Lothrop Family Genealogy & History

Woodward & Lothrop, affectionately known as Woodies, was a pioneering department store chain based in Washington, D.C., and founded in 1887. It became a significant player in the Mid-Atlantic retail market, competing with Garfinckel's and expanding post-World War II. Despite resisting aggressive expansion tactics, it became a target for takeovers in the 1980s, eventually acquired by A. Alfred Taubman. The recession of the early 1990s hit hard, leading to bankruptcy in 1994 and liquidation by 1995. Its flagship store, a D.C. historic landmark, was a notable architectural gem, symbolizing the chain's storied history.

Daniel Lothrop (1831–1892) was a renowned American publisher celebrated for his contributions to children's literature. He established a successful publishing house in Boston, known for periodicals like "Wide Awake" and "The Pansy." Lothrop's commitment to quality literature, especially for young audiences, earned him the title "children's friend." His efforts extended to enhancing Sunday-school literature and promoting civic education through the American Institute of Civics. His career highlights reflect his dedication to publishing books that foster right living, not just right thinking.

Born in Rochester, New Hampshire, Daniel Lothrop was the youngest of three brothers. He descended from notable ancestors, including John Lowthorpe and Mark Lothrop, early settlers of Salem, Massachusetts, and Priscilla Mullens and John Alden of the Mayflower. On his mother's side, he was a descendant of William Home of Dover, New Hampshire.

Samuel Kirkland Lothrop was a renowned American archaeologist and anthropologist, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in Central and South American studies. His contributions include the pioneering 1926 study, "Pottery of Costa Rica and Nicaragua," and notable excavations in Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica. Lothrop's expertise in goldwork and artifacts from regions like Panama and Mexico, as well as his research on Costa Rica's stone spheres, marked him as a leader in the field. He served as a research associate at Harvard's Peabody Museum and worked with the Carnegie Institution, greatly influencing archaeological methods and understanding of indigenous cultures.

Born on July 6, 1892, in Milton, Massachusetts, Samuel Kirkland Lothrop was a descendant of a prominent Unitarian minister of the same name. His parents, William and Alice Lothrop, split their time between Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, where his father was a banker involved in the sugarcane industry. This early exposure to Latin America likely sparked Lothrop's lifelong interest in the region's archaeology and cultures.

George Van Ness Lothrop (1817–1897) was a prominent American politician and diplomat, known for his roles as the seventh Michigan Attorney General and as U.S. Minister to Russia. A graduate of Brown University and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Lothrop's legal career flourished in Detroit. Despite unsuccessful bids for U.S. Congress, he remained influential in Michigan politics, participating in both Democratic and state constitutional conventions. His legacy includes a Michigan historical marker and a street named in his honor, symbolizing his impact on the state's political and natural landscape.

Born in Easton, Massachusetts, Lothrop was the son of Howard and Sally (Williams) Lothrop. He had a sister, Sarah, who married influential railroad industrialist Oliver Ames Jr. His brother, Edwin H. Lothrop, held the position of Speaker of the Michigan State House of Representatives in 1844, further illustrating the family's political engagement.