Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 06.djvu/478

 LITTLEFIELD

LITTLE JOHN

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Littlefield who settled in New Shoreham in 1721. His parents removed to Warwick, R.I., in 1831, and he attended the public schools. At an early age he entered the Sprague mill. He served as clerk for his brother, George L. Littlefield at //A/^^-^^ Central Falls, 1845-51, and in 1851 lie entered into part- nership with him. He was married Feb. 9, 1853, to Re- \ becca Jane, daughter of Eb- enezer and Jane (Padvvell) Nortliup of Central Falls. He was division inspector of the state militia with the rank of colonel, 1864-69. He was a Whig in politics in liis youth and later was identified with the Republican party. The town- ship of Lincoln was set apart in 1871, and he was a member of the town council, 1873-77; was a representative in the general assembly, 1876-77; a state senator, 1878-79; and was the Republican candidate for governor of Rhode Island in 1880. In the election lie received only a plurality of votes cast, and the election going to the legisla- ture he was chosen by a majority of sixty on joint ballot. He was re-elected by a large ma- jority in 1881, and served as governor, 1881-83. He died in Lincoln, R.I., Dec. 21, 1893.

LITTLEFIELD, Charles Edgar, representa- tive, was born in Lebanon, Maine, June 21, 1851; son of the Rev. William H. and May (Stevens) Littlefield, both descendants of early Piscataqua settlers. His father was an expert millwright and the son learned the carpenter's trade after attending the public schools and Foxcroft academy. He was admitted to the Knox county bar in 1876, and formed a partnersliip with Jonatban P. Cillej", and later with his brotber, Arthur S. Littlefield. In 1878 lie married Clara H., daughter of Gen. William Aver of Montville. He was a Republican representative in the state legislature, 1885-87, and speaker of the house in 1887; attor- ney-general of the state. 1889-93, and chairman of the Maine delegation at the Reiniblican national convention of 1892 and at the St. Louis convention. 1896. He was elected a representative in the 56th congress, June 19, 1899, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Nelson Dingley, and was re-elected to the 57th and 58tli congresses 1901-05. He was a member of the judiciary comnuttee and the

special committee of nine appointed by the house to investigate the matter of seating Brigham Henry Roberts, elected a representative to the 56th congress from Utah. With Representative de Armond of Missouri, he made a minority re- port, recommending the seating of Roberts as the constitution provided, and that he be expelled immediately afterward on the ground that he was a polygaraist. He also made a notable si^eech against the Porto Rico tariff bill.

LITTLEFIELD, Milton Smith, soldier, was born in Jefferson county, N.Y., in March, 1832. He studied and practised law in the office of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, 111. On the breaking out of the civil war he was commis- sioned captain in the 14th Illinois regiment, com- manded by Col. Jolin M. Palmer. He served in the campaign of 1862 on the staff of Gen. W. T. Sherman, as provost marshal at Mempliis, Tenn. He was transferred to the Department of the South and made colonel of the 4th South Carolina colored regiment; served in the siege of Charleston, S.C., and after the assault on Fort Wagner, was temjiorarily assigned to the com- mand of the 54th Massachusetts colored regi- ment, the colonel, Robert G. Shaw, having been killed in that engagement. On August 31 the regiment, which was in the 4th brigade com- manded by Col. James Montgomery, was de- tailed by General Terry, in charge of the division operating on Morris Island, for special duty in the trenches. On Sept. 1, 1863, Colonel Littlefield assumed command of the 21st U.S. colored troops, and after the battle of Olustee, Fla., of tiie 54th and 55th colored regiments. He served on tbe staff of General Gillmore, was insijector-general of colored troops, and after the war engaged in railroad enterprises in New York city. He died in New York city, March 7, 1899.

LITTLEFIELD, Nathaniel Swett, representa- tive, was born in Wells, Maine, Sept. 20, 1804; son of Ebenezer Littlefield, and grandson of Eliab Littlefield. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Wells. He was admitted to the bar, practising first at Alfred and later at Biidgton, Cumberland county. He was a mem- ber of the state senate, 1837-39, serving as presi- dent of the senate in 1838, and was the author of the report of the special committee on the noith- eastern boundary question accepted by the legis- lature. He was a representative in the 27th and 31st congresses, 1841-43 and 1849-51; a repre- sentative in the state legislature in 1854, and a delegate to the Union convention at Philadelphia in 1866. He died in Bridgton. ^Maiiie. Aug. 15, 1882.

LITTLEJOHN, Abram Newkirk, first bishop of Long Island and 91st in succession in the American Episcopate, was born at Florida, Montgomery county, N.Y., Dec. 13, 1824; son of