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

"At that time Pontiac was a small place, but a busy one, and where
we are today was a sand bank (the only bank in town), where we boys
played. Right back of us was the old courthouse and jail that stood on
a knoll and was nearly undermined from the sand being carted away.
Very few houses of business north of Lawrence street.
"I do not know in what year Pontiac was founded, but no doubt.what started the place was the water power. Nearly all towns look to
that, as mills are necessary to their growth; first the sawmill to cut their
lumber for buildings, then mills to grind their food.
"As near as I can find out nearly all the old mills in the county were
built in the thirties. The old Red mill that stood on the west side of
Saginaw street on the Clinton river, was one of the first, and it was run
by the late Joseph Linabury, father of Joseph and Howard of this city.
The Yellow mill, which is now a part of the Knitting Works, was
built in the thirties by a company. H. A. Howard afterwards became
owner, who sold it to S. R. Mathews and Eben Beach, who some time
after built the large mill which was so widely known and so ably managed by A. B. Mathews, who finally became its owner. This mill, I
think, was the pioneer of the large flouring mills and did a great business during Mr. Mathews' life. Wheat came from long distances. In
winter the Lapeer farmers marketed their grain here. It was no uncommon sight to see the streets blocked with loads of wheat waiting to
unload that reached from the Commercial Bank to the mill, although two
wagons would be unloading at one time. A. B. Mathews was the farmers' friend, and we all had perfect faith in him; and he was the friend
to this city, for he lent all his energies to build it up, and should Pontiac
ever feel like commemorating the name of one of its noble citizens (and
the country people would gladly help), a marble shaft should be raised
in his honor, and on it inscribed in gilt letters this line: 'To the memory
of an honest man, whom we all loved.'
"The first mill at Clintonville was among the early ones, and was
built by Samuel C. Munson, who soon sold to the Osmuns. The present mill, which is one of the best in the country, was built by a company with Dr. Williams (father of George Williams) at the head, Sherman Stevens, who was interested in the old Pontiac Bank at the time,
furnishing the money. It was built in the early forties. About this
time the Waterford and Clarkston mills were built, and they are both
first class mills today. The old Drayton mill (now in ruins), was built
by Daniel Windiate in 1836. Commerce mill was built in 1840 and is
up-to-date; Milford mill built by Pettibone in 1837; Holly mill in the
forties, and is a noted one now, was built by one Bussey; Orion mill by
Hemmingway in 1836. Ezra Carpenter built what is known as Rudd's
mill, Orion, in 1835 or 1836. Mills in Lakeville, Birmingham, Southfield
and Franklin were all built in this early day, the latter by Colonel Van
Avery. Rochester and Amy each were on deck at an early day. Our
old friend, John P. Davis, of this city, was the founder of the Davisburg mill in the way-back days. William Morris, father of the late
Orville Morris, built the Bloomfield mill in 1832 or I833.
"I am indebted to my friend and neighbor, Henry Birge, for these
statistics, he being one of our oldest pioneers.