McNAIRY COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - Luther R. Littlefield ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping, with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic Pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Douglas H. Prather douglas-memphis@worldnet.att.net =============================================================== McNairy County Independent March 21, 1924 LUTHER R. LITTLEFIELD The subject of this sketch came to McNairy county in 1850, and while he was not among the very first settlers, yet, he came when the county was still new, and when it was necessary to clear lands, build homes, and help clear the way of the dense forests. He was born in Spartanburg, S. C., December 25, 1826. He was a descendant of William Littlefield, who came to America from England about or near 1700,, and settled in Maryland where he married Rebecca Lee. He raised four sons, among that number, William, the second who was the father of this sketch. William the second, coming to South Carolina and marrying Rebecca Bryant first, and second to Sarah Turner, who was the mother of L. R. Littlefield. William, the father, raised a son, Phillip Littlefield, who became a prosperous manufacturer, built a factory in South Carolina which was burned. He believing it was done by an incendiary, became discontented, moving to Carroll County, Tennessee, in 1831, with his father, and L. R. Littlefield. But soon after their arrival he lost his mother, and went on to Alabama, where L. R. Littlefield grew up to manhood. William Littlefield, being a professional teacher, and a literary graduate, was now an old man and died in Alabama, leaving the subject of this sketch on orphan, ten years of age. So in 1845, he came to Tippah County, Miss., where he married Nancy A. Wolverton, and then moved to McNairy county in 1850. He settled in the 15th civil district, where he remained on the same farm during the rest of his life, being reckoned among the foremost farmers of his community, always raising good crops, and having something to spare for those less fortunate. He often told that he never bought as much as one bushel of corn, after he first came. He raised a large family of five daughters and six sons to manhood, doing his best to educate them and place them on the world self sustainingly. While he did not have the advantages of a first-class education, as did his father before him, yet as a farmer he was a success, offering much advice to his boys along needed lines of life. One particular thing he advised them, was that if it ever became necessary that they should buy farm products from other farmers, they should not stop to advise the other fellow, since it was ill-advised to offer advice to the farmer who had such articles for sale. He came to the county when there were few school and church edifices built, and was a leader in his neighborhood along with such men as W. A. Mills, Hugh and John L. Fariss, Alex Whiteside and other men who lived on Lick Creek at that time They had to rebuild all over after the Civil war period, and they joined together and worked as one man, built what was known as the Whiteside schoolhouse and hired Prof. M. R. Abernathy, who had drifted into that particular community, to teach their children. He remained there until he be came most thoroughly established as one of the best and foremost educators of the county. When the Civil war came on Mr. Littlefield took the side of the union, believing that it was best not to dissolve former relations with the government, which belief he maintained to his death. While he never took active stock in the Civil war, he was allied with the causes of the union of states. While not very active in politics, he was always active for his church preference, that of a Baptist, as he firmly believed his position tenable and right, hence firm in that belief. His oldest son, Jas. L. Littlefield, is too well known to make further mention, that the fact, hat he was one of the first men ever elected from the 15th civil district, a fact that he felt duly proud of and he held his place for three terms, each time being elected by an increased majority over his former term. He then became one of the leading merchants of Adamsville, where he remained in that line 33d years without missing a day, when he sold out to his sons, who are still conducting the same line of work. He was twice elected to State offices by a joint session of the Tennessee Legislature, once as a member of the first Primary Election Board in 1909, and in 1921, as a member of the State Tax Equalization Board. Each of the above named positions were given him without his solicitation in the slightest, hence making him doubly proud of the compliment. William P., the next older son, became a merchant at Adamsville many year ago, but finally moved to Shiloh Battlefield, and there in 1909, was a victim of a cyclone, which destroyed all, and where he lost his two oldest sons, they being killed, and all his belongs blown away. His health was broken, yet he felt that he must educate his remaining children, which he has done admirably. John, the third son, moved early to Texas, and now resides in Oklahoma, where he has also raised a large family, all of whom are making good. George W., the fourth son, moved to Mississippi and engaged in the jewelers trade, and has made that line a success. Edward, the fifth son, moved west many years ago, where he became a real success farming and has become a stable character there. C. A., the youngest son, was accidently killed in a railroad accident when he was just in the prime of live. Mrs. L. R. Littlefield is still living, having been a resident of McNairy county since 1850, rearing to womanhood and manhood 11 children, of whom 10 are still alive. She is reckoned among the very oldest citizens of the county. While born in Maury County, Tennessee, she has resided here for 74 years, having last August, ten living children, sixty-nine living grandchildren, 151 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren, making an unusual showing for the many living descendants. If she lives to August of this year will round out her 95th birthday. She is till healthy and promises to live many more years, to counsel her children, of which her oldest is now 75 years Old Resident. Independent August 26, 1910 C. A. Littlefield , of Adamsville, Meets a Tragic Death in Texas. Last Saturday Clarence A. Littlefield, of Adamsville, was run over and killed by a train and his body horribly mangled at or near Stafford, Texas. His remains were shipped here, arriving Monday night, and were immediately taken to Adamsville, where they were interred Tuesday. He left his family--consisting of his wife and seven children--at Adamsville about two weeks ago, accepting a position on an orange farm in south Texas. No member of his family or any one here knows how he met his death only that he was killed by a locomotive, as stated in the certificate on the casket box. The inference is that he was stealing a ride. Clarence was the youngest brother of the Littlefield boys. He had in the past been rather reckless and turbulent when drinking, and had been a source of much sorrow to his kindred. We do not know that any of this contributed to his untimely and tragic death, but probably did to his roving disposition. It is well known that he was a big hearted, industrious man while at his best. All regret his sad and untimely death. He was about 40 years old, and the family he has left need the advice and assistance of friends. McNairy County Independent September 2,1910 Correction as to Death of C. A. Littlefield In the meager account last week of the tragic death of Clarence Littlefield, we were mistaken as to the facts as they have to us since. He was crossing in front of a freight engine standing still and escaping steam. Just as he crossed and stopped on the main track, a swift passenger engine struck him, and mangled his body. W. R. Morgan, of Baldwyn, Miss., was with him at the time. He was sober and had been for several months. He had gone to Stafford on business and had started home when he was stricken down. The inference that he might have been stealing a ride was not true, and we regret that we did not have the facts before last issue and published them as they were.