ROBERT LITLE. Among the older and most successful agriculturist. of East Finley township, none stand higher or are more respected than the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. William Litle, father of our subject, was born in Bedford county, Penn., in 1798, of Scotch-Irish parents. His educational opportunities were very meager, but his practical experiences were almost unlimited. At about the age of eighteen he set out for the then "great West," at that time offering magnificent opportunities for ambitious young men who were willing to work and encounter hardships. About the year 1817 he arrived in Washington county, Penn., and soon found employment in the carding-mills there, in which he worked about seven years, or until after his marriage in 1823. He then purchased with his hard earned savings a tract of land in East Finley township, near the Buffalo township line, on which he erected a log cabin, moving thereon with his young wife, and here they passed the remainder of their days, working industriously and adding to their possessions. Mrs. Litle was a Miss Mary Ann Patterson, a native of Washington, Penn, whose father James Patterson, had emigrated from Ireland. Ten children were born to this union as follows; James, who died at the age of fifteen years; Henry, now a retired farmer residing in Hiawatha, Kans; Alexander H., living retired in Washington, Penn.; William, who died at the age of thirty five years, Robert, our subject; Martha deceased at the age of twentyone; Isabel, deceased at the age of thirtynine; Jane, now a resident of Hiawatha, Kans., married to Stewart Litle; Carpenter, deceased in infancy, and Kate, wife of William McCreery, of Buffalo township The father died in 1887, the mother in 1880. They were members of the M. E. Church and in politics Mr Litle was a life long Democrat. Robert Litle, the subject of this memoir, was born February 26, 1831 in Buffalo township, Washington co., Penn. His education was some what limited as regards book learning but his knowledge of agriculture, which he obtained under the preceptorship of his father was invaluable. On April 1, 1856, he was married to Mary Ashbrook, who was born February 17, 1835, a daughter of Absalom and Elizabeth (Braddock) Ashbrook, and to this union the following children were born: A daughter that died in infancy; James, born December 10, 1857, died September 1, 1862; Ida Bell, born April '19, 1860, married to William Forgie, of Washington, Penn.; Lizzie Ann, born June 4, 1802, wife of William Donaldson, of East Finley township; Amelia J., born June 9, 1865, and William A., born September 7, 1869, both living at home. After his marriage Mr. Litle purchased some land adjoining his father's property, situated about three miles southeast of Claysville, on Buffalo creek, in East Finley township. Here he has since resided, engaged in general farming, in which he has been eminently successful, and he and his worthy life partner enjoy the esteem and respect of all their neighbors. They are members of the M. E. Church at Claysville, and in politics Mr. Litle is a solid Democrat.

Text taken from page 500 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by George & Mary Ann Plance of Gainesville, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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