. COL. JOHN LITTLEJOHN, Allegan Village, Allegan Co., Michigan

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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co.  1880.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & 
Co., Philadelphia.

Col. John Littlejohn was born in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Oct. 10, 
1790.  He received an academical education, and before he attained his 
majority he acquired much reputation as an accomplished and successful 
teacher in the schools of his native country.  On the breaking out of 
the war of 1812 he offered himself as a volunteer, and soon received a 
commission as lieutenant.  He was wounded at the famous battle of 
Lundy's Land, and was commended for his bravery by Gen. Scott, the 
commanding officer.  After the close of the war he engaged very 
actively in business connected with the construction of the Erie Canal, 
successfully executiing large contracts, and winning an enviable name 
for integrity and energy of character.  To him belongs the credit of 
building the most difficult link in the first important railroad in 
this country, --the inclined plane between Albany and Schenectady.  He 
also took a conspicuous part in building the Baltimore and Ohio 
Railroad, also the James River and Kanawha Canal.  About the 1840 he 
removed to Allegan; and, investing considerable capital there, threw 
himself with his customary energy and enterprise into the work of 
developing the resources of the place.  One result of his enterprise 
was the building of the first flouring-mill of any considerable size in 
the country.  Infirm health obliged him to retire from business during 
the last ten years of his life.  He died during a visit to Omaha in 
January, 1868.  His surviving sons are P. O. Littlejohn, Esq., of 
Allegan, and the Right Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D.D., Bishop of Long 
Island.  Col. Littlejohn was twice married: first to Miss Amy Dewey; 
she died some seven years after their marriage; and in 1823 he was 
again married, --to Miss Eleanor Newkirk, of Montgomery Co., N.Y, where 
she was born Nov. 23, 1799.  She is a lady of rare personal excellence 
and remarkable industry and thrift, a faithful, true, and patient wife, 
and affectionate mother, and a valuable friend.  She is now in her 
eighty-first year, and still evincesw much of her former vigor and 
energy.  A glance at her portrait is only necessary to recognize the 
force of character which she possesses.