History of Oakland County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I, Part 27

Author: Seeley, Thaddeus D. (Thaddeus De Witt), 1867-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Lewis
Number of Pages: 554


USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 27


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57


197


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


1893 to January 1, 1895; John K. Judd, 1895 to January 1, 1899; Richard D. Belt, 1899 to January 1, 1901 ; William A. Brewster, 1901 to Jan- uary I, 1905; George Greer, 1905 to January 1, 1909; Chauncey A. Har- ris, 1909 to January 1, 1911; Arthur J. Tripp, present incumbent ( 1912.)


Coroners-This office was filled by appointment until October, 1825, when it became elective. The records show the following incumbents: S. V. R. Trowbridge and Joseph Morrison, 1829; S. V. R. Trowbridge, 1832; Pierre Patrick, 1835: Leonard Weed and Orange Foote, 1836; William Terry and Nathan Herrick, 1838; Nathaniel A. Baldwin and Benjamin Marcer, 1840: Daniel V. Bissell and John Vincent, 1842; Jonathan T. Allen, 1844; Jonathan T. Allen and Jacob Loop, 1846; Bela Coggeshall and William R. Marsh, 1848; Elias S. Woodman and Bela Coggeshall, 1850; Archibald Waterbury and Everett Wendell, 1852; Ziba Swan and Harrison Smith, 1854; Charles V. Babcock and Benjamin V. Redfield, 1856; Francis B. Owen and Hosea B. Richardson, 1858; Hosea B. Rich- ardson and Zuriel Curtis, 1860; Stephen Reeves and Corydon E. Fay, 1862; Orrin E. Bell and Abram Miller, 1864; Archibald II. Green and Orange Culver, 1866; Curtis Babcock and John Campbell, 1868; David A. Wright and Carlo Glazier, 1870; Ira Goodrich and John Highfield, 1872; George P. Hungerford and George E. Proper, 1874; George P. Ilunger- ford and David A. Wright, 1876; John Lacy and Alexander H. Culver, 1878; George D. Cowdin and John Highfield, 1880; George Niles and Carnot N. Northrop, 1882; Andrew J. Culver and Allen P. Wright, 1884; Andrew J. Culver and George Niles, 1886; Andrew J. Culver and Joseph W. Seeley, 1888; John Lessiter and Nathan J. Smith, 1890; Elbert J. Kelly and John Lessiter, 1892; Chauncey Brace and Charles D. Howard, 1894; Chauncey Brace and Elbert J. Kellogg, 1896; Chauncey Brace and Mason N. Leonard, 1898; Chauncey Brace and Clark J. Sutherland, 1900; Ora C. Farmer and John W. Fox, 1902; Ora C. Farmer and Chauncey Brace, 1908, present incumbents (1912).


County surveyors-Previous to the organization of the county, the ter- ritorial surveyors had run it into townships. Colonel Wampler, Hervey Parke and Horatio Ball had been the most prominent who worked in Oak- land county, and their labors have already been noted. Mr. Ball surveyed the road from Detroit to Pontiac and marked the "royal oak" with the letter "H." The bulk of Captain Parke's work was accomplished in 1821- 9, as is evident from his interesting personal narrative, published else- where.


John Mullet was the first district surveyor and appointed Captain Parke his deputy in 1822. The surveying was in charge of district sur- veyors until 1833, when a county surveyor was elected. Calvin C. Parks held the office in 1833-4, and Captain Parke was elected in the following year ; then came John Southard, in 1837-8; Captain Parke again in 1839- 40, and Mr. Southard in 1841-2. Since 1842 the county surveyors regu- larly elected have been as follows : Hiram Barritt, 1843; Algernon Merri- weather, 1845 and 1847; Sloane Cooley, 1849; John Southard, 1851; Carlos Harmon, 1853; Henry Nicholson, 1855; Hervey Parke, 1857; Reuben Russell, 1859: Hervey Parke, 1861; Sloane Cooley, 1863; Elias C. Martin, 1865; Reuben Russell, 1867; Horatio Merryweather. 1869; Julian Bishop, 1875 and 1877; Hiram Terry, 1878; Quincy A. Thomas,


-


198


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


1880; Joseph Rennier, 1882 ; Sloane Cooley, 1886; Reuben Russell. 1888: Samuel J. Serrell, 1890 and 1892: Reuben Russell, 1894 to 1902; Frank- lin .1. Slater, 1902, present incumbent (1912).


ASSESSMENTS AND TAXES


In 1876 the total assessment and taxes for the twenty-five townships of Oakland county and Pontiac city presented the following exhibit :


Townships


Assessment


*Taxes


Addison


$ 241,440


$ 3,359.52


Avon


542,470


8,735.16


Bloomfield


534,920


8,351.71


Brandon


222,200


4,464.38


Commerce


321,480


4,944.99


Farmington


534,100


9.069.90


Groveland


204,910


3,484.49


Highland


272,010


3,926.83


Holly


330,195


8.428.15


Independence


368,000


6.097.23


Lyon


410,110


5,792.59


Milford


420,408


8,539.35


Novi


438,225


6,917.20


Oakland


366,195


5,195.27


Orion


278,110


4.336.99


Oxford


330,750


5.539.66


Pontiac township


368,845


4,645.72


Pontiac city


891.315


34,472.06


Rose


225,890


3.374.39


Royal Oak


285,680


5.384.74


Southfield


375,370


5.712.65


Springfield


260,340


4,081.05


Troy


510,730


6,882.03


Waterford


375.900


6,534.69


West Bloomfield


323,880


5,153.05


White Lake


222,180


3.793.90


Total


$9.655.733


$177,217.70


Following are the figures for October. 1880, showing the real and personal property of Oakland county by townships and the city of Pon- tiac, as equalized by the committee appointed for that purpose by the board of supervisors :


Townships


Real Estate


Personal


Total


Addison


$ 484.620 1,058,650


$110.445


$ 595,060


Avon


296.080


1,354,730


Bloomfield


1.083.950


104,040


1,277.990


Brandon


467,750


02,600


500.350


* State, county, town and school.


199


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


Townships


Real Estate


Personal


Total


Commerce


$ 634.610


$ 142,130


$ 776,740


Farmington


1,048,550


188,750


1.237,300


Groveland


447.980


47.020


495,000


Highland


620,860


53,170


674,030


Holly


664,450


167.590


832,040


Independence


750.560


134,940


885.500


Lyon


843.060


107.430


1,010,490


Milford


884,830


192,010


1,076.840


Novi


916,155


134,945


1,051,100


Oakland'


751,580


142,290


893,870


Orion


562,580


88,480


651,060


Oxford


741,413


152,617


894,030


Pontiac


745.040


IIO,070


855,110


First ward ( Pontiac)


278,855


120.515


399-370


Second ward ( Pontiac )


298.435


77,105


375.540


Third ward ( Pontiac)


434,090


153,760


587,850


Fourth ward ( Pontiac)


564,680


265,170


829,850


Rose


476,280


79.460


555.740


Royal Oak


637,060


54,450


691.510


Southfield


775.000


164.390


939.480


Springfield


574.310


82.460


656,770


Troy


1,039.930


134,580


1.174,510


Waterford


755,100


I30,320


885,420


WVest Bloomfield


681,260


127,210


808.470


White Lake


493,660


96,820


590,480


Totals


$19.716,188


$3,900.042


$23,616,230


As thus equalized the total taxes levied in the county amounted to $68,888.54, of which the state tax was $33-534.63 and the county $35 .- 353.91.


Within the next decade, as shown from the same source for 1800, the real estate of the county had reached a valuation of $19,062,000 and the personal property was assessed at $3.937,910. In 1801 the taxes were apportioned as follows: State tax, $37,821.19; county tax, $41,000.


In 1900 the real estate, as equalized, amounted to $22,084,805 and the personal property, as assessed at $6,695.778; total, $28,740,583. The committee on ways and means apportioned the taxes thus: State. S78,- 961.56; county, $35.000.


For purposes of comparison with the figures of 1880, the value of the real estate, as equalized, and of personal property, as assessed, is given for the year 1911 :


Townships


Real Estate


Personal Property $ 108,755


Total


Addison


S 637,500


Avon


1,822,950


450.150 000,750


3.060.950


Brandon


711,205


241.715 952,920


Commerce


661.800


1 50,800


812,000


Farmington


1,405,800


459.450


1.865,250


$ 740.255 2.273,100


Bloomfield


2.400,180


200


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


Townships


Real Estate


Personal


Total


Groveland


$ 515,000 $


84,175 $


599,265


Ilighland


748,640


175,375


924,015


Holly


1,166,325


306,125


1,472,450


Independence


774,200


238,100


1,012,300


Lyon


987,870


255,600


1,243,470


Milford


943,290


170,120


1,113,410


Novi


951,650


136,750


1,088,400


Oakland


757,635


149,450


907,085


Orion


1,001,300


210,235


1,211,535


Oxford


1.193,750


300,930


1,554,680


Pontiac township


834,060


88,170


922,230


Pontiac City


7.392,000


4,703.000


12,095,000


Rose .


629,330


87,570


716,900


Royal Oak


1,850,395


331,790


2,182,185


Southfield


1,044,525


168,650


1,213,175


Springfield


588,250


130.400


718,650


Troy


1,222,270


246,450


1.468,720


Waterford


850,960


162.310


1,013.270


West Bloomfield


1,061.975


551,680


1,613,655


White Lake


5446,130


94.200


640,330


Totals


$32,699,080 $10,731.700 $43,430.780


As assessed on the equalized valuation the taxes were apportioned for 1911 as follows: State tax, $128,294.08; county tax, $85,670.


POPULATION FOR NINETY YEARS


The population of Oakland county since its organization, according to the decadal enumerations of the United States census bureau, has been as follows :


1820


330


1870


40.867


1830


4,910


1880


41,537


1840


23.646


1890


41.235


1850


31,270


1900


44.792


1860


. 38,261


1910


.49.576


For purposes of more detailed comparison the following table com- prising the last three enumerations of the national census, is herewith presented.


1910


1900


1800


Oakland county


49,570 44.792 41,245


Addison township, including Leonard village Leonard village


1,043


1,116


1,139


313


335


270


Avon township, including Rochester village Rochester village


1,516


1,535


900


Bloomfield township, including Birmingham village. Birmingham village


2,833


2.200


2,044


1,607


1,170


800


Brandon township, including Ortonville village


1.120


1.170


1,200


Ortonville village


377


. ....


.


.


2,657


2,584


1.946


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


201


1910


1900


1890


Commerce township


986


1,124


1,113


Farmington township, including Farmington village. 1,788 Farmington village 564


1,753


1,639


Groveland township


772


828


917


Highland township


1,040


1,142


1,393


Holly township, including Holly village


2,278


2,266


2,120


Holly village


1,537


1,419


1,266


Independence township, including Clarkston village. Clarkston village


345


360


387


Lyon township, including South Lyon village South Lyon village.


615


657


707


Milford township, including Milford village.


1,660


1,866


1,962


Milford village


973


1,108


1,138


Novi township


1,226


1,245


1,306


Oakland township


702


870


896


Orion township, including Orion village. Orion village


717


756


522


Oxford township, including Oxford village.


1,93-4


1,990


2,080


Oxford village


1,1(1


1,172


1,128


Pontiac city


14,532


9,709


6,200


Ward I


1,858


Ward 2


3,204


Ward 3


2,97I


Ward 4


4,452


Ward 5


1,987


Pontiac township


953


1,0IO


947


Rose township


8.42


862


958


Royal Oak township, including Royal Oak village. . Royal Oak village


1,07I


468


. ... .


Southfield township


1,288


1,378


1,444


Springfield township


821


900


1.004


Troy township


1,507


1,527


1,470


Waterford township


1.005


1,079


1,163


West Bloomfield township


1,113


999


1,220


White Lake township.


642


718


857


.


The relative rank among the counties of the state has been : 18.10. second, being only exceeded by Wayne, with Washtenaw a close third ; 1850, still second (gaining faster than Washtenaw and being left rapidly behind by Wayne) ; 1800, yet second, but being hard pressed by Lena- wee county, and having only about half the population of Wayne : 1870, fourth, having been overtaken by Kent and Lenawee counties and run- ning neck and neck with Saginaw ; 1880, sixth, being exceeded by Wayne, Kent, Saginaw, Lenawee and St. Clair, in the order named, and having about one-fourth the population of Wayne; 1890, eleventh, its ten pre- decessors being Wayne, Kent, Saginaw, Bay, St. Clair, Lenawee, Jack- son, Calhoun, Washtenaw and Berrien (by only 40) ; 1900, twelfth, with some changes in the relative position of Calhoun ( seventh). Ber- rien, Jackson and Washtenaw and the displacement of Bay as fourth by Houghton county : 1910, thirteenth, the order of the counties being


2,80I


2,012


1,844


1,393


1,507


1,297


1,427


1,569


1,660


1,144


1,191


1,297


530


320


202


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


Wayne, Kent, Saginaw, Houghton, Bay, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Jackson, Huron, St. Clair and Oakland.


INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITIES


From the last "Michigan Manual" is condensed the following re- lating to the incorporation of the cities and villages of the county :


Pontiac-Incorporated as a village by the state legislature, 1837; amended, 1838, 1842, 1843. 1845, 1850. Incorporated as a city by legislature, 1861; act relating to, 1861; charter amended 1865. 1869, 1871. 1877, 1881, 1885, 1889. 1905, 1907.


Birmingham-Incorporated as a village by Board of Supervisors in 1864; limits extended by legislative act, 1883; reincorporated by act of legislature, 1885.


Clarkston-Incorporated as a village by Board of Supervisors in 1884; reincorporated by legislative act, 1889.


Farmington-Incorporated as a village by state law in 1867; charter amended in 1869, 1875; reincorporated in 1887; amended, limits ex- tended. 1891.


Ilolly-Incorporated as a village by state law, 1865; charter revised, 1873 : amended, 1893.


Leonard- Incorporated as a village by Board of Supervisors in 1889; reincorporated by act of the legislature, 1893.


Milford-Incorporated as a village by state law in 1869; charter amended in 1871; reincorporated. 1881.


Orion-Incorporated as a village by state law in 1859; charter re- pealed by legislature in 1863; reincorporated by state law, 1869; amended by legislative act, 1879, 1889 : reincorporated by act of legislature, 1891.


Ortonville-Incorporated as a village by Board of Supervisors in 1902; by legislative act, 1903.


Oxford-Incorporated as a village by Board of Supervisors in 1876; reincorporated by legislative act. 1891.


Royal Oak-Incorporated as a village by legislative act in 1891.


South Lyon-Incorporated as a village by state law in 1873; and by legislative act in 1885: reincorporated by legislative act in 1801.


THE COUNTY COURTHOUSES


The $100,000 courthouse, which is the home of the government and judiciary of Oakland county, is a gem of taste and an ideal of con- venience and comfort among the public buildings of southern Michigan. Its cornerstone was laid by the grand lodge of Masons of the state of Michigan. August 30, 1904. and the civic ceremonies included addresses by James H. Lynch, president of the day. Daniel L. Davis and others. and music by the Pontiac band. The new court room was dedicated November 1, 1905, the address of welcome being by George W. Smith, circuit judge, and the dedicatory address by Andrew 1 .. Moore. John H. Patterson spoke on "Our Beloved Country," and Chief Justice Joseph B. Moore indulged in a series of interesting "Reminiscences."


The public exercises on November 2d embraced a military parade


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


203


OAKLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE


204


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


and exercises at the Howland Opera House. Aaron Perry presided over the latter and delivered an interesting and finished address of welcome. Mrs. Sybil B. Cleary accepted the rest rooms in the basement of the courthouse in behalf of the ladies of Pontiac and Thomas E. Bark- worth delivered the dedicatory address.


The address of welcome to the members of the bar delivered by Judge Smith was so alive with facts and manly sentiment that the chief portion of it-that is, the part which deals more especially with the history of the courthouses which had been the scenes of so much which was dear and important to the profession and the people-is here re- produced: "The first term of court in this city was held in an old log building which stood near the site of the present Hotel Woodward, in the year 1820. Judge Crofoot, in describing this building, spoke of it as without door, floor or chimney. In 1824 a courthouse and jail com- bined was built on the lot where the present jail stands. The first story constituted the jail and was constructed of squared logs. The cells for prisoners were made of six-inch plank sawed at the village of Rochester. The second story was a framed structure and contained a court room with a sheriff's residence adjoining it. No room for offices existed in this building.


"In 1848, there was erected upon the front portion of the present site, a long one-story building with a roof sloping towards the front, with a balustrade on which was painted in large letters the words, 'Oakland County Offices.' In 1858 the courthouse of 1824 and this long, one-story building were abandoned for the courthouse, we of the present generation know as the immediate predecessor of the present building. The cost of that. building was $12,000. and of the fire-proof vaults placed therein in 1875, $5,000. Its was dedicated on March 18. 1858, with considerable ceremony and with an eloquent address by Judge Crofoot. Its court room was the home of the circuit court for the county of Oakland until May 20, 1904. On that date the old court room was formally abandoned. Hon. William W. Stickney, of Lapeer. and Justice Joseph B. Moore, of Lansing. ex-judges of this court, were present. Also the members of the Oakland county bar, and a large number of representative citizens. A scholarly and most appropriate address, one that ranks well up with that of Judge Crofoot. was de- livered by the Hon. Aaron Perry, president of the bar, and the next day the beloved portraits that had so long been a part of the room were taken down from its walls.


"In speaking of this room, Mr. Perry said: "During the last forty- six years this room has on many occasions resounded to the melodions cadences and fiery appeals of eloquent advocates, as well as to some speeches that have been dull and commonplace-to speeches that have fired the jurors with indignation, or suffused their eyes with tears- and to some that have lulled their wearied minds to involuntary slumber.


"It was never well arranged for a court room and it had no archi- tectural beauty. But what the old room lacked in beauty. it made up in size. Besides being the home of the court, it was used in the early years for singing schools, lectures, school exhibitions and school elec- tions, and political meetings and farmers' meetings of all kinds. All


205


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


county political conventions were held in it, and there were many times when it was packed to the limit as rival candidates struggled for places upon the county ticket. It is almost literally true that forty-six years of the history of this county was made in that old court room. With it are associated memories of some of the most notable trials, civil and criminal, in the history of the state. With it are associated memories of some of the most diligent and forceful lawyers and judges of the state. I omit their names because others today are likely to refer to them by nanic.


5


-


COURTHOUSE OF 1857-8


"Merely as a matter of future history, it should be stated that from May 20. 1904, to the present time. the county officers, with their files. books and records, have been quartered in the Davis block ( so-called ) and the sessions of this court were held in the basement of the Con- gregational church. During that time, many have attended church who had sadly neglected that duty. It is to be hoped that the religious sur- roundings and appropriate mottoes of that basement Sunday school room have not been entirely lost upon the jurors or upon the members of the legal profession. I am quite sure that they failed to sufficiently influence some of the witnesses.


206


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


"To the older members of this bar, the old court room brings back many splendid and precious memories. Its surroundings and the work done there almost became a part of their daily lives. Its splendid his- tory moved them to zeal and activity. The portraits on its walls of the eminent judges and lawyers seemed to inspire as to imitate them not only in professional skill, but in professional courtesy and professional honor. And after all,-what is professional skill to the lawyer, if he has not also professional courtesy and professional honesty? Profes- sional skill alone is merely the power to earn money from the profes- sion of law, and it leaves its possessor without honor, without conscience, without the respect of the community in which he lives, and without the love and confidence of his brethren of the profession.


"And now after forty-six years in the old room and seventeen months of boarding out, we are about to begin life in this new home. The old room is but a memory. The new is a reality. We are not here merely to cherish a memory, but to engage in the activities of the present and to prepare for those of the future. My pleasing duty is to wel- come you to the new room-to rejoice with you because of the new home."


The following history of the movement which resulted in the erec- tion of the beautiful courthouse which has been the home of county affairs since 1904 is thus given by the official publication issued by the board of supervisors under the title "Memorial of the New Oakland County Building:" "It has taken more than three and a half years to evolve the idea and to complete the construction of Oakland county's magnificent temple of justice and place of business for the people. Prior to the spring of 1902, for a long period there were resolutions introduced before the board of supervisors to submit the proposition to the voters of the county.


"Finally in January, 1902, the supervisors passed a resolution to bring the matter officially before the people at the April election. That spring the proposition for a new building for the county executives was defeated. However, during the January meeting of the supervisors the following year a banquet was held at the Hodges House, after which there was much discussion by members of the county's lawmakers, the city aldermen and various prominent taxpayers of the county at large. "At that time the sentiment against the inadequate quarters provided for the officials was strong and seemed to be pretty well crystalized in favor of a new building. Again the matter was brought before the voters in the April election in 1904 and was carried by a large majority. So much publicity had been given the proposition by the newspapers throughout the county showing the great need for a better building, that the people resolved to support it and it was carried by a good majority.


"Result of second vote :


For


Against Total


Addison


I31


220


Avon


2.44


280


533


Bloomfield


192


311


207


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


For


Against Total


Brandon


I12


174


286


Commerce


92


158


250


Farmington


203


I59


362


Groveland


32


I39


171


Holly


203


327


530


Highland


86


I86


272


Rose


62


1.46


208


Royal Oak


142


96


238


Oxford


109


315


424


Orion


169


1.48


317


Oakland


22


122


144


Milford


71


373


444


Novi


88


I49


237


Springfield


62


117


179


Southfield


98


57


I55


Waterford


193


73


266


West Bloomfield


123


86


209


White Lake


66


91


I 57


Pontiac township


I16


27


143


Troy


So


52


141


Lyon


127


162


289


Independence


94


IOI


195


Pontiac-Ist Ward


272


21


293


2d Ward


448


25


473


3d Ward


429


48


477


4th Ward


454


62


516


5th Ward


270


34


304


Total


4,757


3.987


8,744


"Shortly after the election the board of supervisors made no delay in taking up the question of the site of the new courthouse, and ordered its counsel to file a bill quieting the title in the county of the old property, on which the old and new courthouses were erected. From all townships came persons who had numerous ideas as to where the building should be located, and from all parts opinions differed. Some were in favor of sell- ing the old site and constructing the new building on many other prop- erties, such as the Pound homestead on east Huron street, the Hinman property on West Pike street, the Cortrite lots on West Pike street, or the Earl lands on North Saginaw street. Many other sites were offered and about a year's time was consumed by the supervisors in discussion and endeavoring to reach a conclusion as to which was the most desir- able location. This discussion continued for some time and finally cul- minated when the board ordered the bill filed in chancery dismissed and later voted to build on the old site.


"After the question of the location was decided the supervisors pro- ceeded to advertise for plans. Several of the greatest architects in the United States submitted their ideas and after a careful study those of Joseph E. Mills, of Detroit, were voted as the best. The plans fur-


208


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


nished by Mr. Mills to the board called for a building costing $94,000, not including the architect's fee of $5,000.


"After the plans had been agreed upon the county officers proceeded to take temporary quarters in the Davis block, where they moved in June, 1004, and remained until the present time.


"A building committee was appointed, consisting of Frank J. Vowles, chairman of the board and acting as chairman of the building com- mittee; Frank Thurstin, Oakland; Henry Lavery, Royal Oak; LeRoy N. Brown, Independence; Charles A. Fisher, Pontiac; John Power, Farmington, and Ezra Gardner, Oxford. After the death of L. N. Brown, E. L. Davis acted in his place.


"The buikling committee met twice each month and awarded the contract to build to John G. Schmidt, of Toledo."


COUNTY JAIL


COST OF COUNTY BUILDING


Appropriation


$100,000.00


Accumulated interest and premium on bonds. 3,142.99


Total $103.142.99


Schmidt's original contract. $ 91,450.00


Schmidt's total for extras 1,574.57


Total $ 0)3.024.57


Deductions from contract. 204.25


Total of Schmidt's contract, extras and reductions .


$ 92.760.32 Steel file cases, book racks and tables 3.200.00


Electric fixtures 1.800.00


209


HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY


Opera chairs for court room.


747.50


Furniture


2,991.OI


Decorating interior of building 3,000.00


Thermostat heat regulating system


535.00


Carpets, rugs and rubber matting.




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