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SETTLEMENT IN MICHIGAN BY HON. G. V. N. LOTHROP
The greater part of it was prairie, but its value was much enhanced by some fine timber. It was also well watered, and I doubt whether there was ever a finer or more beautiful farm in Michigan.
Very soon after Mr. Lothrop settled on Prairie Ronde, the flood of emigration to Michigan swelled to very large proportions. Here his early farm training served him well. He saw at once what would be the immediate and absolute need of the new comers. They would need cows and oxen. He 'at once set about supplying this want. The nearest source of supply was far down in the interior of Indiana and Illinois, and for several years Mr. Lothrop was engaged in gathering up large herds of cattle and taking them to Detroit to meet the emigrants on their arrival there. I have often heard him say that, at that time, the ground was open all around the old capitol building (now high school), and here, right in the heart of the present city, was his mart for his cattle. During this time, however, he actively prosecuted the business of his farm.
But Michigan was fast filling up with an intelligent and ambitious population, and aspirations to become a state began to excite the public mind. Mr. Lothrop shared this public feeling. He was a very decided democrat, but a majority of his neighbors, and, as for that, a majority of Kalamazoo county, were whigs. But, in spite of this difference in politics, in such high esteem was Mr. Lothrop held by his neighbors and fellow citizens, that he was often called to places of public trust. He was a representative in the first legislature assembled in the state, and also a member of the house of representatives in 1836, 1837, 1842, 1843, 1844 and 1848. He was speaker pro tern, of the house in 1842 and 1843, and speaker in 1844.
MICHIGAN
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