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

LANSING TOWNSHIP AND CITY, WITH HISTORY

563

Mr. Whiteley brought the largest span of horses that had ever
been in Lansing at that time and an immense Prairie Schooner
which he had brought from Virginia. When they arrived at
Main street east on Cedar street they did not dare to cross the
bridge at that point so came down to Michigan Avenue. Word
traveled fast in a new pioneer town and when they reached the
Michigan Avenue bridge nearly the whole town was there to welcome them, also to see the big horses and wagon.
John was in his early twenties when he arrived in Lansing, but
he already showed signs of his great business qualities. From his
father he learned the habits and methods of a business man.
Early in life he manifested prudence, economy and the strong
business characteristics which made him so successful in after
years.
Soon after their arrival his father purchased the land where the
Oakland Building now stands, also the present site of the post
office. These fine corner lots were bought for three hundred
dollars apiece. On the Oakland site he built a large double frame
house. It was called the twin house.
In 1857 John and his father leased some land midway between
Allegan street and Michigan Avenue on the east side of Washington Avenue and erected five wooden store buildings. John took
one of these buildings and embarked in the grocery business, one
was leased to Peter Smith for a bakery and restaurant, another to
Mr. Haynes for a jewelry store, one to his sister as a millinery
store, and Mr. William Whiteley carried on a boot and shoe
business in the other. These stores with nearly all their contents
were burned down in April, 1862, with but very little insurance.
The old Torrant hand engine did valiant work in saving Capitol
Hall, just north, and other property in the vicinity.
The following names of men and women are a partial list of
Mr. Whiteley's business associates in those early pioneer days:
Mr. Viele, of the noted old book store, corner of Michigan and
Washington avenues; Mr. Elliott, of the checkered store; Mr.
Hitchcock, who had a jewelry store; Mr. Truesdale had a small
wooden store where the Capitol National Bank now stands; next
north was Nichols and Hinckley, grocers; Thomas Westcott, merchant tailor; Merrifield and Weller, dry goods; then four one-story
wooden buildings occupied by Coryell and Jensen, dry goods;