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

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PIONEER HISTORY OF' NGHAM COUNTY

minister, and he too served his country, as a chaplain, doing
many acts of mercy for the suffering soldiers while at the front.
He died on board ship at Cincinnati, while on his way home after
the war closed.
Susan Miller married John Tyler, who also saw service in the
Civil War.
Some years after the death of Mr. Bowdish his widow married
0. B. Stillman, of Alaiedon, one of the most influential and best
known farmers of that section. He was for many years supervisor of that township, and always lived on the farm which his
father bought from the government in 1836. His son, Roy Stillman, has in his possession the deed drawn on parchment and
signed by President Andrew Jackson. Henry, a brother of O. B.
Stillman, was an editor and saw service in the Mexican War,
only living two days after receiving his discharge.
MASON FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Written by MRS. HARRIET W. CASTERLIN, June 21, 1922.
It was fifty years ago, in the pleasant month of May, that a
child was born in this, then, small village of Mason; born from
the hearts and heads of those who not only could look backward,
but with prophetic vision could look forward, and see that the
coming generations should not be deprived of first hand knowledge
as to how their ancestors conquered the wilderness and made an
abiding place for their descendents, with all the benefits they
desired them to have.
The child born that May day fifty years ago was christened
"The Ingham County Pioneer Society;" later, as often happens
in the best regulated families, they decided to change its name
and that it should henceforth be known as the Ingham County
Pioneer and Historical Society, so setting forth more plainly its
reason for being.
In 1877 we celebrated its coming of age with all the ceremonies
proper for the occasion, and today we celebrate the second great
milestone in its life, its fiftieth birthday.
In common with other children its development has not always