Little, Elbridge G.

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Elbridge G. Little was born August 5, 1807. He obtained his preliminary education at Exeter, N.H., and graduated from the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. He attained eminence in his profession, and in New Lisbon, Wis., where his last years were passed, he was one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. His wife, who was born November 4, 1809, was a daughter of Thomas and Judith (Dodge) Peabody, of the part of old Danvers, Mass., now known as Peabody. She was a sister of George Peabody, the wealthy and benevolent banker, who died in London, and who bequeathed to her son, George Peabody Little, a portion of his vast wealth. Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Little, George P.; Allen F., who was born August 12, 1838; and Henry C., who was born March 31, 1842.

George Peabody Little was educated in the academy in Lewiston, N.Y., Pembroke Academy of Pembroke, N.H., and the gymnasium and military institute here, a branch of the Norwich Military Academy of Vermont. He taught school for one term in Pembroke, N.H., when he was eighteen years old, and the following year went to Portland, Me., where he was engaged in mercantile business some six years. The ten years ensuing he managed a photograph studio at Palmyra, N.Y., having taken a fancy to chemicals and cameras. Returning then to Pembroke, N.H., he purchased his present homestead, and turned his attention to general farming and cattle breeding. In 1868 he erected a handsome residence, a spacious barn, and other buildings. Mr. Little has about two hundred and twenty-five acres of land in the home farm, and owns other farms and wood land aggregating about eight hundred acres. He was for a number of years extensively engaged in breeding registered Jersey cattle and blooded horses, but is now practically retired. He was one of the organizers of the Suncook Valley Creamery, of which he is at present Treasurer.

Mr. Little was married August 22, 1854, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Daniel McClintock Knox, of Pembroke. Six of the seven children who blessed their union are now living. The eldest, the Hon. Clarence B. Little, was educated for the bar. He now resides in Bismarck, N.Dak., is President of the First National Bank of that city, and has been Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the State Senate ever since North Dakota's admission as a State. He married a cousin, Caroline G. Little, and has two children-Viroque M. and George P. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. George P. Little are: Mary G., wife of James E. Odlin, of Lynn, Mass., and mother of three children-Margaret, Elizabeth, and Christiana; Elizabeth E., wife of L. F. Thurber, of Nashua, N.H., and mother of two children-George F. and Dorothy; Nettie K., wife of Frank S. Shepard of Concord, N.H.; Lucy B., unmarried; and Clara F., wife of Harmon F. Salt, of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. Little is an active and esteemed member of the Republican party. While living in New York State. he served as Deputy United States Internal Revenue Collector. In Pembroke he has filled the office of Town Treasurer for several years, and was on the Board of Selectmen three years: and he represented this district in the State legislature in 1876, 1877, 1890, and 1891. He was Treasurer of Merrimack County four years, and was a delegate to the last Constitutional Convention. A member of the Historical Society of Concord, N.H., he has been on the Board of Trustees of Pembroke Academy for the past twenty-five years, and is at present Chairman of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. He has taken thirty-two degrees in Masonry, is a prominent Knight Templar. and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Little is a Deacon of the Congregational church, of which his wife also is a member.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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