Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/404

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��Daniel Lothrop.

��been received by the young druggist was of great advantage to him, his thorough knowledge of Latin was of immediate service, and his skill and care and knowledge was widely recog- nized and respected. The store became his college, where his affection for books soon led him to introduce them as an adjunct to his business.

Thus was he- when a mere boy launched on a successful business career. His energy, since proved inexhaustible, soon began to open outward. When about seventeen his attention was at- tracted to the village of Newmarket as a desirable location for a drug store, and he seized an opportunity to hire a store and stock it. His executive and finan- cial ability were strikingly honored in this venture. Having it in successful operation, he called the second brother, John C. Lothrop, who about this time was admitted to the firm, and left him in charge of the new establishment, while he started a similar store at Meredith Bridge, now called Laconia. The firm now consisted of the three brothers.

" These three brothers have presented a most remarkable spirit of family union. Remarka- ble 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 & Co.' For thirty-sbc years, through all the stress and strain of business life in this rushing age, their loyalty has been preserved strong and pure. Without a ques- tion 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 another, and each having the particular direction of the business which his enterprise and sagacity has made extensive and profitable." *
 * Rev. Dr. Quint.

��In 1850 occurred a point of fresh and important departure. The stock of books held by Elijah Wadleigh, who had conducted a large and flourishing book store in Dover, N. H., was purchased. Mr. Lothrop enlarged the business, built up a good jobbing trade, and also quietly experimented in publishing. The book- store under his management also be- came something more than a commer- cial success : it grew to be the centre for the bright and educated people of the town, a favorite meeting place of men and women alive to the questions of the day.

Now, arrived at the vigor of young manhood, Mr. Lothrop's aims and high reaches began their more open unfold- ment. He rapidly extended the busi- ness into new and wide fields. He es- tablished branch stores at Berwick, Portsmouth, Amesbury, and other places. In each of these establish- ments books were prominently handled. While thus immediately busy, Mr. Loth- rop began his " studies " for his ultimate work. He did not enter the publishing field without long surveys of investi- gation, comparison and reflection. In need of that kind of vacation we call "change of work and scene," Mr. Lothrop planned a western trip. The bookstores in the various large cities on the route were sedulously visited, and the tastes and the demands of the book trade were carefully studied from many standpoints.

The vast possibilities of the Great West caught his attention and he hastened to grasp his opportunities. At St. Peter, in Minnesota, he was wel- comed and resolved to locate. They needed such men as Mr. Lothrop to help build the new town into a city. The opening of the St. Peter store was characteristic of its young proprietor.

The extreme cold of October and No-

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