My Genealogy Hound

Robert F. Little, an attorney and prominent citizen of Unionville, was born March 27, 1845, at Farmington, Ill., and is of the eighth generation, descended from one George Little, who came from Unicorn Street, near London Bridge, England, to America, locating at Newbury, Mass., about 1640. This ancestor became a large land owner, and, although a tailor by trade, like most pioneers devoted the principal part of his life to agriculture. His death occurred at Newbury about 1673, and a great many of his descendants can be found in the vicinity of Newbury. The ancestral chain from our subject to the pioneer is traced through the father, George Washington, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Samuel, Tristram, Moses and George. The father of our subject was born August 12, 1818, and married, October 2, 1834, to Louisa L. Lord, of Lyman, Me., Robert F. being the sixth of a family of seven children resulting from this union, viz.: Louisa Jane, Frances Helen, Belinda Tarleton, Alfred Herman, Carrie Alice, Robert Franklin and Nathaniel. Robert F. was reared at Farmington, Ill., and in 1862 was mustered in Company C, One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war, after which he attended the Eastern National Business College, Chicago, and then for several months taught penmanship in Iowa and Missouri. He located in Unionville in 1866, and then served as deputy county and circuit clerk until 1874, when he was elected circuit clerk, which position he filled with great efficiency for four years. He was also journal clerk in the House of Representatives in the Twenty-fifth General Assembly of 1869 and 1870, and minute clerk of the Senate in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly. He also served as mayor of Unionville in 1871 and 1872. From 1879 until 1885 he was assistant postmaster, and had charge of the post-office. While filling the office of deputy clerk he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1869, but did not begin to practice until 1886. October 14, 1868, he married Mary C. Browning, a native of Oakland, Md., by whom the following children have been born: Louisa B., Fannie R., Maria E., Laura H. (deceased), James T., John G. and Edna E. Mrs. Little’s parents, John W. and Catherine (Root) Browning, are natives of Maryland, and have resided in Unionville since 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Little are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Little belongs to the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and the Masonic fraternity.