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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P)IONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

rule over all metals. Even gold and silver are only used to a
limited extent.
"Now, considering that iron is the metal largely used in our
manufacturing, can we not go back and trace the beginning of
its manufacture here, or find the pioneer foundry? I will have to
go back to my childhood days and give the public a bit of family
history.
"Come with me to North Lansing, cross the bridge and turn
down the alley between the postoffice and Morse's jewelry store,
and a few steps will bring you to a foundry-Standard Castings
Company-in full blast.
"According to the records, the site of this foundry was granted
by the United States to Fred Bushnell in 1836. Bushnell went to
Louisiana, where he died, and his heirs in that state deeded the
property to James Seymour, of Rochester, N. Y., who in turn sold
it to J. W. Burchard, who was drowned in Grand river at North
Lansing in 1845-46. I have heard my father say that he was the
first man that was drowned at Lansing, and relate how the accident happened near the dam.
"James Turner was appointed administrator of Burchard's
estate, and the property was re-deeded to James Seymour Nov. 1,
1848, and the deed was recorded on March 10, 1850. Between
these dates the framework of the mill was built and the foundry
started. We can say that it was built 70 years ago, and with one
or two exceptions when shut down for repairs this foundry has
been in operation since that time. It would be interesting to
know how many thousand tons of iron the old foundry has melted,
and it would be fully as interesting to know how many workmen
have earned their daily bread within its grimy walls. In its early
days it did a general jobbing business, made plows, agricultural
and similar implements. Some of the old castings found in the
homes and other buildings in the city were made there. At
M. A. C. the old College Hall-wrecked a year ago-had a water
table of the foundry's cast iron that protected the exposed layers
of brick near the ground. This was cast in this foundry, and my
father laid it on the college wall.
"Mr. Cady, father of William Cady, of North Lansing, was one
of the workmen that worked a long time in this foundty, and when
my father and his brothers, George and James, built the 'Turner