The business was established by Dr. James E. Lothrop under the name of Daniel Lothrop & Sons in 1885 and continued so until 1872 when, upon the death of Daniel Lothrop, Senior, the name was changed to D. Lothrop & Co. In 1883, Charles H. Farnham became a partner, the style becoming Lothrops, Farnham & Co. The premises occupy a splendid position on the Morrill block, two handsome stores being utilized for the purposes of the business. Branches are maintained at Rochester and Somersworth. The Rochester store was opened in April, 1886, and the Somersworth store in Aug., 1895. In all thirty-one courteous and thoroughly competent salesmen are employed. They carry at all times a vast and seasonable stock of clothing in all grades, stylish in cut, of excellent make and finish, neat, substantial, and sold at remarkably low prices. In the hat and furnishing goods department the display is always a tempting one, comprising all that is desirable in shirts, collars, cuffs, neckware, underwear, hosiery, gloves, bags, hats, caps, etc. The shoe department is replete with all the latest standard makes of shoes for both sexes and a large stock of children’s and misses’ footwear is kept on hand. This department will bear favorable comparison with any store of the kind in New England, being elegantly furnished and carpeted. It is safe to assert that a more comprehensive, elegant or desirable assortment of goods appropriate to the carious departments cannot be found in the state. The store itself is the handsomest and one of the largest in the city, perfectly lighted and ventilated and is a pleasant place to visit. Polite and obliging salesmen give the same attention to rich and poor alike and the prices of all the goods are uniformly low. Built upon a solid foundation with no misrepresentation the firm has worthily earned the reputation of reliable outfitters and hopes to still further augment its trade by constantly studying the wants of their patrons. Mr. Farnham is the active partner and manages the entire business. He spends one day each week in Rochester, Somersworth and Boston, pushing with vigor the interests of the firm.
From "Dover, New Hampshire, Its History and Industries" by A.E.G. Nye, c 1898.