History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

168

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

He was admitted to the bar in Oakland county in July, I835. He devoted
himself to his professional duties until I836, when he was elected register
of deeds for the county of Oakland, which office he held for two years.
In his profession he made equity and equity practice a specialty, and in
equity cases he was more at home than in any other branch of his profession. As a speaker he was extremely prolix. While MIr. Drake devoted much of his time to his professional duties he was also engaged in
many other matters tending to develop and improve the country. He was
one of the active promoters of the Flint & Pere Marquette railroad. While
he was giving his chief attention in his practice to equity, he was fairly
well read in the various branches of the law. On one occasion while engaged in a suit pertaining to a mill dam ownership, about two o'clock in
the afternoon an important witness for Mr. Drake's client was called.
The fact was first made known that the witness had gone to Detroit.
Then there were no telephones, telegraphs or railroads, nothing but the
dirt road to travel. The witness had not been subpoenaed, but had promised to attend; forgetting his promise he had left without notifying the
party engaging him. Mr. Drake appealed to the court to have the case
continued until the fqllowing morning, stating his position. The court,
Judge Whipple presiding, informed him that it was his duty to have
properly subpoenaed the witness, and denied the application. Mr. Drake,
not disheartened, then made a motion for continuance. On rising he
said: 'Your honor, this being an important matter, contrary to my usual
custom, I shall have to discuss it at considerable length.' The court,
knowing Mr. Drake's prolixity, was bewildered. He saw in his mind's
eye an afternoon's task before him, and he turned to the crier and said:
'Mr. Crier, adjourn the court until tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.'
Drake's object was accomplished. He died in Pontiac in I865.
"Rufus Hosmer was of Massachusetts origin, and was educated at
Harvard University. He came to Michigan soon after his uncle, William
Draper, and was admitted to practice in Oakland county. He was more
addicted to fun than to the dry technicalities of the law. Soon
after his admission he practiced with his uncle, William Draper, and
after Charles Draper was admitted the three practiced together. Subsequently he entered into partnership with George W. and Moses Wisner.
He continued with them until George W. Wisner went to Detroit to take
charge of the Detroit Advertiser, and after his death Mr. Hosmer succeeded him in the charge of that paper. He afterwards removed to
Lansing; was state printer for a time, and was connected with the Lansing Republican. He was a ready wit, a fine genius, a companionable and
popular man. He was appointed consul to the Netherlands, but death
took him before he departed for that post of duty.
"Phillip A. Mcomber was admitted to practice as an attorney in the
state of New York, and coming to Michigan was admitted to practice
here in 1825. He afterwards removed to one of the counties west of
Oakland.
"John T. Raynor came to the state and was admitted to the practice
of law in I835. He located near Franklin. He was a prosecuting attorney in I835; was elected county clerk for the county in I8-, and held
that office for four years. After this Mr. Raynor had an official position