USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 32
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 32
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On the 1st of April, 1848, an act was approved making provisions for the benefit of schools, streets, bridges, churches, asylums, and cemeteries in the town of Michigan. See- tion 4, relating to roads and bridges, reads as follows :
" In order to make the necessary provisions for the improvement of streets and sidewalks apon the grounds designated in the second section of this act,# and the school lands within said town of Michi- gan, and to provide for the erection of a bridge across Grand River at the foot of Michigan Avenue, and to lay out a road from the east end of Michigan Avenue, in an easterly direction, until it shall inter- sect the Grand River road ;; and also to improve the said avenne and road from the said bridge to the Grand River road, 5000 acres of internal improvement lands are hereby appropriated."
CITY CHARTER.
Unlike most settlements and villages Lansing did not pass through the intermediate or village existenee, or, in other words, it never had a village charter. From the date of the first settlement within what are now the city limits, it formed a part of the township, and all public business was transacted by the regular township officers, until, like the Grecian goddess, it
" Sprang forth a Pallas, armed and undefiled,"
leaping at once from the primitive township to the full- fledged eity.
It was chartered as " The City of Lansing" by an act of Feb. 15, 1859. The limits named in the original charter were the same as now, and included seven and one-half square miles, or 4800 square acres. It was originally divided into three wards, the interior dividing-lines being Saginaw and Washtenaw Streets.
The charter has been amended and revised at various
* Referring to the blocks reserved by the State on section 16, amounting to about thirty neros altogether.
+ This road intersoets the Grand River road near tho east line of the towaship, on tho Agricultural College farmn.
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CITY OF LANSING.
periods since : in 1861, March 13, when the number of wards was increased to four, and changes were made in the manner of electing certain officers; by act of March 14, 1863, by which the city was consolidated into a single school district ; revised by act of March 17, 1865; revised charter amended Feb. 21, 1867 ; amended March 22, 1871, when the number of wards was increased to five; amended April 30, 1873; amended March 24, 1874, when the num- ber of wards was increased to six, the present number; amended March 26, 1877, April 20, 1877, and May 24, 1879.
CITY OFFICERS.
The following list of the principal city officers was taken from the records in the city clerk's office, and is as coni- plete as it could be made. The record is at times incom- plete and somewhat indefinite, more particularly in its earlier portions. There is no record of the first charter election, and for several years the number of votes polled is not given.1 The first volume, of which there are six, opens with the first regular meeting of the council after the elec- tion in the spring of 1859.
1859 .- Mayor, Hiram II. Smith ; Clerks, J. G. Ramsdell,2 George A. Armstrong ; Recorder, Ephraim Longyear ; Aldermen, Allen R. Burr,3 Mathew Elder, William II. Ilaze, James I. Mead,4 John A. Kerr, S. D. Newbro, William II. Pinckney; Andi- tor, James Turner; Surveyor, Thomas J. Brown; City Physician, J. B. Ilall; City Attorney, John W. Longyear ; Marshal, James P. Baker,5 IIorace Angell.
1860 .- Mayor, John A. Kerr; Clerks, George A. Armstrong, James G. Stafford; Recorder, Ephraim Longyear; Treasurer, Frank F. Russell ; Alderinca, Charles Thayer, James 1. Mead, William H. Pinckney, John J. Whitman ;6 Anditor, H. B. Ames; Marshal, James J. Baker ; Attorney, G. I. Parsons.
1861 .- Mayor, William II. Chapman ; Clerk, Theodore Foster ; Re- corder, Rollin C. Dart; Treasurer, Rodney R. Gibson ; Aldermen, Eugene P. Newton, Frederick M. Cowles,7 John A. Kerr,8 William Woodhouse,9 Horatio A. Barker, John N. Bush; Attorney, George I. Parsons; Auditor, J. W. Barker.
1862 .- Mayor, William II. Chapman; Clerk, Joseph E. Warner ; Re- eorder, Edmond D. W. Burch ; Treasurer, R. R. Gibson ; Aldermen, James I. Mead, Daniel W. Buek,9 George K. Grove, Solomon W. Wright ; Justices of the Peace, Rollin C. Dart, Franklin La Rue; Attoruey, George I. Parsons ; Auditor, Joseph W. Barker ; Marshal, Horace Angell.
1863 .- Mayor, Ira H. Bartholomew ; Clerk, James B. Ten Eyek ; Re- corder, Orange Butler ; Treasurer, R. R. Gibson ; Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, William H. Chapman, James Johns;10 Jus- tiees, Solomon D. Newbro, Rollin C. Dart ;11 Marshal, James P. Baker ; Attorney, Delos C. Wiley.12
1864 .- Mayor, Ira H. Bartholomew; clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Re-
corder, E. D. W. Burch; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Alder- men, Silas N. Williams, John W. Edmoods, Adolphas W. Williams, Rollin C. Dart, Solomon W. Wright; Marshal, II. 11. Danks; Auditor, O. A. Jenisou; Attorney, D. C. Wiley ; Physician, J. B. Hall.13
1865 .- Mayor, Ira H. Bartholomew; Clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Re- corder, William H. Pinekney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis ; Aldermen, Alvin N. Ilart, John W. Edmonds, Jeremiah Van Keuren, Edwin Hf. Whitney ; Marshal, J. P. Baker ; Auditor, O. A. Jenison ; Assessor, William II. Pinekney.
1866 .- Mayor, William H. IIaze; Clerk, Albert E. Cowles; Recorder, J. E. Tenney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis ; Aldermen, Silas N. Williams, Nelson B. Jones, Carmi C. Olds, Benjamin Vau Aken; Justices, IIenry B. Carpenter ;14 Assessor, D. M. Bagley ;15 Attorney, H. P. Atwood; Marshal, J. P. Baker; Auditor, C. Tracy.
1867 .- Mayor, George W. Peck ; Clerk, George G. Lapham ; Recorder, J. Eugene Tenney ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis ; Aldermen, Curtis T. Cady, E. W. Dart, Eli IT. Davis, Joseph B. ITall; Justices, Charles Camphell, Ilenry B. Carpenter; Marshal, Benjamin I. Williams; Attorney, Samuel L. Kilbourne; Auditor, S. W. Wright; Surveyor, E. F. Bird ; Physician, Tra II. Bartholomew. 16
1868 .- Mayor, Cyrus Hewitt ; Clerk, George G. Lapham; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Recorder, J. E. Tenney ; Aldermen, Al- vin N. Hart, E. F. Bird, H. D. Pagh, A. C. Adams; Mar- shal, D. R. Rothrock; Attorney, A. E. Cowles; Auditor, M. A. llewitt; Assessor,17 M. D. Oshand ; Justices, W. S. Humphrey, appointed December 28th in place of H. B. Car- penter, resigned.
1869 .- Mayor, Cyrus Hewitt; Clerk, Dougal Mckenzie; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Alderman, Rudolph Kern, First Ward; Justice, George G. Lapham ;18 Marshal, D. R. Rothroek ; Attorney, A. E. Cowles; Auditor, M. A. Hewitt.
1870 .- Mayor, Solomon W. Wright; Clerk, Dougal Mckenzie; Treas- urer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, A. R. Thayer, H. D. Pagh, Daniel L. Case; Justice, Shabael R. Greene; Marshal, C. A. Shafer; Attorney, A. E. Cowles ; Auditor, M. A. Ilewitt; Physician, Tra 11. Bartholomew.
1871 .- Mayor, John Robson; Clerk, Engene B. Wood; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Spencer II. Beecher, Alexan- der Blair, Dorman K. Faller, James R. Dart, Sylvester G. Seofield,19 Charles II. Shepard ;19 Justices, Charles Campbell, Shubael R. Greene; Marshal, Lee C. Hutchinson ; Attorney, R. C. Dart ; Auditor, S. R. Greene; Assessor,20 George G. Lapham.
1872 .- Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Eugene B. Wood ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Alvin N. Hart, Cassius P. Ten Eyek,21 Eben W. Dart, John T. Page, Edwin H. Whitney, Nelson B. Jones; Marshal, Lee C. IIntchinson ; 22 Attorney, Rollin C. Dart; Auditor, S. R. Greene.
1873 .- Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Seymour Foster ; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, Amos Turner, John Robson, Martin Iludson, Joseph W. Barker, James Johns; Marshal, Jacob Foltz, 23 N. R. Potter, 21 James H. Baker ; 25 Attorney, S. L. Kilbourne; Auditor, George II. Cole.
1874 .- Mayor Daniel W. Back ; Clerk, Seymour Foster; Treasurer, Lewis C. Loomis; Aldermen, A. N. Hart,26 II. H. Larned, L. B. Potter, Orrin P. Traey, Alfred Wise, John A. Carr ; 27
1 The minutes of the first charter election are in the township record. The whole number of votes cast for mayor was 657, indi- cating a population of 3000.
2 Resigned, and George A. Armstrong appointed in his place.
3 Resigned in 1861.
+ Appointed in the place of William H. Haze, resigned.
6 Resigned, and Horace Angell appointed.
6 Resigned before expiration of term.
" Resigued in December, 1862. 8 To fill vacancy.
9 Resigned before term expired.
10 Aldermen elected, one in each ward for one year, and one for two years, at first, and one each year thereafter.
11 Dart resigned Aug. 22, 1865, and W. II. Pinckney appointed to fill vacancy.
12 No additional appointments for 1863 shown on record.
13 Resigned in May, 1867. 14 Resigned December, 1868.
15 Resigned, and M. D. Oshand appointed.
16 Appointed in place of Dr. HIall, resigned.
17 Elected for three years.
18 These five names are all the record shows were elected in 1869.
19 These two were elected in the new Fifth Ward, one for one year and the other for two years.
20 For three years.
21 Mr. Ten Eyek was elected at a special election Dec. 9, 1872, to fill vacancy occasioned by resignation of S. H. Buck in First Ward. 22 Resigned. 23 Elected to fill vacancy.
24 Elected at regular meeting and resigned.
25 Appointed to fill vacancy.
26 Died August, 1874. 27 Elected to fill vacancy.
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HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Justice, L. K. Ilewitt ;1 Marshal, Horaco Aogell ; Attorney, S. S. Olds; Auditor, HI. W. Walker; Assessor, George G. Lapham.2
1875 .- Mayor, Daniel W. Buck ; Clerk, Frank M. Howe; Treasurer, L. C. Loomis,3 Thomas W. Hibbard ;+ Aldermen, Arthur N. Hart, Jobo Robson, Smith Daniels, Frederick M. Cowles, James A. Metlin, Daniel Edwards,5 Thomas W. Westcott ;5 Justices, Charles Campbell,6 Stephen E. Longyear,7 Au- gustus F. Weller; Marshal, Smith Tooker; Attorney, Wm. HI. Pinckney ; Auditor, G. II. Cole; Assessor, William H, Ilaze.
1876 .- Mayor, John S. Tooker; Clerk, Frank M. Howe ; Treasurer, Seymour Foster; Aldermen, John A. Carr, John Mckinley, John S. Harris, Myron B. Carpenter, Alfred Wise, Daniel Edwards; Justice, J. S. Butterfield ;8 Marshal, D. D. White; Auditor, G. II. Cole; Attorney, R. A. Montgomery ; Asses- sor, Charles W. Butler,9 Frank I. Moore.10
1877 .- Mayor, Orlando M. Barnes; Clerk, John F. Rouse ; Treas- urer, Seymour Foster ; Aldermen, A. N. Hart, William Van Bnren, Smith Daniels, Erastus A. Tillotson, Nelsoa B. Jones, Thomas W. Westcutt ; Justice, George F. Gillam ; Marshal, A. O. Simons ; Attorney, Edward C. Chapin ; Anditur, Wm. G. Patterson ; Assessor, Frank I. Moore,Il
1878 .- Mayor, Joseph E. Warner; Clerk, J. F. Rouse; Treasurer, Eugene Angell; Aldermen, James W. Ilinchey, Frederick Theman, John C. Adams, Myron B. Carpenter, Thomas J. Charlesworth, Daniel Edwards; Marshal, Henry D. War- ner; Attorney, R. A. Montgomery ; Auditor, George II. Cole.
1879 .- Mayor, William Van Buren ; Clerk, Charles D. Cowles; Treas- urer, Engene Angell; Aldermen, Oscar F. Camp,12 William C. ITawes, D. K. Fuller, Sylvester M. Miller, Horace Lap- ham, S. II. Rowe; Justices, Oscar A. Clark, Clareace W. Ruot, George F. Gillam ; Marshal, John T. Page; Attorney, II. B. Carpenter ; Auditur, Herman Wehner; Assessor, Frank I. Moore; Surveyor, Manly Miles.
1880 .- Mayor, William Van Buren; Clerk, Charles D. Cowles; Treas- urer, Eugene B. Wood ; Aldermen : First Ward, James W. Ilinchey, Edward N. White; Second Ward, Ulysses D. Ward, W. C. Hawes; Third Ward, D. K. Fuller, J. HI. Moores; Fourth Ward, S. M. Miller, Eugene Angell; Fifth Ward, Horace Lapham, Alfred Wise; Sixth Ward, S. H. Howe, R. J. Shaak ; President, pro tem., Samuel H. Rowe; Assessor, Frank I. Moore; Marshal, John T. Page; Attor- ney, Edward C. Chapia; City Auditor, Herman Wehner; Street Inspector, John T. Page; City Sexton, William II. Hunter; Chief Engineer, J. W. Edmonds; Assistant Engi- neer, W. P. Carmer; City Physician, Dr. J. H. Wellings; Surveyor, II. D. Bartholomew ; City Auctioncer, S. II. Pen- nington ; Ponnd-Master, Gilbert Fowler; Scavenger, Charles McKrill; Cemetery Trustees : John S. Tuoker, three years ; William Reid, two years; James Johns, one year ; Sewer Commissioners : E. II. Davis, three years; John Robson, two years ; M. B. Carpenter, one year ; Fire Wardens, T. R. Cushing, Calvin Tracy; Night Watchmen, Charles II. Ilolmes, D. R. Taft ; Justices of the Peace : First and Fourth Wards, O. A. Clark; Second and Third Wards, George F. Gillam ; Fifth and Sixth Wards, C. W. Ruot ; Ward Con- stahles : First Ward, Stephen Rogers; Second Ward, L. C. Ilutchinson ; Third Ward, Henry Firth; Fourth Ward, Charles Clark; Fifth Ward, John Broad; Sixth Ward, Geurge B. Sutton.
1 Elceted at special elections for Second, Third, and Fifth Wards.
" Elected for three years.
3 Died December, 1875.
4 Hibbard elected by the council to fill vacancy.
5 Edwards and Westcott elected in the new Sixth Ward.
& Campbell died in June, 1877.
7 Longyear died in February, 1877.
" Elected at special election to fill vacancy.
9 Appointed March 12, 1877, in place of Campbell, deceased.
10 Regularly appointed by council after aanual election.
11 Appointed Dec. 3, 1877, for two years.
12 Resigned March 22, 1880.
MANUFACTURES.
The manufactures of Lansing, though at first hardly ap- parent to a stranger, are nevertheless important and numer- ous. For a young city, but yesterday a forest, in the centre of a wilderness region, and almost unapproachable, the showing is remarkable. Like every other important place in the country, it has had its seasons of prosperity and ad- versity. Floods have swept away its improvements ; fires have consumed its capital and almost paralyzed its energies, and extravagant expectations have often been disappointed ; but, on the whole, the manufacturing interests have grad- ually and surely developed, until, at the present time, we find there is an investment of not less than half a million dollars in important branches of manufacture, and there are single establishments that rank with those of much older and more densely settled communities.
We herewith present a brief history of the more im- portant branches of mannfacture that have flourished in the past or are to-day in successful operation. The state- ments of facts and figures are given by the parties.
WATER-POWER.
The water-power at North Lansing is furnished by a dam of about seven feet elevation, and the head at the various mills and factories is probably from seven to nine feet. The total amount of power is estimated to be equal to the running of twenty runs of ordinary mill-stone. It is divided into twenty shares, and the dam and canal are kept in repair by the various mill-owners, who are assessed in proportion to the number of shares owned. Three shares of the power, to be drawn on the west side of the river, are owned by ex Governor Horatio Seymour, of Utica, N. Y. The remaining shares are owned by parties doing business on the east side. The Seymour power is not at present in use. The flouring-mills supplement the water-power when too high or too low by steam-power. When the water is very high the back-water clogs the wheels, and there have been occasions when the water was drawn off for the pur- pose of repairing the dam. It is in ordinary stages an ex- cellent power. There are also one or two unimproved powers within the city limits.
SAW-MILLS.
The earliest saw-mill in Lansing was built for James Sey- mour, by Joab Page and his sons-in-law, in the year 1844. It stood on the spot now occupied by the saw-mill of S. G. Scofield. Col. John W. Burchard had purchased land and water-power of Mr. Seymour in 1841, and erected a dam across Grand River, where the present one stands, in 1843. The property was not paid for, and upon the death of Col. Burchard, by drowning, in the spring of 1844, it fell back into Mr. Seymour's hands, and he proceeded to build a saw-mill and make other improvements.
This original mill was in use for a number of years. In 1848-49 a larger one was built by Mr. Seymour, and known as a " double mill,"-that is, having two upright saws and two sets of gearing. In 1862, Messrs. Parmelee and Ellis tore away the old original mill and erected a new one. The double mill was still standing at that time, but in a dilapi- dated condition.
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CITY OF LANSING.
In 1865, Smith Tooker became the owner of the old frame, took it down, removed it to the west side of the river, rebuilt it, and, leasing water-power of Horatio Sey- mour, operated it for about ten years, when the business was abandoned. The old frame is still standing. A steam saw-mill of small dimensions, containing one upright saw, was erected on the east side of Grand River, between Michi- gan Avenne and Main Street, in 1847, by a man named Quackenbush. Ile did not remain long in the place.
Mr. S. G. Scofield came from Genesee Co., N. Y., to Michigan in 1854, and settled on a farm in Lansing town- ship, from whence he removed to the village of Lansing in the fall of 1863, and purchased the Parmelee & Ellis saw- mill. He operated it until 1866, when it was burned. He immediately rebuilt the mill, adding thereto a chair- factory, and continued business until September, 1877, when the establishment was a second time destroyed by fire. At that time he was doing a good business and shipping material to Massachusetts.
The works were rebuilt the same fall, and commenced running on the first of January, 1878. His present busi- ness consists in the manufacture of hard-wood lumber, broom-handles, and felloes. In the latter article Mr. Sco- field is doing a profitable business. The mills give employ- ment to abont six regular hands.
In 1865 the dam was so badly injured by high water that it required several months to make the necessary repairs, during which there was a stoppage of business to a con- siderable extent. At that time Mr. Scofield erected a saw-mill, which he operated by steam about two years, when it was taken down and removed to the northern pineries.
FLOUR- AND GRIST-MILLS.
The carliest grist-mill erected in Lansing was one built by A. N. Hart, E. B. Danforth, and H. H. Smith, on the ground now occupied by Hart's Mills, in 1848. It was a primitive affair, containing three or four runs of stone, probably made from bowlders. Judge Danforth bought out the other partners and operated it for several years in his own name. Subsequently it became the property of B. E. Ilart, a son of A. N. Hart. It was burned in the fire of 1866, and rebuilt on an extensive scale, soon after, by B. E. Hart, who put in ten runs of stone and added a plaster- mill. An extensive business was done until the great fire of 1877 again totally destroyed it. It was a second time rebuilt, in 1878, by Arthur N. Hart, another son of A. N. Hart, on a smaller seale, but in a very substantial and com- plete manner. It is a frame structure, three stories and basement, and covered with sheet-iron. It is operated ex- clusively as a merchant-mill, and has a capacity of 200 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, with five runs of stone. The products are all marketed in New England. It is the only mill in the eity running exclusively on merchant work.
Pearl Mills-A. Longenbacher .- The original mill erected on the site of the Pearl Mills was built by Chester Moseley, about 1855. It was a brick, two-story structure, and contained two runs of stone. Mr. Moseley died, and his son Henry operated the mill for a time and sold it to C. Rouser. It subsequently passed through a number of
hands, and, in 1878, Mr. A. Longenbacher purchased the property of G. Geisenhafer, tore away the old mill, and built the present substantial and well-arranged mill upon the old site. The old foundation walls were used, but the superstructure is entirely new. The building is frame, with brick veneering. Dimensions about thirty-three by sixty . six feet, and three stories in height. There are four runs of improved stone, with modern machinery, and everything in complete order. Capacity of the mill, 100 barrels in twenty-four hours. Doing both merchant and custom work.
About the year 1856, N. J. Alport erected on the ground now occupied by the hardware-store of L. Damon & Son a small frame custom grist-mill which contained three runs of inferior stone. From certain peculiarities it was known as " The Pepper-Mill." It was operated for only a few years, when it was torn away.
Oriental Mills .- This establishment was erected in 1857 by Messrs. Reitz & Thoman. It contained at first two runs of stone, and two have been added since, in 1875, making four at present in use. The mill is at the present time doing merchant and what is called, among millers, " exchange" work. The capacity is equal to the production of 100 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. Steam-power is used, which is furnished by an engine of seventy-five horse-power. The mill is in fine order, and turns out ex- cellent work. The products are sold on orders throughout Michigan and in the Eastern States. The property has changed hands a number of times since the building was erected. The owners have been Reitz & Thoman, Reitz & Beiderslatt, F. Thoman, Thoman & Lorenz, F. Tho- man again, Esselstyn & Robinson, and since 1878 F. Thoman has been sole proprietor. The mill is located on the northwest corner of Grand and Ottawa Streets, and does a large business. Building of brick.
James I. Mead Flour- Mill and Chair-Factory .- This institution, which is situated on East Shiawassee Street, was originally put in operation by James I. Mead, who built the chair-factory and a saw-mill (the latter since re- moved) abont 1872, and carried on quite an extensive busi- ness in both branches. The flour-mill was erected in 1874 at a cost of $21,000, and operated by Mr. Mead until the autumn of 1879, when it was transferred to his son, Fred. B. Mead, who kept it in operation until March, 1880, since which time it has not been operated. It contained four runs of stone, and was fitted up for an extensive business. The motive power was steam. F. B. Mead has since disposed of the machinery of the mill, and the intention is to trans- form it into a grain elevator, for which purpose it is favor- ably situated on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway.
As early as 1858, Mr. James I. Mead put a tannery in operation at North Lansing, and continued it for a number of years. It was afterwards sold for a dwelling, and sub- sequently destroyed by fire.
Capital Mills, Carmer, Parmelee & Co .- These mills were erected in the fall of 1877 by Carmer, Parmelce & Co. on the site of the woolen-mill destroyed by fire. The amount of capital invested is abont $20,000, and the build- ing, machinery, and appliances are in every respect first- class. The building is a three-story and basement, frame,
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HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
veneered with brick, a style of structure now much in vogne in the West and Northwest.
The mill has four runs of stone, and is capable of pro- ducing 150 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. Both merchant and custom work are done, the market for the former being mostly in New England. A fifty horse-power steam-engine is attached for use in case of necessity. In the basement the firm have a set of wool-carding machinery for custom work, of which a considerable amount is turned out.
Ingersoll's Mill .- The enstom-mill of Egbert Ingersoll & Sons, situated on Grand Street near Michigan Avenue, was erccted by Luther A. Ingersoll in 1878-79, and sub- sequently purchased by the present firm. It is twenty-two by sixty-five fect in dimensions, with two stories and base- ment. It contains at present two runs of stone, with room for two more runs when needed. It is driven by a forty horse-power engine, and is mostly employed upon custom work, making specialties of Graham flour, corn-meal, and cracked wheat, in all of which productions it has an excel- lent reputation. The invested capital is about $8000, and the mill gives employment to several hands. The result already meets the highest expectations of the firm, and they are doing a large and profitable business. The milling business of the city is an important branch of its indus- tries, and the surrounding region is capable of furnishing grain to any desired extent.
IRON-WORKS.
Cady, Glassbrook & Co .- The earliest foundry and machine-works in Lansing were put in operation by Turner & Crosman, in 1848. Many changes ocenrred in the firms which operated the business, and among the names of parties who were at various times interested were the two brothers, James and Richard Turner, Hiram II. Smith, Watkins & Tompkins, now of Williamston; Hayes & Tooker, and Thomas Metlin & Son, the latter being succeeded by the present firm. The original establishment was located on the site of the present works, which represent a consolida- tion of several firms that have at various periods carried on the business. About 1857 or 1858, James, Richard, and George Turner established a foundry and machine-shop on the site, near the Grand River Bridge, now occupied by the planing-mill of Walker & Huston. It was operated by them until about 1863, when upon the death of George Turner, who was the business man of the firm, the machin- ery was purchased by Messrs. Ilayes & Tooker, who re- moved it to the site now occupied by Cady, Glassbrook & Co., and the business after many changes has come into the hands of the last-mentioned firm. Messrs. Cady, Glass- brook & Co. are doing a general foundry and machine-shop business. They also build portable farm engines, and do general repairing and job work. The capital invested is about $12,000, and eight hands are employed. The works were repaired and improved in 1879, during which period the firm rented the Lansing Iron-Works for one year. Water-power is exclusively used.
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