History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 36

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772

USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 36
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Gibbs states that the office was removed in the latter part of December, 1847, to a two-story frame building, known as the " Carter Block," which stood near where the Hudson House now is. Col. Whitney Jones succeeded Mr. Peck in 1849, under Gen. Taylor. About 1850 he removed the office to a frame building which stood about on the ground now occupied by the drug-house of Frank Wells. The building was erected by Henry Gibbs for Dr.

* These proceedings were principally in consequence of an incen- diary fire not leng before, which destroyed a large amount of property.

+ The property of the fire department at the present time, includ- ing engines, carts, carriages, horses, buildings, reservoirs, and all apparatus, represents an outlay ef over $20,000.

146

HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

James W. Holmes. There was a great outcry at this last removal of the office " into the woods," as it was called. At this place the office was burned out in December, 1852,* when it was removed to a frame building situated south of where the old Lansing House stood, on the east side of Washington Avenue.

Col. Jones was succeeded in 1853, under President Pierce, by Van S. Murphy, who continued during that administration, and was succeeded in 1857, under Mr. Buchanan, by J. M. Griswold, who held the office until the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, when Col. A. R. Burr was appointed. During Mr. Griswold's term the office was considerably enlarged and improved. Col. Burr resigned in 1861, and Ephraim Longycar was appointed in his place and held the office for five years, when he re- signed to engage in the banking business, and Col. Whitney Joncs was appointed and continued until May, 1871, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Stephen D. Bingham.

Mr. Griswold removed the office to a building which stood about where Esselstyn's store now stands. Under Mr. Longyear's administration a system of lock-boxes was introduced, and the office was removed to a building in rear of the Second National Bank. Col. Jones removed it to a building a little farther east on Michigan Avenue. Mr. Bingham removed it to the second building south of the Lansing National Bank, where it remained until Oct. 1, 1879, when it was removed to its present elegant and con- venient quarters on the ground floor of the Turner and Moody Block, northeast corner of Washington Avenue and Ottawa Street.

The present Lansing post-office has no superior in the State. It occupies the entire first floor of the block, and is fitted up in the most convenient and thorough manner. The room is sixteen feet high to the ceiling, finished in front with heavy plate-glass windows, and floored with alternate squares of Vermont white marble and dark-colored slate. The interior supporting-columns are of iron, and the whole office is well lighted and ventilated.

The interior of the post-office proper is arranged in the most convenient manner, principally under the direction of Mr. Bingham, who has apparently exhausted his ingennity to make it perfect in every particular. The mailing-table is a model of compactness and convenience, and the arrange- ment of the boxes and general delivery is all that could be desired. The whole cost of fitting up was over $2000 in excess of what the government allowed, which came out of the postmaster's private purse.

The government allows $1000 for rent, and this amount covers the cost of heating and a portion of the gas bills. The whole number of boxes and drawers is 1650, with ample room to extend when needed. Large boxes are arranged for the delivery of mail to the Agricultural College and Reform School, and also for the various State depart- ments. The fitting-up of the boxes and the glass used in the office was by the Yale Lock Company, of Stamford, Conn., and everything is first-class of its kind.

There are separate rooms for the postmaster, for money-

· Mr. Gibbs saye this fire occurred Jan. 17, 1853.

orders, and registered letters, and there is also a large fire- proof vault for money and valuable books and papers.

In addition to other expense, Mr. Bingham has put up six United States mail-boxes in the business portion of the city, and four daily collections are made. There is no free de- livery, as the city is not yet entitled to it.

A branch of the main city office has been established at North Lansing for the accommodation of the business of that part of the city. It is fitted up with 400 boxes, and a clerk of the principal office has charge of it. A carrier is employed between the two offices, and makes three trips cach way daily. The proceeds and expenses of the branch are included in the general accounts of the main office. The government receives the entire proceeds, and allows a certain sum for postmaster's salary, clerk hire, rent, etc.

Seventeen mails are received and dispatched daily, all over the various railway lines which centre in Lansing.

The following figures give the amount of business trans- acted at the Lansing post-office for 1879 :

GENERAL ACCOUNT.

RECEIPTS.

From stamps, envelopes, postal-cards, due

letters, and waste-paper sold $19,929.70

Box-roots and sub-lease. 1,854.44

Total. $21,784.14

EXPENSES.

General expense account. $4,444.05

Postmaster's salary 2,800.00

Total $7,244.05

Net profits of office $14,540.09

$21,784.14

MONEY-ORDER BUSINESS.

The following statement shows the business of the money- order department :

RECEIPTS.

Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1979 $389.67

4900 domestie orders issued.

50,872.48

fees on same .. 560.10

32 British orders issued 310.55

fees on same .... 11.00

12 German orders issued. 128.00

fees en same .. 3.95

27 Canadian orders issued 280.00

foes on samo .. 7.20

Drafts on pestmaster at Now York 37,400.00

Total $89,962.95

DISBURSEMENTS.

5973 demestie orders paid. $84,736.51

43 Canadian erders paid.

850.12

4 British orders paid .. 43.74

40 German orders paid.

1,770.09

5 Swiss orders paid ... 159.25

3 Italian orders paid .. 61.76

35 domestie orders repaid .. 231.48

Deposited with postmaster at Detreit 1,333.00

Money-order expenses. 401.02

Balanco Dec. 31, 1879. 375.98

Tetal. $89,962.95

REGISTRY BUSINESS.

Number sent from this office. 757

Namber received for this office .... 2989

Number handled in transit. 3514

Total. 7260

147

CITY OF LANSING.

In addition to the above business, deposits were received from other post-offices to the amount of $3392.83, and de- partment drafts paid amounting to $13,440.20.

In 1877 the total receipts for stamps, etc., amounted to $17,923.44, and the net income to $11,483.32. There were 9982 orders issued and paid in 1877, amounting to $126,458.36. In 1879, 11,074 orders were issued and paid, amounting to $138,335.85. The registered letters of 1877 were 6344, and of 1879, 7260. Those sent from this office were 481 in 1877, and 757 in 1879. Those re- ceived for this office numbered 2513 in 1877, and 2989 in 1879

PRESENT FORCE EMPLOYED.

Stephen D. Bingham, Postmaster; E. D. Cole, Assist- ant-Postmaster ; M. B. Kinsley, Money-Order Clerk ; Chas. E. Porter, Mailing Clerk ; W. S. Jones, Stamp Clerk ; W. L. Grove, General Delivery Clerk.

North Lansing Branch .- H. C. Hedges, Clerk.

MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

Company H, First Regiment Michigan State Troops, was originally mustered into service March 26, 1876. It was at first known as the Lansing Light-Guard, for about two years. Its present civil title is Governor's Guard. The commissioned officers of the company have been as follows : Captains, D, Henry McComas, Eugene Angell, and D, Henry McComas again, who is the present commander ; First Lieutenants, G. W. Chandler, Eugene Angell, Wy- man W. Staley; Second Lieutenants, Eugene Angell, Al- bert C. Jefferson, William P. Appleyard, Wyman W. Staley, Rush J. Shank, Henry D. Warner, William E. Betts, William E. Crossett.

The First Sergeants have been William E. Betts, Wil- liam E. Crossett, Thomas L. Hobbs, Julius N. Baker, Joseph Lederer.

Officers of Governor's Guard .- Presidents, A. A. Piatt ; Addison L. Moody, George Royce ; Secretaries, E. B. Wood, Clarence P. McCurdy, Samuel N. Stambaugh, Em- mett A. Osborn.

Treasurers, H. T. Carpenter, Joseph Lederer.

By an amendment to the constitution the captain is ex- oficio president of the organization, and in his absence the lieutenants act.

Officers elected annually on the first Monday in De- cember, to take effeet on the first of January. The cnlist- ments were originally for a term of six years, subsequently changed to three years.

The uniform is the regulation uniform of the United States army. The company was at first armed with the Springfield breech-loading rifled musket, calibre fifty. This weapon was subsequently turned over to the State, and in July, 1878, replaced by the Sharps breech-loading rifle, calibre forty-five.

Regular meetings for drill are held once per week, and business meetings on the first Monday evening of each month.

Regimental encampments are held every year, and brigade encampments occasionally. The brigade encampment for 1880 was held at Kalamazoo, commencing August 9th.

Transportation and expenses, uniforms, arms, and equip-

ments are furnished by the State, and the men are allowed two dollars per day when on duty. The State also allows $300 annually for rent of armory to the Lansing company. The annual parades are on the 22d of February (Washington's Birthday) and July 4th. The State makes no allowance for these parades.

Company H has generally had a drum corps, though it is not a part of the organization. The Barnes Drum Corps has been the most noted one connected with it.

The present strength of the company is seventy-six mem- bers, including commissioned and non-commissioned off- cers, musicians, and privates.

The active militia force of the State consists of three regiments, two of eight companies each,* and one of nine companies. The companies of the First Regiment, to which Company H belongs, are as follows : Company A, at Ann Arbor ; Company B, at Adrian ; Company C, at Tecum- seh ; Company D, at Monroe ; Company E, at Hudson ; Company F, at Ypsilanti ; Company G, at Jackson ; Com- pany H, at Lansing; Company K, at Mason.

BANKING.

The first attempt at banking in Lansing was made soon after the removal of the capital to the place, probably as early as 1850, by J. C. Bailey, who opened an exchange office, and continned for a time in a small way. About 1855 he erected the building now occupied by the Second National Bank, on the northeast corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues, and commenced a regular banking busi- ness.

In 1864, J. C. Bailey and others organized

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LANSING,

but sold out, including the building, to the Second National Bank before doing any business, and thus there really never was any First National Bank in the city.

THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK OF LANSING

was organized Jan. 8, 1864, and chartered February 18th in the same year by Hugh McCulloch, comptroller of the United States Treasury. The number of this bank is 264 in the national series. The authorized capital is $150,000; paid-up capital, $50,000.

It is a bank of issue, and has $45,000 in circulation. A general banking, exchange, and collection business is transacted. The deposits range from $50,000 to $100,000, and the surplus is $10,000.

The first officers were James I. Mead, President ; Hiram HI. Smith, Vice-President; Joseph Mills, Cashier. The present officers are Ephraim Longyear, President ; D. Long- year, Cashier ; H. Longyear, Teller ; James I. Mead, Hiram H. Smith, Ephraim Longyear, Harley Ingersoll, Frederick M. Cowles, John Robson, Joseph Lauterman, Richard El- liott, Joseph Mills, Directors. The second president of the bank was II. H. Smith, and E. and D. Longyear were second and present cashiers.

After J. C. Bailey sold to the Second National Bank, he opened a private banking-house on the corner where the

# The First Regiment has nine companies.

144S

HISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.

Central Michigan Savings Bank now stands, and continued the business until his death, under the firm-name of J. C. Bailey & Co. The partner was C. S. Hunt. Following Mr. Bailey's death, Daniel L. Case, the executor of the es- tate, continued the business under the firm-name of D. L. Case & Co., for a time, and was succeeded by Hewitt & Co., which firm sold out to the Second National Bank on the 1st of January, 1878. These various firms conducted business in the building which stood on the northwest corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues.

Theodore Hunter, who was deputy State treasurer, also opened and conducted, for a few years, a private bank where Esselstyn's grocery-store now is.

Nelson Isbell, owner of the Lansing House, also conducted a private bank for some time in company with John J. Bush. They dissolved partnership and closed the business in 1872, and Mr. Bush became the first president of the Lansing National Bank. Their office was in the Lansing House.

THE CENTRAL MICHIGAN SAVINGS-BANK

was organized under the laws of the State, June 1, 1875, with a capital of $25,000, and commenced business July Ist in the same year. It was at first located in the large brick building on Michigan Avenue, in rear of the Lansing National Bank, from whence it was removed to the room now occupied by the Western Union Telegraph Company, and to its present location, northwest corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues, in November, 1879.

The institution is doing a general banking and collection business. The present deposit account amounts to about $155,000. The officers of the institution have been W. S. George, President; O. M. Barnes, Vice-President ; D. F. Woodcock, Cashier. Mr. Barnes has retired from the position as vice-president, and a successor will probably be chosen. The board of directors consists of W. S. George, President ; Willliam Humphrey (warden of the State prison at Jackson) ; N. F. Handy, of Jackson ; Dr. J. W. Ilagadorn, D. F. Woodcock, John J. Bush, S. L. Papineau, and Mrs. II. L. George, of Lansing. The institution is the only one in the county, and is in a flourishing condition.

THIE LANSING NATIONAL BANK

was organized in April, 1872, as a national bank, with a capital of $75,000, which was increased in 1873 to $100,000. The authorized capital is $200,000. It is a bank of issue, and has $50,000 in circulation. A general banking, exchange, and collection business is transacted, and the institution is favored with a large patronage.

The average deposits reach about $175,000, and it has a surplus of $20,000. The bank owns the building in which its business is transacted, on the southeast corner of Wash- ington and Michigan Avenues.

The first officers were John J. Bush, President; O. M. Barnes, Vice-President; M. L. Coleman, Cashier. The present officers are O. M. Barnes, President ; William H. Ilaze, Vice-President ; M. L. Coleman, Cashier. A private banking and exchange office was opened at No. 10 Franklin Street, North Lansing, in June, 1873, by Mr. Eugene Angell, for the accommodation of the large manu-

facturing and mercantile business in that portion of the city. A general business is transacted, and the institution is very successfully conducted.

With the rapid growth of every kind of mercantile and manufacturing business in Lansing, banking facilities will no doubt be largely increased in the near future.

FINANCIAL.

The city of Lansing has at various times invested quite largely in railways, as will be seen by the following table ; but the indebtedness is rapidly being canceled, and the financial condition of the city is very satisfactory. In 1872 the total bonded debt with accrued interest was in round numbers $248,000. In 1876 it was $179,400. To-day the city actually owes but $105,400. A statement of the amount, and nature of indebtedness, is given below :

Table showing the total bonded indebtedness of the eity of Lansing, Mich., May 1, 1880.

KIND OF BONDS.

PURPOSE OF ISSUE.

TOTAL.

Bridge

Rebuilding bridges ...

$2,000.00

Cemetery

Purchasing and improving

10,000.00

Ionia and Lansing Railroad Railroad aid.

27,600.00

Peninsular Railroad.

Railroad aid.

17,800.00

School

Iligh-school building ..

48.000.00

$105,400.00

The equalized value of the city of Lansing, October, 1879, was $3,930,760. The value of property owned by the city of Lansing is $205,000.

SOCIETIES AND ORDERS. SYMBOLIC MASONRY.#

Symbolic Masonry seems to have existed in Michigan at a very early day. We find that as early as April 27, 1764, a warrant was issued by the Grand Lodge of the colony of New York for Zion Lodge, No. 1, in the city of Detroit. This lodge, however, seems to have become dormant, and remained so for many years.

Sept. 7, 1794, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada issued a dispensation for Zion Lodge, No. 10, to be held " at or in the city of Detroit, in Upper Canada," and named James Donaldson, W. M .; Edward Byrn, S. W .; and Findly Campbell, J. W., and on the 19th of December of that year this lodge held its first communication, at the house of Bro. James Donaldson, when Edward Byrn, by virtue of a warrant for that purpose, opened a Grand Lodge for the installment of Bro. James Donaldson, W. M., after which the Grand Lodge was closed and adjourned to Quebec. James Donaldson then opened an Entered Apprentice lodge, and conferred the first degree on " Bro. Ruland."

In 1803 the brethren of this lodge, finding it incon- venient to have regular correspondence with a foreign gov- ernment, pctitioned to the Grand Lodge of New York, " if they think it meet and convenient, to revive a warrant, No. I, of this place, now lying dormant, and formerly under the sanction of their lodge, but, if this cannot be accomplished, to grant a new warrant."

* Contributed by George H. Greeno.

149

CITY OF LANSING.

A new charter was granted, dated Sept. 3, 1806.

A Grand Lodge of Michigan was organized June 24, 1826, with Gen. Lewis Cass as first Grand Master, but the storm of Anti-Masonry at that time was too severe for it, and by a formal resolution, adopted in 1829, it suspended Masonic labor.

A general meeting of the Masons of the State was called for inquiry in 1840, and an effort made about that time to reorganize, but of these proceedings we have little account.

The present Grand Lodge was organized in 1844, and its officers installed by Gen. Lewis Cass, M. W. P. G. M., since which time nothing has occurred to interrupt its on- ward course of growth and prosperity. At present it holds jurisdiction over no less than three hundred and fifty sub- ordinate lodges, with a membership of not less than twenty- five thousand Masons.

Lansing Lodge, No. 33 .- It is very difficult to obtain all the facts relative to the organization and the first eight years' existence of this lodge, owing to the reason that in October, 1857, all its records, its charter, furniture, etc., were destroyed by fire in the burning of the Moore Build- ing, in which it then held its meetings.

In the latter part of the winter of 1848-49 a dispensa- tion was granted to organize a lodge in the village of Lan- sing, then scarcely two years old, and in almost a dense forest, and when the present Grand Lodge was but five years old. Certainly it can be said that Masonry was in- troduced here at a very early day.

Paul B. Ring, of Jackson, was here and assisted in its organization, and remained for a week or more, conferring the degrees on a number of applicants, and until the officers were thoroughly posted in the work and their duties.

This organization was made in the second story of what was called the Moore Building, a wooden structure situated on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Alle- gan Street, where now stands the carriage depository and office of A. Clark & Co. The officers named in the dis- pensation were George W. Peck, W. M .; Daniel L. Case, S. W .; and John W. Longyear, J. W .; and the regular election of officers under dispensation, as shown by the returns to the Grand Lodge, resulted as follows: George W. Peck, W. M .; M. W. Quackenbush, S. W .; Jobn W. Longyear, J. W .; L. S. Warner, Sec .; Daniel Johnson, Treas. ; James W. Holmes, S. D .; W. W. Upton, J. D.

At the following session of the Grand Lodge application was made for a charter, which was granted Jan. 10, 1850, naming George W. Peck, W. M .; M. W. Quackenbush, S. W .; John W. Longyear, J. W.

The first regular annual election of officers under the charter resulted as follows : M. W. Quackenbush, W. M .; John W. Longyear, S. W .; James W. Holmes, J. W .; L. S. Warner, Sec .; Daniel Johnson, Treas .; W. W. Up- ton, S. D .; M. N. Pritchard, J. D.

Among its charter members were also the names of Alanson Ward, Rev. E. S. Tooker, Champlin Havens, aud V. S. Murphy.

The present charter bears date Jan. 15, 1858, signed by William Fenton, M. W. G. M., and James Fenton, Grand Secretary ; and on its margin is the following note : " This

is issued to replace the charter dated Jan. 10, 1850, which was destroyed by fire last year."

After the fire arrangements were made with Capital Lodge of S. O., No. 66, to use their room in the second story of MeClure's Block, on the west side of Washington Avenue, over the store now used by J. Waltz as a clothing- store, and since that time all the Masonic bodies, except Covenant Lodge, No. 261, at North Lansing, have occupied rooms jointly.

From the MeClure Block they removed, about the year 1860, to the third story of the store now occupied by A. A. Nichols, in the Beebe Block, and from thence, in 1867, to the third story of Van Keuren's Block, over the store now used by A. Abor & Co., and from thence, in 1872, to the rooms they now ocenpy in the third story of the Opera- House Block.

The first work done in this lodge is said to have been on Henry H. Smith and James Turner.

For thirty-one years has this lodge prospered, and ranks at present among the best working lodges in the State. It has been the Masonic birthplace of more Masons than any other in the county, and can truly be said to be the mother lodge.

The first break in its membership, except by death, was in 1853, when preparatory steps were taken to organize Capital Lodge of S. O., No. 66, and Mason Lodge, No. 70, both of which were chartered in January, 1854, and nearly all of their original members were those who were made in this lodge, and withdrew to aid in the organization of these new lodges. Both of these lodges worked for a time under the by-laws of Lansing Lodge, No. 33.

The following is a complete list of its Masters, in the order of their election and the years in which they served, -viz .: George W. Peck, 1849-50; M. W. Quackenbush, 1851; John W. Longyear, 1852; Alanson Ward, 1853 ; George W. Barnum, 1854; John L. Bradford, 1855, who moved away during the year and E. R. Merrifield filled the unexpired term, and was also elected for 1856; Joseph C. Bailey, 1857; George W. Peck, 1858-59; E. R. Merri- field, 1860 ; George W. Peck, 1861-62; Joseph P. Cowles, 1863-64; Nelson B. Jones, 1865-66 ; Joseph P. Cowles, 1867 ; Benjamin F. Buck, 1868-69 ; Samuel L. Kilbourne, 1870; George H. Greene, 1871-74 ; Josiah Bruno, Jr., 1875-76 ; Leland II. Briggs, 1877-79 ; Eben W. Dart, 1880.

Of those worthy brothers who participated in the organization of this lodge but few remain. Its present membership is 143.

Capital Lodge of Strict Observance, No. 66 .- This lodge is an offspring of Lansing Lodge, No. 33. In 1853 a number of brethren took dimits from the old lodge with a view of organizing a new one, and soon after Grand Mas- ter Henry T. Backus issued a dispensation to George W. Peck as W. M .; John W. Longyear, S. W .; and James W. Holmes, J. W., to open a new lodge in the village of Lansing, to be known as Capital Lodge of Strict Observ- ance, and on the 30th day of August, 1853, the first meet- ing was held, in the rooms occupied by the Odd-Fellows, in the Carter Building, on the northeast corner of Washington Avenue and Washtenaw Street, with the following-named

150

HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

brethren present : George W. Peek, John W. Longyear, E. E. Beebe, Champlin Havens, George I. Parsons, Hul- bert B. Shank, Horace Baker, Rev. C. W. Knickerbacker, Ifarvey L. Baker, Adolphus W. Williams, and Abram Cottrell. The letter of dispensation was read, and the lodge was opened in due and ancient form, and, in addition to the officers named in the dispensation, the following were ap- pointed : E. E. Beebe, Sec .; Harvey L. Baker, Treas. ; IFulbert B. Shank, S. D .; Champlin Havens, J. D .; Hor- ace Baker and Waterman Ward, Stewards; D. McCalpin, Tiler.

The by-laws of Lansing Lodge, No. 33, were adopted to govern this lodge until further action could be had.

The first petition for the benefits of Masonry was from William Smith, at a communication held Nov. 23, 1853, and the first work was to initiate Edgar Walker on the evening of the 14th of the following month, which appears to have been the only degree conferred while under dis- pensation.

At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, held in Detroit, commencing Jan. 11, 1854, an application was made for a charter, which was granted on the second day of the session, and bears date Jan. 12, 1854, signed by Henry T. Backus, M. W. G. M., and James Fenton, Grand Secretary. It named the same officers who were named in the dispensation, and the other officers appointed when under dispensation seem to have been continued through the year 1854, as the records do not show any election of officers at the organization under the charter. The first communication under the charter was held Jan. 28, 1854, in the rooms of Lansing Lodge, No. 33, as the room in which it had been holding its meetings, in the Carter Block, was destroyed by fire on the night of Jan. 1, 1854. At this meeting Ephraim F. Thompson was initiated, and a reso- lution of thanks to the officers and members of Lansing Lodge, No. 33, for their kindness in extending to them the use of their room, jewels, etc., was adopted. Soon after this arrangements were made for a place of meeting in the second story of the MeClure Bloek.

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History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 36

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co. Number of Pages: 772

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772