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

MERIDIAN TOWNSHIIP AND ITS HISTORY

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house on section three, southwest of Pine Lake, which at that time
was timbered on the north by yellow pine; fringed on the east by
red cedar, while its other surroundings were distinguished by
majestic oaks.
Pine Lake is about three miles in circumference. Its clear
waters are well stocked with various kinds of fish found in other
inland lakes of the state. This spring ten thousand white fish
have been introduced. Its banks were long the red man's favorite
abode, while sepulchral mounds antedating his knowledge and
overgrown by primeval forests bring conviction of a race unknown, who felt the charm that lures to shady groves at noontide
heat, and a camp by the side of waters teeming with fish. To
those early dwellers it was the gate which opened on Elysian fields.
It is now a place much frequented by parties in pursuit of pleasure.
In 1837 the lands were sold to Pearly Davis, who harvested the
first wheat, and in 1838 built the first frame barn. This year
Chauncey Davis, Daniel Matthews, George Matthews, Lyman
Bayard, Samuel Moe, Ira Harkins and families arrived, settling
in the northeast part of the town. In 1839 Sanford Marsh located
on section 21, on the south bank of the Cedar river, a durable
stream entering the town on the northeast quarter of section 25,
passing out on section 18, in its course furnishing several valuable
water powers.
In December, 1839, J. H. Kilbourne built the first house in
what is now the village of Okemos, where he was joined by his
brother-in-law, Freeman Bray, the following January. Soon
after a post office was established with J. H. Kilbourne, postmaster.
The mail bag was carried on horseback from Howell to Grand
Rapids. At this time travelers followed an Indian trail from
Howell to Portland, a distance of fifty miles. The Grand river
turnpike was not yet opened west of Howell, the solitude being
broken by only one family residing in town four north, range two
east. From Sanford to Delta, Eaton county, there was but one
family.
In 1841 Freeman Bray laid out the present village of Okemos.
In 1842 he built the first saw mill. This town is well timbered;
north of the Red Cedar it is mostly oak, while on the south is
beech and maple. The soil is unsurpassed in fertility, and well
watered by brooks and springs. The Lansing and Howell plank
road, which is now graveled, was built upon the Grand river