J.A. LITTLE. There is a pleasurable interest aroused in the minds of both reader and writer of biography, as from the life of some earnest, intelligent citizen of to-day, we wander back through the years until centuries have vanished, and in spirit we are standing in the presence of our ancestors. Our eyes brighten, and pulses thrill with unwonted inspiration as we eagerly study the words and acts of these heroes of the past. There is a wonderful fascination in this form of psychological study, for, as through a mirror, we see the hidden motives and desires of our own lives displayed in the record of our fathers from which (if we so will it) priceless lessons may be obtained. Nicholas Little was born in Ireland many years ago, and about 1770, with his wife and little son, sailed across the ocean, to find a home in fair America. He located in the eastern part of Washington county, Penn., where his son James grew to manhood, and when twenty-one years of age came to Cecil township, this county. In 1790 James took a patent for 200 acres of land in Cecil township, and immediately began the task of clearing it for cultivation. With his gun by his side the young pioneer felled the trees of the forest, sleeping at night in a blockhouse near location of the village, now known as McDonald, for protection from Indians. He married Isabelle Robb, who bore him children as follows: John (deceased in 1823, in Cecil township), Nicholas (lived on the old homestead, and died in 1859), James (deceased in 1876, in Guernsey county, Ohio; his daughter, Mrs. Emerick, is now living on the homestead), David (first settled in Ohio, then moved to Lee county, Iowa. He died in 1870, at Paxton, ford Co., Ill.), Elizabeth (deceased in 1819), Nancy (was the wife of John McConaughey, Mount Pleasant township), Jane (deceased in 1868, married to Joseph Craig, Belmont county, Ohio), and Isabelle (died July 17, 1877). The father died in 1834.
Joseph Little was born October 25, 1806 on the old homestead in Cecil township, and in 1838 was united in marriage with Mary Robb, a native of Logan county, Ohio. The young people settled on a farm adjoining the old homestead where he followed farming. He was a man of decided views, in politics a Whig and Republican, and voted for John C. Fremont. He and his wife were first members of the Associate Presbyterian Church, at Noblestown, Penn. He afterward united with the Associate Congregation of Millers Run, at Venice, serving as a ruling elder from the time of its organization. Mrs. Little died September 15, 1860, and on February 23, 1885, he was laid by her side. They were the parents of two children: J. A., and Samuel Reed (deceased in 1874, in his twenty-ninth year). J. A. Little was born December 12, 1840, on the home farm in Cecil township, which is yet his home, receiving his education in the country schools. After leaving school he began to follow farming and stock raising on the home place. On March 22, 1866, Mr. Little was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca (Kelso) Borland, natives of Allegheny county, Penn., who came to Cecil township many years ago, where the father died in 1872, and where the mother is yet living. Of this union five children have been born, viz: Joseph (married to Mary, daughter of Mark Cowden, living on home farm in Cecil township), Edwin C. (attending the Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, Penn.), Annetta, Ida B. and Clara R. The farm of Mr. Little at present contains 347 acres of good land, upon which are five dwelling houses, in one of which the present tenant has been living forty years. He does an extensive business in stock raising. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and has filled various township offices. He and his wife are active members of the U. P. Church, at Venice.
Text taken from page 456 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1998 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]