Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/187

 HON. JAMES K. LOTHROP.

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��Franklin Square from Second to Third streets.

For a year or more, he conducted the business entirely alone, doing all its work ; and then by night himself carrying circulars and other advertis- ing papers around to the houses of the citizens. Of course, he com- manded success, and he came to need help.

Besides, he had begun the study of medicine, and he wished to complete it. He desired to attend lectures at Brunswick, Me., and afterwards to graduate at Philadelphia ; and he called to his assistance his younger brother, Daniel Lothrop, then fitted for college.

He urged the young boy to take charge of the store, promising as an extra inducement an ec]ual division as to profits, and that the firm should read " D. Lothrop & Co." This last was too much for an ambitious lad. When five years of age, he had scratched on a piece of tin these magic words, opening to fame and honor, " U. Lothrop & Co.," nailing the embryo sign against the door of his play-house. How then could he re- sist, now, at fourteen ? xA.nd why not spend the vacation in this manner? And so the sign was made and put up, and thus began the house of " D. Lothrop & Co.," the name of which is spoken as a household word wherever the English language is used, and whose publications are loved in more than one of the royal families of Eu- rope.

James E. Lothrop took the degree of M. D., at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, in 1848, and returned to Dover. But the increasing opportunities of a rapidly growing business had become so important that his whole attention was demanded in that direction, and he relinquished the idea of practicing medicine. His medical knowledge, however, was of good service in the drug business, to whose success he gave his earnest labor. It is perhaps needless to say that the little borrowed capital of 3300 was repaid to his

��father two years after the loan was made.

The business became lucrative. About three years after its origin, it was decided that Daniel open a simi- lar store at Newmarket, still for D. Lothrop & Co. James remained, and has ever since, in Dover, the financial manager of the firm. In a short time, the second brother, John C. Lothrop, was received into the firm. After the elder brother's departure from home, John C. had necessarily taken his place in farm work. But he demanded a business life. He was received on equal terms with the others. He was placed with Daniel, at Newmarket, "and learned the drug business.

These three brothers have presented a most remarkable spirit of family union. Remarkable in that there was none of the drifting away from each other into perilous friendships and moneyed ventures. They held firmly to each other with a trust beyond words. The simple word of each was as good as a bond. And as early as possible they entered into an agree- ment that all three should combine fortunes, and, though keeping distinct kinds of business, should share equal profits under the firm name of " D. Lothrop iS: Co." For thirty-six years, through all the stress and strain of business life in this rushing age, their loyalty has been preserved strong and pure. Without a question or a doubt, there has been an absolute unity of interests, although James E., President of the Cocheco Bank and Mayor of the city of Dover, is in one city, John C, in another, and Daniel in still an- other, and each having the particular direction of businesses which their enterprise and sagacity have made ex- tensive and profitable.

After John C. Lothrop had learned the business, they proceeded to estab- lish a store at Meredith Village, and still another was opened at Amesbury Mills, Mass. All of these prospered, and the extent of business made pur- chases easy. But, as profitable oppor- tunities offered, these were all sold.

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