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.

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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

THE OLD PADDACK MILLS
David Paddack was still another. In I829 he erected a woolen mill
and in 1845 a flouring mill, and operated them both until his death in
I856. The two sons afterward operated the latter, and Paddack's mills
for many years represented one of the solid industries of Pontiac. They
were located on Mt. Clemens street and were destroyed by fire in July,
I9II.
CHARLES DAWSON AND HIS WORK
Another old-time concern was the flouring mill erected by Charles
Dawson in I849. In that year he purchased the original dam built near
the Orchard Lake road by John Jenkins for the purpose of running his
little sawmill. This was said to have been the first water power improvement constructed below the lakes. The old sawmill was also
operated by Mr. Dawson until 1870, or until the lumber of the locality
was exhausted. Mr. Dawson at one time owned the Legal Tender mills,
built about I850, but retired to his farm in 1855 and the establishment
known as Dawson's Mills was long conducted by his sons.
When first established by Mr. Dawson the elder, in I849, the plant
was represented by a building thirty-two by forty-four feet. Two run
of stone were first installed, a third being added in I855. About this
time he also erected what was then an imposing structure, known for
years before it was burned in August, I902, as the "old Dawson block."
PONTIAC CITY MILLS
Following the management of Charles Dawson as proprietor of the
flour mill, it was operated by his sons until 1894 when Alexander Buchanan assumed control, and in I9oo William G. Yerkes and Robert C.
Yerkes succeeded him in the ownership. In I905 Henry J. Elliott, the
present owner, took charge of the place, and he has been in control of
the property since that time, which is well known as the Pontiac City
Mills. The output of the mill has increased considerably since its early
existence, and has a present capacity of ioo barrels wheat flour and
25 of buckwheat flour daily.
PIONEER MACHINE SHOPS AND FURNITURE FACTORIES
The pioneer foundry and machine shop was that of the Allens,
established near Mathews Mill about I835. It continued in operation
for many years. W. D. King & Company conducted a large establishment near Orchard Lake avenue, in the late sixties and for years afterward, which was the outcome of a small foundry started near the village
of Commerce in 1857.
In the days when lumber was plentiful, the manufacture and sale of
furniture was also a considerable source of revenue to the business men
of Pontiac. In the early forties Moses Fifield, Orson Bartlett, Perry &
Wallace, William G. Page and John G. Crombie were all engaged in
these lines, the last named being also an upholsterer.