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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company and incorporated the "Onondaga Cheese Co., "managed
by M. MI. Moore.
The Farmers' State Bank was incorporated and opened for
business May 1, 1918, with Walter E. Goold president, M. J.
Baldwin, vice-president, and A. Rosenbrook, cashier.
The first garage was built by Henry Shamp, who came from
West Unity, Ohio, in 1915. There are now two of these in the
village.
In 1897 there were two apple evaporators and building where
beans were hand-picked. Those are things of the past.
Garrett Van Riper was the only man in the early days who made
any pretentions toward fruit growing along scientific lines. He set,
grafted and pruned trees with great success. He owned the farm
now the property of Jasper Baldwin, and over fifty years ago set
the orchard which is still bearing.
The first hardware and tin shop was built by the Sanford brothers, George and Albert. Albert Sanford built the house now owned
by the Ladies' Aid Society and used as a parsonage. George Sanford married Martha Champe, granddaughter of Nathaniel
Champe (whose history is given in the chapter concerning Military Prowess in Ingham County).
When there came the call for help in the World War Onondaga
filled her quota on time at every time, whether it was for money,
buying bonds or giving the best of her young men. Their service
flag contained 22 stars.
Two from the Onondaga school were promoted: Erwin Rhines,
310th Engineers, was made sergeant at Camp Custer; Truman
Sanford, 119th Artillery, was promoted to corporal while overseas. All Onondaga boys returned practically sound, physically
and morally. Nearly all have since married and not yet a whisper of a divorce.
When the war was an assured fact some of the Y. M. C. A.
men of the county, headed by Hon. A. R. Hardy, started from
Lansing to sell Liberty Bonds and organize Red Cross societies.
They stopped at Leslie, were joined by Rev. Gordon Speer, then
proceeded to Onondaga. They went to the home of Mrs. M. C.
Baldwin, clerk of the Congregational church, where they were
sent to get help, because "those people never turned down a
good thing."