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

AURELIUS TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

317

Treasurer, four justices of the peace, three highway commissioners,
three school commissioners, three fence viewers, four constables
and a poundmaster, twenty-one offices to be divided among thirteen voters. Each could have a political plum, and then some.
The ballot box on that occasion was a cigar box and it is said to
be in the hands of the Hayward's yet. At this time the nominating was done at the same time and place as the election, and at
this meeting the very best men in the township were put in nomination.
For eight years men in Aurelius were nominated for official
positions without regard to party, then it was Democrat and
Whig. The spring elections were held at various residences
throughout the township for twenty-five years, since then they
have been held at Aurelius Center.
Of those first voters there are still in the township three generations of the Barnes', four of the Webbs', three of the Bullens,'
three of the Ishams' and some descendents of others.
Sometimes, perhaps, someone will wonder what were the duties
of a poundmaster, as a township officer? In an early day all stock
owned by the first settlers ran as they pleased through the forests,
feeding wherever they could find pasture; sometimes they would
mingle with other herds and stray away. Anyone finding such a
stray with his cattle was expected to take it to the poundmaster,
where it was kept in pound until the owner was located.
This was not very difficult as most of the settlers had their
individual ear-mark on their stock, which was on record in the
clerk's office. In many clips, slits, notches and holes, nearly
twenty marks could be placed upon one ear and a like number on
the other. When stray was found the record was consulted, and
the owner located. Then someone would grab a gun, go on a
hunt, and while on the way carry tidings to the owner. Very
seldom was there a fee asked, for everyone felt an interest in
every other one, and would go far out of his way to do a neighborly act. There was very much of the Samaritan spirit prevailing among the settlers in the early days.