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

ONONDAGA TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

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built a large addition to it and run the hotel for years. At present it is owned by Robert R. Sweeney.
The Sherman House was built in 1856 by John Sherman, and
is still owned by his son, Carl Sherman.
The first church built in the village was organized by the State
superintendent of mission Churches, in 1877. with W. B. Williams,
of Charlotte, as organizer. It was called the First Congregational
Church of Onondaga. About 1907 it was remodeled and a basement built.
The Baptist church was moved from Winfield and rebuilt in
1905.
The first church in the township was at Winfield, an M. E.
church built in 1869.
On the site of the old school house a fine brick building was
erected in 1901, where now ten grades are taught.
The fraternal orders of the town are as follows: Lodge No. 197,
F. & A. M.
The first Worshipful Master was Garrett VanRiper. The
lodge held its first meeting on January 19, 1867. The present
Worshipful Master is Warren Byrum; an O. E. S. Chapter was
organized in 1908, first Worthy Matron, Ella Woodard, the one
serving now, Mabel Tanner, and the membership is 100.
Onondaga Lodge, No. 150, I. O. O. F., was instituted February
21, 1871, with Henry S. Willis as Noble Grand; there is also a
Rebekah Lodge and Degree of Honor, its present Chief of Honor is
Clara Champe.
The present population is 800, with about 150 children of school
age in the township.
"The Knowledge Seekers Club," a ladies' literary club, was organized in 1898, and federated in 1901. Its membership is 30,
with Miss Carrie Baldwin the present president.
Some of the prominent men of Ingham county were born in
Onondaga Township: Lawton T. Hemans, came with his parents,
John and Frances Hemans, when they settled on a large farm there
in 1875.
Hon. Job T. Campbell was born in Onondaga in 1855, and
died at Mason April 13, 1899. His parents came from Buffalo,
N. Y., and located in Onondaga in 1850. For many years his
father, Marshall Campbell, was a prominent citizen, holding