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.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

335

corporated as a village. It was not till 1844 or 1845 that the Pontiac
Educational Society was started. The citizens of the county convened
at the Baptist meeting-house in this village. After prayer by Reverend
Pyper, Ira Mayhew, superintendent of public instruction, delivered a
lecture on the subject of education. A committee of five-H. C. Knight,
M. E. Crofoot, H. A. Rood, Francis Darrow, A. A. Ellis-drafted a
constitution for the society. In one of the earliest Ga.ettes (the first
appeared February 7, I844) was the following: 'Pontiac High SchoolWinter term, first Thursday of January, 1845; basement Baptist church;
S. Gale and J. W. Crain.' On March Igth the advertisement was slightly
changed, for then Mr. Crain was assisted by Miss Sarah Edson. Another announcement read thus: 'Pontiac High School-The subscriber
has commenced a school with the above title in Morris' new brick building (now E. J. Hallett's) and respectfully solicits a share of public
patronage. Terms of tuition per quarter of eleven weeks: The common English branches, $3.00; higher English branches, $4.00; Latin
and Greek, $5.00. All rudimental exercises, $2.00. Samuel J. Fulton,
Pontiac, November II, 1846.'
THE 'OLD UNION'
"On May 9, 1849, Pontiac's newly elected school board was requested
by certain representative citizens to call a meeting for May 22, I849, to
consider a location for the new Union school, so long afterwards called
the 'Old Union.' On March 26, 1853, the public school exercises were
held at Firemen's hall. At this time a declamation was given by H. P.
McConnell-title, 'Bonaparte to His Army.' An essay was read by
Miss V. Palmer-title, 'Memory.' There was also an essay by Miss
Chaffee on the subject 'Exile.' Then Mr. B. G. Stout was the principal
and Mrs. Lemon had charge of the young ladies' department.
"From Superintendent Jones' report we take this: 'After ten earnest
and interesting meetings, a site was selected, plans were adopted and
money was levied for the purchase of the site and buildings of the Old
Union. The site cost $638.18 and the contractor's bill was $3,997.38,
$2.62 less than the amount appropriated. On July 28, 1854, $200 was
ordered levied at a special meeting for the purchase of the bell that now
hangs in its cupola. March 31, I856, to provide further school room,
$500 was voted to repair and seat three small rooms in the basement of
the Old Union. On September 30, 1850, $500 was voted for a well,
fencing, grading, shade trees and finishing of basement rooms.'
"While the first graduating class, as far as the records show, was
that of I867, Messrs. Draper and Drake had been admitted to the university on certificate during the first administration of Mr. Gorbin, who,
besides being principal of the school, was instructor in mathematics. He
was not only strong in mathematics but also in muscle. He was truly
'a terror to evil-doers,' for the incorrigibles were surely referred to the
principal.
"Charles Hurd, who came in 1864, arranged a course of study preparatory for graduation, and issued a catalogue for 1864-65. At that
time there were three instructors in the high school-Charles Hurd,