interest in farm industry. In I889 he moved from Delta to Meridian township, Ingham county. He has another son, who remains on the home farm. Noble E. Glassbrook left the farm after a short schooling and came to work for Mr. Fitzpatrick, of the firm of Early & Fitzpatrick, contractors. Here he applied himself to carpentry, and after a short time he went to work for the Michigan United Traction Company as a conductor. He remained in the employ of the company four years and then entered the insurance business with the Michigan Mutual Life, a connection which he maintained seven years and during which he was sub-agent, agent, special agent, district manager and supervisor. In I9I8 he became connected with the Ohio State National. His progress has been definite and regular. The company has agents in 45 per cent of the territory of the state. Mr. Glassbrook has been married twice and has one child by the first wife. On Decemher 9, I922, he was united in marriage to Nina Belle Sheathelm. Mr. Glassbrook is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elks and Exchange Club and is ex-president of the Life Underwriters' Association of Lansing. Joseph W. Gleason, president and manager of the Silver Lead Paint Company, 229 North Washington avenue, is an exemplar of the wisdom of concentrating upon one fixed thing. He is the head of one of the best stocked stores in Michigan, carrying a full line of paints, wallpaper, varnishes, brushes, etc., but specializing in silver lead paints, of which he has made a serious study. Mr. Gleason was born on a farm near Grand Ledge, Michigan, and his father, William Gleason, was born in Rochester, New York. William Gleason came to farm in Eaton county, Michigan, in 1856. Before coming to Michigan, however, he had a contract to help build a part of the Erie canal, through a section known as Montezuma swamp, on which two previously unsuccessful attempts had been made. William Gleason married Anna McNamrie, born in New York, and they 4gS HISTORIC MICHIGAN became the parents of eight children, Joseph W. being the fourth, and his brother Fred being associated with him in business. Joseph W. Gleason received his elementary education in Grand Ledge, came to Lansing in I88I to become a clerk in the postoffice and six years later went to Denver and mastered the art of making silver lead paint. He returned to Lansing in I892, went into business in the Mead block, prospered and in I898 came to his present location. In 1895 Mr. Gleason was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Ryan, daughter of Patrick Ryan. of a pioneer family. Miss Ryan attended Townsend street school. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason are actively interested in the welfare of Lansing and have demonstrated this interest on numerous occasions. They have many friends among the old settlers. Mr. Gleason is an Elk and member of the Chamber of Commerce. Nominally he is a Democrat, but is not bound by strict partisan lines. The Gleason home, in which Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have lived for twenty-five vears. is at 323 North Walnut street, and they are members of St. Mary's Catholic church. Earle W. Goodnow.-Occupancy of the position of secretary of the Atlas Drop Forge company is indicative of great responsibility and Earle W. Goodnow functions as such with credit to himself and to the corporation. The company, as is well known, is one of prime importance and is regarded as a distinct contribution to the industrial integrity and well-being of Lansing. Its reputation, however, extends far beyond the confines of the state of Michigan. Mr. Goodnow is a native of Lansing, born January 14, I88i, and is a son of Frank E. Goodnow. a native of the Empire state, born April 5, I855, and a foundryman by trade. The maiden name of the mother of Earle W. Goodnow was Elizabeth Newbrough, and her parents settled in Lansing about the year 1840. Earle W. Goodnow was reared in Lansing and gained his early education i'n the public schools of the city, but did not finish high school, and instead went to work for E. Bement & Sons as a clerk. In 1903 he joined the organization of the Clark Mobile Company, later The New Way Motor Company, making his way up, in the fifteen years of his association with the concern, to the secretaryship and to a place on the board of directors. He retains this seat on the board. Later, Mr. Goodnow went with the Dail Steel Products Company as secretary and as a member of the board of directors. He remained with this company one year, and in February, 1920, became associated with the Atlas Drop Forge Comnanv as general assistant to the manager, a position affording - multiplicity of duties that keep him engrossed the greater part of the day. Mr. Goodnow serves also on the board of directors of the company and thus helps mold its policies and plans. Despite the fact that he is a busy man, Mr. Goodnow finds time for fraternal and other associations. He is a Kiwanian. a member and firm supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Country Club. He is a Mason, holding membership in blue lodge, chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, commandery of the Knights Templar. and in the ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is INGRAM COUNTS 489 widely known and greatly esteemed in the community. On July 15, I903, Mr. Good'now was united in marriage to Miss Augusta M. Hildbrandt, of Lansing. They have one daughter, Jean. Myles F. Gray, the register of deeds of Ingham county, is an allaround man, schooled by the stern taskmaster experience, and he will leave as a legacy to the community wholesome interest in its welfare and a clean, faithful record as a public servant. Mr. Gray was born in Parkhill, Ontario, April 25, I869, a son of James and Eiizabeth (Russell) Gray, who were born in England and who thence came to Canada when young, the former having been but fourteen years of age. James Gray was a railroad man in his early life and worked on the construction end of the Grand Trunk, but on account of health was transferred to the freight department. Later, with his son, he engaged in the meat market business, in which he continued until his death, in 1884. He was a school trustee and officiated as a local minister. Myles F. Gray was of a family of eight children. He was educated in the grammar and high schools, then entered Toronto night college, becoming associated with his father a bit later. However, he applied himself to the printing trade, and in 1888, at the age of nineteen years, he went to Battle Creek. Michigan, to work for 'he Gage Railroad Printing Company. Thence he went to Owosso to aid in the establishment and promotion of a daily paper. There he remained a year, and he then went to Port Huron, whence, a year later, he proceeded to the northern part of the state to be similarly engaged in the newspaper and printing business. He managed the Alpena Echo and Pioneer for a year and a half and bought the Plymouth Mail, which he owned and managed for nine and a half years. Coming to Lansing, he purchased the North Lansing Record, and after selling it he engaged in commercial printing, but in the fall of 1918 became a candidate for and was elected register of deeds. He assumed office January I, 1919. While yet in the commercial printing business, Mr. Gray served as city clerk of Lansing and for a year was a member of the state legislature and later reading clerk. His association with the state legislature covered a number of years. Mr. Gray is widely known as a public speaker of marked ability. October I8, 1892, he was united in marriage to Myrtle M. Baker, of Wayne county. Two children are living, Carlyle A., of Los Angeles, and Joyce M., wife of Norman E. Philleo. Myles F. Gray is highly connected in a fraternal way. He is a Mason, is grand master of the Odd Fellows, state secretary of the Eagles, an Elk and a Knight of Pythias. Thomas J. Green, assistant attorney general of Michigan, is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and was born July 19, I880, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Manson) Green. The parents came to America in 1884 and located in Saint Ignace, Mackinac county, Michigan. He graduated from high school in Saint Ignace, and from the Northern Indiana Law School at Valparaiso, Indiana, in I904. The same year Mr. Green was admitted to the Indiana bar and in I9o6 was admitted to practice in Michigan and engaged in practice in Sault 490 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Ste. Marie. There for ten years he was a member of the law firm of Wiley & Green, until Mr. Wiley's election to the office of attorney general of the state, in I920. Mr. Green had been an assistant attorney general since November 15, 1923. While in Sault Ste. Marie Mr. Green served two terms as circuit court commissioner and four terms as prosecuting attorney of Chippewa county. For eight years he was chairman of the Republican county committee of this county. Mr. Green was united in marriage August II, I908, to Miss Ethel Sadler, of Montreal. To this union two sons have been born, John Irvine and George Donaldson. Mr. Green is a member of the American Bar Association, Michigan Bar Association, and the Sault Ste. Marie Rotary club. He is a director of the Great Lakes Harbors Association, a Knight Templar Mason, has received the thirty-second degree of the Masonic Scottish Rite, is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Major James A. Greene was born and reared on a farm in Livingston county, Michigan. He was educated at the Pinckney high school and the University of Michigan. Early in life he was married to Miss Edith Carr, only daughter of Warren A. and Sarah J. Carr, of Pinckney, Michigan. Major Greene belongs to that branch of the family long famous for its patriotic spirit, members of which have served their country in. every war since the Revolution. His father, Almon C. Greene, was the oldest of seven children born to Eseck Greene and Esther (Winans) Greene, sister to -the late Governor Edwin B. Winans. During the early days of the Civil war the spirit of patriotism for which the family is historically noted, prompted the voluntary enlistment of Almon C. and four of his younger brothers, the youngest, Henry, being merely a boy and having run away from home and enlisted with his next older brother. The five brothers proved excellent soldiers, having taken part in many of the important major engagements in the Civil war. One of them, Mortimer, lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness, and another, Orville, was seriously wounded in the same engagement. After serving three years with Sherman's army, Almon re-enlisted, just before Sherman started on the historic march to the sea, and marched with the army of that famous general from Atlanta to Bentonville, where these gallant Union forces subdued and captured the army of "Joe Johnston." During the three and one-half years of service with Sherman's army, Almon C. Greene was known and regarded by his officers and comrades as a faithful and fearless soldier, having proved his gallantry in such engagements as Stone River, Murfreesboro, Vicksburg Landing, Missionary Ridge, the siege of Atlanta and finally the famous campaign with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. Major Greene's mother, Betsy (Stevens) Greene, was the youngest daughter of Julius and Mabel Stevens, sturdy pioneers of Ingham county, they having settled early in the township of White Oak, where they cleared a farm from the wilderness and reared their family of nine children. -One month after the declaration of war against the imperial government of Ger INGHAM COUNTY 491 many, Major Greene was in his country's uniform at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and in August, I9I7, he was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry and assigned to duty with the Eighty-fifth division of the national army then mobilizing at Camp Custer. By rapid yet well deserved promotion he finally reached the grade of major, and was subsequently recommended to the grade of lieutenant colonel, while serving in France, but returned home and was mustered out of the service before the recommendation was finally acted upon. He saw action at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Pont-a-Mousson, France, and received his honorable discharge from the army at Washington, D. C., September 8, I9I9, after honorable and faithful service of nearly two and one-half years, about fourteen months of which was over seas. By profession he is a lawyer and at the present time (I924) he is assistant attorney general of Michigan. In religion he is a Protestant, fraternally he is a master and royal arch Mason and a Knight Templar, besides being a member of the Michigan Sovereign Consistory, thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R. He is a member also of Lansing Lodge No. I96, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Chester Grey.-The subject of this sketch, is the secretary and manager of the Lansing Fuel & Gas Company, East Michigan avenue, is widely known in the community and is much esteemed by all who know him. His education and training have been along both academic and practical lines. His personal qualities are of such character as would naturally insure success. He is a scion of a splendid Scotch ancestry, with the rugged and virile qualities characterizing the Scotch. Mr. Grey was born in Verona, Wisconsin, July I, I880. His father, James Grey, came from Scotland to the United States in I856, went on to Australia, remained a short time in that distant land, and then returned to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. James Grey was a farmer, served on the school board thirty years, gave his best to the home of his adoption and (lied in 1922, at the age of eighty-nine years. The mother, Elizabeth Grieve before marriage, was born in Dunfries, Scotland, and is now living in Madison, Wisconsin, gracious in the eighty-five years Providence has permitted her. Chester Grey attended school in Verona and was graduated from the fine old University of Wisconsin in I902, in mechanical engineering. He was in the employ of the United States Steel Corporation a year, then went with the United Gas Improvement Company of Philadelphia in its various plants throughout the United States, engaged in engineering work. In May, I920, Mr. Grey came to Lansing as secretary and general manager of the company's property. He was united in marriage July I, I9o6, to Miss Maude Wheeler, of Des Moines, Iowa. They have six children-Chester, Jr., Wheeler, Elizabeth, Douglas, Ella and Maude. Mr. Grey is a Mason, a member of the consistory of the Scottish Rite and of the Shrine. He is a director and vicepresident of the Rotary Club, a member of the Lansing Country Club and is vice-president of the Michigan Gas Association. He is a member and high in the councils of the American Gas Association, by reason of his special training in this branch of engineering. 492 HISTORIC MICHIGAN John J. Grost, who is located at 113 East Ottawa street, Lansing, does a general contract business in plumbing and heating, in which business he has had extensive experience. Mr. Grost is a native of Lansing, where he was born in 1885. His father, Joseph Grost, was born in 1857, in Wisconsin, his occupation being that of a mason, and for the last forty-five years of his life he resided in Lansing, where he died in I902. His wife was born in I865 in Detroit, and her maiden name was Bertha Rumpsa. In I914 John J. Grost married Miss Lucille Lyons, a native of Minnesota, born in I894. Four children were born to this union: John Joseph, Dorothy Lucille, Agnes Rosalind and Edwin Billy. Mr. Grost attended the Lansing public schools and then worked for John Tooland for four years. There he learned the plumbing trade. He established a business of his own in Lansing, plumbing and heating, which was maintained two years. Then Mr. Grost decided to store the stock and tour the western states. He covered much of the country, gathering ideas and suggestions. He located in Paris, Texas and was in that city seven years, contracting for the heating of school buildings. He also did plumbing for the Roger Way furniture establishment. In March, I923, Mr. Grost returned to Lansing and re-entered the local field of plumbing, heating and ventilating, doing general contract work. Mr. Grost is a member of the Master Plumbers' Association. He is alive to the business possibilities and opportunities of the day and is building up a substantial and prosperous business. Edward G. Hacker.-Heading a corporation that specializes in improved real estate, to which is added a full line of insurance, Edward G. Hacker, president of the Edward G. Hacker Company, 386 Capital National Bank building, is one of the most progressive and substantial citizens of the capital city. Mr. Hacker, who was born in Rochester, Michigan, May 30, I894, is a son of Thomas W. Hacker, with whom for a long time he was associated in business. Thomas W. Hacker is a native of Macomb county, Michigan, where he was born in I859. He was long engaged in the meat business, later associating himself with the International Harvester Company as a special representative for the state of Michigan. He now buys and sells property for himself, specializing in Lansing real estate, and in the winter of 1923-24 went to California to obtain a needed respite from business responsibilities and at the same time become acquainted with conditions in the Golden state. Edward G. Hacker started his schooling in Rochester and finished in the Lansing high school, served the advertising department of the State Journal and entered the army in 1918, doing duty in the sanitary corps, stationed at Washington, D. C., and also Detroit, Michigan. Upon his discharge from the army, Mr. Hacker entered the real estate business with his father, under the firm name of T. W. Hacker & Son, at Lansing. The father's health showing decline, Edward G. Hacker, on March I6, 1922, incorporated the Edward G. Hacker Company. The mother, whose maiden name was Hattie C. Colton, was likewise born in Michigan. Edward G. Hacker married, August 26, I9I9, Miss Della B. Guenther, L- t^,z-w. INGHAM COUNTY 493 of Lansing, and to this union were born two children, Barbara Ann and Edward G., Jr., who died in infancy. Mr. Hacker has one sister, Leah C. He is a member of the Lansing Real Estate Board, whicl is a mark of fealty to service and dependability. He is also a member of the Lions Club, the Lansing Country Club, the Masonic blue lodge, chapter of Royal Arch Masons and of the Lansing Commandery of Knights Templar. J. George Hagameir.-Because the family required his help, Mr. Hagameir was in his youth deprived of the school opportunities that he so earnestly yearned for, but he overcame obstacle after obstacle and has attained substantial success. He is known as a level-headed man of affairs, a thorough-going business man and a contractor of prominence in Lansing. Mr. Hagameir is secretary and treasurer of the Lansing Cast Stone Block Company. He was born on a farm in Clinton county, Michigan, four miles west of St. Johns, and is a son of Lorenz and Dora Mary (Marquart) Hagameir, who were born in Germany, came to America when young and married in New York state. There were three children, of whom J. George is the older son, his brother Edward living on North street, Lansing, and the sister, Mrs. John Kurtz, residing on Butler avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenz Hagameir moved to Watertown Center, Clinton county, Michigan, when J. George was five years old, and there he received his early education. He faithfully helped his father on the farm until he was nineteen years old and then started out for himself. He first worked for the Lansing Company and thereafter secured employment with other firms and individuals, working his way by dint of industry into the contracting business. He is an exemplar of thrift and the other attributes that characterize a self-made man. He is liberal in his thinking, clever in artisanship, fraternal in his attitude. Mr. Hagameir constructed many of the larger and more important buildings in Lansing, among them being the mechanical engineering building of the Michigan Agricultural College, which structure later was burned; the weather station, chapel at the industrial school, Gier Pressed Steel Plant, Auto Body Plant and the second big building of the Olds Motor Works. He remodeled the Michigan executive mansion, built the store building at Capitol avenue and Allegan street, and erected numerous other business buildings, as well as other structures. In I898 Mr. Hagameir was united in marriage with Anna Mary Wagemann, born in Lansing, the daughter of Conrad Wagemann, native of Germany, who is still a resident of Lansing. Mrs. Hagameir attended Lansing high school. Mr. and Mrs. Hagameir have one son, Ralph L., graduate of the University of Michigan in 1923, who is associated with his father in business. Mr. Hagameir belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Shrine and Scottish Rite. He is also an Elk and Odd Fellow. Alton J. Hager.-Holding steadfastly to an ideal and winning his way by an indefatigable energy that overcame apparently insurmountable obstacles, Alton J. Hager, president of the Hager Lumber Company, 1125-35 South Pennsylvania avenue, Lansing, has risen to a 494 HISTORIC MICHIGAN commanding place in the lumber industry of this great state. His experience in the various branches of the industry has been varied and valuable. Lansing has no citizen more worthy or representative. Mr. Hager was born in Vermontville, Michigan, May 29, I880. His father, Nelson H. Hager, was born in a rural community known as Hager's Settlement near Sunfield, Michigan, June 28, I850. He had to take place as head of the family when he was nine years of age, assuming many duties and responsibilities ordinarily borne by much older persons, and in those tender years when he could have reasonably expected the joys and compensations of childhood, the lad was giving patient labor and attention to the ministry of a household. As he grew in years, he took to farming and became a mill operator also. His death occurred July Io, I924. His wife, whose maiden name was Rosetta Snoke and whose home was in Manchester, Indiana, survives him. Capacity for and love of work were quite naturally transmitted to Alton J. Hager, who after attending the country schools, attended the Nashville high school. Then he started out in farm work, remaining at this about a year. This led to the laying of the foundation of what was to be his life work. Leaving the farm, Mr. Hager began work with the Vermontville Lumber Company, receiving fifteen dollars a month. He next went to the Miller & Hamilton Lumber Company and later succumbed to the lure of Detroit, concerning himself with the selling end of the lumber business. He spent six months in Detroit and eighteen months on the road and then established in Grand Rapids a lumber brokerage business which he maintained five years. Then he purchased the Bellview Lumber Company in Eaton county, conducting the business until I9I5, when he came to Lansing and organized the Hager Lumber Company, popularly known as or referred to as "The Yellow Shed." In I902 Mr. Hager was married to Miss Nelle Harris, of Ovid. There are two children, Margaret and Harold. Mr. Hager's business rise was gradual and certain, but the trade's recognition of his ability and judgment was rapid. He is a member of the board of directors of the National Retail Lumber Dealers' Association and for two years was president of the Michigan Retail Lumber Dealers' Association, an honorary position of responsibility in view of the extreme trade importance of the association. He is a member also of the "Supreme Nine," a national lumbermen's fraternity. Mr. Hager is president of the Central Mill & Warehouse Company, and president of the Holt Farms Company as well as head of the Hager Lumber Company and Kraas Lumber Company. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belongs to the Knights Templar, the Shrine, Elks, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce and Lansing Country Club. Charles F. Haight, who is descended from Revolutionary patriots, worked on a railroad as a lad to earn the money with which to go to school. Mr. Haight today occupies an honorable place in the state legislature and a commendable place in the practice of the law. He was born in North Newburg, Shiawassee county, Michigan, March 2I, I865. His father, Bruce Haight, was born January 15, 14I, INGHIAM COUNTY 495 at North Newburg. His parents before him were from Pennsylvania and representatives of the family served in the Revolutionary war. Bruce Haight was in the foundry and machine-shop business and tried to enlist for service in the Civil war, but was rejected because of the poor state of his health. He passed to the Great Beyond on August 25, I869. His wife was of French and English lineage. Her maiden name was Phebe E. Devereaux, and she was born October 5, 1838, near Albany, New York, her parents having moved into Oakland county, Michigan, near Wall Lake, when she was nine years of age. A large farm in New York has remained in the possession of the family almost two hundred years. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Mrs. Haight were soldiers in the American army (luring the Revolutionary war, her maternal grandfather, David Waterberry, rising to the rank of colonel of the Fifth regiment of the Connecticut colonial troops. Mr. Haight and Miss Devereaux were married at Wall Lake in May, I864. Two children were born to them, Charles F. and Clarence D., the latter of whom was assistant secretary of the Michigan grand lodge of Odd Fellows until his death, June 22, 1923. Charles F. Haight attended school at North Newburg and Pontiac. He diligently applied himself to railroad work in order to earn the money needed to meet his expenses at school. He came to Lansing twenty years ago and served as assistant secretary of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows until elected municipal judge. At this time his brother succeeded him in his Odd Fellows' secretarial duties. This was in I9I1. As judge, Mr. Haight was re-elecetd, serving from I9I5 to I918. He resigned to join the Y. AI. C. A. forces for service in France in the World war, and there he remained on duty eight months. On his return from Europe, Mr. Haight resumed the practice of law. At this time he is a member of the Michigan state legislature, as representative of the First district of Ingham county. Mr. Haight was united in marriage to Harriet B. Lightbody, of San Jose, (California. August 29, 1889, and one child of this union died in infancy. Mr. Haight has long been active in Odd Fellowship and was installed grand master of the order in Michigan in October, 1924. He also holds other fraternal connections, being affiliated with the Elks, Knights of Pythias and the Eagles. He is also a member of several fraternal insurance orders. Mr. and Mrs. Haight are members of the First Bantist church of Lansing. Mr. Haight's mother, who is now (1924) eighty-six years of age, resides in his home and is likewise a member of the First Baptist church of Lansing. Mr. Haight is entitled to affiliation with the Sons of the American Revolution and has recently made application for membership in that order. Benjamin F. Hall.-Descended from a family of lumbermen familiar with every detail of the business and himself trained in newspaper work, it is but natural that Mr. Hall, who is president of the Hall Lumber Company, 300 North Larch street, Lansing, should have attained to his present high place in commercial circles. His father, Benjamin F. Hall, Sr., a native of Canada, and his maternal grandfather, Abram Allen, were pioneers in the lumber industry in 496 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Lansing, establishing the Allen-Hall Lumber Company in 1867, and upon Benjamin F. Hall, Jr., falls the mantle of authority descended from honorable forbears. The Halls platted subdivisions and built many homes, contributing immeasurably to the upbuilding of Lansing. Three plats today bear the name "Hall." Benjamin F. Hall, Sr., married Mary J. Allen, who was born in New York state and who came to Michigan just after the close of the Civil war. Mr. Hall was born in Lansing October I, 1872, attended the grade and high schools and was graduated from the University of Michigan in I894, with the degree of Bachelor of Letters. He then entered newspaper work in earnest, with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and for years he was chief political writer of that paper, stationed in Washington, D. C. This training developed a knowledge of men and affairs and a perspicacity invaluable in his subsequent business connection. In 1903 Mr. Hall came back to Lansing to work for his father. This was continued until the death of the father, in 1912, when his brother, Herbert A. Hall, became president of the Hall Lumber Company, remaining such until his death in r9I9, when Benjamin F. Hall succeeded to the presidency of the company. Mr. Hall was married April 25, 1915, to Marie B. Kelly, of New Castle, Pennsylvania. In addition to his official relationship with the Hall Lumber Company, Mr. Hall is president of the Hall-Higgins Coal Company and director of the Central Mill & Warehouse Company. He is president of the Central Lumbermen's Club and is a member of the Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoos, a social order of lumbermen. Mr. Hall is a Mason and an Elk and stands high not only in the esteem of his fraters, but of the entire community in which he has lived and moved for many years. Herman H. Halladay, secretary of the Michigan Agricultural College, an educational bulwark of the Wolverine state, and an institution through whose portals have passed hundreds of men and women who have reached places of eminence and power, has been identified with the college since April I, 1922. Mr. Halladay was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, January I, I869, a son of Addiso'i P. and Rosetta (Marks) Halladay. The father was born in New York, the mother in Connecticut, and both are deceased. The father, who came from Palmyra, New York, to Brooklyn, Michigan, throughout his life was devoted to agriculture, was prosperous, and manifested strong interest in the Congregational church, in which he was a deacon for many years. In politics he was a Republican. He bought and successfully managed the farm on which his son, Herman H., was born. There were five children in the family, Charles D. Chamberlin, a lawyer in Cleveland, is a son of Mrs. Halladay by a former marriage; Elmer resides in Tecumseh, Michigan; and Cebert M., Oscar and Herman H. The subject of this review attended rural school and the high school in Clinton, and at the age of seventeen years he began teaching in Lenawee county. He taught school seven years. In the interim of school periods he had taken special work at Adrian College, and finally he returned to the farm, where INGHAM COUNTY 497 he remained until 1912 when Governor Osborne appointed him live stock commissioner. This office he held six years, when the office was changed to that of bureau of animal industry and Mr. Halladay was appointed, by Governor Sleeper, as the commissioner of animal industry. Later he was appointed, by Governor Groesbeck, as commissioner in the department of agriculture, but he had held this office only.nine months when he was made secretary of the Michigan Agricultural College. In his own township Mr. Halladay had been supervisor prior to his service as live stock commissioner and his brothers, Cebert and Oscar, have held this office since. In fact, during a period of twenty years some member of the Halladay family has been found in service as township supervisor, a rather unusual circumstance. In I9I7 Mr. Halladay came to Lansing. He is a loyal Republican, is intensely devoted to his duties at the fine old Agricultural College, and is an efficient servitor of the institution and the state which supports it. Mr. Halladay married Virginia Daniels, of Franklin, Michigan. He is a member of the Congregational church, of the Rotary Club, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, and of several college clubs. Mr. and Mrs. Halladay have two daughters-Mrs. Louise Carpenter and Miss Hope Halladay. James F. Hammell, secretary of the Brick & Supplies Corporation, 6I3 Shiawassee street, Lansing, combines with this position of responsibility the duties of treasurer, and is a young man of distinct executive ability. His ability and sound commercial training have been recognized in numerous ways. Mr. Hammell was born at Ionia, Michigan, September 25, 1885, a son of James F. and Eleanor (Williams) Hammell. James F. Hammell, Sr., was born in Livingston county, Michigan, and was mayor of Lansing in I9Io. He passed away in I916. His wife was born in Wayne county at Six Mile road, now a part of the city of Detroit, Michigan. James F. Hammell, of this review, came to Lansing when a mere child and upon completing his school work, became associated with his father in the manufacturing business. Leaving this service, Mr. Hammell went with the S. S. Kresge Company, chain store operators, and served as manager of stores at Zanesville, Des Moines and Port Huron. Returning to Lansing, he helped organize the Brick & Supplies Company and became its secretary and treasurer. However, between the time he left the Kresge Company and formed the Brick & Supplies Company, Mr. Hammell served as deputy labor commissioner, a position that brought him in contact with many types and viewpoints. Mr. Hammell is usefully active in civic and community affairs, finding time to spare from his daily duties to give to the community as a whole. He belongs to the Lions Club and is an Elk and a Knight of Columbus. He is held in the highest esteem. James F. Hammell, Sr., was engaged in the manufacture of cigars, first at Ionia and later at Lan — sing, and followed that business until his death. He was a Democrat and was twice elected mayor of Lansing. He served as alderman several terms prior to his election to the office of mayor. The family is of Irish descent. James Hammell came to the United States and 3-32 498 HISTORIC MICHIGAN to Michigan in I837. He settled four miles south of Brighton, Livingston county, and followed farming until his death, in 1892. He was the grandfather of him whose name introduces this sketch. Alvin N. Hamilton, residing at I303 North Center street, Lansing, was born at Lapeer, Lapeer county, Michigan, October 15, 1859, the only son of Robert Wilson and Isabelle Eliza (Hart) Hamilton. Alvin N. was a child one year old when his parents came to Lansing. He attended the First ward school in Lansing, matriculated at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and in 1875-76 took a commercial course in Assumption College at Sandwich, Canada. As a young man Mr. Hamilton engaged in railroad work, but he returned to Lansing and his business connections made him one of the best known men in the capital city. He is now living retired, giving his attention to his real-estate interests. September 15, i886, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Rose Cook. They have a daughter, Isabelle Eliza, who is a teacher in the Lansing schools. The family are members of the Presbyterian church. They are in possession of an extremely interesting and valuable collection of antiques transmitted from the Hart and Ball families. In this collection are many pieces of linen, furniture, pewter and silverware more than a hundred years old. Jason E. Hammond.-Directive genius, organizing power and dynamic energy combine in the personal equipment of Jason E. Hammond, whose versatility is manifested to advantage in his various connections. Mr. Hammond knows political and business life intimately, has served the commonwealth of Michigan through attachment with the auditor general's office, directed several dry campaigns, is identified with an influential fire-insurance organization and is the manager of the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. Mr. Hammond was born in Ransom township, Hillsdale county. Michigan, May 17, I862. His education, begun in the rural schools, extended to Hillsdale College and Michigan Agricultural College. He was graduated in the latter in i886, began teaching and utilized the summer vacations for work in summer schools for additional instruction, and for the reading of law. In i888 he was elected a member of the Hillsdale county examining board, in I891 became a county commissioner of schools and in 1893 was appointed deputy superintendent of public instruction. Successful work and the ability to achieve results brought his elevation to the superintendency. This was four years later. He was zealous in his efforts in behalf of the educational interests of the community and contributed materially to the issuance of a number of pedagogic publications. The revised state manual and course of study has been in especial demand among rural and village teachers because of the helpful outlines and practical devices contained therein. Mr. Hammond was reelected superintendent of public instruction, on the Republican ticket, for the term of I899-I9oo by a vote of 236,463 to I70,173 for his Democratic opponent. Mr. Hammond's father and mother were Luther and Rhoba (Reed) Hammond, both of whom were born in Cortland county, INGHAM COUNTY 499 New York. The father was born December 9, I819, and died July 27, I909. The mother was born November 22, 1824, and died July 25, I876. In I837, the parents settled in Michigan on the farm where Jason E. was born, and they lived in that community fiftyseven years, moving to Lansing in I888. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Hamond were seven children, namely: Linus R., Alice R. (deceased), Walden W. (died in infancy), Lillie M. (Mrs. Huston of Los Angeles), Jason E., Melvin L. (died in I904), and Dr. Theron W. Hammond, whose home is in Grand Rapids. The Hammonds originally came from England, the forbears of the present generation settling in Newton, Massachusetts, in I650. For four years, Jason E. Hammond was private secretary for Perry F. Powers, auditor general of Michigan, and from I903 to I912 was manager of the Hammond Publishing Company. He was manager of the dry campaigns of Ingham county in I910, I9I2, 1914 and I916. In 1916 he managed the dry campaign in Kent county. Up to this time the county had voted wet by 7,000, but through his efforts and skill in marshaling the dry forces, the county went dry by 6,200. He also participated actively in the state-wide dry campaign of 1916 and was manager of the dry campaign in 1917 when Springfield, Illinois, went dry. Mr. Hammond was ward and precinct organizer for the Chicago Dry Federation in I9I7 and I918 and was campaign manager at St. Louis, Missouri, from April to November, I918, helping to elect a dry legislature for the state. In I912 and 1913 he was financial agent for Olivet College. In the spring of I919, he had charge of the Bay City, Saginaw and "Thumb" district in the socalled beer and wine campaign. From May I, I919, to the present he has been manager of the Michigan Retail Dry Goods Association. He is also the treasurer of the Michigan Merchants' Association, which is a federation of nine state associations of retailers, a concentration of mercantile interests; and is also affiliated as associate secretary of the Grand Rapids Merchants' Mutual Fire Insurance ComIany. Active in the affairs of Plymouth Congregational church, Mr. Hammond is superintendent of the church school and a member of the educational committee. He is also a trustee of the State AntiSaloon League. On April 5, I893, Mr. Hammond was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Genevieve F. Whitten, of Jonesville. She is a daughter of John and Frances (Monroe) Whitten, the parents being Scotch. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond have one son, Reed Stuart Hammond. The son is a graduate of Lansing high school and Hillsdale College, besides which he took a business course at Harvard. He is in China in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. He married, August 8, I923, Miss Ruth E. Chaney of Auburn, Indiana, they having been classmates in Hillsdale College. In social welfare and philanthropic activities, Mr. Hammond has evinced a constant and helpful interest. He served six years (1909-1915) as trustee of the Kalamazoo State Hospital, by appointment of Governor Fred M. Warner, and is now a member of the State Welfare Commission, by appointment of Governor Alex. J. Groesbeck. 500 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Leonard T. Hands is commissioner of the Michigan Department of Insurance and member of the very important Securities Commission of the state. His headquarters are in the state office building, his residence at 407 West Lenawee. Mr. Hands was born on a farm in Sanilac county, Michigan, in 1878. He is a son of James Hands, of Irish descent, who came to Michigan from Canada in I850. The mother, of Scotch descent, was before her marriage, Frances Burgess. Mrs. Hands is living on the farm in Sanilac county. Leonard T. Hands obtained his youthful education in the grade and high schools of his native county, and the county normal training school. He taught a short time and then engaged in the writing of insurance, covering the state. In 1914 he came to Lansing as a clerk in the office of the secretary of state. When the nation entered the World war, Mr. Hands was made chief clerk of the registration and draft boards. In I916 he was appointed chief clerk in the state insurance department, and in 1918 he became deputy commissioner of that department. On May I8, I92I, Governor Groesbeck appointed Mr. Hands commissioner of insurance. In Igoo Mr. Hands was united in marriage to Flora McKeller, also of Sanilac county. They have three children: Donald, who is attending law school in Detroit; Helen, attending school in Ypsilanti; and James, a student in Michigan Agricultural College. Mr. Hands is an earnest advocate of adequate laws governing insurance. He was instrumental in drawing and securing the passage of the rating bill, which has resulted in a great saving to the people of Michigan. It puts Michigan inspection under the supervision of the insurance department and gives the state power to regulate the rates on fire insurance. The department of which Mr. Hands is the head has charge of all branches of insurance, fire, marine, casualty, assessment, reciprocal and fraternal. It is a great protective agency for the public. Mr. Hands is a member of Sandusky Lodge No. 393, Free and Accepted Masons, of Sandusky, and of the Knights Templar, Elks and Odd Fellows of Lansing. He holds also membership in the Ancient Order of Blue Goose, an order of insurance executives. The members of the Hands family attend the Presbyterian church. Sherman Theodore Handy is a member of the Michigan Public Utilities Commission, a post freighted with large responsibilities and a public position of inestimable service to the commonwealth. The incumbent is a man of wide experience, breadth of vision and long training in public service. Mr. Handy was born in Morpeth, Kent county, Ontario, April 3, I867, and his early education was received in Canada. In 1885, he was graduated from Ridgetown Collegiate Institute and in I888 from the Central Business University in Stratford, Ontario. He had always aspired to become a lawyer, but in order to secure a law course it was necessary for him to work a year. Pluck and ambition were happily and effectively combined in his nature and in I891 Mr. Handy was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan. The same year he was admitted to the bar and to practice before the supreme court. He INGHAM COUNTY 501 entered practice at Crystal Falls, Michigan, in February, I892. In I894, he was elected circuit court commissioner and in I896 was elected prosecuting attorney of Iron county. In I898, he was renominated, but declined the nomination, to run for the legislature, as representative from the Dickinson district, comprising Dickinson, Iron and Baraga counties. He was successful, serving in the regular sessions of I899-I900 and three special sessions, and in 900o he was re-elected. In I901 he served as speaker pro temrpore of the house of representatives. In May, I9OI, Mr. Handy moved to Sault Ste. Marie, where he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until he left there, in I919. He was always conspicuous in public affairs and from I907 to I9II was city attorney. He was mayor of Sault Ste. Marie from 1913 to I917. In May, I9I9, he was appointed by Governor Sleeper a member of the Michigan Public Utilities Commission, and in I923 he was reappointed to the post by Governor Groesbeck. In I895, Mr. Handy was united in wedlock to Leora A. Anderson, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. They have one son, Theodore A. Handy, living in Detroit. Theodore A. Handy served overseas in the World war, in the Thirty-second Division. He was wounded at Chateau Thierry, August 4, I918, was brought back with the hospital unit, and was discharged in March, I9I9. Mr. and Mrs. Handy are members of the First Presbyterian church of Sault Ste. Marie. He is a member of Bethel Lodge No. 358, Free and Accepted Masons, of Sault Ste. Marie, the chapter and the commandery in that city and of the Shrine in Marquette. He is past master of the blue lodge at Crystal Falls and for twenty years has been a member of the Masonic grand lodge of Michigan, serving as chairman of the committee on appeals. Mr. Handy is also a member of the Rotary Club at Sault Ste. Marie. He is a member of the American Bar Association and represented that body in England in July, I924, when the English barristers entertained their American brethren. Mr. Handy participated in the various sessions and the lavish social entertainment attending the big international conclave of barristers and jurists. This convention marked an epoch in the annals of the legal profession and in the promotion of international good will. Arthur J. Hankins, 736 West Ottawa, president of the HankinsPeters Coal Company, was born in Livingston county, Michigan, in 1872. His father, Andrew Hankins, was born in Pennsylvania and was a farmer. The mother was born in Germany, came to America when very young and the family settled in Livingston county, where the parents of Arthur Hankins were married. There were five children, Arthur J. the youngest. Three are living. A brother, Charles, lives in Florida, the other, Herbert, in Owosso. Leaving Ithaca high school, from which he was graduated, Arthur J. entered his brother's store in Ithaca, clerked, and later, for several years, operated a store of his own in Elsie, Michigan. In the same place he and a brother united in the grain business. The business expanded and soon a chain of elevators was operated in fourteen places and a branch office 502 HISTORIC MICHIGAN was established in Pittsburgh. In 1917, Mr. Hankins came to Lansing. He has large lumber and elevator interests throughout Michigan. The Hankins-Peters Company is one of the most thriving establishments in the county. In 1917, Mr. Hankins married Miss Emeline Ruess of Owosso. Her father, Jacob Ruess, born in Germany, came to Michigan when young. He lives in Owosso. Mr. Hankins is a member of the Michigan Lumbermen's Association and of the Michigan Elevator Men's Association; is president of the Elsie Lumber Company; president of the Hankins-Peters Coal Company of Lansing; treasurer of the Van Croft Milling and Elevator Company; member of the Chamber of Commerce and of Lansing Lodge of Elks. He is a man of sound business judgment, ever ready to aid in the promotion of any work or movement calculated to advance the general interests of the community. He has unbounded faith in Lansing and its possibilities. Mr. Hankins was among the original promoters of the Michigan State Farm Bureau and aided in organizing the commercial department. In I920, the Hankins brothers organized the wool growers of the state and handled the entire wooi clip of that year, seven million pounds. Measured by all standards, the Messrs. Hankins are rated among the more genuinely useful and influential citizens of the state. J. G. Hapeman, D. D. S.-Among the younger dentists of Lansing is one who, by reason of tact and ability, is making for himself an enviable reputation and developing a large and profitable practice. Dr. Hapeman has displayed a certain marked aptitude in exerting a mastery of the intricacies of dental problems and is developing a reputation that has become more than local. The doctor was born in Lowell, Michigan, November II, I896, a son of Judd G. and Edith (Weeks) Hapeman, both likewise natives of Michigan. Dr. Hapeman was graduated from the Lowell high school and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in June, 1917, with the degree of D. D. S. He practiced in Detroit in 1919-20, came to Lansing in the fall of I920 and his rise has been gradual and certain. In October, I92I, Dr. Hapeman was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Roth. He is a Methodist, a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 33, and to Lansing Lodge of Elks. Harry F. Harper.-It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs that makes the real history of a community, and his influence as a potential factor in the body politic is difficult to estimate. The examples of such men strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, even in a casual way, to their achievements in advancing their own interests and those of their fellow men and giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make for the prosperity of the community. Such a man is Harry F. Harper, the subject of this review, and it is eminently proper that a sketch of his career be accorded a place in a work of this character. Mr. Harper, one of the prominent business men of Lansing, Michigan, was born at Milwaukee, Wis INGHAM COUNTY 503 consin, July 15, 188I, the son of Alexander and Albertena (Krueger) Harper, both of that city. The father was a'n interior decorator of marked ability, and was engaged as such until the time of his death, in 1905. Harry F. Harper attended the graded and high schools of his native city, and upon completing his school work, was employed in a local drug store in the capacity of stenographer until 900o, when he entered upon the duties of office work in the agriculture implement line. Coming to Lansing in I904, he was associated with the Prudden Wheel Company as secretary andt continued as such until he was elected president of the company, in I916. This concern was very successful for years. In March, I920, it was amalgamated with the Motor Wheel Corporation, and the business has since been continued under the latter title. This is o'ne of the largest corporations of its kind in this country, and Mr. Harper is its president and general manager. June 25, I904, recorded his marriage to Miss Ragna Mickelson, who was born in Norway and who came to this country with her parents in her early childhood. Mr. Harper is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Knights Templar and the Shrine, and is a member of the Rotary Club a'nd the Country Club. Because of his consistent life and high personal character, he enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and regard of all who know him. Floyd B. Harrington, president and manager of the Michigan Sheet Metal Works, Inc., was born in Almont township, Lapeer county, Michiga'n, June 27, 1883, the son of Edwin and Abbie (Crosby) Harrington, the former of whom was a native of New Brunswick, Canada, and the latter of Michigan. His maternal grandfather, William Crosby, pre-empted land in Michigan and on this he farmed for the remainder of his active life. Benjamin H. Harrington removed from Canada to Michigan when his son, Edwi'n the father of Floyd B. Harrington, was a boy of four years, and farmed on land which was later operated by Edwin Harrington. The latter there continued until his death, which occurred in I917, when he was sixty-eight years of age. Of the five children born to Edwin and Abbie (Crosby) Harrington, three are now living, and they are: Floyd B., Bert, and Kate (Mrs. Anthony Lafevre). Floyd B. Harrington was educated in the graded and high schools of his home community and worked on the home farm until his sixteenth year. At that time he went to Detroit, where he engaged in the sheet-metal business, learning the trade with a thoroughness that assured his future success. In I906, he came to Lansing andl accepted a position with the hardware firm of Smith & Freeman, with which he was employed a year and a half and he then founded the Harrington Metal Works. At its inception, the company was operated upon a small scale, but in I916 it was incorporated under the name of the Michigan Sheet Metal Works, in order to handle the expansion more efficiently. His achievement in developing so prosperous a concern has placed Mr. Harrington with the leaders in industrial works in Lansing, where he is regarded as one of the substantial and influential citizens. In I907, he married Elsie Cook, the daughter of William and Rosana 504 HISTORIC MICHIGAN (Litchfield) Cook of Lansing, and to this union has been born one son, Clare D. Mr. Harri'ngton is a York Rite Mason and a Shriner and also holds membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks and the Lions club. In political matters, he gives his support to the Republican party. M. A. Harryman, secretary, treasurer and manager of the Page & Harryman Shoe company, is the only child of W. P. and Carrie M. (Austin) Harryman. He was born in Bennington, Michigan, April 18, I89o. His parents were also born in Bennington. The father was a farmer and later operated a general store in Bennington but hnow is on the road for the Mishawaka Rubber Company of Mishawaka, Indiana. In a store in Owosso, Michigan, M. A. Harryman began what apparently is to be his life work. He worked nights and on Saturdays, alternating school time with store duties. After leaving school he worked a year in Owosso, then went to Flint, where he was employed by the Economy Shoe Company four years. In December, I913, he came to Lansing. Mr. Harryman bought the interest of Mr. Gullett in the firm of Page & Gullett and the firm 'name was changed to that of Page & Harryman, Mr. Harryman being chosen manager, secretary and treasurer. On December 20, I913, Mr. Harryman was united in marriage to Helen V. Giauque, of Detroit, and they have two children, Mary Kathryn and James Edgar. Mr. Harryman is a Royal Arch Mason and also a member of the Elks, the Lions Club, Central Methodist church, of the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Bureau. Judge Alvin N. Hart was one of the earliest and best-known pioneer residents of Michigan. He was born in Cornwall, Connecticut, in 1804. When members of the Hart family, immigrating to America, settled in Connecticut, they were obliged to ford a river, thus the etymology of Hartford is obvious. Alvin N. Hart received his early education in the academy of Sharon, Connecticut, and in the college at Amherst, Massachusetts. He was married in Utica, New York, in 1828, to Charlotte F. Ball, and three years later removed to the then Territory of Michigan. Judge Hart came by ox team and covered wagon. He cut his way through fourteen miles of dense forest to his destination, and located where the city of Lapeer now stands. He camped under a large elm tree which was respected as a la'ndmark many years and the stump of which is marked with a marble slab. Judge Hart built the first building, a log cabin, in that vicinity and occupied it on November II, I831. In the spring of 1832 he was appointed sheriff of Lapeer county. In the fall of I835, when the constitution of the new state was submitted and adopted, Judge Hart was elected a member of the state house of representatives. In 1842 he was elected supervisor of Lapeer township and he held the office during the succeeding seven years. In 1843 he was elected state senator from the Sixth district, which then comprised the counties of Lapeer, Oakland, Genesee, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Saginaw and also the Upper Peninsula. In I846 he was elected the first judge of Lapeer county, INGHAM COUNTY 505 and in 1847 he was again chosen to the state senate, this time to fill a vacancy. In 1848 he was re-elected for the regular term. In I856 he was elected a justice of the peace. In I86o Judge Hart moved to Lansing and in 1863 he became a member of the common council, serving on that body until his death, in I874. In I870 Judge Hart was elected a representative from Ingham county to the state lawmaking body anil materially aided in securing the appropriation for the new state capitol. He was a man of great energy, a clear, clean and careful politician holding the public interest a sacred trust. He contributed freely to every enterprise and effort relating to the prosperity of the city and county. Judge Hart was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and one of the founders of both the Lapeer and North Lansing churches. He was a projector of the Amboy, Lansing & Traverse City Railroad and a director of the Detroit & Bay City Railroad. Judge Hart died August 22, 1874, having resided in Lansing almost a score of years, and in this period having done much to add to the growth and well-being of the community. He was for many years an alderman in Lansing and was interested in real estate, milling, merchan:lising and the building of railroads. Judge Hart was instrumental in securing to Lansi'ng national offices of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In all civic matters he was a pillar of support. This record of his life has been made possible by the co-operation of his grandson, Alvin N. Hamilton and his great-granddaughter, Isabelle Eliza Hamilton, and no greater tribute to a great man can be given than the words of his grandso'n, "He was the greatest man I ever knew." Clarence A. Hathaway.-Obtaining a careful technical education that has been enriched by long years of practical experience, Clarence A. Hathaway, proprietor of the Capitol Machine & Supply Company, 6II North Grand avenue, Lansing, has established and maintains a business that reflects the growing needs of the community and his own genius and ingenuity in meeting these needs. Mr. Hathaway constructed the proper kind of foundation upon which to rear the structure of his service. He was born in Oakland county, Michigan, February 14, I869. His father, Rev. Austin B. Hathaway was born in Pontiac, Michigan, in I836, and labored throughout his lifetime in the divine vineyard as a Methodist minister. He died in I9I7. His wife bore the maiden name of Roxana H. Clemons and she was born in Oxford, Michigan. Clarence A. Hathaway attended the public schools in Genesee county and the Marlett high school, and in I892 was graduated from the Michigan State College, in engineering. He taught school in Sanilac and Iosco counties and for a time was principal of the East Tawas City schools. For three years he suplimented his technical training by service as toolmaker and foreman in the plant of the National Machinery Company of Tiffin, Ohio. He, in partnership with Mr. A. E. Kelsey, installed and operated for a number of years, the electric light and power plant at Clio, Genesee county, Michigan. In I899 Mr. Hathaway was united in marriage to Miss Minnie M. Fry of Crawford county, Ohio, where they spent six years on a farm. Mlov 506 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ing to Lansing in 1907, he spent three years as jig and tool maker for the Peerless Motor Company. In 1914 Mr. Hathaway established his own business, under title of the Capitol Machine & Supply Company, and his success has been earned through indefatigable effort, persistence and careful attention to detail. Mr. and Mrs. Hathaway have two children, C. Elwyn, who is associated with his father, and Alice E., who is a student at the Michigan State College. Mr. Hathaway is a Mason, holding affiliation with the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery. His business integrity has earned for him the esteem of his many friends and associates. Charles H. Hayden, a resident of Lansing thirty-six years, has contributed much to the civic promotion of the community. As attorney, as citizen and as a public official, Mr. Hayden has manifested unfailing and unvarying fidelity to duty. Charles Howe Hayden was born in East Springport, Michigan, May I3, 1878. His father was Jasper J. Hayden, who was born in New York state, in 1845, but who came to Michigan when a mere boy. Jasper Hayden married Margaret G. Gilbert, also a native of New York state. Charles H. Hayden came to Lansing when a lad of ten years, went through the grade and high schools and Albion College and was graduated from the University of Michigan in I904. His collegiate training was supplemented and enhanced-by service as circuit court commissioner during a period of four years, and by his admirable service as prosecuting attorney. This also covered a period of four years. In the World war period Mr. Hayden was chairman of the draft board. He was a valued member of the state industrial board, to which body he added vision, foresight and the spirit of conciliation, with results of distinct effectiveness. Mr. Hayden is a Mason, Elk and Kiwanian. He was married on June 25, I908, to Florence B. Bailey, of Kalamazoo. They have a daughter, Mary Virginia. It is the concensus of opinion that Lansing would profit by the addition of many more men of the caliber of Mr. Hayden. In the practice of his profession in the capital city Mr. Hayden is a member of the law firm of Hayden & Ballard. Howard B. Haynes, M.D., one of the prominent younger physicians of Lansing, is a true Wolverine by birth. He was born March 29, I890, the son of Charles Benjamin and Henrietta (Cook) Haynes. The father was born in Hartland Center in October, 1845, and became one of the most prominent farmers in that section of the country. The maternal grandfather came to Michigan from Pennsylvania in 1840. The mother of Dr. Haynes was born in Saginaw county in 1853. The son attended school in Adrian and Detroit and was graduated from Adrian College in I9IO. In 1914 he was graduated from Detroit College of Medicine & Surgery. He spent three years as an interne at Samaritan Hospital, Detroit, at the state hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, and at Cleveland Cliff. In I9I9 Dr. Haynes located in Lansing, and both he and Lansing are glad of the decision. He has developed a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Haynes and Miss Helen Elizabeth Brittai'n, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were united in marriage Septem INGHAM COUNTY 507 ber 29, I9I4. To them two children have been born, Henrietta Harris, March I9, I916, and Nancy Ann, April 28, I9I9. Harry A. Haze, M.D.-Splendid professional training, rounded out by a diversified practical business career, marks the service of Dr. Harry A. Haze, one of the best-known medical practitioners in the state and one of Lansing's most useful and esteemed citizens. Dr. Haze was born in Lansing, October 29, I868, the son of Dr. W. H. Haze, one of the pioneers of Lansing. Dr. W. H. Haze was mayor of the city, a member of the state legislature, a member of the city council and a collector of internal revenue. He also held other public positions and served capably as a member of the board of education. He was quite active in politics and in civic movements and his ability won recognition in the elective and appointive offices he held. The maiden name of his wife was Lydia E. Emrick, and she came from Pennsylvania. Dr. Harry A. Haze attended the public schools and was graduated from the University of Michigan in I895, being president of his class. He began the practice of medicine in Lansing and he has twice taken postgraduate courses in Vienna and Berlin. After having been abroad he returned to Lansing to practice, but after one year entered the army, in the Spanish-American war. Dr. Haze saw service in Cuba, as first lieutenant, and much of the time served as acting major. While in service in the neighbori'ng island, Dr. Haze was married to Mrs. William Francisco, who was the mother of one son, Donaldl Francisco, now Pacific coast manager for Lord & Thomas, advertising agents, Chicago. On returning to Lansing from army service, Dr. Haze was named by Governor Pingree a member of the first state medical registration board. For years he has bee'n a member of the Ingham County Medical Society, two years of which he was presiding officer. He is a member of the local medical society and American Association. Dr. and Mrs. Haze are the parents of William Haze, who is attending Pottstown (Pa.) School for Boys. A daughter, Hester, died in I919. Dr. Haze is vice-president of the Lansing Pure Ice Company, a director of the American State Savings Bank, a director of the Atlas Drop Forge Company, is the medical director of the Grange Life Insurance Company and is on the executive board of the company. With such varied experience and diversified interests to his credit, Dr. Haze is much sought for commercial as well as medical advice and service. He was elected for a seven-year term to the Lansing Board of Education. of which he is now a member. He served as president of the board two years. George R. Heck.-Descended from one of the best-known families of the state, his grandfather distinguished for a public service extremely helpful, and himself serving the commonwealth with credit, George R. Heck, attorney, offices in the Wilson building, Lansing, is highly esteemed and is a citizen of prominence and influence. Mr. Heck, who was born in the town of St. Johns, Clinton county, Michigan, March 18, 1864, is a son of William Heck, who came to Michigan from New York state. William Heck was a farmer and a successful 508 HISTORIC MICHIGAN breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Berkshire hogs. His father, the grandfather of Attorney Heck, was George Heck, who was born, lived and died at Penn Yan, New York. The mother of Attorney Heck was Caroline Van Scoy, daughter of R. S. Van Scoy, who was a member of the state legislature for many years. Mr. Van Scoy was the owner,of I,8oo acres of land and had the distinction of being one of the largest wheat growers of the state. His philanthropic nature was manifested on innumerable occasions when, during periods of financial distress and business stagnation, he freely offered supplies of wheat to tide neighbors and others over the gloomy periods. This attitude naturally endeared Mr. Van Scoy not only to the many whom he befriended, but also to countless others, who rejoiced at the unselfish spirit so strongly shown. George R. Heck attended school in St. Johns and the literary and law departments of Valparaiso University, in which he was graduated in 189I. He started the practice of law in Lansing, remaining in one office twenty-nine years, a rather remarkable circumstance. Mr. Heck served the state as a member of the legislature, which he entered in I89I. He was a devoted follower of Theodore Roosevelt and was a member of the Roosevelt state central committee. On November 15, I904, Mr. Heck married Margaret Hopkins, a native of Lansing. Mrs. Heck passed from the scene of mortal life January 12, I920. Mr. Heck is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows and the 'Grange. In his personal and professional relations with the community he has always maintained a high standard of moral and legal requirements, with zealous regard for the interests of friend and client. In all civic movements his counsel and aid are dependable. Herbert J. Henry, the secretary of the Gerson-Carey foundry, 411 East Kalamazoo avenue, Lansi'ng, is a practical foundryman, learning the trade from the ground up and utilizing every legitimate opportunity to advance. Mr. Henry is a native of Ontario, Canada, having been born in Peterborough, December 13, 1887. His father, Thomas J. Henry, a native of Canada, born i'n I86i, was in the grocery business for many years and is now an official of the city of New Toronto, Canada. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Carey, was born i'n Canada in the year I86I. Herbert J. Henry attended Catholic parochial school and high school and at the age of seventeen years came to Lansing to learn the trade of brass molder, with the Gerson-Carey foundry. For the past dozen years he has been the secretary of that company, injecting a spirit of enthusiasm and formulating a creed of service that have reacted favorably on the company's business. August 26, I912, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Agnes M. Fitzgerald, of Lansing. Mr. Henry is an honorary member of the local Battery, is an Elk and belongs to the Lions club. He has long been usefully active in the Knights of Columbus and has held every office in the council. In the business world he is genuinely respected. William L. Hermes, president of the William L. Hermes Company, 200 North Cedar street, Lansing, is a practically trained printer, has been well grounded in the principles and requirements of the typo INGHAM COUNTY 509 graphic art, is diligent in his attention to the details of the business and as a result of a carefully formulated service policy has gained an enviable degree of success in his chosen field. Mr. Hermes was born at Hudson, Michigan, July 3, I869. His father, Jacob Hermes and his mother, whose maiden name was Katherine Martin, were natives of Germany. They were married before emigrating and casting their lot in the untried but promise-laden new world. Jacob Hermes was born in 1831 and reached Michigan about I854. He was engaged in the meat business in Hudson during his entire life in this country, bore the burdens of business well and was esteemed by all who knew him. William L. Hermes attended school up to the eighth grade, then worke:l for his father a short time and came on to Lansing to take a business course, to which his zeal led him. Here he got into the printing game by way of the State Republican, in the year I899. Next he went to work as a bookkeeper for the Robert Smith Printing Company, spending fifteen years with that concern. He was secretary of the company when he left it, January 6, I920, and on the 6th of the following April he organized the William L. Hermes Company. Mr. Hermes took unto himself a wife in I893, in the person of Mary Elizabeth Mathews, of Monroe, Michigan. Four children have arrived to bless this union and add a radiance that only childhood gives. The children include Rev. William L. Hermes, Jr., who is giving his life to God through the ministry of the Catholic priesthood. He is stationed in Detroit. Margaret K. Hermes was the next in order of birth. Dr. Edgar Hermes is an interne at St. John's hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Justin M. Hermes is the youngest of the children. Mr. Hermes is keenly alive to the community problems of Lansing and as a private citizen has long been active in the formulation and execution of public policies. He was one of those who earnestly proposed the boulevard lighting system and pushed it to consummation. For nine years he served as a member of the Water and Electric Light Commission and for two years was presiding officer of that body. Mr. Hermes is affiliated with the Elks, Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Lansing Kiwanis Club, the Merchants' Bureau and of the Purchasing Agents Association. Harry Herndon.-Tiring of the monotony of farm life, with its laborious routine and restriction of opportunity, Harry Herndon left the family hearthstone to travel in the west and south and to gain experience and business training with which to lay the foundation of a business of his own. Mr. Herndon is widely known as the president and manager of the Herndon Fruit Company, 640 Park Place, Lansing. He was born on a farm in Shelby county, Indiana, not a great distance from Indianapolis, April 6, I88I. His parents were Joseph and Mary Herndon, the father a Kentuckian, the mother a Hoosier. Before the Civil war Joseph Herndon moved to Indiana from Kentucky and settled on a farm. In I885 he moved to Indianapolis, and in that city he became a contractor. Harry Herndon received his early education in the grade and high schools and then went to work for his father on the farm, but he found this irksome and entirely too restrictive, so 510 HISTORIC MICHIGAN he set out for the road, traveling throughout the south and west, doing varied work andt keeping busy. He returned to Indiana and in Indianapolis started in the fruit and commission business for himself. He stayed there until 1914, and then came to Lansing, where he operated as the Herndon Fruit Company. The name later was changed to the United Produce & Storage Company, but eventually the old name was again adopted, Herndon Fruit Company. Mr. Herndon has been married twice, the family name of his first wife having been Neumeyers, and their marriage having occurred in I908. Mrs. Herndon died in I912 and Mr. Herndon married Mrs. Bemus. Mr. Herndon, who is an Elk, Pythian and Odd Fellow, was somewhat active in Republican politics in Indianapolis. He was a war:l committeeman of his party. Christian Herrmann, of the Lansing tailoring firm of J. Herrmann's Sons, was born in Oberhessen, Germany, July 2, I868, the son of John Theodore and Katharine Dorothy (Krieger) Herrmann, both of whom were natives of Germany, where the former was born in September, 1837, and the latter May 24, 1838. John Theodore Herrmann, who was a tailor by vocation, immigrated to the United States in 1872, coming direct to Lansing, where he entered the tailoring establishment of J. B. Lemley, and later accepted a position with Thomas Wescott in the same sort of work. In 1878, he opened a tailoring house on North Washington avenue near Michigan avenue. He continued in this location for a few years and in 1891 sought new quarters, at that time removing to No. 218 North Washington avenue, where the business is still located. He laid the foundation for the concern which today operates under the name of the J. Herrmann's Sons, a firm noted for the excellent quality of its work and the general effectiveness of its service. Although he never sought political office of any kind, John T. Herrmann took an active interest in politics, and he participated to a large extent in the affairs of his church. He was one of the promoters of the Lansing Improvement Company. He died in 1898, and his widow passed away in 1919. They were the parents of eight children of whom five are now living, namely: Mrs. Otto Schrieber, of Washington, D. C.; Henry and Christian, of Lansing; Marie, of Washington, D. C.; and Charles F., of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Christian Herrmann obtained his education in the public schools of Lansing. In I883, he left school to assist his father and brother Henry in tailoring work and found it so much to his liking that he has continued to be connected with the business since that time. After the death of their father Henry and Christian Herrmann took upon themselves the full burden of operating the business, a venture in which they have done so well that in Lansing J. Herrmann's Sons is a title that is synonymous with excellent tailoring. Christian Herrmann in December, 1919, married Agnes, the daughter of Rev. J. C. and Julia Bauch, of Lansing, and they have one son, Christian, Jr., who was born January 25, I92I. Mr. Herrmann is a member of the Lansing Rotary Club, Social Service Bureau and the First Evangelical Lutheran church. For a num INGHAM COUNTY 511 ber of years he has served as president of the Union Building & Loan Association and he is also treasurer of the local Y. M. C. A. B. L. Hewett.-In the capital city of Michigan Mr. Hewett is officially identified with the Boston Insurance Company, in the responsible position of manager. He is a native of Lansing, in which city he was born in January, I875. His father was L. Eugene Hewett, born in Brighton, Michigan, in 1853. The father was a druggist in Lansing for many years, passing away in I896. The mother, whose maiden name was Addie M. Bennett, was born in Lansing. Her father came to Lansing in the early days and for thirty years was employed in the auditor general's office, a rather remarkable record of public service. The paternal grandfather of B. L. Hewett was Lauren K. Hewett. He was a member of one of the early families in this section of the state and himself enjoyed the distinction of being a Democratic member of the state senate in I86I. He was one of the few Michigan Democrats who have held such office. B. L. Hewett attended the public schools of Lansing and on leaving school went to work for the American Express Company, remaining in the service of the company nine years. From I898 to I9o8 he was with the Michigan Millers' Fire Insurance Company. In I905 he was among those who organized the Michigan Commercial Insurance Company, and he was its secretary and treasurer until 1918, when the business was sold to the Boston Insurance Company. In 1907, Mr. Hewett formed a partnership with Ralph Rawlings and supervised the western business for the Boston Insurance Company. This partnership continues, with Mr. Hewett as manager. In 1899, Mr. Hewett was united in marriage with Miss Nan J. VanMeter, of Urbana, Ohio. They have three children, Helen, B. Lauren, Jr.. and John Hewett. Through his membership in Lansing Country Club Mr. Hewett finds a pleasant outlet for the indulgence of sport and the social spirit. C. Ross Hilliard.-The vigor and alertness of a typical young American is nowhere in the community better exemplified than in the case of C. Ross Hilliard. He was born in Delhi township, in Ingham county, in I894. His father, Reuben B. Hilliard, was born in 1842, in New York state, moved to Lansing and engaged in farming in Delhi township, where he resided until his removal to Lansing, in 1916. Here his death occurred in May, I924. Prior to farming, Mr. Hilliard taught school thirty-five years. His wife, who before her marriage was Mary A. Smith, was born in Ionia county, Michigan, in I866, and died in Lansing, in I918. There were three children in the Hilliard family, Fred S., Robert B. and C. Ross. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools in District No. 2 of Delhi township and in I9I5 he was graduated in the Lansing high school. Mr. Hilliard for a time worked for the Michigan Commercial Insurance Company, thereafter served as a billing clerk for the Hugh Lyons Company, and in leaving this concern he went to the West Side Fuel Company, working as bookkeeper two years. For two years he worked in the cost department of the Gier Steel 512 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Corporation and for a year and a half was associated with a firm of road building contractors. For a year he served as secretary of the Multitool Company, and on the first of April, I923, took over the typewriter business of Mr. Townsend. This he successfully conducted one year. Mr. Hilliard was married in 1920 to Miss Mary Boston and they have two sons, Robert and C. Ross, Jr. Mr. Hilliard is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and stands high in the community. Jacob Himmelberger.-The wonderful work accomplished by the pioneer families of Michigan can never be fully appreciated by the present generation or by those who will follow. The hardships, privations and dangers through which they passed, in order that they might gain for themselves homes, will live only in the pages of history. The men and women who blazed the trail through the wilderness and who gave us our schools, churches, towns and cities, have passed to their reward and upon those of the present dav falls the sacred duty of keeping green their memory and endeavoring so far as is possible to emulate the noble example left by them. Among the pioneer families of Ingham county none is more worthy of a place in the pages of her history than that of Jacob Himmelberger, who is now living retired in the city of Lansing, enjoying a wellearned rest after an active business career of more than half a century. Jacob Himmelberger was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1852. His parents, Moses and Rebecca (Clapp) Himmelberger, were, like himself, natives of the Keystone state, their forbears having settled there prior to the war of the Revolution. The family removed from Pennsylvania to Sandusky county, Ohio, settling not far from Fremont, while our subject was yet a small child. There the father followed farming until I866, in which year the family came to Ingham county, Michigan, and located on a farm five miles south of the city of Lansing. There the father purchased and improved a large farm and there he passed the remainder of his days. To the parents were born three children: Jacob, the subject of this review; John, and Mrs. Mary Wiegman, who resides in the city of Lansing. Jacob Himmelberger was educated in the public schools and later attended Baldwin-Wallace College at Berea, Ohio. He then engaged in farming-first with his father and later for himself. In I890, he came to Lansing and entered the service of the Michigan Knitting Company, of which he later became manager, and he maintained a connection with that company during a period of sixteen years. He then disposed of his interests, and spent the next year on the Pacific coast. Returning to Lansing, he engaged in the real estate business, and at the present time he is president of the Real Estate Investment Company and is also serving as director of the American State Savings Bank. In 1878, Mr. Himmelberger was united in marriage with Emma E. Wiegman, a native of Sandusky county, Ohio. Her parents, Henry and Margaret (Diehl) Wiegman, were likewise pioneers of Ingham county, Michigan, where they settled in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Himmelberger became the parents of two A INGHAM COUNTY 513 daughters, the elder of whom, Lida L., died at the age of fifteen years. The younger daughter, Irma Margaret, is now the wife of J. O. Mathews, assistant purchasing agent of the Reo Motor Car Company, with which he has been connected since its inception. Mrs. Mathevws attended Olivet College, Michigan Agricultural College and the Northwestern University, in which last mentioned institution she took a musical course. Mr. and Mirs. Mathews have one daughter, Barbara Ann. Mr. Himmelberger has never taken an active part in the political affairs of the community or sought public office, but he has never shirked the duties of citizenship and has contributed his full share towards the upbuilding of Lansing and Ingham county. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and in the same he is now serving as chairman of the board of trustees. George E. Hitchcock conducts a prosperous enterprise under the title of the Lansing Typewriter Repair and Exchange, with offices on the second floor of the City National Bank building. He controls a large business in selling and repairing typewriters and reconditioning machines. He is agent for the highly efficient Wales adding machine, his territory covering Livingston and Ingham counties. Under Mr. Hitchcock are two salesmen who handle that part of the district outside of Ingham county. The subject of this sketch has had an unusual mechanical training, so he not only understands how to sell machines but is also well acquainted with the construction of typewriters and adding machines. A full line of supplies is also carried in connection with the machines. Mr. Hitchcock was born in New York state, in 1876. His father, Adolphus Hitchcock, was born in New York state, in 184I, and died in I909. Adolphus Hitchcock was superintendent of the Delhi Wagon Works, being a patternmaker by trade. For twenty-three years he was with the Cortland Wagon Company, Cortland, New York. He married Mary Orcutt Hitchcock, who likewise was a native of the Empire state, where she was born in I846, her death having occurred at Cortla'nd in I913. There were five children in the Hitchcock family, Nellie, Louis, Lloyd, Harry and George E. In the year I919 George E. Hitchcock married, and his wife, Arminda, was born in Flint, Michigan, in I891. George E. Hitchcock attended the public schools of Cortland and gave two years to high school studies. Thereafter he took a course at the state normal in Cortland. For five years thereafter he worked at bicycle repairing for his brother-in-law, and he then went to Syracuse to do the same order of work for J. W. Gould. Mir. Hitchcock enlisted in the army in I898, with the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, joining the First New York Volunteer Infantry at Oneonta, New York. He was sent to Honolulu as a paymaster guard and served his country eleven months, receiving honorable discharge in April, I899. Coming to Flint, Michigan, Mr. Hitchcock entered into business for himself, doing general repair work, in which he had become proficient. He handled bicycles and typewriters, continued the line 3-33 514 HISTORIC MICHIGAN about two years, and he than sought other associations and went with the Buick Motors Corporation, at Flint, in I9I4. He remained there seven years, as repair man. He relinquished the Buick job and came to Lansing in I922, buying the business of the late Ed S. Tooker. This business has been enjoying a constant growth. Mr. Hitchcock is a member of the Masonic lodge in Flint. He is also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock are Congregationalists. P. James Hoffmaster, superintendent of state parks of the Michigan department of conservation, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1892, a son of Percy Galen Iloffmaster, a prominent farmer and lumber dealer. Mr. Hoffmaster is of the fourth generation of the Hoffmaster family in Pennsylvania and is the fourth in a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls. The subject of this sketch, however, is the only member of the family in Michigan, the others being scattered throughout New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Mr. Hoffmaster, reared on a farm, received his first impressions and obtained his first training along conservation lines on the farm. He attended public school in Cowan, Union county, then took a five-year course at the Michigan Agricultural College, in which he was graduated in I918, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. His first professional work was with the department of parks and boulevards in Detroit. In July, I918, he joined the military forces for service in the World war, aligning with the Pennsylvania infantry. He was stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, and then at the officers' training school at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the field artillery, also holding a commission in the officers' reserve corps, field artillery. After his discharge from service, in December, I918, Mr. Hoffmaster returned to Detroit to the department of parks and boulevards, working as assistant to the city forester. In March, 1920, he left this municipal service and was appointed landscape engineer and forester for the village of Marysville, St. Clair county, Michigan, besides which he did contracting in the way of landscaping and forestry work in Port Huron. In June, 1922, he came to the Michigan Department of Conservation as superintendent of state parks. Mr. Hoffmaster is a young man whose ability and usefulness in this important professional field are recognized in the preservation of historic and natural beauty spots in the state and in the development of parks. His work has attracted much attention. In the year 1920 Mr. Hoffmaster married Miss Leaah M. Seibly, of Lansing, a daughter of Edward and Anna M. Seibley. They have one daughter, Marjory Jean, born December 15, 1923. Mr. Hoffmaster is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being attached to Friendship Lodge No. 4I7, of Detroit. He belongs to the Royal Arch chapter No. 12, at St. Clair, and to the commandery of the Knights Templar No. 25, in Lansing. He is a member of the American Legion, and of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston. Hon. Johl Holbrook, distinguished citizen of Lansing, whose INGHAIM COUNTY 515 homie is at 519 West Ottawa, was born in North Chili, New York, October I, 1848. He came into political prominence during the gubernatorial compaign of I890, when, at the state convention in Detroit, he nominated James M. Turner for governor. His subsequent participation in politics and public life has been diversified and substantial. The same year Mr. Holbrook was born his father moved to Michigan, locating on a farm in Delhi township, Ingham county. Here the boy attended district school until he was seventeen years of age, when he was sent to a school managed by Rev. M. V. Rork in Lansing. Working on a farm in the summer to earn school expense money, enabled Mr. Holbrook to continue his studies. He then taught school from the age of eighteen years to that of twentyfive. His uncle, D. C. Holbrook, attorney in Detroit, offered him a position in his office, but as he was earning sixteen dollars a month he rejected the proffer. On October 23, 1873, Mr. Holbrook married Mrs. Lydia M. Ski'nner, (laughter of William Reeves, of Lansing, New York, and he then purchased a farm in Ingham county. This he operated until I889. While living in Delhi township Mr. Holbrook was elected township treasurer, the first Republican ever chosen to that post up to that time. In 1875 he was elected township clerk and later supervisor, and the latter office he held a number of terms. In 1882 Mr. Holbrook became Republican candidate for registrar of deeds for Ingham county, when the county had a 1,200 Democratic majority, and he was defeated. In I886 he was elected state senator from what was then the Fourteenth senatorial district. He was re-elected, and served until 1890. Governor Luce, in 1890, appointed Mr. Iolbrook deputy state oil inspector, in which office he served three years. In March, I897, he became deputy labor commissioner under Joseph L. Cox, and was reappointed. In I900 he was a member of the Republican state central committee. From I88.3 to 1885 Mr. Holbrook was lecturer of the state Grange and in 1886-87 was overseer of the same organization. Mrs. Holbrook died in I094. Mr. Holbrook was one of the organizers of the Zach Chandler Club of Ingham county and is a member of the well-known Michigan Club of Detroit. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is past master of Capital Lodge No. 66. Mr. Holbrook's record of public service has been augmented by ten years' membership on the board of control of the Michigan School for the Blind. Since retiring from public office, Mr. Holbrook has employed his time looking after his farm and a gravel-pit, and the output of the latter is heavy. Much of his time is spent in the south. Mr. Holbrook has a step-son and a step-daughter, James M. Skinner, a contractor of Lansing, and Mary L., who is the wife of Earl M. Norton, of Lansing. Clarence E. Holmes, superintendent of the Michigan School for the Blind, at Lansing, is one of the foremost educators not only of the state but also of the country, and he has attained this distinction through conscientious attention to duty and the steadfast adherence to the high ideals which he early formulated. He was born on a farm in Delhi township, Ingham county, Michigan, and 516 HISTORIC MICHIGAN is a son of W. Irving Holmes. On both sides of the family, he is descended from old New England stock, his paternal grandfather settling in Michigan in 1832 and at Lansing in 1840, and his maternal grandfather settling in Delhi township, Ingham county, in 1840. W. Irving Holmes was born in Wayne county, Michigan, in I837. He was one of the famous cavalrymen who served under General Custer, and he died in I899, his wife dying when her son, Clarence E., was but an infant. Clarence E. Holmes attended the district school and when he entered high school was forced to walk five miles twice a day, a handicap that might have deterred a boy less anxious to secure an education and to advance himself in life. While he was in his third year in high school, he passed the teachers' examination and at once began teaching school. During his time as a teacher, he saved his money so that he might enjoy the advantages of a college education, with the result that he was at last able to enter the Michigan Agricultural College. In this admirable institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1893. The following year he was offered and accepted a position as teacher in the Lansing high school, his success being such that he was made assistant principal after five weeks had elapsed. He displayed in this work a keen insight into the affairs of school administration and worked so assiduously for improvements that he was made principal, a position which he filled with ability until I899. For three years thereafter he was superintendent of schools in Lansing, and in this connection he introduced such excellent innovations that he was offered the position of superintendent of the Michigan School for the Blind, an institution of which he has since been in charge. He was made superintendent for the reason that the institution was sorely in need of a man who could systematize and make efficient its work in all departments of service, and the great success with which he has done this work has stamped him as one of the foremost educators of the country, a reputation which is all the more noteworthy when it is recalled that he started life as a poor boy and has worked himself up to the high position which he now holds in educational circles throughout the country. Mr. Holmes married Louise Knierim, of Delhi township, Ingham county. They have one son, C. Ross Holmes, of Detroit. Mr. Holmes is a Knight Templar and a Shrine Mason and is a member of the Elks and the Rotary Club of Lansing. He is vice-president and a director of the Michigan Employers Casualty Company and of the Wolverine Insurance Company, and a director of the Lansing State Savings & Loan Association. He affiliates with the Plymouth Congregational church. He served as a member of the board of education of Lansing twelve years and he has the distinction of having served as teacher, superintendent of schools and member of the board of education all in one city. Oscar J. Hood, a representative lawyer at Mason, the judicial center of Ingham county, was born in Exeter township, Monroe county, Michigan, December 31, 1866, the son of George W. and Angeline (Hawkes) Hood. The father came to Michigan Territory INGHAM COUNTY 517 in I834, from Geneva, New York, and settled in Washtenaw county. He was born in 1829 and died November 30, I9II. Benjamin Hood, grandfather of Oscar J. Hood, died in 1834; his father, William Hood, having been a patriot soldier of the Revolution. George W. Hood grew up in Washtenaw county and was graduated from the. University of Michigan, literary department, in I856. He then entered a theological college in Auburn, New York, remaining until I859. He preached and taught school. The mother died when Oscar J. was but fourteen mo'nths old. Oscar J. Hood, the only son, lived with an uncle in Shiawassee county, attended the grade schools and was graduated from high school in 1885. In 1887 he was graduated in the law department of the University of Michigan. In I890 he began the practice of law in Mason and Lansing. From 1893 to 1897 he was the registrar of the probate court in Ingham county. Then he formed a law partnership with Judge Q. A. Smith, of Lansing, and this alliance was maintained until the latter's death, in 1907. He then practiced alone until January, I909, when he became associated in the practice of law with L. B. Gardner, of Lansing. This association continued until February, 1919, when Mr. Hood returned to Mason, where he has since been one of the active factors in the legal profession of this city. He is a Kiwanian, Mason, Knight of Pythias and an adherent of the Republican party. He was united in marriage June 6, I9I4, to Jennie Wells, of Howell, Michigan. The maiden name of Mr. Hood's grandmother was DuBois. Her father, Martin DuBois, a Revolutionary soldier, is buried in the Fitchburg cemetery in Ingham county. The DuBois family was Dutch, the first American representatives having settled in the state of New York. The Hoods came from England to the New World about I720. Frank A. Hooker was born in Hartford, Connecticut, January I6, I844, and at the age of fourteen years he moved with his parents to the state of Ohio, where, in the village of l\aumee, and the city of Defiance, he lived and received his early education in the public schools. He sprang from sturdy New England stock, one of his early progenitors being the Reverend Thomas Hooker, the eminent divine, who in early days settled at Hartford, Connecticut, with his colony of religious followers. Judge Frank A. Hooker was by nature ambitious, and self-reliant, and he owed his early education and well-earned success to his untiring energy and upright character. In the year 1865 he was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and in that year moved to Bryan, Ohio, where he took up the practice of the law. However, after one year spent at Bryan he moved to Charlotte, Michigan, at which place he was actively engaged in the practice of law until the year 1878. Within the first ten years of his life at Charlotte he held the following offices: County superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, prosecuting attorney, and city attorney. In the year 1878 he was made judge of the Fifth judicial circuit of the state of Michigan, then comprising the counties of Calhoun, Eaton and Barry. He thus served until January, 1893, at which time he took the office, 518 HISTORIC MICHIGAN after regular election, of justice of the supreme court of the state of Michigan. This office he held until July Io, 1911, the date of his demise. There will be found on the first few pages of the I66 Michigan Reports, under the heading "In Memoriam," a fair statement of the life and achievements of Judge Hooker, who was one of the honored and distinguished representatives of Michigan jurisprudence. Of him further mention is made in this publication, in the personal sketch of his son, Harry E. Harry E. Hooker, attorney-at-law, 805-06 American State Savings Bank building, is one of Lansing's best-known and most substantial lawyers, inheriting his love of the law from his esteemed father, who was long a member of the bar and who was justice of the supreme court of the state of Michigan at the time of his death, a tribute to his memory being given in a preceding paragraph. Judge Frank A. Hooker was born at Hartford, Connecticut, January i6, I844. He became the county superintendent of schools of Eaton county, Michigan, at Charlotte, and was later a justice of the peace, practicing law also and serving as city attorney of Charlotte. Judge Hooker then became circuit judge of the district comprising Calhoun, Eaton and Barry counties, and in 1893 he took office as justice of the supreme court of the state. In August of that year he came to Lansing. He was thrice re-elected justice of the supreme court and held this important office until his death, July Io, i9II. Judge Hooker married Miss Emma Elizabeth Carter, of Defiance, Ohio, and their son, Harry E., is the immediate subject of this sketch. Harry E. Hooker was born at Charlotte, Michigan, April 27, 1870, completed a course in the high school at Charlotte and was graduated in the law department of the University of Michigan in 1891, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The following year, on terminating a post-graduate course, he received the master's degree. Mr. Hooker remained a few months in Charlotte and in 1893 he accompanied his father and mother to Lansing, where he quickly assumed a secure place in the community. For a short time, Mr. Hooker acted as city attorney, and he then opened an office for the general practice of law. During a fourteen-year period, from I902 to 1916, he served as secretary of the Michigan State Millers' Association, together with his law practice. On March i8, 1922, Mr. Hooker wedded Miss Hazel E. Hicks, of St. Johns. Besides diligent application to his law practice which is substantial and of representative order, Mr. Hooker finds time to and freely gives of his ability and other resources to the promotion and maintenance of interests that tend to advance the well-being of the community. Clare M. Howland occupies the position of treasurer and credit manager of the well-known Dudley Paper Company, and is especially trained in credit service. Mr. Howland was born December Io, 1892, near Flint, Michigan. His father was James LeRoy Howland, who was likewise a native of Michigan, and who is now deceased. The mother, Eva (Murgettroyd) Howland, was a native of New York state and is still living. Clare Howland attended the Lansing schools INGHAM COUNTY 519 and the Lansing Business College. Working at odd jobs for a time, he finally secured a position with the Dudley Paper Company, displayed a marked aptitude and went through grades of advancement in the sales department, becoming in turn assistant sales manager, manager of the credit department and treasurer of the corporation. October 15, I923, he was joined in marriage to Miss Marie Hatfield, of Butternut, Michigan. Evincing a strong interest in and predilection for credit work, Mr. Howland has long been active in the councils of the National Association of Credit Men. He is national chairman of the business ethics committee of the national organization and is a director of the Lansing Association of Credit Men, of which he has served also as president and secretary. Mr. Howland is also secretary and treasurer of T. C. Hodson & Son. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies in Lansing and is a'n Elk. and a member of the Lions Club. Vigorous and energetic, Mr. Howland is a valued member of the community, both as a business man and as a civic aid. Grant Martin Hudson, congressman representing the Sixth Michigan district, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, and is the youngest of nine children, eight of whom are living. He was born in Eaton township, Lorain county, Ohio, July 23, I868, a son of Richard M. and Mary (Still) Hudson, both of whom were born in England, and whose marriage occurred in Ohio, where the respective families had settled. Richard M. Hudson enlisted in Company H, Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Second Brigade, served during the Civil war and was commissioned a sergeant. Grant Martin Hudson received his early education in the schools of his native county and at the age of sixteen years he came to Michigan. He worked in a furniture plant at Pentwater until 1887, then entered the preparatory school of Kalamazoo College, and in 1894 was graduated from the college, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While yet in college Mr. Hudson was ordained a clergyman of the Baptist church, and he served the churches of this denomination at Schoolcraft and Dowagiac, but because of ill health he was finally compelled to relinquish ministerial duties. For many years he was engaged in mercantile business in Schoolcraft, and while there he held the offices of village president, township trustee and school commissioner. He represented the Second district, Kalamazoo county, in the state legislature during the sessions of I905-06 and I907-08. An energetic worker for prohibition, Mr. Hudson was the first to introduce a local option bill making it possible for units smaller than counties to vote as units on the saloon. This measure elicited bitter opposition, but he was victorious and was returned to the general assembly. In I9IO Mr. Hudson entered Anti-Saloon League work and was made superintendent of the Grand Rapids district and assistant superintendent of the Detroit office. In I913, he was elected state -superintendent of the league, filling the post with credit to himself and with complete satisfaction to the organization. This office he held until I919, when he was appointed a member of the 520 HISTORIC MICHIGAN state industrial accident board, by Governor Sleeper. After a year he resigned to take the executive administration of the Baptist church organization in the state. As such he had full charge of the financial and missionary interests of the denomination. November 7, I923, Mr. Hudson was elected to the United States Congress. In 1894 Mr. Hudson was united in marriage with Miss Mildred Gilchrist, of Schoolcraft, a descendant of early, staunch pioneers. Her maternal grandfather, Delamore Duncan, was a member of the first Michigan territorial legislature, a member of the constitutional convention of I867, and was the first sheriff of Kalamazoo county, using his home as bastile until the county jail was built. In the period leading up to the Civil war he had charge of the historic underground railroad in western Michigan. Mrs. Hudson, who was prominent in club and church work, died May 13, 1921. To Mr. and Mrs. Hudson were born six children: Helen is the firstborn; Richard, who married Marion Monteith, of Kalamazoo, was in the ordinance department during the World war and is now head of the export department of the Reo Automobile Corporation, at Lansing; Ruth was the next in order of birth, and the younger children are Duncan, Grant, Jr., and Winhrop. In I922 Hillsdale College, in testimony of the high esteem in which Mr. Hudson is held and in recognition of his character and attainments, and his eminent service to the Christian work, the cause of prohibition, and social and civic welfare, bestowed upon him the "Diploma Extraordinary," the only award ever made for the same type of service. Mr. Hudson is a member of the board of trustees of Hillsdale College and also of Kalamazoo College. He belongs to Schoolcraft Lodge No. I8, F. & A. M., of Prairie Ronde Chapter No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, and Commandery No. 25, Knights Templar, at Lansing. Howard J. Hudson, who is engaged in the real estate business with offices in the Bauch building, is the son of George H. Hudson, an ordained minister who for a number of years has been actively associated with the Anti-Saloon League. Mr. Hudson was born April i, 1892, in Meridian township, Ingham county and therefore thoroughly knows conditions in Lansing and Ingham county. The father, now sixty-seven years old, was born in Ohio but came to Inghatn county when he was fourteen years old after the death of his mother, to work for an uncle, Martin Hulson, who conducted the Lansing House, now the Downey House. Later, he entered the ministry and formed connection with the Anti-Saloon League. A Republican, he at one time ran for the state legislature but was defeated. His wife, the mother of Howard, was before her marriage, Emma L Stowell. Their children, in addition to Howard J., comprised Ralph, who is superintendent of the farm of the Michigan Agricultural College; Ethlyn, who is Mrs. Grover E. White, of Okemos; Edith, who is Mrs. George Bearup, of Okemos; Gertrude, who is the wife of Dr. R. J. McGurcly, of Seattle, Washington; Theodore R., the advertising manager of the Industrial News. Howard was educated in the grade schools, was graduated from INGHAM COUNTY 521 high school at Okemos and atte'nded Kalamazoo State Normal for a year, then went to business college in Detroit and for four years servel in the office of the Prudden Wheel Company. For three years he was with the Olds company and in 1921 established the H. J. Hudson Realty company. Mr. Hudson was married on October I8, I916, to Pearl Sheffield, and one son has been born, Robert Sheffield Hudson. Mr. Hudson shares the religious nature of his father an:l himself has long been active in Baptist denominational work. He is a past chairman of the board of trustees of his church and is zealous in the promotion of Sunday school work. He is a member of the Lansing Real Estate Board, and of the La'nsing Lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M. Nathan P. Hull.-Teaching school in the winter and working with his brother on the home farm in the summer for many years engrossed the interest of Nathan P. Hull, who has had a very unusual contact with agricultural conditions contributing an especial fitness for the responsibilities of the official position he occupies as president of the Grange Life Insurance Company. Mr. Hull was born in Windsor township, Eaton county, Michigan, November 7. j867. His father was John Hull, a native of Michigan, born in 1838 and dy(ing in 1871. This short span of life, but thirty-three years, was spent on the farm. The maiden name of the mother was Sarah Jane Pray, and she likewise was born in WVindsor township, Eaton county. Her parents were among the early settlers of that communitv. Nathan P. Hull attended rural school, the Michigan Agricultural College, and Olivet College, and for ten laborious years he taught school in the fall and winter and with his brother handled the manifold farm duties in the summer months. Mr. Hull became identified with the Michigan Agricultural College farmers' institute, in the interest of which he diligently served fifteen years. At the age of forty-one years, Mr. Hull was elected master of the Michigan State Grange and became lecturer of the National Grange and a member of its legislative committee. Eight years before that he was elected overseer of the Grange. In 1905 Mr. Hull helped to organize the American Dairy Farmers' Association, in Milwaukee, and has since served as its president. Tn 19II Mr. Hull was made secretary of the National Dairy Union, which position he held until 1915, when he became president, an office which he still retains. In I914 he assisted in organizing the Grange Life Insurance Company, and he has served to this day as its president. His knowledge of agricultural and agronomic conditions has logically extended his influence beyond the organizations he officially represents, and in 1915 Mr. Hulll helped organize the Michigan Milk Producers' Association. Of this, also, he is the president. Other connections, showing a diversified interest, are revealed in the fact that he is president of the Lansing Welfare Loan Society; a director in the Capitol National Bank of Lansing; vice-president of the Michigan Good Roads Association; chairman of the executive committee of the Michigan State Grange; a member of the executive committee of the Milk Producers' Federation, and a director of the United States Mortgage Bond company. Mr. 522 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Hull has done a great deal of public speaking in the interests of grange and allied activities and his knowledge and usefulness have been of incomputable service. Mr. Hull married, June 30, 1897, Miss Grace E. Bellows, of Eaton Rapid:s. Their one son, John Warren Hull, aged twenty is studying business administration at the University of Michigan. Nathan P. Hull is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Elks. Mathias S. Hurth, M.D., is a successful physician with offices at 401-4 Wilson building, in the city of Lansing. He was born October 5, 1885, in St. Nicholas, Stearns county, Minnesota. His father, Mathias Hurst, was born in Luxemburg, in 1856, and is a successful farmer. The mother, also born in Luxemburg, in I865, was, before her marriage, Susanna Weyrens. Concerning the other children of the family the following brief data are available: Michael died while a member of the army in England; Peter is a railroad auditor; Joseph resides in Roscoe, Minnesota; Barbara is the wife of Matt Lang, who is farming at St. Nicholas, Minnesota; Cecilia is the wife of John Stachlowski, who is engaged in farming in the state of North Dakota. Dr. Hurth was united in marriage September 18, 1922, to Kathryn Josephine Luger, of Chicago, she having been born in 1893. They have one son, John Eugene, who was born July I9, 1923. Dr. Mathias S. Hurth attended elementary school and studied three years at St. Cloud Normal School. He received, following examination, a certificate as first-grade teacher and for two years followed a pedagogic career in St. Nicholas. For four years he studied at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, taking work preparatory to entering the University of Michigan. At Valparaiso he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. In 1914 he entered the University of Michigan and, taking the prescribed course of four years, he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. At this time Dr. Hurth welnt to St. Francis Hospital, where he served one year, and while at the institution he pursued special studies, his preceptors being Dr. Bixley, in diseases of the chest; Dr. Heard on cardiology and heart affections; Dr. Utley on chest diseases and Dr. Simonton on internal medicine. Dr. Hurth decided upon specializing in diseases of the chest. In I9I9 he returned to Lansing and for three years practiced in association with Dr. Davey and then established himself independently in the practice of his profession, with offices in the Oakland building, which burned December 28, 1923, destroying all office records and equipment. Dr. Hurth then moved to the fourth floor of the Wilson building, South Washington street. He is a member of the Church of the Resurrection, Roman Catholic; of the Knights of Columbus and of the Ingham County Medical Association. Clare L. Ingels, the proprietor of the business conducted under the title of the Williamston Lumber & Coal Company, at Williamston, was early indoctrinated in the philosophy of the lumber business an I in his early career was a carpenter. He was born on July 22, 1880, in Webberville, Ingham county, the son of Charles and Alice (Dicker /4 ~ S PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER MICHIGAN G. A. R. INGHAM COUNTY 523 son) Ingels. The mother is living, aged seventy years. The father was born in 1857 and died in 1914. Both mother and father were born in New York state. Charles Ingels, when thirteen years old came from New York state to Livingston county, Michigan, to live with Maurice Topping, who was a merchant, a gristmill operator and a cooper. He worked for Topping a number of years, in fact until he was well in the twenties, and then moved to Webberville and married. After the birth of the son, Clare L., the family moved to Plainsfield, living there until I903, when removal was made to Danville, Michigan. Charles Ingels worked as a carpenter. Clare L. Ingels received his early education in the public schools but at the age of fourteen years he initiated his work as a carpenter. He followed this vocation until I914, then engaged in contracting, and in I920 he started the Williamston Lumber & Coal Company. The yar:l of this progressive concern was originally occupied by the Crapo Lumber Company, in I890, and has been a lumber yard since. Clare L. Ingels was united in marriage to Edith Wood, of Livingston county, daughter of William 0. and Elizabeth Wood, on July Io, I907. Mrs. Ingels' folk are among the better known and oldest in the community. Mr. Ingels is active in public movements and in the promotion of the civic welfare. Politically he is a Republican. He holds allegiance to the Masonic fraternity having membership in blue lodge, chapter and council. He is a Kiwanian and a member of the Hoo Hoos, a social fraternity of men engaged in the lumber trade. Colonel Lucius H. Ives.-Lucius Hedden Ives was born on the old homestead in Unadilla township, Livingston county, Michigan, July I6, 1840. His parents were Samuel Gibbs Ives and Mariah Louisa (Hedden) Ives, natives of Tompkins county, New York, born in 1812 and 1813, respectively. Samuel G. Ives and wife were among the pioneers of Livingston county, having settled there in 1835, two years before Michigan became a state. Samuel G. Ives became a Republican at the organization of the party and, in I858, was the first Republican representative to be elected to the state legislature from Livingston county. In I872 he was chosen presidential elector and at various times filled many other positions of responsibility and trust, both by election and by appointment of the governor. In after years he retired from the farm and moved to Chelsea, Michigan, where he engaged in the banking business, being president of the Chelsea Savings Bank from that time until his death, in I894. Lucius H. Iives received his early education in the district school and later attended Michigan Agricultural College and Albion College. During the interim, between the time he was at East Lansing and Albion, he taught school. It was while a student at Albion that he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Civil war. Colonel Ives is justly proud of his military history, enlisting as a private in August, I862, at Pinckney, Michigan. At the organization of his company he was commissioned secon:l lieutenant, and this organization later became Company B and was assigned to the Twenty-sixth Mich 524 HISTORIC MICHIGAN igan Volunteer Infantry. This command later won for itself a'n enviable record on many a hotly contested field of battle. It was assigned to General Hancock's old Second Corps, Army of the Potomac. The regiment became celebrated as the best drilled skirmish regiment in the department. When on the move it was uniformaly in advance. Among the thirty odd engagements in which the regiment participated were: The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Welden Railroad, siege of Petersburg and Appomattox. In the single battle of Spottsylvania, May 12, I864, the regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing nearly one-half the number of men engaged. Colonel Ives was three times promote:1 on the field. Early in the fall of 1864 he was placed in command of his regiment; later, for several months, he was detailed as engineer officer on the staff of General Nelson A. Miles. In the early spring of I865 he again took command of his regiment, and in that capacity he served until the surrender of General Lee, at Appomattox, April 9, I865, and the final muster out of the regiment, at Jackson, Michiga'n, in June, I865. Colonel Ives reflects with much pride that it was his good fortune to lead his command down Pennsylvania avenue, Washington, D. C., at the final review of the Army of the Potomac. This he characterizes as the proudest event of his life. Returning to civil life, Colonel Ives early associated himself with the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, and his never failing interest in this great organization has been maintained to the present time. Through his efforts the Steele Brothers Post at Mason, Michigan, was organized and he was the first post adjutant named. Later he served in various official capacities, was for several years comma'nder of the post, and has ever retained an official connection with it. The large mounted cannon that adorns the court house square at Mason was place:l through the efforts of members of Steele Brothers Post and will serve as a reminder to the present and coming generations of the loyalty and patriotism of those who yielded up their consecrated lives in the nation's defense. For years Colonel Ives has been a regular attendant at both the state and national encampments of the G. A. R., in the capacity of delegate, and has served in various capacities on the staff of department and national commanders. In I916, at the state encampment at Bay City, Michigan, he was unanimously elected Department Commander, Michigan G. A. R., an honor which he esteems as one of the greatest that has ever been bestowed upon him by his comrades. He has been frequently complimented upon the efficiency and economy of his administration. The consciousness that he and his comrade, General N. Church, of Ithaca, Michigan, are the sole survivors of the original thirty-nine officers and that of the entire regiment there remain less than two score of the Twenty-sixth Michigan, who put behind the ambitions of life and went forth to defend the nation's honor, bring to the Colonel serious reflections. Colonel Ives is proud to be able to trace his ancestry back to the war of the Revolution. His great-grandfather, on his mother's side, INGHAM COUNTY 525 William Belnap, was a'n officer in that conflict, credited to the state of New York. Both grandfathers, Orrin Ives and Josiah Hedden, participated in the war of I812. His father, Samuel G. Ives, in the early history of Michigan was commissioned captain of an independent company known as "'Livingston Troop." This company was uniformed, equippe:l and mounted and our subject remembers "Training Day" as a great day for the populace. Colonel Ives' son, Frank C. Ives, served in the Spanish-American war as a member of Company F, Thirty-first Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for thirteen months, three months of which were spent in Cuha. After his return home he was commissioned first lieutenant andl later captain of Company B, First Independent Battalion, Michigan National Guard. Brief as is the record of each here given it is a source of much satisfaction to be enabled to trace one's ancestry in service to the foundation of this great republic. September 25, I865, Colonel Ives was united in marriage with \liss Elizabeth E. Cowan, of Parma, Michigan, a dlaughter of \Villiam alnd Clarissa (Mattison) Cowan. M\rs. Ives was born in Eaton county, Michigan, August I, I841. At the age of eighteen years she graluated from Albion College with the degree MI. S. A., and was awxarded the highest honor of her class by being selecte:l'as valedictorian. Previously to graduating Mrs. Ives had taught school, and following that event she was teacher in a government school for Indians, at Pere MIarquette Michigan. Mrs. Ives' death occurred April 23, 1907. She was a woman of fine literary attainments, possessing a gentle, self-sacrificing nature that made her an ideal wife, mother, homemaker and friend. She was the mother of four children, three of whom survive: Minnie Maude, who died in infancy, Zada, Evespa, Frank C. an(d Wi'niferd. Following their marriage, in the late fall of 1865, Colonel and Mrs. Ives located upon a farm in the township of Vevay, Ingham county, which place was ever after known as Sunny Side, and the home was well named, for 'nowhere can a spot be found where cordiality and hospitality have been more freely extended and where good cheer an-l sunny favor have more thoroughly abounded. Five years after the death of Mrs. Ives, Colonel Ives re-established his home, by being united in marriage to Mrs. Edna Moore Gunnison Hawley, of Lodi, Wisconsin, an acquaintance of many years standing. Mrs. Ives was a woman of rare genial quality, an acknowledged frien:l to all. She possessed the gift of poetry to a marked degree and was the author of a volume of poems entitled "Prairie Violets," which were generously distributed among her friends, who derived much pleasure therefrom. Following an enjoyable companionship of about ten years she too passed out, leaving to mourn their loss sorrowing friends to the limit of her acquaintance. She was a woman of exceptional literary ability an:l pleasing personality. For years she was a teacher in the public schools of Michigan and Wisconsin. She was laid at rest in the Hawley cemetery, Vevay township, in December, I920. Colonel Ives was the prime mover in the organization of the I'ngham 526 HISTORIC MICHIGAN County Farmers' Club in I872. This was one of the earliest organizations of its kind in the state and is today the oldest and generally recognized as the most efficient. For nearly a quarter of a century Colonel Ives was secretary, and the reports as published have had much to do with farming carried on in the county. As an expression of appreciation for services rendered he was made the recipient of a beautiful gold watch and chain. He was later elected president and re-elected annually for a period of fourteen years. Following his election as Departme'nt Commander of the G. A. R. of Michigan he tendered his resignation as president and by a vote of the club was made president emeritus. He also took a prominent part in the organization of the State Association of Farmers' Clubs, at Lansing, in I896, and held several subordinate positions, being later elected president of the association. Upon the expiration of his term as president he was made honorary life member of the association. Early in the organization of the Ingham County Pioneer & Historical Society, Colonel Ives became actively interested, and he served i'n various capacities until 191o when he was elected president, which position he has continued to fill for the past fourteen years. He is also a member of the State Pioneer & Historical Society and was recently made an honorary member for life. During the life of the Ingham County Agricultural Society Colonel Ives was active in its management, and at various times served as secretary, treasurer and president. He was always officially connected with the society during its existence. As an illustration of public confidence, fitness and social standing reference is made to the organization of the Mason Free Street Fair Association by the public-spirited citizens of Mason whose unanimous choice for secretary was Colonel Ives, he being the only officer connected with the association outside the corporate limits of the city. He was elected secretary and given charge of the advertising and business end of the concern generally. Five annual exhibitions were given, bringing together the largest number of people ever assembled in the city. The enterprise proved a great success in awakening sentiment in favor of Mason as a public-spirited city, securing sympathy and influence at a time greatly needed in connection with the erection of the new court house. The exhibitions were maintained at a high moral standard, meeting the approval of the best citizens of the county. Colonel Ives was one of the organizers of the Michigan Live Stock Insurance Company and for nine years served as a director and member of the executive committee. Politically Colo'nel Ives was born a Republican. His views for years were in perfect harmony with the platform of the party. For a time activities along the line of temperance and prohibition led him outside the camp. Since the adoptional of the constitutional amendment abolishing the liquor traffic and the position assumed by the Republicans concerning this great issue his views are now fully in accord with the party. As a Republican he was for several years supervisor of his township. INGHAM COUNTY 527 During the active years of his life Colonel Ives was much interested in collecting war and Indian relics, and other curios. These he re, cently loaned to the state pioneer museum at Lansing a'nd the military museum in the rotunda of the state capitol. His is one of the most extensive individual collections on exhibition at Lansing. For more than sixty years his life has been as an open book before the people of I'ngham county, and it is safe to say that few men enjoy the respect, confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens in a fuller measure than Colonel Ives. To be well born one must possess an inbred sense of honor, justice, right and reverence for the good, all of which have been marked characteristics of Colonel Ives, who was distinctively well born. His official connection with the Methodist Episcopal church extends from early manhood to the present time. In these later years he places less accent upon creed an:l more upon right living. His influence in the community in which he has spent so many years of his active life will be felt long after the grass has been gree'n upon his final resting place. He is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life-so richly merited. For the information of those who may hereafter become interested in the history or geneology of the Ives family. a more extended autobiography may be found in a history of Ingham county, entitled Past and Present of Ingham County, published in the year I905, a volume that may be found in the state library at Lansing. William V. C. Jackson.-Having a foundational training in production, in credit work, in advertising and in general administration, William V. C. Jackson, vice-president and general manager of the Auto Body Company, 207 East Franklin street, Lansing, has developed unusual business ability. He was born in Winchester, Illinois, August I9, 1876. His father, Franklin P. Jackson, born in Tennessee, June I9, 1844, was in early life a large tobacco grower and was engagedl in manufacturing. Later he diverted his interest to banking and was established in Winchester and Quincy, Illinois, and Hannibal, Missouri. He died November 26, I922. His wife, Ellen Elizabeth (Channon) Jackson, was a native of Philadelphi-a, Pennsylvania. but spent the most of her younger life in Quincy, Illinois. She died in 1894. William V. C. Jackson was just one year old when his parents moved to Quincy, where he attended grammar school and the Mtusselma'n College. After his mother's death he went to Chicago, where was laid the foundation of an active and successful business career that contemplated knowledge of every possible angle of modern production and business administrative methods. He began work in Chicago for the Revere Rubber Company, remaining there until I898, when he began work in the purchasing department of the Westinghouse plant, later receiving a promotion and being assigned to the main offices of the great corporation, in Pittsburgh, where he assumed duty as purchasing agent, a position of great responsibility and power. Later MIIr. Jackson was made assistant treasurer and credit manager of the Westinghouse Machine Company. From I908 to I9IO he was in charge 528 HISTORIC MICHIGAN of the advertising in the telephone directories of the Bell Company of Pittsburgh and for the Pittsburgh district. In I919-I9II, Mr. Jackson was secretary and treasurer of the Metal Products Company, manufacturers of automobile axles, in Detroit, Michigan, and from I912 to I916 he was with the A. O. Smith Company, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, manufacturers of automobile frames and axles. Mr. Jackson began his connection with this establishment as assistant to the president and for a year and a half served capably as general manager. In I917-I8, Mr. Jackson was vice-president and comptroller of the Briscoe Motor Car Company, of Jackson, Michigan, and in January, I9I9, came to the Auto Body Company, of Lansing, as vice-president and general manager, which dual position he now retains. On May 2, I9II, he was married to Miss Martha Rudig, of Andrews, Indiana. In his fraternal affiliations he is a thirty-secondl degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and a Shriner. He is also an Elk, a Kiwanian and a member of the Lansing Country Club. Claude L. Jacobs, who established and personally directs the Auto Trouble Service Company at 536 North Grand avenue, Lansing, is, as the title would suggest, supplying a valuable service to the owners a'nd users of automobiles and motor trucks. Evidence of this is manifested in the constantly expanding business of the concern. Mr. Jacobs' establishment is equipped with electrical service, wash-racks, battery testing and other equipment for batteries, oil and grease pits, etc., and from seven to fifteen men are employed throughout the year. Mr. Jacobs has many contracts with the automobile a'nd truck owners to care for their repair work or adjustments or to supply the service required, day or night. Claude L. Jacobs was born in Michigan in I899. His father, native of Ohio, was born in 1877; was educated in Canada an(l was graduated as a veterinary surgeon. He is retired and resides in Kalamazoo. The mother, who before her marriage was Elizabeth Cooper, was born in Kentucky in 1883. Five children became members of the family circle-Claude L., Nellie, Dorothy, Ray and Lornie. In I920 Claude L. Jacobs married Miss Lorena V. Jenks, born in I901, in Michigan. Mr. Jacobs as a lad attended the grammar and high schools at Paw Paw, Michigan, and he then went to the Detroit Technical School, where he took a course in mechanical engineering and was graduated. He next pursued studies at Kalamazoo State Normal College, from which institution he was graduated in I916. In 1917 he taught school in Paw Paw, and in that year, made memorable by the decision of the United States to participate in the World war, Mr. Jacobs enlisted in the United States Army. His engineering training served him well. He went with the third replacement units of the American Expeditionary Forces, sailed for France in I918 and landed in St. Nazaire. He soon got into active service in Belleau Woods, later was sent to the front at Rheims, was injured and was sent to the base hospital No. 33, at Tours, where he taught school in the convalescent ward. He sailed for the United States on the Red Cross boat "George Washington," in I919, and in the fall of that year he was honorably INGHAM COUNTY 529 discharged from the service, in Chicago. He came on to Kalamazoo, thence to Lansing and in 1920 was with the Olds Motor Company as assistant chief inspector in the axle department. He remained there a year, then went on the road for the Globe Electric Company, working out of Milwaukee until 1922. For six months he was with the United Light & Radio Corporation, Detroit, in charge of the wholesale and retail departments, and on May I, I923, he started at Lansing the Auto Trouble Service Company, the name faithfully and laconically telling the mission of the concern. Mr. Jacobs enjoys an enviable reputation for the outstanding elements of his character-honesty and fidelity to duty. These with his rather varied training, serve to insure his business success. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, Masonic Blue Lodge No. 359 and Lansing Grotto, representing the playground of Masonry. Carl C. Jaeger, proprietor of the Lansing Oil Company, was born in Middletown, Ohio, July 23, 1885, the son of T. H. and Carolina (Koenig) Jaeger, the former of whom was a native of Germany and the latter of Cleveland, Ohio. T. H. Jaeger was clergyman, his first church being in Indiana, from which he was transferred to Middletown, Ohio, when he was still a young man. From there he came to Dundee, Michigan, and thence he removed eventually to Dearborn, Michigan. Retiring from active work, he went to Toledo, Ohio, where he (lied in 1920. Carl C. Jaeger, who was one of a family of seven children, obtained his common school education in the graded and high schools, after which he studied for a time in the Cleary Business College. His first position was with the Morgan & Wright Tire Manufacturing Company, with which he was employed from 1904 to 1911. He then came to Lansing where he established the Wolverine Auto Company, which he conducted until 1914, when he sold out. In that year, he opened the Jaeger tire shop, and during the ensuing four years, he was successfully engaged in the operation of that enterprise. In 1918 he sold his interests in the tire shop and organized the Lansing Oil Company of which he is the owner. He has developed a thriving business and one in which he may well take pride, as it offers a concrete evidence of his ability. May I, 1912, he married Amelia B. Link, and to this union have been born two sons, Charles and Thomas. In addition to his interests in the Lansing Oil Company, Mr. Jaeger is treasurer of the Lansing Storage Company, which likewise has enjoyed a steady growth in business. Elmer L. Jarvis, one of the principals of the widely known JarvisEstes Company, retail furniture dealers and funeral directors, is one of Lansing's most progressive business men. He is a native of Livingston county, Michigan, and was born April 3, I885. Mr. Jarvis attended school at Plymouth and thereafter was a student in Ypsilanti College, taking a course in business administration. For two years he was connected with the Ford Motor Company. At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Jarvis started in the furniture and undertaking business in Plymouth, where he remained two years. 3-34 530 HISTORIC MICHIGAN In 1911, he came to Lansing and the firm of Haight & Jarvis was formed. The establishment of A. A. Wilbur, at 204 East Franklin avenue, was purchased, this being the pioneer furniture establishment of Lansing. In I9I4 Floyd W. Estes became a partner of Mr. Jarvis and the Jarvis-Estes organization was formed. In I917, the firm erected the present commodious store building, at Franklin and North Washington avenues. Here separate rooms for the display of each kind of furniture were provided, giving to the public the best of opportunity for making selection of furniture. This was the first display arrangement of the kind, and the plan has been copied by furniture establishments in many other cities throughout the country. At the corner of Washtenaw and Walnut streets the Jarvis-Estes Company erected a funeral home, the finest in the middle west and unexcelled in arrangement and equipment. Mr. Jarvis is keenly alive to the needs, requirements and opportunities of the community and has been helpful in extending such aid and co-operation as have been called in the promotion of the civic and material advancement of the city. He is an energetic and helpful supporter of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Kiwanis Club. He also has membership in the Odd Fellows. Orien A. Jenison.-The city of Lansing has been extremely fortunate in having so fine a quota of enthusiastic and patriotic citizens who have given freely of both their time and means toward the upbuilding of her better interests along all lines. Among those who have done their full share, none is more worthy of specific mention than Orien A. Jenison, now engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, with offices in the Capital National Bank building. Orien A. Jenison is a native son of Lansing, having been born in this city on October 2, 1865. His parents, Orien A. and Helen M. (Butler) Jenison were natives of New York, the father having been born at Watertown, that state, May 22, 1823, and the mother in Syracuse, New York, she having been a daughter of the Hon. Orange Butler, a senator from Lenawee county, Michigan, during the administration of Stephens T. Mason, first governor of the state. Orien A. Jenison, Sr., passed his early life in New York state, but in the early '40s came west to Detroit, and on Christmas day in 1847 he came from Detroit to Lansing, walking part of the distance from Jackson, as the road was in too bad a condition for the passage of the stage. In the little hamlet that was the embryo of the present beautiful capital city he opened a land office for Macey & Driggs, and this he operated for a number of years. He then entered the mercantile business, in which he was engaged until i868. In that year he entered the employ of John A. Kerr & Company, official state printers and binders, and there he remained through many changes in proprietorship, and until his death, which occurred August 6, I895. Prior to his coming to Michigan he had clerked in a store, but being possessed with a peculiar talent in penmanship he took it up as a profession and became a writing master, or teacher, a vocation which he followed until he was twenty-one years of age. His marriage to I INGHAM COUNTY 531 Helen M. Butler was solemnized January 20, 1851, and to them were born two sons, Frank H. and Orien A., Jr., the latter being the subject of this review. Orien A. Jenison, St., was extremely popular in the community and by hundreds of citizens he was affectionately known as "Uncle Jen." The American branch of the Jenison family came from Colchester, England, in I632, on the good ship Arabella. Orien A. Jenison, immediate subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of his native city until he was fifteen years of age, and utilized every advantage and opportunity then offered. At the age of fifteen he entered the office of the auditor general of Michigan, in the capacity of messenger boy, and shortly after he was promoted to a clerkship, which he held for six years. He then secured a position as bookkeeper with the Lansing Iron & Engine Works, with which company he remained for a period of six years, having risen from the position of bookkeeper to that of secretary and treasurer of the company, the dual office of which he was the incumbent at the time of his resignation. Following that he was for three years with E. Bement & Sons, but on March I, I898, he entered the insurance business, forming the Dyer-Jenison-Barry Company, which is still in existence, and which for the past twenty-three years has occupied offices in the Capital National Bank building. Mr. Jenison has always been able to find time to take an active part in both the social and commercial life of the city, having served ten years as secretary of the Lansing Business Men's Association. He also financed and built the Lansing Manufacturers' Railroad, and is at present a director of the Motor Wheel Corporation, president of the Edward W. Sparrow Hospital and president of the Reolds Farms Company, besides being a director of a number of other enterprises of a mercantile and manufacturing character. For nearly thirty years Mr. Jenison devoted the greater part of his time to the insurance business, but he has also dealt extensively in real estate and now maintains a department devoted exclusively to the management and care of estates, collection of contracts and rents. For a number of years he had exclusive charge of the Edward W. Sparrow estate. On June 2, I892, Mr. Jenison was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Hawley, of Detroit. To them have been born three children: Austin, who is associated with his father in the insurance business; Monell, who is now Mrs. Peter J. Treleaven; and Miss Judith Jenison, who is still at home. In politics Mr. Jenison has always been a firm believer in the principals of the Republican party, and for four vears served as councilman of the Second ward of Lansing, in which he has resided for over fifty-two years. In 1904 he served as president of the Zack Chandler Republican Club. He has also been active in the social life of both the city and state. In I885 he became a member of the Grand River Boat Club and later of the City Club. At the present time he holds membership in the Country Club of Lansing, Old Colony Club, Detroit Athletic Club, Automobile Club of Lansing, and the Insurance Club of Chicago. It is worthy of special mention that he was president of the Michigan State Associ 532 HISTORIC MICHIGAN ation of Fire Insurance Agents during the year I909. In fraternal matters he is identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to all of its various bodies. He wvas also one of the charter members of the Elks' Lodge at Lansing and assisted in its organization when it was founded here, about I89I. Although a very busy man, Mr. Jenison has always found time to aid every worthy enterprise that has been advanced for the upbuilding of the city and state. He has always had a firm and abiding faith in the future of Lansing, and his interests are largely centered here. He has never refused his aid or counsel in the formation of civic and community plans and in the execution of the same, and his splendid resources and powers are fully placed at the disposal of those who seek them. Thomas E. Johnson.-Distinguished by possibly the most progressive school legislation enacted in the United States has been the administration of Thomas E. Johnson as superintende'nt of public instruction of the state of Michigan. He assumed this supremely important office April 5, I919. This liberal and advanced legislative program was largely materialized through the inspiring aid and the ceaseless efforts of Mr. Johnson. Among the more important advances in school management and educational policies supported by Mr. Johnson and enacted into law are the teachers' training law, the nine-month school term, a comprehensive law providing for the consolidation of schools, the bringing of private and parochial schools under state supervision, provision of special classes and teaching facilities for blind, deaf and crippled children, the conversion of normal schools into teacher-training colleges, and the township-unit act. More than fifty specific legislative acts advancing the cause of education and enhancing the value of the schools have so far marked the admirable professional and official regime of Mr. Johnson. Thomas E. Johnson was born in Thatford, Ontario, March o0, I883. His father, Rev. H. J. Johnson, a Methodist clergyman, was born in England. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Howard, was born in Canada. Thomas E. Johnson is the oldest in a family of three children, the others being Mrs. George Goll, of Clinton, Michigan, and Rev. F. Ernest Johnson, of New York. Thomas E. Johnson found his early school work of rather itinerant order, because of the ministerial transfers of his father. He was graduated in the high school at Flint, Michigan, attended the University of Michigan eighteen months, and finally received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Alma College. Thereafter he took postgraduate work in the University of Michigan and taught school at Onaway, Michigan, from 1910 to 1914. The following five years he was superintendent of schools at Coldwater, BIranch county. and in 1917 he was appointed a member of the state board of education. April 5, I919, he became Michigan state superintendent of public instruction. Mr. Johnson was united in marriage August 7, I907, at Saginaw, to Miss Mildred M. Milks, who likewise attended Alma College and who is a daughter of Joseph E. and Addie E. INGHAM COUNTY 533 (Sloan) Milks, early settlers and farmers near Saginaw. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, Stanley Howard and Patricia Hope. Mr. Johnson is a member of the National Educational Association, in which he is a director representing Michigan. He is a member also of the National Council of Education, and of the Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary college fraternity; is on the executive committee of the Michigan State Teachers Association; has been ex-officio member of the State Administrative Board since its organization; is a member of the State Schoolmasters Club, the Bon Ami Club, the Masonic fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Lansing Country Club, and the North Side Chamber of Commerce. He is an active communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Lansing. Mr. Johnson became the recipient of the degree of M. Ed., from Ypsilanti College in.I92I, and thrice has he received the degree of Doctor of Laws-from Lincoln Memorial University in 1920; Olivet College in 1923, and Alma College the same year. Under the terms of progressive educational laws enacted during the regime of Mr. Johnson the consolidation of rural schools was changed in line with the experience of other states, and to-day Michigan probably enjoys the best consolidated school law in the U'nited States. School districts are permitted to build and furnish teachers' homes. Every child is entitled to a minimum school term of nine months. By I925 all persons entering the teaching profession in Michigan must have at least one year of professional training in addition to the four-year high-school course. Frank Stewart Kedzie, former president and now dean of the department of applied science at the Michigan Agricultural College, reflects a high degree of culture and the thoroughgoing, dispassionate, reflective attitude of the scientist in the administration of his professional duties. He is a son of Dr. Robert C. Kedzie, long at the head of the department of chemistry at the Michigan Agricultural College, former president of the state board of health, former president of the Michigan State Medical Society and a nationally known author of treatises, books and papers on chemistry, hygiene, health problems and agriculture. Dean Frank S. Kedzie was born May I2, 1857, at Vermontville, Eaton county, Michigan. His early education was at the hands of private tutors and when he was not yet six years old his father was called to Michigan Agricultural College. Inasmuch as there was no district school within a mile vet six years old his father was called to Michigan Agricultural College. Inasmuch as there was no district school within a mile and a half of the college, the father served as teacher for his own son, aided by student instructors. Frank Stewart Kedzie was graduated from the college with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1877, and in 1882 he received the degree of Master of Science. At two different times he pursued studies in the University of Berlin, Germany. He was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by the Michigan Agricultural College, in I912. For two years Mr. 534 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Kedzie was secretary to Henry B. Baker, secretary of the state board of health, and for a year he worked at the Western Union as a telegraph operator, fulfilling an ambition that had been his from boyhood. In i880, he was appointed assistant in the chemistry department of the Michigan Agricultural College, serving as such three years. He then became instructor and after serving three years, he was advanced to an assistant professorship, became adjunct professor and in I915 he was chosen acting president of the college on the death of President Snyder. From I916 to I92I he was president of the institution, and he then resigned to be created dean of the department of applied science. Some of the most notable men in collegiate and commercial fields have been students in his college classes. In 1885 was solemnized the marriage of Dean Kedzie to Miss Kate Marvin, who was born in Jackson, Michigan, a daughter of Mathew P. and Mary Eliza (Gregory) Marvin. The families on both sides were of fine old American stock, and the parents of Mrs. Kedzie were born in New York state. On the maternal side the family came originally from Virginia and was of Revolutionary composition. Mrs. Kedzie, a graduate of Lansing high school, received a splendid musical education, in Detroit and Berlin. She was the founder of the Lansing matinee musicals. Dean Kedzie is a member of the American Chemical Society and is counselor of the local section of the society. He is a Republican in political preference but has never held political office. He and Mrs. Kedzie attend St. Paul's Episcopal church. The father of Dean Kedzie, Robert C. Kedzie, who died November 7, I902, was born in Delhi, New York, January 28, 1823. During the Civil war he was a surgeon in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry. He gave long and distinguished service as professor of chemistry at the Michigan Agricultural College and was for many years a member of the state board of health, of which he served as president. He became nationally known as a teacher in the fields of chemistry and agriculture. In I850 he was married to Harriet Eliza Fairchild, and to them three sons were born, Frank Stewart Kedzie being the youngest. Dean W. Kelley.-Practicing law since his admission to the bar, in I90I, serving as member of the school board, as city attorney, as county prosecutor and as probate judge, Dean W. Kelley has gained a well-rounded professional experience that falls to the lot of comparatively few barristers. He is a member of the widely known legal firm of Brown & Kelley, with offices in the American State Savings Bank building in the city of Lansing. Mr. Kelley was born in Osceola county, Michigan, July 12, 1876. His father and mother were Canadians, and his father, Samuel Kelley, engaged in farming and in the lumber business. Before her marriage, Mrs. Kelley was Mary A. Hagadone. Dean W. Kelley seized every opportunity that the country schools afforded, attended the Michigan State Normal School and spent a year at the University of Michigan. He took the state bar examination and was admitted to practice in I9OI. Then he practiced I f a ^^^^ aI j%. A&O ^ ^/t^Y t^ ^ -t-. ^^tl INGHAM COUNTY 535 law in St. Johns, Michigan, until 1918, when he came to Lansing and formed a partnership with J. Earle Brown, the firm name being Brown & Kelley. Before coming to Lansing, Judge Kelley served on the school board at St. Johns for a number of years, being president of that body two years. He was city attorney for three terms, county prosecuting attorney and judge of the probate court. On December 25, 1901, Judge Kelley was united in marriage to Thurza M. Judd, of St Johns, and they have two children, Gwendolyn and Ward W. Mr. Kelley gives allegiance to the Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, including the Commandery of Knights Templar. He is an Elk, and is a member of the Exchange Club and of the county and state bar associations. He is a director of the Wolverine Insurance Company, and is general counsel for the Michigan Employers' Casualty Company, the Olds Motor Works, the Capital National Bank, the Hager Lumber Company, and other Michigan concerns. There is no philanthropic or civic movement affecting the welfare of Lansing that does not in some measure or degree command his interest and frequently his personal effort. Patrick H. Kelley, former United States congressman from the Sixth district of Michigan, is a native son of Michigan and has ably served her in various positions of responsibility and trust. He is to-day looked upon as one of the representative men of both the state and nation. Patrick H. Kelley was born on a farm in Silver Creek township, Cass county, Michigan, October 7, 1867. His parents, Martin and Mary (Brophy) Kelley, were born in Ireland, in 1820 and 1831, respectively, the former coming to the United States in 1850 and the latter in 1852. After his arrival in this country, Martin Kelley worked for some time on the Erie canal. The'n he came to Cass county, Michigan, and worked as a farm hand. Later he removed to Van Buren county and then to Watervliet, Berrien county. Martin Kelley and his wife died in Berrien county, the former in 1892 and the latter in g90o. Of the seven children born to them, four, Ellen, Julia, Katherine and James, died during the scarlet fever epidemic that swept the state in I871; Michael died in 1895, and the only two surviving children are Patrick H., of this review, and John, who has been a professor in the Michigan State Normal School at Mount Pleasant for the past twenty-five years. Patrick H. Kelley obtained his early education in the graded schools of Watervliet, and in Valparaiso University he was graduated, in the academic course, in I887. He attended also the Ypsilanti Normal School and the University of Michigan. Previously to his graduation at Valparaiso University, he taught a country school for one year and also taught two years at Fair Plain, Michigan. After his graduation he was offered the position of principal of schools at Galien, Michigan, leaving there five years later to accept a position at Hartford, as superintendent of schools. In 1894, he became superintendent of schools at Mount Pleasant, where he remained until I899. At Mount Pleasant he took up the study of the law, and he passed 536 HISTORIC MICHIGAN the state law examination in 1899, after which he attended the University of Michigan, in which, due to his previous work, he was able to graduate in the law department in one year, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and as a member of the class of I900. After graduation he went to Detroit to practice his profession. He was appointed by Governor Bliss, April Io, I90I, as a member of the State Board of Education, and he was elected to the same position November 4th of the following year. During the years I905-06 he served as Michigan state superintendent of public instruction. In I907 he was elected lieutenant governor of Michigan, and he ably discharged the duties of this office until I9II. In I912 he was elected to the United States Congress from the state at large, and in I9I4 he was elected a representative from the Sixth congressional district, which he represented until March 4, 1923. As congressman he was given a place on the committee on naval affairs and served as such from 19I3 to I920-the World war period, when our navy was increased from 45,000 to 560,ooo men. It was while serving in this capacity that Mr. Kelley rendered most valuable service to the country at large. In I920, when the budget system was inaugurated, Mr. Kelley was elected by the national house of representatives to the committee on appropriations, and he was made chairman of the sub-committee that handled the naval appropriation bill, he serving as chairman until his retirement from congress, in March, 1923. He has always been a firm advocate of an American navy the equal of any other navy in the world. As chairman of the sub-committee on naval appropriations he took a strong position in favor of such a navy, while at the same time insisting on carrying out with utmost good faith the international treaty providing for a reduction of armament according to the terms of the Washington conference. Upon his retirement from congress Mr. Kelley resumed the practice of the law in association with his nephew, Spencer D. Kelley, and under the firm name of Kelley & Kelley. The firm has offices at Ioo6-7 Bauch building, Lansing, and the partnership alliance is proving highly successful. On the 27th of July, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kelley to Miss Zora D. Wilson, of Paw Paw, Michigan, and they have three children, Mrs. Fred A. Stone, Philip H., and Katherine. Mr. Kelley is a thirty-second degree Mason and affiliates with the Central Methodist Episcopal church of Lansing. In politics he has always been a Republican, being a firm believer in the principles of the fine old party, and he is recognized as one of its leaders in both state and national affairs. William George Kerns.-Conspicuous in the business, social and fraternal life of Lansing, valued as one who gave the community a high-class hotel the popularity of which extends far beyond the confines of Michigan, and prominent for his active participation in banking and industrial movements, is William George Kerns, president of the Auto Electric Company, first vice-president of the Lansing Savings & Loan Association, director of the Lansing Stamp & Tool Company, director of the Lawrence Baking Company, and INGHAM COUNTY' 537 director of the Barker-Fowler Electric Company. Mr. Kerns is a native of Saginaw, Michigan, and his parents were thrifty Irish folk. He was born in I866. His father was John Kerns, whose family came to Michigan in I86I. His mother was Mary (McDonaid) Kerns, who came to the new land when a child. The marriage of the parents of Mr. Kerns occurred in Canada, and they had four sons and five daughters, William George being the fifth child. William G. Kerns attended school in Saginaw county, took a night commercial course, was with the T. B. Spencer hardware store three years, then spent three years in advertising in Chicago. Coming to Lansing in I904 he operated for five years a barber shop on Michigan avenue. Mr. Kerns was married first in Saginaw, to Sadie Vill, who bore him one son, Harry D., now engaged in the realestate business in Lansing. In I896 Mr. Kerns married Miss Elizabeth Wentworth, daughter of Frank and Ellen Wentworth. Mrs. Kerns was killed in an automobile accident March 26, I916, when in a limousine which she and Mr. Kerns were driving, returning from a pleasure trip to Florida. They had one son, Manley Wentworth, who was a young man of unusual worth and ability and who likewise sacrificed his life in an automobile catastrophe, in Detroit, in 1920. At the time of his death Manley W. Kerns was a student at the University of Michigan. He had been graduated in I918 from Howe Military Academy, at Howe, Indiana, attained the rank of captain, and during the World war was appointed major and had full charge of the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Howe. Frank Wentworth was well known as the owner of the Wentworth hotel and in I908 Mr. Kerns became owner and manager of the hostelry, retiring from its management in 192I but continuing ownership of the building. He greatly popularized the hotel, virtually made it the club house of Lansing, adding to it, increasing its service and enhancing its usefulness. It now has 315 rooms and is the headquarters of the Rotary, Kiwanis and Exchange clubs. On August 20, I917, Mr. Kerns was united in marriage to Mrs. Harriet Morrison Monroe, of Flint, daughter in the pioneer Childs family of Genesee county. Her great-grandfather was Jonathan Childs, a soldier of the American Revolution. By her former marriage Mrs. Kerns had three sons, namely: Donald Monroe, with the Reo Company, a graduate of Howe; husband of Irene Miller, of Ionia, and the father of one son, William Kerns Monroe; David C. Monroe, a freshman at Princeton; and Douglas Monroe, a student in Lansing high school. Devoted to home, Mrs. Kerns is also much interested in club life and is vice-president of the Needlework Club, besides which she served four years on the board of trustees of the Y. W. C. A. Mr. Kerns, in addition to the other connections enumerated, is on the governing board of the Country Club. He is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite and Shrine Mason, an Elk and Rotarian, a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce, and politically is Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns are members of St. Paul's Presbyterian church and Mr. Kerns is a member of its official board. 538 HISTORIC MICHIGAN Edward L. Kimes.-From the time he was eleven years of age, Edward L. Kimes has known what it means to work and to work hard. There was no job too stiff to tackle, no problem that could not be encompassed. Success seemed slow in coming, but it did finally arrive and when it came it brought a prestige and a degree of satisfaction that is foreign to those born with the so-called "silver spoon" in their mouths. Mr. Kimes is vice-president of the M. J. & B. M. Buck Company, 30I North Washington avenue, Lansing, this being one of the best-known furniture and undertaking concerns in the state. He is also general manager of the establishment and in association with him is Bailey Russell Buck. Mr. Kimes has had an interesting and eventful business career. He was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 21, I850. His father, William Kimes, a native of Germany, came to the United States at the age of fifteen years, was long engaged in farming and passed to his final rest in 1854. The mother was Elizabeth (McCartney) Kimes, a native of Ireland. Edward L. Kimes began "honest-to-goodness" work at the tender age of eleven years. At the age of sixteen years he went into railroad work, and next he found employment in a sawmill in the northwestern part of Ohio. In 1875 he moved to Gratiot county, Michigan, and engaged in the lumber business. Fire burned him out in I888, and he moved to Toledo, Ohio. There for six years he was county clerk of Lucas county, and he served seven years on the detective force of the Maumee city. In November, I916, Mr. Kimes came to Lansing, going at once with the M. J. & B. M. Buck Company, as buyer. Since the death of Mr. Buck he has been vice-president and general manager. The well-known concern was founded by Daniel W. Buck in 1847, the first establishment being in a hunter's cabin and the first product was a kitchen table made of cherry wood. Mr. Buck was a contemporary of the sturdy Grand Rapids pioneer who began at the same time, in humble quarters, to produce handmade tables, cabinets and bedsteads. There are five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kimes, Leslie, William, Maude, Cora and Fanny D. Mr. Kimes is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is a Kiwanian, a member of the Merchants' Bureau, and is president of the Lansing Capital News. He enjoys a large friendship and the warm esteem of the entire community. Rev. Frank Kingdon, pastor of the Central Methodist church, Lansing, is a young man of ambition and high ideals, and is a clergyman of learning and thorough culture. He is a native of England, but became an American citizen in I9I7. Mr. Kingdon was born February 27, 1894, in the city of London, and came to the United States in 1912. His father, John Kingdon, was born June 2I, 1835, and died September 21, I918, in London, England. The mother, Matilda (Caunt) Kingdon, was born in Nottingham, England, October II, I849. Rev. Frank Kingdon was united in marriage February 27, I915, to Miss Gertrude Littlefield, who was born May 12, I897, the daughter of S. H. and Etta (Soule) Littlefield. To Mr. and Mrs. yOYm~ rf: —,qC4. INGHAM COUNTY 539 Frank Kingdon have been born four children: John, July 7, I916; Frank, August 21, 1918; David, October 4, 1920; and Gertrude, June 4, 1922. Frank Kingdon was educated in University College School in London. In April, 1912, several months after reaching the United States, he joined the East Maine Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he served the following charges: I912-I3, China and North Palermo; 1913-16, Harmony. He was then transferred to the New England Southern conference and served in Hull, Massachusetts, 1916-19; the First Church of East Weymouth, I9I9 -21. Having been transferred to the New England conference, Mr. Kingdon was appointed to Tremont Street church, Boston, and in 1923, when Tremont Street church and the People's Temple of Boston united, he was appointed pastor of the united church. From I916 to 1920 he was a student in Boston University college of liberal arts. Here he attained the qualifications for affiliation with and admission to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity and in 1921-22 he became a Jacob Sleeper Fellow. He did graduate work in philosophy at Harvard University and taught in the department of romance languages at Boston University. In I9I7 he became an American citizen. Mr. Kingdon came to Lansing on October 27, I923, to become pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal church, the second oldest church in Lansing. The old church building stood at the corner of Ottawa street and Washington avenue on the site of the present Tussing building. The present church edifice was erected in I889, at Ottawa street and Capitol avenue. The new Temple House, now an addition to the Central Methodist Episcopal church, was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Scott and cost a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. Scott is president of the Reo Motor Corporation in Lansing. Rev. Frank Kingdon proves a strong factor in the development of community ideals and service and the church has prospered under his wise leadership. Mr. Kingdon's support is held indispensable in the promotion of community-welfare enterprises, and in his Lansing pastorate he is proving a power for good in the capital city. Otto J. Kirchen, owner and manager of of the Kirchen Machine Company, 113 South Larch street, Lansing, was born at Lake Linden, Michigan, October ii, 1885, and is a son of Garrett and Amelia Kirchen, both of whom are natives of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Garrett Kirchen moved to the copper region of Michigan in his early life and died when his son, Otto J., was only two years old. Otto J. Kirchen is in the truest sense a self-made man. He went through the sixth grade in the public schools and then started work in the Calumet & Hecla copper mill, at the age of thirteen years. While working he studied surveying by means of correspondence schools and he is also a member of the Alexander Hamilton Institute. He was employed as surveyor by the city of Hancock, the Kewenau Central Railroad Company and the Houghton Traction Company. Mr. Kirchen is said to have opened the first garage in Hancock, an enterprise he launched in 1905. He remained in that city until 1908, 540 HISTORIC MICHIGAN when he went to Detroit, and from the Michigan metropolis he came to Lansing in 1912, to work at the Reo Motor Car plant, as assistant chief inspector. In the World war period Mr. Kirchen was in the ordnance service until February, 1919, when he started his present industrial enterprise, on Capitol avenue. This location he maintained one year, and he then leased the building at 117 South Grand avenue. May I, 1924, he bought from Frank Bender the property at 113-115 South Larch street and moved his machine shop to this location, where he now resides and conducts his business. Here he makes tools of all kinds, including jigs and fixtures, cylinder grinding and automobile parts, and does special manufacturing and repairing of machinery. In 1907 Mr. Kirchen married Miss Minnie Schieve, of Dollar Bay, Michigan, she being a daughter of George Schieve. Mr. Kirchen is conspicuous in fraternal work and is active in church work. He is secretary of the English Lutheran church of the Redeemer; is a member of Lansing Lodge No. 33, F. & A. M.; is chief justice of the local grotto of Veiled Prophets, and chairman of its clubhouse committee. He is a member of the Purchasing Agents Association. In political proclivities Mr. Kirchen is a Republican, but always subordinates party to public welfare. Arthur B. Krause.-A most thorough knowledge of the meat business is the dominant factor in the active business career of Arthur B. Krause, who conducts a successful retail meat and grocery establishment at Iooo East Franklin avenue, Lansing. Mr. Krause is a native of Fowlerville, Michigan, where he was born June 15, 1892. His father, Ernest Krause, was born in the same community, July 2, 1867, and is engaged in the retail hardware business. The mother, who before marriage was Rose Barnard, was likewise born in Fowlerville, in the year I865. The subject of this sketch is the only surviving son, and the other living children are Alta May, Irene, Alice and Arola. Three children of the family circle have passed away, Claude, Viola and Harold. Arthur B. Krause was united in marriage in October, I9I3, to Miss Vera Fowler, who likewise was born at Fowlerville, in I889. Mr. Krause attended school for ten years in Fowlerville then worked for his father, who was engaged in the meat business. From I9II to the middle of I912 he worked for himself in the meat business and later operated his own establishment in Des Moines, Iowa. Returning to Fowlerville, Mr. Krause farmed for three years, and he then came to Lansing, where he worked for various concerns, in the sale of meat. From 1918 to February 15, 1923, he was on the road for Wilson & Company, the great meat-packing concern of Chicago. On the latter date Mr. Krause opened a store in Lansing, where he continues in business with a large and growing trade to his credit and an encouraging future before him. Mr. and Mrs. Krause are Protestants, Mrs. Krause belonging to the Methodist church. Mr. Krause is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the United Commercial Travelers. C. A. Lamoreaux, widely known in the insurance field in Michigan, was born at Hastings, this state, June 20, 1890. His father, Eugene INGHAM COUNTY 541 Lamoreaux, was born in Michigan, was a salesman in early life but for the past thirty years has been an insurance man. Eugene Lamoreaux is associated with the Merchants' Life Insurance Company, with headquarters in Grand Rapi::s and Muskegon, Michigan. LHe married MIiss Emma I. Mathews. who was horn in Indiana, and the subject of this sketch is their only child. C. A. Lamoreaux received his early education in the public schools of Grand Rapid(l and was graduated from high school in I908. Two years before leavin