The French were the first white men to come into the territory, voyaging westward along the St. Lawrence river and thence along the Great Lakes. In 1679 LaSalle established a trading post at Mackinaw and a fort at the mouth of the St. Joseph river. But few records of their visits have been preserved.
Trade often precedes the forward march of civilization.
Men will risk much for gain, as has been amply proved since the earliest days of the race. In America the traders pushed into the wilderness along with the explorers and the first missionaries, and some of them established permanent posts. Traders ventured into the rich valley of the Grand river at an early day. Many of these men were French-speaking. In those days the trade in the valley was of some importance.