Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Containing a Full Account of it's Early Settlement; Its Growth, Development and Resources; An Extended Description of its Iron and Copper Mines. Also, Accurate Sketches of its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Improvements, Industries, Manufactories; Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers; Views of County Seats, Etc. Published by The Western Historical Company, Chicago; 1883 A. T. Andreas, Proprietor Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott May 24, 2011 =========================================================================== County Institutions =========================================================================== Page 514 Ontonagon County has no courthouse of its own--never did have--but has always rented a room at the county seat for that purpose. It uses now, and has used for some years, the Fireman's Hall, at an annual rental of $50, which is arranged suitably, and is ample for such use. The county, however, has a one-story brick structure, with a street frontage of about ninety feet, built in 1865, at a cost of $2,500, which contains the county offices and records--Clerk's office, Probate's office and Treasurer's office--which was built soon after the organization of the county. The county built a jail in 1855, on the same ground with the county offices, at a cost of about $4,000, which, some time afterward, was destroyed by fire. It was at once rebuilt with hewn logs, and boarded outside, at a like cost of nearly $4,000, which is still used to restrain the vicious and violators of the law, but is not very well patronized at the present advanced social condition of the county. Quite early, after the organization of the county, a poor farm was purchased, and an ample and commodious house was built thereupon. It is situated four miles from the village, on the Rockland road, in Ontonagon Township, and contains 200 acres, which is kept in good repair. Of the farm there are some ninety acres improved and fenced. The building is heated with stoves, and well ventilated, and good wholesome food always furnished, and good, warm clothing as well. The building has no accomodations for the insane and idiotic. Children, when any are inmates, are sent to the district school. Since May 1, 1880, the poor farm and house have been rented for $150 per year, and have not contained any paupers since that date, as they have been and are now provided for outside, at less expense to the county. The Superintendents of the Poor for 1882 are John G. Parker, James Hoyt and John Cheynoweth. The above compromise all the county institutions. The first records of the county were made at the early county seat of Houghton County, at Eagle River, such as the first deed, mortgage, marriage license, criminal and other actions in the first court held. The first District Judge holding court in Ontonagon County was Daniel Goodwin. ===========================================================================