Little, Robert B.

LITTLE, MAHOOD, FRANCE, WELD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 07:27:59

Robert B. Little

The present high standing of Jasper County among the agricultural regions of Iowa may be attributed to the patient, self-sacrificing labors of the men who have for years conducted general farming pursuits here. As a representative of this class we present the name of Robert B. Little, a successful and capable farmer residing on section 1, Palo Alto Township. Since coming to this county in 1868, he has witnessed its development and contributed to its material prosperity, and while advancing his personal interest has also promoted the welfare of the people. His landed possessions aggregate one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has placed first-class improvements.

A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Little was born in Allegheny County, on the 8th of January 1814, being a son John and Margaret Little. His paternal grandfather is said to have been a soldier in the War of the Revolution, but other than that little is known concerning his ancestry; He was reared to manhood in his native county, and in his boyhood was a student in the subscription schools which were then held in primitive log cabins scattered throughout Pennsylvania. His education has been acquired mainly in the school of experience, and by observation and reading he has become a well-informed man. Upon arriving at man's estate he learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, which he followed for many years.

Upon forming domestic ties, Mr. Little was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Mahood, a native of Pennsylvania. Seven children were born to this union, of whom five are now living, namely: Margaret, James H., John, Ann, who is the wife of Alphonso France, and Jennie, who married Homer Weld. For years after his marriage Mr. Little resided in Pennsylvania, whence, in 1860, he removed to West Virginia and resided in that state for a number of years. Upon coming west he made his home in Rock Island County, Ill., for a time, and from there removed to Jasper County in 1868, settling upon the farm which he has since owned and which was then in a wild, unimproved condition. With the assistance of his sons, Mr. Little has cleared the land and placed the soil under excellent cultivation. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres, and his sons are the owners of one hundred and eighty acres, making a total acreage of three hundred and forty.

As every public-spirited citizen should, Mr. Little takes an intelligent interest in local and national issues of importance, and in matters political gives the weight of his influence and ballot to the principles of the Democratic Party. He has served in numerous positions of trust, and his son, John, has filled the position of Trustee of Palo Alto Township. In his religious belief, he is identified with the United Presbyterian Church, and is a generous contributor to all enterprises originated and conducted by that denomination. He is a man possessing characteristics of the highest patriotism, and during the Civil War his sympathies were enlisted on the side of the Union. He was hired as a teamster by the Government, and under the command of General Fremont, traveled through West Virginia, and later under General Hunt, Jr. participated in the campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. For about three years he was thus engaged, receiving a discharge at the close of the war. He was not enlisted as a soldier. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 339.