LITTLE, William Martin - 1914

LITTLE, ROGERS, WHITEHOUSE, BAMISH, ALLISON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 17:11:48

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WILLIAM MARTIN LITTLE.

William Martin Little, carrying on general farming and stockraising upon a fine farm of three hundred and sixty acres in Pilot township, upon a portion of which his father settled in pioneer times, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1851. He is a son of William P. and Rebecca (Rogers) Little, the former a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, born in 1812. He engaged in farming in that locality for a number of years but in 1858 moved west, locating in Pilot township, this county. He homesteaded eighty acres of land now in possession of his son and upon this property engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred August 15, 1887. His wife, who was also a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, died in Cherokee county, December 5, 1878. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the father was a local preacher. His political support was given to the republican party, and he served as school director for several years. In his family were the following children: Albert C., Sarah R., Ezra S. and Hattie L., all deceased; Emma L., the wife of Eldo H. Whitehouse, of Canora, Saskatchewan, Canada; William Martin, of this review; and J. R., of Cherokee.

William M. Little acquired his early education in the public schools of Lycom- ing county, Pennsylvania, and afterward attended the schools of Cherokee county for two years. In March, 1871, he returned to Pennsylvania and there spent five years at the carpenters trade, working for his oldest brother. In 1876 he came again to Cherokee county and for some time thereafter assisted in the operation of his fathers farm. He later purchased the homestead, which at that time consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, and upon this property he has since resided. He has added to his holdings from time to time, owning now three hundred and sixty acres of well improved and valuable land. In addition to general farming he also raises and feeds stock and has made both branches of his activities important and profitable.

On the 25th of January, 1888, Mr. Little married Miss Phean E. Bamish, a daughter of George W. and Margaret (Allison) Bamish, of Cherokee. Mr. and Mrs. Little have two children, Roy L. and Mary R. Mr. Little is well known in Cherokee Lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F., in which he is past grand, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. For two years he served as township assessor, was for several years school director and is at present township trustee. He has proved a capable and efficient public servant and in this and in all other relations of life is known to be honorable, upright and straightforward.