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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
H. I. LITTLE, deceased, was a native of Boonsboro, Md., where he was born Nov. 25, 1826. He was the son of William and Wilhelmina Little, who emigrated to Ohio when Henry was a small boy, in the year 1835. June 1, 1841, they removed to Columbus, Louisa Co., Iowa, during our territorial organization, remaining there until Oct. 1, 1848, when they removed to Mt. Morris, Ogle Co., Ill., where he resided until Oct. 5, 1878, when he removed to Oskaloosa. Mr. Little was a carriage-maker by trade, and followed that business from early manhood. He was a man of large general knowledge and well posted in the affairs of the country, a firm believer in the principles of the Republican party, and a warm advocate of all its measures. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife was a member of the German Reform Church. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom are living: Eldredge W., of Ocean Grove, N. J., is a graduate of Rock River Seminary at Mt. Morris, Ill.; Martha A. is the wife of Daniel H. Smith, of Ogle County, Ill; Harriet A. is the wife of Samuel Middour, of Oskaloosa. Mr. Little died in Mt. Morris in January, 1872, and Mrs. Little is now living in Oskaloosa at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and is an unusually active lady for her age. The subject of this sketch was early apprenticed to the trade of carriage and wagon maker, receiving in the meantime a liberal education. In early life he assisted his father by the labor of his bands in the support of the family. He worked as a journeyman in three different States, and when he first settled at Mt. Morris, Ill., all the stock for the construction of wagons had to be hauled from Chicago. Mr. Little was married at Mt. Morris, Feb. 1, 1854, to Miss A. Norvella McNeill, a daughter of Francis and Mary E. (Cronise) McNeill. By this union there were nine children: William F., educated at Mt. Morris Seminary, is engaged in the livery and transfer business at Oskaloosa, and is a member of the Oskaloosa Livery and Transfer Company; he married Mary E. Adams; Charlie F. is a tinner by trade; he married Annie V. Newcomer, and lives at Knoxville, Iowa; Harry is Superintendent of the freighting department of the Oskaloosa Livery and Transfer Company, and is married to Miss Nellie Alexander; Minnie E. is the wife of Charles Lofland, Cashier of the Oskaloosa National Bank; Arthur B. is at home, and in the employ of the Western Union Fuel, Company; Nellie L. is stenographer for the American Coal Company; and Wilbur, Nora, and Kittie L. are at home. In 1878 Mr. Little came to this county, and for three years was engaged in merchandising at Muchachinock. He then came to Oskaloosa and embarked in the grocery business, which he continued for a time, and retired from to assume the agency of and furnish the mines in this vicinity with blasting powder. Mr. Little was a man of more than ordinary ability, and politically was a stanch Republican and an active defender of the principles of that party. He was a man who took an active interest in educational matters. Mr. Littie was very quiet and unassuming in his manner, was a great reader, a profound thinker, and well posted in the current topics of the time. He was a Mason and Master of the lodge at Mt. Morris, Ill., for many years, representing his lodge in the Grand Lodge of that State. He died in Oskaloosa March 1, 1886, and was interred with the solemn rites of that order and its beautiful and impressive ceremony. Mrs. Little is still a resident of Oaksloosa, where she is surrounded by her children, who assist her in the affairs of life and comfort her in her bereavement.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy