Copy of an article from the Burton Detroit Public Library. The article is from THE BULLETIN, no date. In the center of the article is a picture of Samuel Lathrop and underneath is his name and the dates 1828-1885.

EARLY PRACTITIONERS IN GENESEE COUNTY
by R. S. Morrish, M.D.

In early times physicians were quite evenly distributed throughout Genesee County. Many south locations in the small towns that sprang up near lumbering activities, or took up land and joined growing farming communities. Travel, of course, was largely by horseback and supplies were carried in saddlebags. The north part of the county harbored many desirable locations for physicians and usually one or more located in each strategic point.

Pine Run was settled early in the course of the development of our county, and soon became important as a lumbering and trading center, being located on the old Saginaw trail north of Flint. One of the well known practitioners to locate there was Dr. Samuel Lathrop who may well be described as a striking example of rugged individualism. He was born at West Springfield, Massachusetts in December, 1828, and when nine years of age his parents moved to Michigan and settled on a farm near Armada, Macomb County. He remained at home until he was seventeen, when he went to Ann Arbor to study medicine; graduated in 1848, and located the same year in Pine Run where he soon became well established. In 1852 he was married to Miss Adeline Tenny of Armada who moved there from her birth place in New York state, and soon became highly regarded by her new neighbors. Following his marriage the doctor became very busy with his practice and of course, like his colleagues, traveled by horseback and saddlebags and it took a stable of four good horses to furnish the necessary transportation to and from his calls.

Doctor Lathrop is remembered as skilled and cheerful in his work, which placed him in high esteem among his patients. Whatever difficulties he encountered away, he always carried a cheerful and jocose spirit to his own fireside. He was never know to refuse a call for his services when at all able to respond, and made no distinction between rich and poor. He gave serious thought to bettering his position and changed location several times, going to Washington, and Milford, Michigan, and on another occasion to Missouri, spending probably six years between these places, but on his return settled down again contented with his location, practice, and prospects.

Doctor Lathrop was normally of a rugged constitution, but at a rather early age was stricken with paralysis which caused his death August 21, 1885, and unusual tragedy for Mrs. Lathrop for she had been ill herself for about three years, and in her helplessness followed her husband in death eight days later. Doctor and Mrs. Lathrop are buried in the Vienna cemetery.

There were three children in the family to survive their parents, Mary, Edith, and Edward, the latter of whom lived in Clio for many years.

Doctor Lathrop took seriously his task of ministering to the sick, drastic at times in manner or therapy, as was the custom of his time, yet with an honesty of purpose that was so characteristic of the early practitioner.