Editor’s note: The Daily Press, in cooperation with three other Upper Peninsula newspapers, is running companion pieces to Ogden Newspapers’ “America at 250” series, with a focus on the U.P.’s role in building America. For this week’s “America at 250” story, see page A-10. Before the advent of the railroad, wagons provided the most common mode of land transportation, and were capable of covering little more than 30 miles a day. Thus, most Americans lived and died close to their birthplace, seldom traveling more than 50 miles from home. With the departure of the ...