LITTELL, Benjamin A., M. D., St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, 
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 634-635.  Edited 
by Alcee Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical 
Association.

Littell, Benjamin A., M. D., well-known and successful physician of 
Opelousas, La., where he was born May 13, 1866; son of Robert H. Littell, 
whose wife's maiden name was Campbell.  The former was born in St. Landry 
parish, La., the latter in Nova Scotia.  Robert H. Littell, the father, 
was a physician and surgeon, and a graduate of the New York college of 
medicine.  After his graduation he served for a time as resident surgeon 
at Bellevue hospital, of New York City, but later returned to Opelousas, 
where he opened offices and began the practice of medicine and surgery, in 
which profession he was eminently successful.  He died in the last-named 
city, April 9, 1888, at the age of 66 years.  He was survived by his widow 
until Nov. 3, 1910.  They were married March 18, 1851.  The paternal 
grandparents were Capt. Eleakem and Anne (Findley) Littell, the former of 
whom was a sea captain, but in his later years became located on a 
plantation near Opelousas.  His father and mother were Isaac and Hannah 
(Frazee) Littell, the former of whom was born March 10, 1764, and died 
Dec. 25, 1825.  The latter was born May 20, 1766, and died Feb. 16, 1834.  
The father of Isaac was Moses Littell, who was born in 1738 and died in 
1773.  The ancestors of the Littell family in America were George and
Benjamin Littell, brothers, who came from London, England, and located at
Essex Mass., at a very early date.  To Dr. Robert H. Littell and wife 10
children were born, namely:  Florence, widow of Gabriel Wartelle, a farmer 
of Opelousas;  Ferdinand, died at the age of 5 years;  Leonce Eleakem, 
real estate dealer and planter, of Opelousas;  Annie Elizabeth, wife of 
Kemp. T. Catlette, a planter, of St. Rosa;  Robert Moses, a practicing 
physician at Opelousas;  Catherine, wife of Henry Sampson, a passenger 
conductor, of Houston, Tex.;  James Bradley, deceased;  Benjamin Augustus, 
the subject of this sketch;  Mary Edith, manager of the Western Union 
telegraph office at San Antonio. Tex.;  Theophilus Hart, a practicing 
physician at Ville Platte, Evangeline parish, La.  Benjamin Augustus 
Littell received his earlier education in the public schools of Opelousas. 
Later he entered Vanderbilt university, Nashville, Tenn., where he remained
a student 2 years, following which he matriculated in the medical department
of Tulane university, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 
the class of 1888, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of
medicine at Opelousas.  In the course of his professional experience the 
doctor has served as health officer of the city of Opelousas during a period
of 18 years.  He is a member of the St. Landry parish and the Louisiana 
State Medical societies.  From 1900 to 1908 he served the city as mayor.  
He is a Free and Accepted Mason and a Chapter Mason, being a Past Master 
of the Blue Lodge and High Priest of the Chapter.  Aug. 4, 1888, Dr. 
Littell was married to Miss Altha Reynolds, of New Orleans, a daughter of 
Edward W. and Georgiana (St. Dizier) Reynolds, the former of whom was a 
native of Massachusetts and the latter of Louisiana.  The father was engaged
in sewing machine business.  He died in the year 1909, but at this time is 
survived by his wife.  To Dr. Benjamin Augustus Littell and wife 7 children 
have been born, as follow:  Mary O., a graduate of Belmont college,
Nashville, Tenn., and now residing at the parental home;  Robert Hart, now 
a student at Louisiana State university;  Edward W., attending school at 
Port Gibson, Miss.;  Eugene Slack,  Altha,  William Catlette and George, 
the 4 last-named being at the family home.