My Genealogy Hound

John Jesse Little, member of the council and school board of Fort Smith, was born in Jackson, Butts Co., Penn., October 24, 1845. His father, J. C. Little, was born in Putnam County, Penn., and became a merchant of Jackson at an early age. His mother was Elizabeth Loyall, daughter of Jesse Loyall, a merchant of Monticello, Jasper Co., Penn., and a native of that State, of Scotch descent. Our subject grew to manhood in his native State, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Confederate service, in Company E, of the Thirtieth Pennsylvania Infantry. He served throughout the war in the commissary department, and then returned to Pennsylvania. He then took a position as first salesman in one of the leading houses in Griffin, where he remained until 1883, when he became a citizen of Fort Smith. While in Griffin he was united in marriage to Emily, daughter of Fleming Mobley, a merchant of that place. This union was blessed with two sons and three daughters. While in Griffin he served as chief of the fire department eleven years, and was alderman of the city seven years. Mrs. Little is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Little is one of the best known citizens of Fort Smith, having always served as chief of the fire department, which he helped to organize and raise to its present efficiency. He is alderman of the city, is now serving a three-years term as member of the school board, and is a stockholder and director of the Western Arkansas Fair Association. He is a prominent Mason, having served as High Priest of Chapter and Worshipful Master of his Lodge. He is now in the clothing and gents’ furnishing goods business, in which he has been successfully engaged since coming to Fort Smith.