My Genealogy Hound

H. G. Monroe, a well known citizen of Oakland County, Michigan, is superintendent of the City Water Works of Pontiac, one of the best plants of the kind in the State of Michigan. He has served in this capacity since the construction of the plant, has agitated its extension and improvement from time to time, and its present excellence is due in a large measure to his untiring efforts.

In 1886 the first proposition in regard to water works was taken up by the City Council of Pontiac, when an application for franchise was made. The Council opposed the granting of a franchise and at a special election that was held the people voted it down. Most of the people favoring municipal ownership of the water works, the matter was brought before the Council in 1887. An ordinance was drawn and passed, placing control of the water works system in a Board of Water Commissioners, consisting of a representative of each ward and the city mayor, the latter to serve as president. The then incumbent mayor, Dr. Franklin B. Galbraith, appointed John D. Norton, Alfred Webb, A. A. Lull and D. J. Hammond as members of this commission. The board engaged the service of an engineer, J. D. Cook of Toledo, who came to Pontiac and got out the first accurate map of the city. A municipal election was held in the summer of 1887 and bonds to the extent of $75,000 issued, and in the spring of 1888 additional bonds to the extent of $10,000 were issued at 4 1/2 per cent. Mr. Monroe was made superintendent of construction and work was begun in the spring of 1888, the plant beginning operations on November 14, 1888. The contract for the building and equipment of the plant had been awarded to W. S. Parker & Company on December 21, 1887. The equipment consisted of two 1,500,000 gallon Worthington duplex compound condensing engines, and two 75-horsepower boilers, together with 14 miles of mains and 175 fire hydrants. In 1893, a special election was held and a bond issue of $15,000 was voted for the extension of the plant, about four miles of mains and necessary fire hydrants being added. In 1896 the water board was abolished and the Board of Public Works now has it in charge, subject to the Common Council. Up to 1896, in addition to the bond issues, some $40,000 of the earnings were used in the improvement and extension of the system. Owing to the increase in population and demand for water, the old plant became inadequate, and in 1901 a special election was held and $50,000 in bonds were voted for the extension of mains and increased pumping facilities. Work was begun immediately and the contract awarded to the Snow Steam Pump Company of Buffalo, New York, for one high duty, triple expansion, crank and fly wheel pumping engine of 5,000,000 gallons daily capacity; also for a 200 horsepower Continental boiler, The old engine room was 37 feet square, and the boiler room, 30 feet square. The new engine room is 50 by 70 feet, and the boiler room, 30 by 46 feet. The building has a stone foundation, with brick superstructure, its height from the floor being 40 feet. At the close of construction there was a deficiency, owing to the high grade of machinery purchased, of $15,000, which was met by another issue of bonds. This made a total of $165,000 issued in bonds, and $40,000 spent from the earnings, the cost of the plant as it stands today. The duty guarantee of the new engine was 140,000,000 foot pounds of work for 1,000 pounds of dry steam consumed by the engine while running on domestic service. The test took place June 10, 1903, and the result showed a duty of 142,384,000 foot pounds. The engine is the first of its type to be erected and placed in use in the Lower Peninsula. The engine will average 7,000,000 gallons per day easily. There are 30 miles of mains and 250 fire hydrants, the source of supply being nine 8-inch wells, of 196 feet average depth, the water coming up to within two feet of the floor of the building. The average suction lift is about seven feet, the domestic pressure is 60 pounds to the square inch, and for fire purposes, if necessary, 150 pounds to the square inch.

Mr. Monroe was born in Rochester, New York, but has resided in Michigan most of his life, coming to the State as a boy. He resided in St. Clair County for a time and has since been located in Oakland County. He engaged in various lines of business, but for the past 23 or 24 years has engaged in engineering. His work as superintendent of the Pontiac Water Works has been most efficient, and he enjoys the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Monroe was united in marriage with a daughter of J. C. Davis of Pontiac, she being a native of Oakland County. Five children were born to them, as follows: Lottie E., wife of Homer Osmun of Waterford township; Sarah Adell, wife of Frank Willits of Pontiac; Hector L., who is employed at the Pontiac Water Works; and Charles H., and John C., who are attending school. Politically, our subject is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the B. P. O. E., A. O. U. W., and Loyal Guards, The family home is at No. 68 Norton avenue, and was one of the first three built on that street.