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

CHAPTER I
Reports of annual meetings from 1872 to and including 1897; history of formation
of the Society; paper by Mrs. M. C. Smith; remarks by Hon. J. M. Longyear;
paper, Alvin Rolfe; paper, Capt. J. P. Cowles; letter by Frederick Cooley;
address of 0. M. Barnes, with history of townships; stories by pioneers; address
by Rev. Augusta Chapin; poem by Elijah Woodworth; poem, J. T. Bullen;
paper, J. A. Barnes; paper, Mrs. Silas Bement; account of banquets with toasts
given; paper, John H. Lee; innumerable pioneer reminiscences; many mortality
lists.
ANNUAL REPORTS OF INGHAM COUNTY HISTORICAL
AND PIONEER SOCIETY FROM ITS ORGANIZATION
IN 1872, UP TO AND INCLUDING 1897.
The Pioneer settlers of Ingham county met at the court house in
the village of Mason on Tuesday, the 28th day of May. 1872, to
organize a county Pioneer society.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Minos McRobert. On
motion the Hon. Amos E. Steele was elected chairman, with
Peter Lowe as secretary.
By request of the chairman Hon. O. M. Barnes stated the
object of the meeting in a short and eloquent address in which he
referred to the early history of the county, and its present population and resources.
A constitution and by-laws was presented by the secretary and
adopted by those present. The Mason Cornet Band was in
attendance and their music was well appreciated by the old
settlers present.
The following persons were appointed a committee on the
election of permanent officers for the ensuing year: 0. M.
Barnes, Vevay; Wm. A. Dryer, Lansing; John M. French, Lansing
City; Arnold Walker, Leslie; Marcus Beers, Ingham; Uriah
Coulson, Stockbridge; James Birney, Bunkerhill; Wm. Austin,
Onondaga; R. R. Bullen, Aurelius; Daniel Dutcher, White Oak;
G. Fletcher, Wheatfield; S. Dobie, Aliedon; H. H. North, Delhi;
D. V. Smith, Meridian; N. C. Branch, Williamston. Upon their
report the following officers were declared elected: