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

274

PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

the essentials of mankind became greater. Churches and schools
were their only social functions. It was then that the first school
house was erected, being constructed out of an old log house. It
was situated across the road from the old Douglas settlement, and
was named after the same. Nathan Weston now owns the Douglas place.
The first teacher to bring forth educational knowledge to the
district was Myrtle Blake (now Mrs. Frank Hillard).
After a few years of successful teaching the school house burned
and a new one was built, which is still at the Douglas Corners.
THE COUNTY FARM WHEN IT WAS IN ALAIEDON.
MRS. WILLIS BUTLER.
January 7, 1838, and June 6, 1839, Horace Havens and Richard
Rayner bought from the United States government the tract of
land described as E 12 of NW 1 of section 21, T 3 N, R 1 W, now
known as the W. J. Walker farm.
On January 9, 1844, this land was deeded to the Superintendents
of the Poor of Ingham county, and their successors in office. The
superintendents at the time of this transfer were Peter Linderman, Geo. Matthews and Caleb Carr.
As this was not thought by the Board of Supervisors to be the
proper procedure, the land was transferred in 1877 by the Superintendents of the Poor to the county of Ingham.
Feb. 9, 1878, the county of Ingham deeded to O. J. Lewis the
old county farm site and secured his farm in Meridian township,
which is the present location of the county home.
During John Bradman's period as keeper the county house
burned, six persons being burned, four incompetents and two who
were insane. It was thought to have caught fire from the smoking
of some of the crazy women kept there.
The building was immediately rebuilt.
The county farm was located in Alaiedon township thirty-four
years. After it was taken into Meridian township most of
the buildings were moved to near-by farms.
To S. Lee Cook, the last keeper in Alaiedon township, fell the