Little, Henry G.

LITTLE, HOLYOKE, ALVORD, LYMAN, MACY, VEITS

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 1/17/2013 at 09:03:49

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

LITTLE, HENRY G.—Grinnell Twp—pg 909-10. Every man of mark has strong characteristics, which stand out prominent like the veins on high-blooded animals. This is pre-eminently true of Hon. Henry G. Little. The stony soil of New Hampshire could not detain when hearing the flowing descriptions of the great West, and he left the graves of his fathers in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he was born in 1813, and came to Peoria county, Illinois, in the year 1835. That journey by canal boat and stage of thirty days, now made pleasantly in as many hours, prepared him here to be as conspicuous in his activities as he was then in his early novel journey. Removed to Weathersfield, now known as Kewanee, Illinois. Here he was State collector, and Sheriff of the county, and for two years represented a district embracing several counties in the State Legislature at a period of intense political excitement, and was the recipient of other honors in connection with important trusts. Eleven years ago the tidal wave brought him to Iowa, just as real estate came into demand, and his good fortune is quite a personal concern, being the just reward of sagacity and enterprise, while a community is debtor to one with grasp of thought and energy in execution. It was like Mr. Little, who ornamented his lands with hedges and trees, while proving their adaptation to such grasses as perfect the best herds in other States, to next offer proof that the bloods will thrive in Iowa, equally with those in the blue grass regions, and good herds, the promise of fine beef and high prices, were brought to us, and next from agricultural chaos, a county society, whose judicious management was destined to bring order and success. Then our young city asked his service as mayor, and secured a servant whose vigilance was a terror to evil-doers, and an inspiration to all having pride in their town. Most eminent was his service in securing one of the most beautiful of cemeteries, grass, plat drainage, walks, trees and lodge; if not mute these would speak his praise, awakening a new interest in ornamenting our home of the dead. As officer of the schools, and a trustee of the Congregational society, of which church he is a member, he has rendered great assistance. The Republicans of the State made him a delegate to the national presidential convention in 1872. The analysis of such a character will be made after death, and any attempt to give it now would be imperfect, if not in questionable taste. We may be pardoned for congratulating our friend on his elegant home, and that his wife has been brought almost from the grave to health with the pleasantest family surroundings, and this mention. Etta, the youngest daughter (now Mrs. Dr. Holyoke, of Chicago), Mrs. Dr. Alvord, of Michigan, is the next, then the wife of lawyer Lyman, of the firm of Haines & Lyman, and the next, Mrs. Prof. Macy, of Iowa College, and the eldest, Mrs. Veits, whose husband with rural taste could hedge in all the family "professionals." The father of all the above, who has been so important a factor in western society for nearly fifty years, we judge could not be easily restrained in his activities, nor well spared from home business, or relieved by the British and American Loan Association, with which he is associated actively as confidential advisor.