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

INGEIAM COUNTY NOTES

217

Corporals-R. B. Godfrey, J. E. Sabin, W. W. Bowdish, L. A.
Holden, N. H. Wilkins, V. L. Northrup, H. S. Felt.
Privates-James Butler, S. B. Bement, W. H. Child, Jr., M. A.
Converse, C. D. Clough, W. W. Everts, H. N. Gunn, A. Gibbs,
A. J. Hill, A. N. Lombard, A. B. Laycock, F. Overholt, Geo.
Palmer, W. H. Palmer, C. B. Pelton, G. W. Perkins, D. B. Reynolds, A. Tennant, D. E. Walker, M. Walker, A. Wilson, L.
Bowdish, M. J. Chalker, O. C. Chapman, J. Gibbs, R. B. Huntington, I. D. Harlow, N. Irish, A. D. Palmer, Jehial Rayner, M. S.
Rice, F. Searle, C. Smith, R. P. Tryon, C. B.. Wheeler.
Several others who were members of the "Curtenius Guards"
enlisted and served in other regiments. Among the names found
are those of Chas. Rhodes, J. C. Freeland, B. F. Darling, Henry V.
Steele, Robert Hall, J. H. Sayers, with probably others.
Three members of the Curtenius Guards were given a lasting
memorial in Mason when two posts of the Grand Army of the
Republic were named for thein. The first post organized in the
city was given the name of Phil McKernan Post No. 53. This
was organized in the early eighties, and nearly a score of years
later a second post was formed and given the name of Steele Brothers', in honor of Amos E. and Henry V. Steele.
After the war the "Curtenius Guards" was never resurrected,
but the military zeal and patriotic spirit of the veterans, who had
returned to their homes, was so vigorous that a new militia company was formed, known as the "Mason Light Guard." This
was an independent organization which existed during the years
from 1869 to 1877, with only Civil War veterans in its ranks.
During the winter of 1877 the company lost all its arms and equipment in a fire which destroyed the armory.
Through the efforts of Hon. Stanley M. Turner, Representative
from this district, an act was passed allowing the Light Guards to
reorganize and enlist in the State service, and on May 15, 1877, it
became Co. K. of the First Michigan Regiment, Col. W. H.
Withington, of Jackson, in command. The company was mustered into service in June by Inspector General L. W. Heath, of
Grand Rapids, Lieut. John C. Squiers,of Mason, acting as mustering officer, in the company's headquarters on the third floor in
the rear of the Odd Fellows Hall. The names on the muster-in
roll have a familiar sound to many today (1920), so will give them: