The first family to settle in Lansing was that of August Hildebrandt in 1843. Henry, George, and John Lansing settled the area in 1846, which was incorporated in 1893. Early settlement in the village was primarily by Dutch and German immigrants. Industrial development of the surrounding Calumet region attracted immigrants from Ireland and Eastern Europe to the village in the 20th century. These settlement patterns are reflected in Lansing's current demographics; according to the census of 2000, the top five non African-American ancestries in Lansing were German (17%), Polish (13%), Irish (13%), Dutch (11%), and Italian (7%).

In 1818 Illinois became the 21st state of the Union. 
As migration west began, settlers, primarily German and Dutch immigrants, came to the Lansing area to build homes, farms, and businesses.
The Pennsylvania Railroad came through Lansing in 1856  and since Lansing is located on a sand ridge, the railroad began hauling sand to Chicago for use in building construction. 
The location of the sand pit of years ago is now Lansing's downtown business district. In 1860 there was no industry, just the railroad and farms. Lansing had a grocery store, saloon, shoemaker and two blacksmiths.
Resources:
Villige of Lansing, Illinois
Wikipedia

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