Littell, D.R.

DAVIS

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/9/2009 at 17:54:24

D.R. Littell is living retired in Sumner, having reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey. At different times he has been connected with various business interests in the town and with agricultural pursuits in Bremer county, and the success which he has attained marks him as a prominent and representative citizen. Since 1869 he had lived in this part of Iowa and during the intervening years has borne an honorable and worthy part in promoting its advancement and growth. He was born in Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, August 30, 1843, and is a son of David and Almira Littell. The parents removed to Illinois in 1849 and settled in Albion, Edwards county. They were passengers on the Belle of the West when it burned and when fifty-three lives were lost. The Littell family escaped but lost all of their personal property and two thousand dollars in money. After spending nine months in Illinois they moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, and at the end of four years came to Monroe county, this state, the mother dying in 1868.

D.R. Littell acquired a common-school education and at the age of twnty-one began his independent career, turning his attention to farming. He came to Bremer county in 1869 and settled in Sumner township, where he operated a farm for several years. He afterward moved to Sumner, where he opened the first meat market in the town, conducting this with gratifying success for eight years. He was afterward for one year in the harness business and then became an auctioneer, following this occupation with unusual success for thirty years thereafter, crying sales throughout a large territory. When he abandoned the auctioneering business he retired from active life but he has still valuable property interests, including a one hundred and sixty acre farm in Fayette county and forty-five acres within the corporate limits of Sumner.

At Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1867, Mr. Littell married Miss Laura C. Davis and they became the parents of four children: W.O., deceased; D.F., who has also passed away; O.B., a farmer in Fayette county; and James H., a telegraph operator at New Hampton.

Mr. Littell is a member of the Mssonic lodge and he gives his plitical allegiance to the republican party. For many years past he has been one of the greatest individual forces in the community life of Sumner, having been the first mayor of the city and holding that office for several years. He was justice of the peace for over twenty years and was elected county supervisor although the county normally gives a large democratic majority. He is known as a progressive, practical and conscientious public offical. He is active in his support of all measures and movements calculated to advance the best interests of the community and he holds the confidence and respect of his neighbors as a public-spirited and loyal citizen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914