ONE OF COUNTY'S FAMOUS SONS-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COL. CALVIN LITTLEFIELD AND HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER
LAST OF HIS GENERATION
Graduate of Union College Served with Distinction In Civil War and in State Assembly— Native of Ellisburg
In 1804 John Barney came from Guilford, Vt, to Ellisburg and became neighbor to the Littlefield's and John Littlefield married Orrilla Barney. The Barney families were numerously and honorably represented in the Revolutionary and Civil wars. Three children were born to John and Orrilla Barney Littlefield. Calvin,the subject of this sketch, Sept. 1, 1823, on the farm near this village, and where he died Dec. 29, 1909; Eunice, born [illegible] died 1877 , Horace, born in 1827, went to California in 1849, and died in 1850. Calvin Littlefield was educated in Union Academy, Belleville,
and in Union College, Schenectady, afterward. becoming principal of Union
Academy and later Aurora Academy. In the years 1834, '36 and '37 [dates
may be incorrect fairly illegible] he was a member of the state assembly.
He was at that time a Whig and later a Republican and could easily have
taken high rank in state affairs, had he so chosen. In September, 1861,
he enlisted in the NY 94th. Volunteers, was elected captain of Company
K and the ensuing year was promoted to the After the close of the war he opened a business office in New York, and himself and family spent a portion of the time in that city. But as the years went by he more and more enjoyed the quiet of the farm home, and finally retired from active business life, not to idleness, for he kept well abreast of the times, as his well equipped farm buildings testify. He was a man of extensive reading and of fine memory, and was in consequence an interesting conversationalist, making it a pleasure to meet him. Col. Littlefield was a gentleman,dignified, courteous and cordial, a pleasing host and equally so as a guest. He was twice married, first to Harriet L. Sprague, who died June 21, 1878, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Rollin Steward of Minneapolis, Minn. On Jan. 16, 1888, he was married to Miss Laura Hungerford, daughter of Philo and Caroline Davis Hungerford, who survives him. A daughter, Ruth, was given to this marriage, a beautiful child who's [death] left them with stricken hearts while yet a young girl. Littlefield had been in failing for some time, in fact for his wife giving him the most devoted care, her ministries doubtless prolonging his life. On the afternoon of Jan [illegible], funeral services were held at the family home. Rev. R. K Sheffield of the Methodist church officiating. The Masonic fraternity, Buckley Post [illegible] and a large concourse of relatives and Friends were in attendance, the various organizations of which he was a member and others placing beautiful floral emblems of their esteem for the departed and sympathy with the he bereaved upon the casket as all that was mortal of Col. Littlefield was borne to its long rest in Woodside cemetery.
Article as it appeared in the Watertown
Daily Times |