Mahlon A. Little 1851-1933

LITTLE, ANDREWS, TOPPING, FELT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/18/2014 at 20:54:38

Pioneer Druggist of Estherville Dies, Webster City
M.A. Little, 82, was found dead at the home of his son H.A. Little, on Walnut street, at Webster City, yesterday afternoon at about 6 o’clock, death being caused by heart trouble.

Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Little and [ ] returned from a week end spent at Grinnell, found Mr. Little’s father lying on the floor in the kitchen. He had been in very good health for a man of his years and was notice by the neighbors to be out and about the house yesterday afternoon [November 23, 1933].

Mahlon A. Little was born a Phillipsport, N.Y., Nov. 14 1851, the son of George Little and Mary E. Topping. He was the youngest of there children, the others having preceded him in death. During his boyhood he lived at Port Jervis and Salamanca, N.Y., and at the age of 16 he came with his parents to Iowa and settled at Van Meter.

He first learned telegraphy and worked as an operator for the Rock Island railway, but later was employed in drug store and followed the business of druggist the greater part of his life.

He was married at Van Meter, Oct. 10, 1878 to Margaret I. Andrews, and to this union three children were born: Mabel who died in infancy; Edna, now Mrs. R.H. Felt, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Harry A. Little of Webster City.

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Little moved from Van Meter to Casey and there engaged in the drug business. In 1883 he went to Estherville, riding in a construction train on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway which was being built from Burlington to Sioux Falls. At Estherville he continued in the drug business and also at Des Moines in 1896 and 1897. In 1898 he went to Webster City and formed a partnership with W.G. Bale in a drug store.

In 1926 he left Webster City an resided with his son Harry A. Little at Bedford until July 1, 1933, when he returned to Webster City.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife and daughter, both of Salt Lake City, his son and one granddaughter, Margaret Felt of Salt Lake City.

Mr. Little was at one time a member of the Webster City lodge B.P.O.E., the Royal Arch Masons, Commandery and Shrine. He united with the Congregational church some 12 years ago. He will be remembered by the older residents of the community as a quiet unassuming gentleman. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 23, 1933)