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

693

of New York City in the early '40's. This company sought to
dispose of its holdings to New York speculators and homeseekers,
thus, while some homesteads passed through several hands before
being settled upon permanently, we readily see why this portion
of the township was settled by New Yorkers.
The many changes were due largely to the cheapness of the
land-40 acres on one instance being traded for a quantity of
spelling books, 80 acres for a pony, etc. Among those whose patient industry and influence had much to do with the moulding
of our commonwealth were the Newmans, Butts, Walkers, Lyons,
Champes, Bucklands, Hunts, Carpenters, Annis's, Dwights,
James, Baldwins and others. I have been unable to gain access
to abstracts other than our own, but find that Grandfather Adney
Hunt purchased our present home, Chester A. Hunt's, from this
New York company in 1845, and it has ever remained in the
family.
These were brave, thrifty, progressive people, to whom we are
greatly indebted for this desirable community in which we live.
This being a dense forest at the time of its settlement the parent
industry was lumbering, which was carried on, not for the products,
however, but for the sole purpose of clearing the land. It was,
therefore, a most common sight to see immense piles of logs burning day and night.
Some would condemn our ancestors for this seeming malicious
destruction of the forest, but there was slight demand for forest
products and a pressing demand for the products of agriculture.
Remembering that the first wheat crops sold for 50 cents per
bushel, delivered in Jackson, one-half the price of which had to be
taken in trade, our theory of price regulation through supply and
demand seemed to be a fallacy, but money was scarce.
While engaged in preparing their lands for cultivation, the
settlers were obliged to find some means of subsistence, and many
turned their attention to the cooper's trade. Among those who
worked at this extensively was Grandfather Hunt, who owned
the first stave machine, and who with his neighbors marketed
their productions in Michigan Center at 25 cents per barrel.
Two weary days were required to make this journey, with ox
teams, over the old Indian trail, later known as the Plank Road.
Some time in the '50's five or six men formed a company to