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

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

house stands. At this time the school became known as the
Barnes School, being built on the farm which John Barnes took up
from the government. Those living in the district at the present
time who attended their first term of school in this building are
Dell Barnes, George Disenroth, Theron Grinnell, Page Sanders,
John and Ed Edgar.
It was in this little red school house that the Baptist church was
organized on May 1, 1847, and was known as the First Baptist
Conference of Aurelius.
The present school house was built in 1871.
John Barnes, or Deacon Barnes, as all knew him, was the first
settler in this district. He came here from the State of New York
and located his farm in 1836, his family coming one year later.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes were the parents of eleven children.
Nine of them taught school. Although Deacon Barnes went to
his reward many years ago, the memory of his deeds of kindness
and the influence of his Christian character still lives. He was
always ready to minister to the sick and counsel and aid those in
need. It was Mr. Barnes who gave to the township the name of
Aurelius.
In 1836 Joshua Freeman took from the government the farm
now known as the Josiah Hadden farm.
Alexander Waggoner, father of J. D. Waggoner, took from the
government the farm now owned by George Disenroth, and his
brother, Henry Waggoner, also located on government land now
owned by Ed Freer and Carl Warner. After a few years he sold
his land and returned to New York. An incident relating to Henry
Waggoner is told, which always brings a smile to the faces of the
women. When he started back to his old home, his wife wanted
him to let her carry the money he had received from his farm, but
as usually is the case he thought he was as capable of looking after
it as she was. While they were at Niagara Falls he had his pockets
picked of all he had. Mrs. Waggoner happened to have enough
money in her purse to carry them to their destination, but history
omits the information as to whether she revenged herself by saying "I told you so" or not.
Joseph Robinson, father of Lafayette Robinson, had an ashery
across the road from the old log school house, where for many