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

29

"My father had purchased from George Howe, my mother's
brother, one hundred and sixty acres of land, mostly in the city
plat, with a log house on it, and the water privileges on twentyfive acres more, together with a saw mill run by the water of Mud
Creek. No one crossing the creek at this point would ever imagine
that it could have furnished power to run an upright saw through
whitewood logs four and five feet in diameter; but it did for many
months at a time, for five years that I remember. I have seen
large fish, pickerel, suckers and mullet speared in its waters.
"It has been stated in histories of the county that there were
thirteen log houses in the city, but there were not, besides the log
school house there were only four. Those must have been counted
that were from one to two miles away, in the Childs, Pierce,
Strickland and Main neighborhoods."
The second annual meeting of the Pioneers of Ingham County
was held at the court house on Tuesday, May 26, 1874. The day
was beautiful-as much so as could be desired. A clear sky,
gentle, cool breezes, with just that kind of sunshine that tempts
mankind out of doors. Such favorable circumstances, together
with the fact that the excellent program of exercises was well
advertised, could not fail to bring out a crowd of early settlers and
their friends to enjoy the recalling of memories of earlier days, in
the speeches, songs, remarks and essays served up on this occasion. The house was well filled at an early hour, and the meeting
throughout was by far the largest and most interesting of any held
by the society.
Previous to the formal opening of the meeting in the forenoon
about twenty-five persons handed in their names to the secretary
as desiring to be members.
The meeting was called to order by the president, Rev. E. K.
Grout, of Leslie, a pioneer minister.
A large choir of songsters. led by N. R. VanVranken, sang
"Easter Anthem," after which prayer was offered by Rev. G. W.
Barlow.
The minutes of the last meeting of the pioneers was then read
by the secretary, Peter Lowe, followed by singing of "Auld Lang
Syne" by the choir.
The names of pioneers who had died since the last annual meeting were read: James Hoffman, of Ingham; Mrs. Coe G. Jones, of