Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER I-IISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY

days to go from Vevay to Lansing. We tipped over one load of
goods and broke an ox yoke, and had to stop and make a new
one. Got to George Phillip's at dark, and stayed there that
night. The next day got to Lansing just before sundown. Found
the log house that Mr. Burchard had built. It had been used for
a stable, and we had to clean it before we could move in. We
forgot to take any bread with us, so had to milk the cow, sour the
milk with vinegar and make biscuits before we could have anything to eat. We repaired the dam, put up the mill and run it
until the Capital was located, in 1847.
We would take a load of white wood and black walnut, clear
stuff, take it to Jackson with the ox team, it took about a week for
the trip, and get $7 per thousand for the white wood and $6 for
the walnut. We would have about money enough to get home
with. Our nearest neighbor lived one and one-half miles down
the river; his name was Justus Gilkcy; the nearest neighbor on the
east was two and one-half miles, and one on the south four and
one-half miles, and none on the west. But when the Capital was
located they came by the scores, and continued to come. We
were the first actual settlers in the city of Lansing. I helped
build the first frame building in the city. It was a boarding house
for Father Page.
My sister, Mrs. Emily F. McKibbin, was born in Vermont.
Came to Michigan in 1836; was married to Joseph E. North in
1838 by Peter Linderman, justice of the peace. Came to Lansing
the same year on horseback. She was the first white woman to
settle in Lansing. She died March, 1893.
I hope the old pioneers may live long to enjoy the fruits of
their labor. I bid them Godspeed and hope their last days may
be their best days, and may we all meet in heaven."
Mr. Campbell also read a paper written by John H. Lee, of
Leroy, as follows:
My Michigan pioneer life began in 1837, in the month of October, when this State was but a Territory. Starting from Plymouth, Wayne county, we came to what is now Leroy, then known
as a part of Jackson county. The first night we stayed at Hamburg, a little country store on the Huron river. Here was the
first Indian I ever saw. It was Chief Okemos, with his wife and
four quite grown men and women. I remember well his showing