by way of Clam Lake, Michigan (later called Cadillac). In 1870, Mitchell and Innes traveled along part of the proposed right of way route from Big Rapids to Fife Lake, Michigan, scouting it out. When they came to the area between Little Clam Lake and Big Clam Lake, Mitchell persuaded Innes that the original route layout between the lakes should be redirected to run to the eastern end of the Little Clam Lake in the southeast corner of Wexford County, Michigan. He wanted the railroad route to run there because he was planning the development of a new town, Clam Lake (early Cadillac). The railroad, and the lumber business he envisioned, was to be an important part of the village's development. Mitchell would later have the Clam Lake Canal dug, connecting the two lakes and allowing for logs to be floated across them. Mitchell purchased some of timber land at Little Clam Lake in 1871 and 1872. By then it had been determined that the railroad would be routed this way. He divided the land into lots of various sizes and started selling them to develop the village at Clam Lake into a potential town with businesses. There was a post office established there in January 1872 that started the town. He was successful in enticing entrepreneurs to start businesses that opened later in 1872. In 1876, Mitchell moved his family from Kendallville to his new village in Michigan. Later, the village changed its name to the town of Clam-Union. In 1877 the name was changed again, this time to the City of Cadillac, and it was recognized officially by the state of Michigan. There were about 650 people and 350 school-age children in Clam Lake township as reported by the 1880 census. The city of Cadillac, incorporated in 1877, 1885 and 1895, was later divided into four wards and became the county seat of Wexford County. Mitchell was the city's major developer, and for that has been called the father of Cadillac. He took up the business of lumbering in Cadillac, and constructed three sawmills with high production capabilities that produced millions of board feet each year. Eventually, he became a lumber baron in Michigan, and through his lumber enterprise, he contributed timber for a number of private and public buildings in the city of Cadillac. He became its first mayor. He made other important improvements to the city