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

VEVAY TOWNSHIP' AND ITS HISTORY

785

been symmetrical. Some years there has not seemed to be much
growth, then again there would come years when it would make
great progress, and these last few years have marked the fulfilment
of many of the hopes and ambitions of these who have stood
sponsors for its career.
Unfortunately the early records of the society have been lost,
so we have not a list of the charter members, but we do know that
the society was organized two years before the State Historical
Society and that it is one of the oldest of its class in the state,
and we do know the names of the presidents who have presided
over its activities. Dr. Minos McRobert was the first president,
and we who knew him can visualize the great big man with his
kindly face under its thatch of snow white hair, and fringe of
white whiskers under his chin, and the tiny woman, his wife, descended from the New England Abbotts, who presided with so
much grace over his home, and whom we all greatly admired.
The next in the long list was: Rev. E. K. Grout, of Leslie; J. M.
Willims illiailliamston; A. M. Chapin, Vevay; W. A. Dryer, Lansing; W. II. Clark, Mason; Samuel Skadan, Ingham; Hon. F. S.
Fitch, Bunkerhill; Thad. Densmore, Mason; W.hitney Jones,
Mason; Perry Henderson, Mason; Hon. D. L. Case, Lansing;
John A. Barnes. Mason; Capt. J. R. Price, Lansing; J. J. Tuttle,
Leslie; Dr. R. -I. Davis, Mason; Lawrence Meech, Mason; Col.
L. H. Ives, Mason; Rev. E. HI. Brockway, Mason; Robt. Hayward, Onondaga; John N. Bush, Lansing; HIon. L. T. Heinans,
Mason; R. J. Bullen, Aurelius, twenty-two in all.
Some of these have served more thlan one term and Mr. Ives
easily heads the list with a record of fifteen years in service in
the presidential chair.
Of the secretaries who have kept record of the proceedings,
Peter Lowe was first, and Mrs. Stillman and Mrs. Adams are tied
for first place in continuous service, each having filled the office
eight years. But away far in advance of all the rest is our most
faitlful treasurer, W. M. Webb, who for twenty-nine years has
administered the financial affairs of the organization, with never
a deficit or a scandal to mark a perfect record, and who stands
ready still to advance in every way the interests of the society
with voice, and pen, and purse.
Mason fifty years ago! What was it, and who lived and la