For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 134
FREDERICK HENRY LITTLE, M. D. Frederick Henry Little, M. D., is well known as a representative of the medical profession in eastern Iowa and also is an active promoter of various business enterprises which have proved of substantial worth in the upbuilding and prominence of the city of Muscatine. His well equipped office in the German-American Bank building indicates his understanding and utilization of the most modern methods of medical and surgical practice.He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred near the city of Muscatine, December 3, 1855. He is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of this part of the state. His paternal grandfather, Gabriel Little, was a native of New York and of Scotch-Irish descent. He was reared to the occupation of farming and made it his life work. He chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Eunice Arnot, and in the year 1851 they removed westward to Muscatine county, where they became widely and favorably known in pioneer days, while the period of later development brought them many friends. Mr. Little reached the venerable age of eighty-three years, while his wife died at the age of sixty-nine years. Their only daughter, Margaret, became the wife of George Wiley.
Their son, J. G. H. Little, who was born in Middletown, Orange county, New Jersey, accompanied his parents to Iowa in 1851, was reared upon the old homestead farm and after arriving at years of maturity was married to Miss Anna R. Ziegler, a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, who when a little maiden of six summers was brought to this state in the year 1840, Her parents were John and Sarah ( Reid ) Ziegler. The former a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, became a farmer, merchant and manufacturer, and in the year 1840 he came westward from Pittsburg with a stock of goods and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Muscatine, opening a store at what is now No.120 West Second street. This was one of the first mercantile enterprises of the town, and he carried on business there for a number of years, having a general line of goods. His life's labors were ended in death when he was eighty years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of fifty-seven years. Their family included George, John, Anna, Mary, Bell and Stella Ziegler. The mother, Mrs. Sarah ( Reid ) Ziegler, was a daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Reid, who served with the Eleventh, Third and First Pennsylvania Regiments of the Continental line in defense of American liberty at the time of the Revolutionary war.
Following the marriage of J. G. H. Little and Anna R. Ziegler, they took up their abode upon a farm three miles north of Muscatine, where they lived until 1876, and then established their home in the county seat. The father carried on agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life, but later became identified with the Iowa Mortgage Company and afterward with the Prairie Cattle Company of Tascosa, Texas. His next business adventure was with the Bakersfield Land Company of Bakersfield, California. Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church and died in that faith, the former passing away in Muscatine in 1893 at the age of fifty-seven years, and the latter in 1900 when sixty-six years of age.
Dr. Little, their only child was reared in Muscatine and at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools, in which he passed through consecutive grades as the years advanced. His consideration of the field of business and its many avenues of activity led him to the determination of making the practice of medicine his life work. He began studying along that line in March, 1876, and was graduated from the college of medicine of the University of Iowa on the 5th of March, 1879. He has since practiced in Muscatine, and his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has won him the high and unqualified regard of the members of the medical fraternity. He belongs to the Muscatine County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, and also to the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Aside from the private practice of his profession, he has done considerable public work, being the first member of the board of health of Muscatine in 1880. He was also surgeon general of Iowa for four years on the staff of Governor Boies, and was surgeon general of the Second Regiment Iowa National Guard from 1888 until 1890. He has likewise been a member of the staff of the Hershey Hospital and president of the board of pension examiners. Aside from his more strictly professional interests, Dr. Little is well known in business circles, his energy and keen discernment proving potent factors in the successful management of important financial and commercial interests. He is a director of the German-American Savings Bank, the Roach-Musser Sash & Door Company, a director and treasurer of the German-American Timber Company, a director of the American Security Company of Davenport, and a director of the Puritan Ice Company. His ability enables him to find ready solution for intricate business problems and where a man of less resolute spirit would become discouraged by events which seem to promise little, he coordinates forces so that substantial results are achieved.
On the 5th of April, 1906, Dr. Little was married to Miss Amelia Timm, a daughter of Frederick and Caroline ( Stegmann ) Timm. A social nature makes Dr. Little appreciative of pleasant companionship and the relations of friendship. He belongs to Iowa Lodge No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter No. 4, R. A. M.; Webb Council; De Molay Commandery No. 1, K. T.; Zarephath Consistory, A. & A. S. R.; and Kaaba Temple, N. M. S. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has always been willing to do his full share in promoting the welfare and progress of the city. He has served as a member of the school board for three years, and his efforts have been an element in the material, intellectual and social developement of Muscatine.
Back to Biographical Index Page