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

REPORTS OF PIONEER HISTORICAL MEETINGS

21

"I was 21 days moving from Ohio to Ingham county. The last
night we stayed at old Mr. Hopkins' in Vevay. He gave us nothing but buckwheat straw for our oxen and horse, but it was the
best he had.
"When I came to Jefferson I owned the saw mill at that place.
The next summer I got so hard up that I had to get something to
eat; so I hauled two loads of lumber out to old Mr. Gray's on the
openings, then piled it all on one load and took it to Dexter, where
I sold it for $10. In payment I took ten yards of cotton cloth,
one broom, 25 pounds of codfish and one pound of tea. I went
home well satisfied after spending five days and some money.
"The first legislative session was held in Lansing in 1848, and
there was no way of getting to the Capitol except by team. The
roads were in such condition that it took four or five days to go to
Jackson and return. I carried four of the members from Lansing
to Jackson at the adjournment, and received $12. I paid out
$6.50 for expenses, and spent four and one-half days' time.
"The first justice of the peace in Lansing was Joab Page, and
the second was Alanson Ward. The first constable was John
Godley.
"The first hotel was kept by old Mr. Hunt, in a shanty made of
boards, near where the Mineral Springs House now stands. Gipson soon after got into a log house that he built opposite to the
present Lansing Iouse, and that was called Lansing House. Mr.
Hunt commenced to build the old Michigan Exchange on the
5th day of June, and on July Fourth he had an Independence ball
in the new house.
"The first school house built in Lansing occupied the ground
where the first ward school house now stands.
"The first meeting house in the city was made from an old
barn, and stood where Dr. Nebro's house now stands, and was
used by all denominations. The mechanics of Lower Town gave
some work on the house, and I gave $5 toward it in work. The
next meeting house was the Presbyterian church on Washington
Avenue. The first Methodist preacher located in Lansing was
Rev. Mr. Sapp, whose death occurred a short time ago. The first
Presbyterian preacher located in the city was Rev. Mr. Atterbury.
"The first wagon maker located in Lansing, I think, was my
old friend Wm. Dryer. I think the first doctor to locate in the