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 4
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Rochester Rebekah Lodge No. 390, 416. Rochester Savings Bank, 246.
Rochester societies, 414.
Rochester water works, 41I.
Rochester Woolen Mills, 408.
Rockwell, Charles L., 333.
Rockwell, Edward J., 902.
Rockwell. James II., 615.
Rockwell. Kleber P., 120, 123, 140, 903.
Rodger, James S., 451.
Rogers. J. Sumner. 338.
Rood, Elonzo R., 390.
Rose Center. 476.
Rose township-Mention, 194. 105, 198, 199. 200, 201, 207; physical features, 476.
Roseland Park Cemetery, 439. Ross, A. L., 516.
Rossman, Fite, 418, 419. Rossman, John, 418. 419. Round Table Club of Pontiac, 267.
Rouge river. 371, 178, 487.
Royal Oak Baptist church. 435.
Royal Oak Catholic church, 437.
Royal Oak Congregational church. 436.
"Royal Oak Experiment," 432. Royal Oak German Evangelical church, 437. Royal Oak Lodge No. 424, I. O. O. F., 438.
Royal Oak Masonic Temple Associa- tion. 438. Royal Oak M. E. church. 435. Royal Oak O. E. S., 438.
INDEX
Roval Oak Savings Bank, 247. Royal Oak township-Mention, 35, 38. 194, 195, 198, 199, 200, 201, 207; origin of the name, 428; Governor Cass "sees for himself," 428; settlers of 1822-1826, 429: organized, 430; Royal Oak village, 430; business houses, 431 ; corporation record, 432; Royal Oak schools, 434; Royal Oak churches, 435: Royal Oak societies, 438; Urban Rest and Ferndale, 439; Roseland Park cemetery, 439.
Royal Oak societies, 438.
Royal Oak (tree), 38, 428. "Royal Oak Tribune," 432.
Royal Oak village, 201, 202, 430-438 (see Royal Oak township).
Royal Order of Moose, Pontiac, 370.
Ruggles, Elizur, 445.
Ruggles, Isaac W'., 412.
Ruggles, J. W .. 444.
Ruggles, Stanley, 445.
Rundell, Julius F., 383.
Rundell, Leroy J., 700.
Runyon, John, 389.
Rush, Daniel. 452.
Russell. William, 30, 31, 403. Ryan, T. J., 355.
Safford, James, 337. St. Fredericks Parochial school, 356.
St. John. W. J., 437. St. Trinitatis Lutheran church, 358. St. Vincent de Paul's church, 355. Salems Evangelical church, Farmington, 459. Saloon licenses, 310. Salyer, C. A., 385. Sanford. Miles, 344 Sanford, Josephine B., 97. Sapp. Resin, 341. 344.
Sashabaw creek, 467.
Sashabaw plains. 466. Satterlee, Samuel, 123, 216
Sawyer, Edward, 144. Sawyer, Joseph, E., 124. 140, 142, 367. Sayles, Lyman A .. 258, 586. Scene on the Rouge river (view), 492. Scenes along Paint creek (views), 442. Schermerhorn, Rufus, 850. Schluchter, J. H., 426. Schofield, S., 451.
Schulz. A. P., 257. Scott, John. 432. Second Michigan Infantry, 275. Second National Bank, Pontiac. 244. Seed. Charles S., 412.
Seeley. Harvey, 211, 212.
Seeley, Jesse, 494. Seeley, O. C., 337. Seeley, Thaddeus D., 309, 905.
Sellman. Thomas, 449. Serrell, Harry J., 780 Serrell, Samuel J., 780. Sevener, Edward, 539. Seventh Michigan infantry, 278. Seymour, John B., 464.
Shackleton, John H., 454 Shain, Charles J., 616. Sharpe, A. X. M., 369. Shattuck, Charles I., 843. Shattuck, Mary D., 342. Shattuck, Maud G., 97.
Shaw, George N., 406. Shaw, James, 344. Shaw, N. T., 257.
Shear. Bruce C., 581.
Sheldon, T. C., 33.
Shepard, A. H., 246.
Sheriffs, 196.
Sherman, G. D., 451. Sherman, Maria, 421. Sherwood, Samuel, 315.
Shiawassee river. 388.
Shier, W. H., 275, 344.
Shippy, John, 405.
Shore, James, 341.
Short. Marion, 472.
Showerman, George, 473.
Sibley, Harry. 256, 257.
Sibley, J. L., 360. Siblev, Solomon. 33, 122, 159, 190, 286, 287. Simmons. Charles, 823.
Simmons, William I., 897.
Simonson, James B, 247, 431.
Simonson, John B., 431.
Simpson, Thomas, 312.
Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, 280.
Skidmore, Austin, 551.
Slade, Ira, 383.
Slater Construction Company, 331. Slocum. Fred, 397.
Sly, Addie, 894.
Sly, George W., 803.
Sly, Jane C., &3.
Sly, Joshua, 403.
Smith, Aaron, 200.
Smith, Ada L., 97.
Smith, Ainsley, 257.
Smith, Albert B., 625.
Smith, Asaph C., 483.
Smith, David, 452, 453.
Smith, Ebenezer, 290, 363.
Smith, Edward R., 383.
Smith, Ella L., 97.
Smith, Fred A., 338, 572.
Smith, Fred, 393.
Smith, George W., 114, 123, 124, 140, 145, 180, 202, 201.
Smith, Harrison, 303.
Smith, Howard, 393
Smith, J. L., 200.
Smith. Ira, 488.
Smith, Ithamar. 78. 96.
Smith, Jacob H., 627.
Smith, lohn. 274.
Smith, Joseph, 77.
Smith, Lahan, 479.
Smith, Lydia. 380.
Smith, Mortimer, 323.
Smith, Moses, 393.
Smith, Nelson P., 580. Smith, Oliver B., 460.
INDEX
Smith, Samuel W., 123, 140, 901.
Smith. ( Mrs. ) Sammel W., 201.
Smith. ( Mrs. ) S. W., 203. Smith, Sylvester, 200.
Smith, Thaddeus .A., 312.
Smith, Walter H .. 424.
Smith, ( Mrs.) W. R., 393.
Smith, W. ( .. 126. Snook, John J .. 737.
Snow, William T., 343.
Snowdon, Harry H .. 140, 229.
Snyder, C. W., 258.
Snyder. Oscar J., 638.
Soldier's monument. Birmingham, 384
Soldiers' Relief law, 274.
Soil, 10. Soper, Spencer, 859.
South Lyon, 450-452 (see Lyon town- ship ). South Lyon Free Methodist church, 451. "South Lyon Herald," 451. South Lyon M. E. church, 451.
South Lyon village, 201, 202.
South Lyon Presbyterian church, 45. Southfield Centre, 492.
Southfield township. 30, 194. 195, 198, 199, 200, 201, 207. 491. Southworth, Constant. 34. Sparhawk, Arthur G .. 312.
Spear. Archibald. 204
Spencer, B. C. 11., 258. 508.
Sprague, Eliphalet, 449.
Sprague. Frederick A., 33.
Sprague, Roger, 192 193, 216, 221, 406. Sprague, Silas, 88, 96.
Spring, J. F .. 300. Spring Mills, 473.
Springfield township-Mention 34, 194, 195. 198, 190, 200, 201, 207 ; organized, 471 ; Springfield and Anderson settle- ments, 471: Davisburg, 472. Spooner, E. D., 68, 212. Stanley. Luther. 383.
Stannard. David. 32, 119. 191, 237, 303. 471. Stanton, llenry I ... 3,30. Stanton, Lottie M .. 367. Starke, Lena B., 531. Starke. Philip H., 531. Starker, C. T .. 257.
Starker, James B., 400.
Starkey, Albert 858. State banks. 244. State constitutions, 216.
State representatives (alphabetically ar- ranged ). 222. State Sanitary Commission, 274. State Savings Bank of South Lyon, 248. State senators (alphabetically arranged),
State University, 228. Stead. Benjamin, 190. Steel, Edward, 454 Steel, Harman. 454. Steel & Mason, 455. Stephens, Augustus C., 237.
Stephens, Ilenry. 429, 435. 436 Stephens, J. T. M., 398. Stephens, Sherman, 430. Stevens, Ilester L .. 123. 138, 176.
Stevens, Sherman, 237.
Stevens, William S., 243. Stevenson, Henry C., 584. Steward. ( Mrs. ) F. S. 205.
Stewart, Clara P., 100. Stewart, David, 272
Stickney. William B .. 123.
Stickney, William W., 170, 180.
Stiles brothers, 472.
Stillson, James, 443. Stockton, John, 283. Stockton, T. B. W., 280.
Stockwell, Joseph S., 120, 212, 359. 717.
Stockwell, ( Mrs. ) J. S., 201, 203.
Stockwell, Ross, 140.
Stone, John, 423. Stony creek. 461. Stony creek village, 404.
Storz, Lonis, 809.
Stout, Byron G, 221, 245. 265. 337.
Stout. ( Mrs. ) Byron. 201. 265. 266. Stowell, Hattie M., 97.
Strain. Charles S., 258.
Stratton, Jonathan F., 473.
Stuart. Charles L., 853.
Stumpf. C. Martin, 896.
Stumpf, Jacob, 770. Subordinate Lodge No. 11. K. L. G., 400 Subordinate Lodge No. 072, 1. O. O. F .. 399.
Summer resort features, 5.
Supervisors' picnics, 100. Supreme court. 111, 112. 113. 114, 124
Surveyor general's report, 27.
Surveys. 30. Sutherland, C. J .. 257.
Sutherland, Nina, 422.
Sutherland, William C., 759.
Swan, Ziba. 123. 362. 372.
Swan, Ziba, Jr., 212.
Swartout, F. L .. 436.
Swartz creek. 388.
Sweet. M. E., 353. Sylvan lake, 2. 3. Symmes, John C .. 110.
Taft. A. S., 424. Taft. Levi B., 123. 137, 180.
Tafft. Pitts. 483. Taggett. A. C .. 474.
Taylor, C. V .. 328.
Taylor (C. V.) Carriage Company. 328.
Taylor, Damel B., 415. Taylor. De Witt H., 439. Taylor, Edson, 559.
Taylor, Elisha, 405. Taylor, Firmin T., 830.
Taylor, George 11 .. 626. Taylor, Hudson A., 845. Taylor. Il J., 246. Taylor. John R .. 882. Taylor, Joshua, 415.
INDEX
XXXV
Taylor, Joshua B., 218 Taylor, J. S. D., 337. Taylor, Lemuel, 405. Taylor, Thomas M., 281. Taxable property ( 1825), 192. Taxes, 198, 192, 193.
Tecumseh, 271. Tedman, Mariette, 462. Temperature, Il.
Ten Eyck. Harry, 109. Ten Eyck, H. S., 507. Ten Eyck, Junius, 120, 123, 124, 181. Tenny, Jesse, 505.
Tenny, Rufus, 505. "Ten shillings act." 32. Tenth Michigan Cavalry, 283. Tenth Michigan Infantry, 278. Terry, Caleb, 212.
Terry, Charles H1., 890.
Terry, Frank B., 854.
Terry, Henry D., 277.
Terry, Joshua, 479.
Terry, Josiah P., 857.
Terry, Ira K., 212.
Terry, William N., 70. 96.
Thatcher, Erastiis, 312.
Thayer, John, 449.
Third Michigan Infantry, 277. Thirtieth Michigan Infantry, 282.
Thomas, 4, 20, 404. 405.
Thomas, Calvin, 179
Thomas, John, 420, 492. Thomas, Stephen, 179. Thomas, William, 394.
Thompson, Otis C., 418.
Thompson, Robert R., 452.
Thompson, Thaddeus, 250, 253. Thompson, William, 29, 33. 117, 118, 119, 162, 190, 191, 250, 251, 253. 286, 402, 406, 450. 452. Thompson, William M., 295. Thompson, W. M., 312. Thompson's Corners ( South Lyon), 450. Thornhill, Eva I., 570.
Thorpe, Joseph H., 653
Thorpe, Mahel, 97.
Thorpe, Matilda, 053.
Thurber. David D., 312.
Thurber, Horace C., 212, 295.
Thurber, H. C., 204.
Thurber, William, 117.
Thurston, Frank, 607. Thurston, George P., 194, 463, 464. Thurber, William, 31.
Tibbets. George, 453. Tienken, John, 637. Tillson, C. C., 140. Tillson, I. Arthur. 140, 309. Tillson, Philo, 253.
Tindall, Joseph, 423. Tinsman, E. H., 328.
Todd. Charles A., 610. Todd. Joseph, 20. 77. 96, 287. Todd, Mary P., 97.
Toledo war, 272. Tower. Cornelius L., 526.
Town, Charles H., 282. Townsend, Harvey, 763. Townships, 31, 190, 192, 195, 289. Toynton, Charlotte N., 801. Toynton, John R., 800.
Traphagan, Abram, 393. Traphagan, W., 393. Transportation -- Mention 6, 7: First Oakland county highway, 234; other roads established, 235: improvement of the Clinton river, 230; first Michi- gan railway chartered. 237; Detroit & Pontiac Railroad Company, 237; finally completed to Birmingham, 238; Detroit & Milwaukee Railway Com- pany. 238; establishment of present systems, 238; Grand Trunk system. 239; the Michigan Central, 240; De- troit United Railway, 240.
Traver, R. MI., 349. Treadway, Alfred, 169, 243, 295, 315. Treat, Loren L., 181.
Tripp, Arthur R. 123, 124, 140, 152. Trowbridge, G. M., 102.
Trowbridge, L. G., 283. Trowbridge, Rowland E., 487. Trowbridge, Stephen V. R., 193, 216, 221, 487. Troy Corners, 488.
Troy United Presbyterian church, 489. Troy township-Mention, 35. 195, 198, 199, 200, 201, 207: the Trowbridge family, 487; Johnson Niles and Troy, 487: Big Beaver and Clawson, 488: United Presbyterian church of Troy. 489. Truesdell, Z., 337 Tryon, Geneva, 257.
Tryon, Myron M., 585.
Tubbs, Peter, 423. Tucker, W. T., 257. Turner, ( Mrs. ) C. B., 266.
Turner, C. B., 342. Turner, Josiah, 180.
"Two dollar" act. 31. Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, 281. Twenty-second Michigan Infantry, 280. Typical old grist mills ( views ), 446.
Uloth, M. J., 258. Union schools-Pontiac. 335: Holly. 394; Royal Oak (view), 434. University fund, 228. Urban Rest, 439. Utley, Sanford M., 453.
Van Atta, Roy S., 525. Van Biskirk, Kate C., 97.
Van de Venter, Eugene, 273.
Van Every, Peter, 374.
Van Every mill, 374.
Van Gordon, John, 889.
Van Leuven, Fanny, 448. Van Ness, E. C., 359.
Van Netter, Joseph, 93. Van Sickle, Joseph, 466. Van Sickle, J. R., 258.
xxxVi
INDEX
Van Valkenburg, Jacob. 181, 218. Vegetation, IT.
Views-At Lake Orion, 4; Neeley's flats near Rochester, 16; Apple Island, Or- chard lake, 22; Oakland county court house, 203; court house of 1857-8. 205: county jail, 208; first car into Rochester, 241; Pontiac City IIos- pital, 202; Buckland Memorial Chapel, 314; the new Pontiac postoffice, 316; main building Pontiac State hospital, 317; Chapel, Pontiac State hospital, 318; old Hodges house, 320; old high school ( 1871), 336; Woodward ave- nue, Birmingham, 382; high school, Birmingham, 382; Main street, Holly, 396: Avon township hall, 402; Main street, Rochester, 407; water works wells. Rochester, 410; reservoir un- der construction, Rochester, 410; on the shores of Stony lake, 421; Ox- ford U'nion school, 422; Union school, Royal Oak, 434; scenes along Paint creek, 442; typical old grist mills, 446; on the Shiawassee river, 477; on the shores of Pine lake, 478; front of Academie building. portion of dormi- tory and power house and "Castle," Polish seminary, Orchard lake, 480; scene on the Rouge river, 492.
Vincent. John, 445. Voorheis. Carl S., 684.
Voorheis, Isaac L., 212.
Voorheis, Jacob N., 193.
Voorheis. James K., 713.
Vowles, Frank J., 208, 583.
Vowles, Joseph, 447.
Vulcan Gear Works, 330.
Wade. D. W. C., 256. Waite Brothers, 628.
Waite, Elwin L., 628.
Waite, L. Edwin. 628.
Wakefield, Daniel B., 210.
Wakelin. Thomas, 398.
Wakeman. C. E., & Company, 321. Walch, James A., 341. Waldo, A. P., 398. Waldo, C. E., 245. Waldron, Henry, 101.
Walker, Vinos, 255.
Walker, Fred 1 .. 414.
Walker, Solomon, 453.
Wallace, MI. 11., 355.
Walled lake, 2, 3. Walled lake village, 470.
Walrod, Abram. 400 Walter. Mark, 312, 307.
Walters, ( Mrs.) F. J., 261, 268.
Wampler. Joseph, 30, 31. 40.
Wandle, J. . 1 .. 195. Ward. David. 3, 824
Ward, Elizabeth B., 501.
Ward, Henry C .. 497. Ward, Willis C .. 824. War of the Rebellion, 274. War of 1812, 271.
Warner, Fred M., 214, 221, 457, 812. Warner, P. Dean, 218, 221, 454, 457, 810.
Warner. Seth A. L ... 120, 105. 454.
Warner's Exchange Bank, 246.
Warren, Henry M., 95.
Waterford mills, 324.
Waterford township-Mention, 35, 194, 195. 108, 199, 200, 201, 207; its lakes, 484: coming of the Williams' families, 484; Waterford of today, 486; Dray- ton plans, 486; old Clintonville, 486. Water works wells, Rochester (view), 410. Waters, Sarah W., 100.
Water-shed, 9.
Watson, Joseph, 31.
Watson, Samuel G., 172.
Wattles, John M., 170.
Weatherson, Charles. 472.
Webb, Alfred, 301. 303, 860.
Webb. Ezekiel, 453. 454.
Webb, Harriet, 860.
Webster, Aaron. 200, 362.
Webster. Burt M., 869.
Webster. Charles P., 140.
Webster. Elmer R., 140, 152, 229, 333, 337. Webster. James, 218.
Weed. Leonard, 362, 363, 364.
Weeks, James A., 101, 212, 291, 295, 327.
Weeks, Smith. 33. 118, 119, 191.
Weelman, Joel, 32.
Weir, W. I., 416.
Weisbrod, S. L .. 258.
Welcome Rebekah Lodge No. 246, 1. O. O. F., 368.
Wellman. Zadock, 89.
Wells Cultivator Company, 447.
Wendell, John A., 473, 477.
Wendell. Matthew, 669.
Wendorph, J. A., 439.
We-se-gah, 25.
Wesson, Suel, 202, 294.
West Bloomfield township-Mention, 34, 194. 195, 108. 199, 200, 201, 207 ; lakes, 478: earliest pioneers, 478: sale of In- dian reservations, 479: first postof- fice, 479; Orchard Lake postoffice, 479; the Polish seminary, 481.
West Highland, 473
West Side Reading Club, 267.
Western Knitting Mills, 408.
Wetmore. John. 35. 36, 440.
Wheaton, F. W .. 411.
Wheeler. Harris .A .. 338.
Wheeler. Morris, 473-
Whipple. Charles W .. 121, 123.
White, George, 392.
White, Jonathan R., 179.
White. Phineas, 179
White, Samuel, 212, 218.
Whitehead, Almeron, 212, 244, 383.
Whitehead. Richard, 275.
White Lake postoffice, 494.
WInte Lake township, 33, 195. 198, 199, 200, 201, 207, 493.
INDEX xxxvii
Whitesell, R. J., 307. Whitheld, Thomas, 486. Whiting, John L., 190.
Whitney, A. G., 190. Whitney, G. H., 385. Whitney. Wilson, 413.
Whittemore, Gideon O., 119, 123, 164, 191, 218, 221, 243, 272, 292, 293. Whittemore, J., 334. Wicart, L. J., 355.
Wickens, Fred A., 702.
Wieland, Frederic, 123, 140, 743.
"Wildcat" banks, 243.
Wiggins, George, 405.
Wilber, Clinton W., 519.
Wilcox, Charlotte E., 603.
Wilcox, Edwin T., 24.
Wilcox, Mortimer, 603.
Wilkins, Ross, 122.
Willetts, Elijah, 43, 373, 374.
Willetts, Isaac, 33. Williams, Alfred, 237.
Williams, Alpheus, 30, 35, 466.
Williams, Ephraim, 31.
Williams, Ferdinand. 721.
Williams, Frederic A., 124.
Williams, Gardner D., 194.
Williams, George IL., 480.
Williams, George P., 228, 333.
Williams, Harvey, 287.
Williams, Oliver, 28, 30, 31, 33, 35, 55, 302, 484. Willits, Elijah, 117.
Willits, William, 500. Willoughby, George, 781.
Wilson, A. C., 448.
Wilson, Albert W., 433, 683. Wilson, Almon C., 730.
Wilson, Charles A., 247.
Wilson, ( Mrs.) E. H., 261, 267.
Wilson, Jesse E., 258, 274, 406.
Wilson, Levi, 449, 451.
Wilson. Oscar D., 800.
Wilson, Samuel, 419. Wilson, Thomas W .. 328.
Wilson, William, 255.
Wilson school, 338. Willson, Albert, 438, 683.
Windiate, Daniel, 324, 486. Windiate park, 5.
Wing, Austin E., 31, 33, 190, 405, 429. Winn, Anna, 472.
Winter, George, 308. Wisner, Mrs. Ada McConnell, 97.
Wisner, George W., 123. 131, 171. Wisner, Moses, 39, 132, 173, 181, 221, 274, 281. Wisner, Oscar F., 123. Wisner school, 338. Witherell. James, 120, 122. Wixon, 470.
Wixom, Alijah, 470.
Wixom, Robert, 453, 457. Wixom, Willard C., 470. Wixson, Isaac, 216. Women's Christian Temperance Union, Pontiac, 268. Wolcott, Chauncey D., 460. Wolfe, William J., 799.
Wolverine Sand & Gravel Company, 427. Women's Literary Club of Birming- ham, 269. Women's Literary Club of Pontiac, 266.
Women's influence in the county-What women have done
for Oakland county, 259; women's work in Pon- tiac, 201; the Pontiac City Hospital, 201; Pontiac Public Library, 204; the Women's Literary Club, 266; the Round Table Club, 207; the West Side Reading Circle, 267; Women's Christian Temperance Union, 268;
Birmingham Public Library, 268;
Birmingham Literary Club, 209;
Greenwood Cemetery Association, Birmingham, 209; Ladies' Library
Association, 270. Woodbridge, William, 122, 159, 189,
235.
Woodward avenue, Birmingham
( view ), 382.
Woodhull, C. H., 212.
Woodman, Elias S., 218.
Woodward, Augustus B., III.
Woodward, Lysander, 220.
Woodworth. Benjamin, 30, 31, 403.
Wooster. Benjamin, 488.
Wormer. G. S., 282.
Wright, David A., 493.
Wright, Reuben, 469.
Wyckoff. Cornelius G., 494.
Wyckoff, Herman A., 315.
Wyckoff, Thomas, 005.
Yankey, W. H., 409. Yellow mill, 324.
Yerkes, Robert C., 322.
Yerkes, William, 212, 483.
Yerkes. William G., 322.
York, Samuel, 243. Young, Joseph, 604. Young, Marcus, 394. Young Men's Christian Pontiac, 359. Young, Mrs. Welcome, 267. Young, William, 390.
Association,
Zalm, Herman H., &04. Zimmerman, Henry M., 140, 221, 580. Zion church, Pontiac, 357.
History of Oakland County
CHAPTER I
THIE GREAT TRANSFORMATION
WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF LAKES-CASS AND ORCHARD-REMARKABLE NATURAL PHENOMENON-THE LAKE ORION REGION-SUMMER RE- SORT FEATURES-TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES-AS A FARMING AND LIVE STOCK REGION-FEATURES OF THE TRANSFORMATION.
The natural features of Oakland county seemed to predestine its ma- terial development of the past twenty years or more. Its four hundred and fifty lakes, many of which are thus called only by a generous stretch of the imagination, are thickly sprinkled over its gently rolling surface, while pretty islands stud these little gems of water. As there is a lake to each two square miles of land it is evident that these charming bodies of water had to be reckoned with in the future of the country.
In the early times those who settled in the county had to live, had to eat and be clothed, and they therefore did what pioneers have always done ; they turned to the soil, and raised crops and live stock. But as the country developed and became known to outsiders, its attractions as a resort for those seeking rest and recreation, its advantages for those who wished permanent homes with beautiful and comfortable surroundings, became so apparent that there was more and more an insistent demand for land, especially in the vicinity of the lakes-which obviously meant that such demand not only became insistent but widespread. Before de- scribing in detail this comparatively lake transformation of Oakland county from an agricultural community to a country of summer and permanent homes, we shall turn in our tracks and note the main features supplied by nature in the bringing about of this change.
WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF LAKES
The average number of lakes in each township of Oakland county is eighteen, though Troy, Royal Oak, Southfield, Farmington and Lyon are very deficient in comparison with other sections of the county. The largest of the lakes and the most generously supplied of the townships lie west and southwest of Pontiac. Orion. toward the northeast, is also
1
-)
IIISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
the center of one of the most important development of resorts and homes in the county, as it is the nucleus of some of its most charming lakes, the largest of which is the body of water which gives the place its name. In the Pontiac group are Cass, Orchard, Elizabeth, Sylvan, and Pine. Walled lake to the southwest, lying in both Commerce and Novi townships, is also one of the larger bodies, all of which are over three hundred and fifty acres in extent. The largest is Cass, covering about twelve hundred acres, or nearly two square miles. It was named after Governor Cass, and lies mostly in West Bloomfield township, with two of its arms extending into Waterford. Its extreme length from south- west to northeast is about two and three quarter miles and its extreme breadth, not measuring its arm, is a trifle over a mile.
Altogether the lakes of Oakland county cover twenty thousand square acres, and the comparative importance of the townships from the stand- point of natural reservoirs is told in the following figures: West Bloom- field has a lake surface of 4,000 square acres: Waterford, of 2,600; Orion, 1,700; Commerce, 1,700; White Lake, 1.300; Highland, 1,200; Bloomfield, 1,200; Addison, 1,000; Holly, 900; Rose, 900; Independence, 800 ; Brandon, 600; Springfield, 600; Novi, 650; Oxford, 500; Groveland, 250; Oakland, 250; Milford, 160; Lyon, 160; Avon, 30.
CASS AND ORCHARD
Continuing the description of the individual lakes: After Cass comes Orchard lake, in size; perhaps exceeding it in beauty and general interest. It is certainly one of the finest sheets of water in southern Michigan, is circular in form, lies wholly in West Bloomfield township, and, includ- ing the islands encompassed by its water, covers about eight hundred and fifty acres. Orchard lake derives its name from the beautiful island of some thirty acres embraced by it, which the Indians called "Me-nah-sa- gor-ning." or the "place of the orchard." When the United States sur- veyors and the earliest of the permanent settlers came to this locality. they found quite a number of apple trees still in bearing, supposed to have been planted by French settlers, or at least to have been grown from seeds obtained of them at Detroit. Apple island, as it is now called, is almost in the geographical center of the lake. Northwest of it is the smaller Cedar island.
Both Cass and Orchard lakes are now surrounded by summer cot- tages and homes, pleasant walks and drives meandering around their shores. One of the most artistically and thoroughly improved of the beautiful shorelands of Cass lake is known as Keego Harbor, while a popular feature counted among the attractions of Orchard lake is the Polish Seminary, founded upon the old-time Orchard Lake Military Academy. The entire chain of little sparkling lakes from Pontiac, south- west to Cass and Orchard-Crystal, Sylvan, Lord and Pine-presents a succession of ยท cottages, boat landings and summer devices, as well as a display of comfortable, if modest, homes for residents who are justly in love with the sunny and gentle picturesqueness of the country.
The majority of the lakes are drained by Clinton river, although quite a large number in the western and southwestern parts of the county are
3
HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
bound together by the Huron, while some in the northiwestern portions find an outlet through the Shiawassee river and thence into Saginaw bay. A few lakes in Bloomfield and West Bloomfield townships are also drained through the Rouge river.
Most of the lakes in Oakland county have picturesque, irregular shores, with gravelly beaches, and in the early days were almost wholly encompassed by forests of the American larch, or tamarack. Although these have necessarily been thinned out by both the farmer and the home seeker, they remain in the condensed form of hardy and shady groves and some of the smaller islands are still quite thickly clad in pine and cedar.
REMARKABLE NATURAL PHENOMENON
A somewhat curious natural phenomenon is noticed in several of the Oakland county lakes, particularly in Cass and Walled Lake, the latter lying mostly in Novi township, southwest of West Bloomfield. Refer- ence is made to the action of the ice which seems to expand from the center and force the sand, gravel and trees back toward the precipitous banks a few rods from the water. By this action immense piles of these materials are forced for some distance from the margin, where they are left high and dry after the ice has disappeared in the spring. Walled lake is a beautiful body of clear water covering about one square mile, and this action has gone on in that locality so long that in places along its shores a regular wall appears to have been erected by the hand of man. At Walled lake, also, the deposition of bowlders is of quite remark- able extent and compactness.
Some years ago, David Ward, who had a farm on the shores of Cass lake, and other competent investigators, carefully looked into this matter. The consensus of opinion was this: During the most intense of the freez- ing weather the ice sometimes accumulates on the surface of the water to the thickness of two feet or more. This, under atmospheric changes, expands from the center toward the margin of the lake with a force, in the case of Walled lake, to move bowlders several tons in weight. Along the southeast shore of Cass lake this action is distinctly marked, a per- manent embankment having been formed parallel with the water. Along the eastern shore of Orchard lake there is a broad ridge of lake sand, tin- doubtedly formed by the same action, and in places overgrown by scatter- ing forest trees.
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