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

INGIIAM COUNTY NOTES

189

"Witness,
"David Thomas,
"Jas Turner."
Names that have come down in local history are found signed to
these various documents, and mentioned therein. It is interesting to note, that following Peter Low, as county clerk, was John
Coatsworth, a prominent business man of pioneer days. H. P.
Atwood is the next county clerk, whose name is affixed to the
records, and then, Peter Low appears to have served a second term
as clerk.
Perhaps the name of Phil McKernan, who went into office in
1853 and served until 1856 or longer, is the best known. It was
he who later lost his life in the Civil War, and for him the local
Grand Army post was named. His records fill the greater part
of the book, and besides the accounts of church organizing, during
his term of office, there are several pages devoted to "Accounts
with the County of Ingham," which in themselves are of interest.
The First Presbyterian society of Mason is the second recorded
in this book, as having been organized on December 2, 1844. Local
names of prominence in those days, mentioned in this record, are
William H. Horton, James Turner, and Ira Hubbard, also Peter
Linderman and J. B. Chapin.
The Mason Baptist church is not mentioned it having been
organized in 1839, and the earliest record is dated January, 1842.
LANSING CHURCHES.
Several Lansing churches have the official account of their
organizing recorded in this unobtrusive brown book.
For instance in 1848, the Baptists in Lansing seemed to get
busy, and during the year three distinct Baptist churches were
organized. The First Baptist, on April 11, 1848; the Freewill
Baptists, on August 10, 1848; and the Second Baptist, on October
3, 1848.
The First Baptists, according to the record met for organizing
according to law, at the home of Robert Derry, and the trustees
mentioned as elected at this meeting are E. Canfield, S. S. Carter,
T. L. Taylor, E. S. Tooker, T. W. Menil, and D. P. Quackenbush.
The Second Baptists organized at the home of Richard Walton,