Pontiac township was part of the original township of Oakland, Pontiac was subdivided off on 12 Apr 1827, along with four other townships. In March 1837, the village of Pontiac was incorporated by act of the legislature, with limits including section 29, the north half of 32, the west half of 28 and the northwest quarter of 33, being one and a half miles square, and containing fourteen hundred and forty acres. The citizens of the village continued to be voters in the township until Mar 15, 1861, when the city charter was obtained, since which the city and township have been distinct from each other. The city limits were originally the same as the village limits. By an act approved Mar 20, 1867, the city limits were extended to their present bounds, which include the south half of sections 19, 20, 21and all of sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, being two and a half miles by three miles square, and having an area of four thousand eight hundred square area, or a little over one-fifth of the township. The Present area of the township is twenty-eight and one-half square sections, equivalent to eighteen thousand two hundred and forty acres.

The township is situated in the east central part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Orion, on the south by Bloomfield, on the east by Avon, and to the west by Waterford Townships. It is wholly drained by the Clinton River and its tributaries, Galloway and Pontiac Creeks. The Clinton river enters the township on the southwest quarter of section 31, and passes, in a serpentine course, through sections 31, 32, 29, and 28, leaving the latter near the northeast corner, where, also, it crosses the city line of Pontiac. Thence it runs in a general southeast direction to the village of Auburn, when its course changes to the northeast, and it leaves the township in the southeast corner of section 24, two miles north of the southeast corner of the township. There is a considerable amount of low bottom or meadow land along this stream, particularly between the built-up portions of the city, and the lakes to the southwest, and also above and below the village of Auburn.. For a stream of its size it affords a remarkable amount of water power, there being no less than six dams within the limits of the township, including five in the city of Pontiac.

During the cooler months in the spring and autumn it is a remarkably clear and swift flowing stream, but during the warm months its channel is more or less filled and obstructed by water plants and grasses. Being the outlet of the group of lakes in the center of the county, its water are not subject to floods, the large area of water surface covered by the lakes acting as an equalizing reservoir, and hence its flow is remarkably uniform at all seasons

Galloway creek heads in the southeast part of Orion township, crossing into Pontiac very near the northeast corner of section 1, from whence it flows in a general southwestern course across sections 1, 2, 11,and 10, turning on section 10 to the southeast, in which direction it flows across section 15 and into the centre of section 23, where it changes and flows in a northeast direction, leaving the township on the southeast quarter of section 13.

A small tributary of this stream rises in two small lakes located on section 4, 5, and 9, and flows southeast, and unites with the main creek on section 10. Galloway creek passes through a small lake lying partly in sections 14, 15, 22 and 23. The lakes of the township are Three-Mile lakes, on sections 6 and 7, covering some three hundred acres in Pontiac township, a part of Upper Silver lake, on section 7, Osmun, Terry and Harris lakes, on sections 18, 19 and 20, and Mud lake on section 32. There are also small lakes on section 14 and 34.

The aggregate water surface of the township (not including estimate of the Clinton river, is probably about six hundred square acres. Pontiac township has great variety of surface, level plains, valleys, and hilly lands, with every quality of soil, from the sandy and gravelly hill tops to the rich black loam and alluvial deposits of the bottom-lands along the lakes and streams. The production of small grains and corn is excellent, and for clover the sandy loam of Michigan is nowhere excelled.

The highest point of land in Oakland County, and one of the highest in the region south of Saginaw bay, is claimed to be "Bald mountain" (so called), situated on the northwest quarter of section 1, in this township, and having a spur extending north into Orion township. Lying a short distance west from this summit is also another collection of hills of considerable altitude. The height of Bald mountain above the level of Lake Huron is something over five hundred feet. Its height above the surrounding country is probably from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet. From its breezy summit on a clear day the vision extends over a vast region. On the east, north, and west can be descried the various groupings of conical hills, with which the surface of southeastern Michigan is broken, and a good glass discovers shipping upon Lake St. Clair.

Although this point does not compare with the mountains of New York and Pennsylvania in its altitude above the sea, yet its comparative elevation above the surrounding country, is sufficient to furnish a most beautiful view. The collection of hills in this vicinity is composed of the various ingredients of the drift period, chiefly gravel, sand, and boulders.

The township is well supplied with good wagon roads, and there are four fine graveled turnpikes diverging in various directions from Pontiac : one directly east through the village of Auburn ; one northeast, towards Orion ; one northwest and one southwest, towards Orchard lake and Commerce. The Detroit and Milwaukee railroad passes through the southwest part of the township. The early settlers will be found under the headings of Pontiac village and city and Auburn village.

The first town meeting for the township of Pontiac was held at the court house, on Monday, May 28, 1827. Present, Sidney Dole, Charles C. Hascall, Gideon O. Whittemore, Henry O. Bronson, and David Stanard, justices of the peace. The meeting was organized by choosing Joseph Morrison, Jr., as moderator, who was duly sworn, after which the meeting proceeded to business. The polls were declared open for the reception of voters.

It was moved, seconded, and carried that three assessors be chosen. Moved and carried that no more than three constables be chosen. Moved, seconded, and carried that no additional bounty to the sum assessed by the supervisors be voted by the town for encouraging the killing of wolves. It was moved, seconded, and carried that two hundred dollars be raised by tax to defray the town expenses. Voted that a fence viewer be allowed nothing for his services.

The town was divided into eleven road districts. Voted that no stallion above the age of one year be suffered to run at large, under a penalty of five dollars. The path masters of the several road districts were authorized to act as fence viewers.

On motion it was ordered " that every farmer destroy all noxious weeds injurious to sheep's wool, together with the Canada thistle, on one-half of the road opposite to his premises;" and in order to compel every man without distinction of calling to do his full share of the public service, it was ordered that " lawyers, doctors, and mechanics, and all other persons, keep the roads clear of the above described weeds opposite their premises. "The path masters were ordered to remove the residue, “and that they incur a penalty of five dollars for neglect of this duty."

On motion it was resolved that the next township meeting be held at the courthouse in Pontiac, according to law. On motion it was ordered that the supervisors be requested to appropriate five dollars for the completion of the public well. The meeting then adjourned.

The following were the respective individuals chosen to fill the various offices at this meeting: for supervisors there were three names presented, Jacob N. Voorheis, Elisha Beach, and Oliver Williams. The whole number of votes cast for this office was one hundred and ten, of which Jacob N. Voorheis received seventy-four, and was elected.

For the office of town clerk there were two candidates: Captain Hervey Parke received seventy-two votes, and Almon Mack received thirty-five. For the office of assessor there were a large number of candidates, among them Leonard Weed, Shubael Atherton, Joseph Morrison, Henry O. Bronson, Harvey Seeley, John M. Mack, and Charles C. Hascall. The three first named were elected. The commissioners of highways elected were Abner Davis, Harvey Seeley, and David Lyon, Jr. Orison Allen and Schuyler Hodges were candidates for collector, and Allen was elected. The constables chosen were Schuyler Hodges, Orison Allen, and Wm. Thomas.

For overseers of the poor, Enoch Hotchkiss received seventy-five votes, and Jeremiah Curtiss seventy-two. The path-masters of the several road districts were as follows: district No. 1, Asahel Whitney; district No. 2, R. W. Stevens; district No. 3, Joseph Morrison; district No. 4, David Stanard ; district No. 5, Chester Webster; district No. 6, Henry Thomas; district No. 7, Charles C. Hascall ; district No. 8, Joseph Lee ; district No. 9, Shubael Atherton ; district No. 10, Jesse Chipman ; district No. 11, Joseph Harris. At the second annual town meeting, held on the first Monday of April, 1828, there were present Sidney Dole, Gideon O. Whittemore, Leonard Weed, and Stephen Reeves, justices, and Hervey Parke, town clerk. Major Oliver Williams was chosen moderator.

At this meeting the office of pound master was first established, and Major Oliver Williams was appointed pound keeper. The number of road districts was increased to twelve, and the following persons appointed path masters: district 1, David Stanard; district 2, Edmund Perry; district 3, Harvey Seeley ; district 4, Oliver Williams ; district 5, Joseph Hoax ; district 6, Allen Briggs; district 7, Clispa R. Gardner; district 8, Johnson Green; district 9, Moses V. Merlin; district 10, Samuel L. Millis; district 11, James Day ; district 12, David Lyon.

At this meeting it was voted that the sum of two hundred dollars be raised for the maintenance of the poor, and as bounty for the destruction of wolves, bears, wild cats, and panthers. " It was motioned, seconded, and carried that the school act be rejected for one year." The officers elected at this meeting were, Supervisor, Jacob N. Voorheis ; Town Clerk, Hervey Parke ; Assessors, Calvin Hotchkiss, Harvey Seeley, Joseph Morrison, Jr. ; Collector, David Churchill ; Overseers of the Poor, Enoch Hotchkiss, Aaron Smith ; Constables, William Thomas, Edmund Lamson, Jr., David Churchill. David Churchill refused to serve as collector, and a special election was held on the 25th of November of the same year, at which Joshua S. Terry was duly elected in his place.

The first accounts against the township of Pontiac were audited on the last Tuesday of September, 1828, as follows: Hervey Parke, $7.31 ; John Southard, $82.00; Almon Mack, $0.75; Calvin Hotchkiss, $8.75 ; Jeremiah Curtis, $13.50; Isaac I. Voorheis, $23.25 ; Joseph Morrison, Jr., $20.00 ; Harvey Seeley, $8.00 ; Samuel Murlin, $21.00; Harvey Seeley, $7.66; Abner Davis, $12.50 ; Gideon O. Whittemore, §5.00 ; Stephen Reeves, $3.75 ; Leonard Weed, $3.75 ; Hervey Parke, $17.12; Joseph Morrison, Jr., $1.25; Hervey Parke, $31.00; Charles C. Hascall, $3.75; Hervey Parke, $1.25; David Paddock, $1.25; Jacob N. Voorheis, $1.25, amounting in the aggregate to $194.09. For this indebtedness corresponding township orders were issued, but their approximate value we are unable to give.

The highway commissioners of the present day would hardly covet the work their predecessors of 1829 were expected to perform. For instance, it is on record that road district No. 1 included the entire county of "Sagana," then attached to Oakland County for civil and judicial purposes. District No. 2 included townships 5, 6, 7, and 8, of ranges 6, 7, and 8. Colonel David Stanard was overseer of the " Sagana" district, and Edmund Perry of district No. 2.

At the election in April, 1829, Jacob N. Voorheis was elected supervisor, Charles C. Hascall, town clerk ; Harvey Seeley, Abner Davis, and Calvin Hotchkiss, assessors ; Joshua S. Terry, collector ; Elisha R. Gardner, Joshua S. Terry, and Jonas M. Higby, constables ; Isaac I. Voorheis, Jeremiah Curtis, and Jesse Decker, commissioners of highways; and Enoch Hotchkiss and John Clark overseers of the poor.

The justices of the peace for 1829 were Gideon O. Whittemore, Charles C. Hascall, Stephen Reeves, David Paddock, and Leonard Weed. At this time the road districts had been increased to fifteen, and the following persons were appointed overseers of the respective districts from one to fifteen: Gardner D. Williams, Edmund H. Spencer, Nathaniel Foster, Nathan Curtis, James Valentine, Charles Johnson, Elisha Beach, John R. Smith, Charles Cahoon, Samuel L. Millis, Stephen Reeves, Joseph Morrison, Roswell Mathews, Heman Harris, Samuel C. Munson. At this meeting it was voted that "stud horses, rams, and boars should not be suffered to go at large, that hogs and cattle should not go at large in the winter season, and that every man's barnyard should be a pound for keeping cattle, hogs, etc."

At a meeting of the town board held at the house of Solomon Close, in September, 1829, accounts against the township to the amount of four hundred and twenty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents were audited, and the clerk (Charles C. Hascall) was instructed to draw orders for the respective amounts.

At the annual town-meeting held at the courthouse in Pontiac, on the first Monday in April, 1830, there were present, G. O. Whittemore, Leonard Weed, E. Comstock, David Paddock, justices of the peace, and Charles C. Hascall, township clerk. Jeremiah Riggs was chosen moderator.

Voted, that there be five constables and three assessors elected. The following officers were elected : Supervisor, Abner Davis ; Township Clerk, Hervey Parke : Assessors, Henry Dean, Gideon O. Whittemore, and Jacob N. Voorheis ; Collector, Joshua S. Terry ; Constables, Joshua S. Terry, Rowland B. Perry, Eleazer Jewett, and William Thomas ; Town Treasurer, Calvin Hotchkiss ; Directors of the Poor, Thomas J. Drake, Judah Church, David Paddock, David Stanard, and Rufus W. Stevens; Commissioners of Highways, Isaac I. Voorheis, Heman Harris, and Jeremiah Curtis ; School Commissioners, Hervey Parke, Harvey Seeley, Abner Davis, Leonard Weed, and Roswell Hilton.

The names of the township officers who have filled the respective offices of supervisor, township clerk, and justices of the peace, since 1831 to the present time, have been as follows: 1831; Supervisor, Abner Davis ; Town Clerk, Gideon O. Wittemore ; Justices, •David Paddock, Leonard Weed, Elias Comstock, Henry Dean, Stephen Reeves. 1832; Supervisor, Jacob N. Voorheis; Town Clerk, G. O. Whittemore; Justices, David Paddock, Leonard Weed, Henry Dean. 1833. Supervisor, Isaac I. Voorheis; Clerk, G. O. Whittemore ; Justices, Stephen Reeves, Benjamin Phelps, William Thompson, Leonard Weed, Elias Comstock. 1834. Supervisor, Isaac I. Voorheis; Town Clerk, James A. Weeks; Justices, Benjamin Phelps, Elias Comstock. At this time the township was divided into forty-one road districts, extending from Pontiac to Bay City. 1835; Supervisor, Schuyler Hodges; Town Clerk, James A. Weeks; Justices, Samuel Sherwood, Elias Comstock. 1836; Supervisor, Schuyler Hodges ; Town Clerk, Wm. S. Driggs; Justices, Harvey Seeley, Calvin C. Parks, O. D. Richardson. At a special town meeting on the 28th of April, 1836, Charles Draper was elected town clerk in place of Wm. S. Driggs (resigned); William S. Henderson was elected justice of the peace, in place of Harvey Seeley, December 12, 1836. 1837; Supervisor, Alphonso B. Newcomb; Town Clerk, Cornelius Roosevelt; Justice, Clark Beardslee. 1838; Supervisor, Chester McCollum ; Town Clerk, B. C. Whittemore ; Justice, Samuel N. Gantt. 1839; Supervisor, Chester McCollum; Town Clerk, Charles M. Eldridge; Justice, Wm. S. Henderson. A special election was held November 25, 1839. Bernard C. Whittemore and Milton Hyde were elected justices of the peace, to fill the vacancies caused by the removal of Clark Beardslee and Samuel N. Gantt. 1840; Supervisor, Chester McCollum; Town Clerk, Joseph R. Bowman; Justice, Calvin C. Parks. 1841; Supervisor, Chester McCollum; Town Clerk, Joseph R. Bowman; Justices, C. C. Parks, B. C. Whittemore, Wm. S. Henderson. 1842; Supervisor, Schuyler Hodges ; Town Clerk, J. R. Bowman ; Justices, Wm. S. Herndon, C. C. Parks, B. C. Whittemore. 1843; Supervisor, Schuyler Hodges; Town Clerk, J. S. Carpenter ; Justices, Warren Dunning, B. C. Whittemore. 1844; Supervisor, John Bacon; Town Clerk, J. S. Carpenter ; Justices, Warren Dunning, B. C. Whittemore. 1845; Supervisor, B. C. Whittemore; Town Clerk, James S. Carpenter; Justices, John P. Le Roy, Wm. S. Henderson, Enos Church (resigned), Chas. M. Eldridge. 1846; Supervisor, Corrington Blanchard; Town Clerk, James S. Carpenter; Justice, Milton Hyde.

1847. Supervisor, C. A. Blanchard; Town Clerk, Edward P. Eankin ; Justice, Alfred Treadway. 1848; Supervisor, H. N. Howard; Town Clerk, Peter Hogan; Justice, John P. Le Roy. 1849; Supervisor, Joseph R. Bowman; Town Clerk, Henry Y. R. Hubbell; Justices, Samuel E. Beach, Hiram A. Rood (to fill vacancy). 1850; Supervisor, J. R. Bowman ; Town Clerk, H. V. R. Hubbell (resigned), E. H, Whitney elected in his place ; Justice, Hiram A. Rood. In this year the total number of voters in the township was four hundred and eighty-three, as shown by the poll list. The township was divided into thirty-six road districts. 1851; Supervisor, Gideon O. Whittemore; Town Clerk, E. H. Whitney; Justice, Erastus Bacon. 1852; Supervisor, Wm. M. Thompson; Town Clerk, E. H. Whitney; Justice, Ira Bromley. 1853; Supervisor, Francis Darrow; Town Clerk, Hiram A. Rood; Justice, Samuel E. Beach. 1854; Supervisor, Francis Darrow; Town Clerk, C. A. Howard; Justice, Hiram A. Rood, 1855; Supervisor, Francis Darrow; Town Clerk, Geo. R. Hixson; Justices, Warren Dunning, Joseph R. Bowman (to fill vacancy). 1856; Supervisor, Francis Darrow; Town Clerk, G. R. Hixson; Justices, Ira D. Smith (to fill vacancy), Charles C. Waldo (to fill vacancy). 1857; Supervisor, George R. Hixson; Town Clerk, Chas. C. Waldo; Justice, Joel Loomis.1858.—Supervisor, Geo. R. Hixson; Town Clerk, C. C. Waldo; Justice, J. R. Bowman. In this year the township contained thirty-two road districts. 1859; Supervisor, Geo. R. Hixson; Town Clerk, Alvin C. High; Justices, James Carhart (full term), Francis Darrow (to fill vacancy). The road districts, were increased this year to thirty-four. I860; Supervisor, John L. Bradford; Town Clerk, Alvin C. High; Justice, F. Darrow. On the 15th of March, 1861, the village of Pontiac was incorporated as a city, with the same boundaries as the village, and from that date the township and city were separate, and independent of each other in all matters of municipal and local government. Township officers elected in 1861 were; Supervisor, Henry Bishop; Town Clerk, Willard W. Hubbell ; Justices, Warren Dunning (for four years), Ephraim Colby (for three years), Tomkins Buckbee (for two years), Levi Burlingham (for one year). 1862; for this year there are no records, but the supervisor was John L. Bradford. 1863. Supervisor, John L. Bradford; Town Clerk, James Carhart; Justice, Ephraim Colby. 1864; Supervisor, John L. Bradford; Town Clerk, Raymond F. Dunning; Justice, Henry Bishop. 1865. Supervisor, Philo C. Davis; Town Clerk, Mark Walters; Justice, James Carhart. 1866. Supervisor, Philo C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justices, Tomkins Buckbee (full term), John Miller (to fill vacancy), Edwin Phelps (two years), 1867. Supervisor, Philo C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justices, Morgan J. Spencer (full term), Andrew Bradford (vacancy). 1868. Supervisor, Philo C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justice, Edwin Phelps (full term). 1869. Supervisor, P. C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justice, Andrew Bradford. The road districts were reduced this year to twenty-eight. 1870. Supervisor, P, C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justice, Tomkins Buckbee. 1871. Supervisor, P. C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justice, M, J. Spencer. 1872. Supervisor, P. C. Davis; Town Clerk, Andrew Bradford; Justice, Andrew Bradford, 1873. Supervisor, P, C. Davis; Town Clerk, Julius S. Bradford; Justices, Tomkins Buckbee, George Terry (to fill vacancy). 1874. Supervisor, P, C. Davis; Town Clerk, James S. Bradford; Justice, Edwin Phelps, 1875. Supervisor, P. C, Davis; Town Clerk, James S. Bradford; Justice, M. J. Spencer. 1876. Supervisor, P. C. Davis; Town Clerk, James S. Bradford; Justice, John E, Bulman. 1877. Supervisor, P. C. Davis; Town Clerk, James S. Bradford; Justice, Jerome B. Galloway ; Treasurer, George A. McDonald ; Superintendent of Schools,

Marion H. Short ; Commissioner of Highways, Daniel D. Terry ; Drain Commissioner, Uriah Terry ; School Inspector, George Reeves ; Constables, George A. McDonald, Wm. Johns, Jr., Wm. J. Kimball, Giles Austin.

In the early days of Pontiac it required men of " good moral character" to keep a tavern and sell intoxicating liquors, as will be seen by the following: "County of Oakland, ss. At a township board, held for the township of Pontiac, convened at the office of G. O. Whittemore, in said township, on the 27th day of April, a.d. 1831, present, Abner Davis, supervisor, G. O. Whittemore, clerk, and Elias Comstock, Leonard Weed, Stephen Reeves, David Paddock, and Henry Dean, justices of the peace, all of which are officers of said township, residing therein, and now forming a township board : upon the application of Amasa Bagley and Solomon Close, of the said township, to the said board for permits to keep a tavern in the houses in which they now reside, in said township, having duly considered the said applications, it is therefore considered that Amasa Bagley and Solomon Close are of good moral character and of sufficient ability to keep a tavern, that they have accommodations to entertain travelers, and that taverns are absolutely necessary at those places for the actual accommodation of travelers; we, the undersigned, having satisfactory evidence of the same. "In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names on the day and year and at the township named as aforesaid. Abner Davis, Supervisor; G. O. Whittemore, Clerk; David Paddock, Leonard Weed, Elias Comstock, Henry Dean, Stephen Reeves, Justices of the Peace.

At the annual town meeting in April, 1834, it was voted that the path masters be fence viewers, and " That the supervisors of the county of Oakland be requested to renew the county bounty on wolf-scalps.

Electa Dewey, a county pauper, was bid off by Joseph Hunt, to be kept by him at one dollar per week during the time she may continue to be county charge, not to exceed one year.

From a statement of the township auditing board, made December 20, 1834, it would appear that the township expenses for the current year were four hundred and nine dollars and eighty-two and a half cents.

The beauties and benefits of "wild-cat" money are illustrated in the proceedings of the township board in September, 1838, at which the following preamble and resolutions were placed upon the township record.

" Whereas, There is in the hands of the township clerk of this township the sum of ninety-seven dollars, incurrent funds, that Were raised last year for the purpose of repairing certain bridges in this townships therefore, Resolved, That the supervisor procure the passage of a resolution of the board of supervisors ordering said sum to be raised for the present year, and said uncurrent money be placed in the hands of the receivers of the several banks where it belongs, as the property of the township." Signed by the town board.

At a meeting of the township board in January, 1839, licenses were granted to the following parties to keep taverns : Artemas Hitchcock and Messrs. Boss & Barber, in the village of Pontiac, Warren Dunning, in the village of Auburn, and Amasa Green, a retailer's license, in Pontiac. During the season of 1839 the highway commissioners, Mahlon Hubbell, Ephraim Colby, and Peter Van Dyke, constructed five bridges in the township, the most expensive one costing one hundred and fifty dollars, being at Auburn. In the same year the amount expended in the support of the town poor was two hundred and twenty-three dollars and forty-nine cents. The total amount of labor expended on the highways of the township for the current year was equivalent to one thousand and twenty-six days' work. The following persons were selected by the assessor and clerk to serve as grand and petit jurors for the year 1840 : Grand Jurors, Phineas Silsby, John Bacon, Calvin Hotchkiss, Enos B. Hammond, Francis Darrow, Horace C. Thurber, Abel H. Peck, Orison Allen, W. M. McConnell, Joshua Terry, Alonzo Barber, Leonard Weed. Petit Jurors. Abner Davis, David Parker, Samuel Brotherton, Augustus W. Fuller, Ira Bromley, Benjamin Phelps, Ephraim Colby, Elnathan Phelps, Moses V. Murlin, Chester Webster, Lewis W. Mann, Wm. Beam, Jr. At a meeting of the township board, held April 7, 1843, Levi Holden appeared and testified under oath that William Lorie, director of school district No. 10, in the township of Pontiac, had received nine dollars and seventy-five cents belonging to said district (five dollars of which was in bills of the bank of Michigan), that he had illegally used the same (except the five dollars of the bank of Michigan), and that he refused to pay over the said money on demand. Notice was immediately served on Lorie to appear before the board and show cause why he should not be removed from his office. Upon the appearance of Lorie, the matter was carefully examined by the board, the charge was sustained, and he was summarily removed.

It appears that a " scare" occurred occasionally in Pontiac in the early days, and that unusual precautions were taken by the authorities to prevent the spread of this dread disease. In 1846 the township board acted as a board of health under provisions of the statute, and at a meeting held January 20 of that year, it being shown that the disease was in the family of Dr. Max Myers on Perry street, a resolution was passed that the said street be fenced between the Methodist church and J. Hendrickson's bam, and A. N. Hitchcock was appointed to build the same. John Gowerman was appointed to see that there was no communication allowed with any portion of the street so fenced in. Drs. Bagg, Leland, Paddock, and Allen were authorized and required to vaccinate all persons in the village, and to make a charge for such services against the township. A building for hospital purposes was procured, and patients placed under proper care

At a meeting of the township board, held October 9, 1846, the case of Sylvester Francis came up for consideration, upon petition of sundry of the inhabitants, who represented him as guilty of excessive drinking and idleness, and requested the board to take notice of the matter according to the provisions of the statute. Whereupon the board drew up a complaint, directed to the judge of probate for Oakland County, and asking that a guardian be appointed over him. The ^»unt of license money for taverns charged by the town board for 1848 was ten dollars.

During the year 1850, according to the report of the highway commissioners, there was raised for repairing and building bridges the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, which was expended as follows: For bridge over Clinton river on Pike street, Pontiac, $125.00; For bridge over Clinton river on Huron Street, Pontic, $75.00; for bridge over Galloway creek, (road district No 14); $40.00; For bridge over Galloway creek (road district No 11); $10.00

By the rewet of Lorenzo T. Sperry, township treasurer, the receipts and expenditures for the current year (1850) were: receipts, $4571.42; expenditures, $3859.51; on hand, $711.91. In 1854 the subject of building a new courthouse was extensively agitated, and the proposition of raising by tax the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars being submitted to the people of the county, Pontiac voted almost unanimously in favor of the same, the vote standing four hundred and sixty-six for, and only three against the proposition. The subject was agitated and discussed from year to year, until the project finally succeeded, and new buildings were erected.

In 1864 the question of raising a certain sum of money by taxation upon the real and personal property of the township, for the purpose of creating a bounty fund for the payment of one hundred dollars each to volunteers, was discussed and finally submitted to the voters of the township. The vote was small, but the proposition was carried by a vote of seventy-one in favor to seventeen against it. The township furnished its full share of brave men to the ranks of the gallant armies which triumphed over anarchy and rebellion.

The first settler at Auburn, was a man by the name of Elijah Thornton, supposed to have been from some part of Canada, who settled on the south side of the Clinton river, a little above Auburn, on land now owned by Wellesley Evans, sometime in the early part of 1821. He did not purchase land, but merely "squatted," built him a log cabin, and made some “betterments." Aaron Webster, from the town of Aurelius or Fleming, Cayuga county, New York, was the first property owner and permanent settler in Auburn. He settled in Troy township in 1821. The nearest mills at that time were at Pontiac. Thither Webster proceeded to get lumber for building purpose; but he thought the price asked by Colonel Mack (ten dollars per thousand) was too high, and concluded he would build a saw mill and cut his own lumber. He had noticed the water power at the point where Auburn now stands, and visited Thornton at his cabin and told him he was going to purchase a large amount of land in that vicinity and improve the water power. He finally told Thornton he had better get himself some land, and offered him one hundred dollars for his "betterments" and claim, which was accepted, and Thornton settled near Romeo, Macomb county. His cabin was on the northwest quarter of section 36.

Webster immediately disposed of his property in Troy township. About two hundred and seventy-five acres were sold to Elizur Goodrich, also from Fleming, Cayuga county, New York, who had come out in the spring of 1822, looking for an eligible location to settle. Webster was a wealthy man, and entered three hundred and twenty acres of government land, including that upon which Thornton had "squatted" and the water power. He at once proceeded to build a dam and a mill race, and erected a saw mill. William Morris, the first sheriff of the county, dug the race for him.

The saw mill was completed and in running order, and timber was prepared for the erection of a grist mill, when, in August, 1823, Webster sickened and died of typhoid fever. After his death the entire property was purchased by Ebenezer Smith, who also came from the same township and county with Webster and Goodrich. Two men, named Burk and Allen, had built the saw mill for Webster, and together with Smith's son Aaron they built the grist mill, which was completed sometime during the year 1824.

Elizur Goodrich, before spoken of, purchased a large quantity of land in sections, 6, and, 7 in Troy township, in 1822, amounting altogether to about seven hundred acres. According to his son Ira's recollection, he built a house on the northeast quarter of section 7. Captain Robert Parks, from the same neighborhood in Cayuga county, came with him, and entered about four hundred acres in his immediate vicinity. Mr. Goodrich did not bring his family until 1823. In the meantime his wife died. Both Mr. Goodrich and Captain Parks were soldiers of the war of 1812-15, and Mr. G. was wounded at the battle of Chippewa, July 5, 1814.

About 1825, Mr. Goodrich married for his second wife a daughter of Ebenezer Smith. By his first wife he had eight sons. The seventh son died in the State of New York. Five of the boys, Alanson, Zenas, Chester, David, and Willard, settled in Troy township. Ira, the third son, came to Auburn in 1823, and opened a blacksmith shop in company with Leonard Weed. The youngest son Elizur, Jr., died in Auburn in 1825.

Elizur Goodrich, Sr,, built him a house and removed to Auburn after the death of Ebenezer Smith. He purchased the saw mill and operated it for a year or two, .when he sold it to John K. Smith, a son of Sylvester Smith, and grandson of the old gentleman. Mr. Goodrich, about 1827 or 1828, returned to his homestead in Troy township, but soon after divided his property there among his boys, and purchased of S. V. E. Trowbridge two hundred and ten acres of land in the same township, upon which he erected a dwelling about 1839, where he lived until his death in the last days of April, 1850. His second wife survived him until about the year l860. By this marriage he had three children, two sons, FitzJames and Philip, and one daughter, Lydia, who married John Winn, and is now living south of Pontiac, in Bloomfield township. Mr. Goodrich gave this daughter, in lieu of land, three thousand dollar in money.

Ira Goodrich, third son of Elizur Goodrich, was born in Fleming, Cayuga county, New York, February 2, 1806. He learned the blacksmith's trade in Scipio, in the same county, and after his arrival at Auburn he associated with Leonard Weed, as before stated, with whom he continued for some time. He and John Shippey manufactured the first millstones (one set), for the grist mill of Ebenezer Smith, from a large boulder which was found on Samuel Satterlee's land in Bloomfield. Mr. Goodrich gave up the smithing business in Auburn in 1850, and went to California, where he operated three shops at different points. His eyesight becoming affected, he was obliged to abandon his business and return home, which he did after an absence of about eighteen months, and purchased the farm where he now resides.

The village of Auburn was laid out in September, 1826. The proprietors were Ebenezer Smith, I. L. Smith, Elizur Goodrich, Aaron Smith, and Sylvester Smith. The surveying and platting was done by Captain Henry Parke.

Ebenezer Smith died soon after the village was laid out, and the saw mill fell into the hands of Elizur Goodrich, who operated it for a year or two, when he sold it to John K. Smith, as before stated. Smith carried on the business for several years, when he sold it to other parties ; it eventually fell into the hands of R. O. Quatermass and Charles Torrey, who are still owners of what remains of it.

The grist ill became the property of Aaron Smith at his father's death, and, after several changes of ownership, Benjamin Phelps became its proprietor ; and he afterwards sold the property to N. P. Stewart, an extensive speculator of Rome, New York, who tore away the old mill, and erected in its place one of the best mills in the State. It contained four run of burrs, was thirty-eight by seventy feet in dimensions, and cost about twenty-eight thousand dollars, including the power.

While engaged in this and other extensive speculations, Stewart associated with him John Bacon, a brother of Levi Bacon, Jr. Not long after the building of this mill Stewart became bankrupt and the mill was sold. By reference to the files of the Pontiac Jacksonian we find the property offered for sale for several weeks in the latter part of 1843 and early part of 1844, by Seth B. Roberts, of Rome, New York, and Richardson & Green, attorneys, Pontiac. John F. Hamlin, of Avon, afterwards owned the mill, and he sold to his brother Elijah, and he to Messrs. Austin & Miller, and these last named disposed of the property to the brothers Miller, from Albany, New York. While in their possession the mill took fire and was totally consumed about 1870. It is said that it was heavily insured at the time.

About 1824, Ebenezer Smith sold water power to one Pennel, for the purpose of erecting carding and cloth dressing works ; but he confined him to that special branch of business and nothing else in his deed, and it was this which more than anything else contributed to the downfall of Auburn as an important point. The power could only be purchased for specific purposes named in the deed, and people, and especially capitalists, very soon tired of investing money under such restrictions. Pennel erected a mill, however, dye house, etc., and purchased three sets of carding machines, at a cost of eight hundred dollars each, in New York. Pennel had abundant means, and purchased and improved considerable additional property in Auburn. He operated his clothing works for some ten years, and at one period John K. Smith was probably associated with him in business. The works changed hands a number of times, and eventually became the property of N. P. Stewart, who allowed them to go to decay. The machinery was sold and taken to some other point, and the building was finally moved away and used as a barn.

was erected by Miller and Silsby about 1837, and the firm carried on quite an extensive business in the manufacture of scythes, axes, etc. This establishment was carried on for some fifteen years.

Among other manufactories, a tannery was put in operation by Woodford and Welch as early as 1833, and continued for about ten years. A second saw mill was built by C. C. Parks about 1830. He built a new dam below the one erected by Webster, and the back water at length got him into trouble, and the business was abandoned. Still another dam was built by Wm. Beem about 1833, a little below where the bridge now is on the road leading north from Auburn. He dug a long race (the ruins of which still remain) and built a saw mill which was in operation for a number of years, and eventually fell into the hands of John Bacon. It was abandoned about 1855. A large chair factory was in operation for a number of years, and there was also a cabinet shop doing a good business. Auburn in those days was a better town than Pontiac, and probably the largest business point by all odds in the county. It had a post office, a jeweler, a gunsmith, several large stores, two tailoring establishments, and two extensive blacksmithing works by Ira Goodrich and the Silsby brothers, each with three fires. There was also a large hotel, and the place was a central point for militia musters and celebrations.

It was established in 1823, with Johnson Green as postmaster, who held it for a odd number of years, and was probably succeeded by Milton Hyde. Other postmasters were C, C. Parks, Harvey Seeley, John Bacon, Leonard Weed, Warren Dunning, and the widow King, who was also the last. The office was discontinued about 1866-67.

The first hotel in Auburn was opened by Charles C. Hascall as early as 1825. Among those who kept tavern in the village were Warren Dunning, 1840; Thomas J. Strong, 1843; Daniel Wallace, in 1848. The first store was opened by Zolman Carver, who married a daughter of Ebenezer Smith, and brought in a stock of goods about 1823-24. One of his first trades was with the Goodrich boys, who sold him forty "coon-skins" at twenty-five cents each., Carver sold them at eighteen and three-quarter cents, charged the difference to profit and loss, and went out of the fur business for a while. The second store and first distillery were put in operation by Phoenix Hinchman in 1825. He built a distillery below the grist mill, and brought water from a spring on the mill company's land above the village. Hinchman conducted the distilling business for several years, and sold to Aaron Smith, who continued it for some time.

The third store was opened by Oliver Newberry, an early settler in Detroit, and Seth Beach, about 1826-27. Newberry resided in Detroit, where he was doing a large business, and Beach conducted the business in Auburn, They carried the heaviest stock in the place, and carried on business for six or seven years. Among the many merchants who sold goods in Auburn were Keeler and Niles (Johnson Niles and Roswell Keeler), who did business for four or five years; Major and Thomas Cummings; Parks & Mathews (C. C. Parks and Calvin Mathews) ; Stewart & Bacon, who had an extensive trading house in connection with their mills ; C. C. Hascall and Eugene Seeley ; George Hosier, the widow King (in connection with the post-office), and the widow Hubbard,

Was opened in a double log building, which stood on the bank of the river about 1824. The building had a wheelwright's shop in the opposite end. The second school was opened in a new school building erected on a lot given by Aaron Webster for school purposes, and which he curiously deeded to " Governor Cass and his successors in office forever, to be used only for school purposes,'' and the fee-simple is in the governor of the State today, though the lot is no longer used for school purposes, and has been fenced up and sold. This building was accidentally destroyed by fire soon after it was built. None of the names of the early teachers are now recollected.

was established by an act of the legislative council approved March 2, 1831. By the act seven trustees were named, viz. : Benj. Phelps, S. V. R. Trowbridge, Elizur Goodrich, Ezra S. Park, Reuben Woodford, Seth Beach, and George Hornell. The present schools of Auburn occupy the building formerly used by the Auburn academy, and are in a highly prosperous condition.

The charter was obtained chiefly through the exertions of Hon. C. C. Hascall, then a member of the council. A good building was erected, and this institution was in operation for a number of years. In January, 1838, Francis B. Coleman was principal, and Miss R. W. Torrey preceptress of the female department. We take the following article from the old Oakland Chronicle of June 11, 1830, as showing the importance of Auburn at that date, and the extravagant anticipations indulged in by many of the people: This young and .flourishing place is located on the banks of the Clinton river, three and a half miles east of Pontiac, on the main road leading from Mount Clemens to the county seat of Shiawassee. The banks of the Clinton are gently and beautifully elevated on either side. The wafer privilege is rarely surpassed, and exceeded by none in the Territory. There are now erected fifty buildings, and a population of three hundred inhabitants ; also in operation a grist mill, with two run of stone, a saw mill, carding-machine, two smith shops, a furnace, wheelwright, cabinet maker, tannery, and chair maker, all aided by water power ; two merchants, men of capital and enterprise ; a large and commodious house of entertainment, recently established. The completion of a road, about one mile, will soon be effected, on a direct line to Hamilton's tavern, on the Saginaw turnpike, which will only make a difference of two miles from Detroit to Auburn, and a much better road. Auburn is situated nearer the centre of population than any other village in the county.

Among early settlers in Pontiac township, outside of the villages of Pontiac and Auburn, were Christopher Bulman, from Schenectady, New York, in May, 1831. Henry Thomas and sons settled somewhat earlier. Ephraim Colby settled in 1830. Levi Stockwell settled a mile north of Auburn in 1837. Moses V. and Samuel Murlin, from western New York, settled somewhat earlier than Bulman. Peter Van Dyke settled about 1830. About 1840 he returned to New York, where he remained about two years, when he removed to Will county, Illinois. Messrs. Harrington and Butson settled east of Auburn at an early date. The present manufactures consist of the following: A new flouring and custom mill, recently erected by H. Gillette and J. C, Romine. It stands on the spot occupied by the old Stewart mill, is forty-eight by thirty-four feet in, dimensions, and contains four run of burrs. It is fitted up with the best modern machinery, turbine water-wheel, etc., and expects to do as good work as any mill in the country. Mr. Gillette is a practical man at the business, and has been a resident of the county some forty years. He and his brother owned and operated one of the Rochester mills for fourteen years. Mr. Romine is from New Jersey, and has been in Oakland County about three years.

A wagon shop is owned and operated by S. A. Barnier, and doing a very fair business ; said Messrs. Saml. and Fred. Durrant are running quite an extensive and very flourishing business of blacksmithing. H. Adolph Schonemann carries on the business of coopering.

The original village was laid out in a beautiful piece of ground, and had it not been for cause over which, perhaps, the people of Auburn had no control, it might have been possibly for many years the best town in the county. The water power was very good for the size of the stream, and, as is shown, was at one time extensively utilized.

The first religious body organized in Auburn was probably the Presbyterian, which properly began operations in Bloomfield, and was soon after transferred to Auburn, about 1824. In 1841 it was removed to Pontiac.

At one time there was a small number of Christians in the place, and they probably held some sort of meetings, but, so far as known, never organized as a church. One of the manufacturing firm of Silsby Brothers was said to have been a preacher, and possibly held services.

At present the only religious society in the place is the Free Methodist. The first preacher of this denomination was Edward Mathews, an Englishman, who held services on the fair ground at Pontiac, in 1873.

He organized a society in Auburn in the spring of 1874, and preached for about two years, when he went to South Lyon, then in the same charge. From South Lyon he removed to Jackson. Rev. Archibald Springsteen succeeded him. Auburn and South Lyon were divided and made two separate charges in 1876. Mr. Springsteen remained only a few months. Rev. S. Johnson took charge in October, 1876.

The present number of members is twenty-nine: and there are twelve in Pontiac and fourteen in Avon, who also meet at Auburn. A Sabbath school was organized in May, 1877, with five teachers and about forty scholars, including three Bible classes. At present the society occupies the second story of the school building, but it is in a flourishing condition, and there is some talk of erecting a house of worship. They have preaching every Sabbath, class meetings Tuesday evening, and prayer meetings Thursday evening. The denomination forbids the use of tobacco and all superfluities of dress

The first place of sepulture was upon ground given by Aaron Webster, about 1822-23, and consisting of about one acre. It was surveyed and platted by Judah C. Marsh, an early settler, whose daughter was the first person interred in the ground. The first interments of adults were Aaron Webster and his wife and their son-in-law, named Crippen.

This m still the only public cemetery in Auburn. In the Oakland Chronicle, under date of May, 1830, the Female Benevolent Society of Auburn acknowledge the laudable patronage and assistance severally rendered by the young gentlemen of Auburn. August 24, Edmund Lamson advertise himself as a chairmaker, at " No. 16 Kingdom of Wrath."

There was a genera muster at Auburn in October, 1830. In that year Ira Goodrich was carrying on blacksmithing, and Smith & Dean were running the woolen mill. The temperance movement seems to have been lively in Auburn in January, 1831. A great meeting was held at Hascall's assembly room on the 31st of that month, at which a township temperance society was formed, with the following officers: President, Joseph Morrison; Secretary, John Southard; Vice-President, John R. Smith ; Treasurer, Jacob N. Voorheis ; Auditor, Stephen M. Brewster. Charles C. Hascall, of Auburn, was appointed in July, 1836, receiver of public moneys for the district of Michigan.

The following items are taken from the Oakland Whig: In February, 1835, Pennel & Smith were running a carding and cloth dressing mill In March of the same year D. K. Noble and C. C. Parks were carrying on the business of wagon and carriage making, and R. Keeler & Co. advertise a general store. The 4th of July, 1835, was celebrated with great éclat at Auburn. The following gentlemen composed the committee of arrangements : S. V. R. Trowbridge, C. C. Hascall, L. Castle, Leonard Weed, David Baggs, L. W. Mann, G. O. Whittemore, T. A. Sprague, Orison Allen, Hiram Higby, Ed. Martin, Jesse Decker; James Graham was president, and Thomas Murlin vice-president, and an oration was delivered by P. McOmber, Esq. Revolutionary soldiers were invited free of expense. Among the patriotic toasts was the following: "The patriots and heroes of the Revolution.” We love to think of Bunker Hill,. Yorktown and Brandywine; we love those old Green Mountain boys, Who mounted John Burgoyne."

The great Indian trail from Mount Clemens to Pontiac and Orchard lake passed through Auburn.

The township of Pontiac, outside of the city, has seven full school districts, and there are five fractional districts, being composed of sections in the township and others in adjoining townships. There are eight school buildings in the township, outside the city, and three others in the fractional districts on the township lines. Probably the most populous district is No. 1, including the village of Auburn. Districts Nos. 11 and It are largely outside the city limits, but have their buildings in the city. The schools are all in a flourishing condition and have mostly good buildings; but in the absence of statistical reports we are unable to give particulars. The abolition of the office of county superintendent seems to have been an unwise step.