S. N. LITTLE & SONS are carrying on an extensive livery business in Springfield, said business having been established here many years ago by Samuel N. Little, who was formerly a well known citizen of this city and one of the pioneers of the county.

The Littles came from Fleming County, Ky., to St. Clair County in this State in 1819. The same year Samuel, in company with four others, came to Sangamon County and raised a crop on the rich virgin soil. In the fall Samuel returned for his family, brought them here and located in what is now known as the Leland farm. He had only a "squatter's" right at first, but he entered the land as soon as it came into market. He improved it into a fine farm and rounded out here a life full of years. Nine children were born to him and his worthy wife, all now deceased.

Samuel N. was born in Fleming County, Ky., in the month of February, 1811, and was but a small child when his parents brought him to Illinois. He was the last survivor of the family, dying June 19, 1885. He was reared in this county amid its pioneer scenes and lived to witness its wonderful development and the great change wrought by the hand of man within his remembrance. From 1852 till the time of his death he was engaged in the livery business which he carried on very profitably. He owned the old homestead that his father had improved from the wilderness till he disposed of it in 1881.

Mr. Little was married in early manhood to Eliza M. Morgan, January 29, 1843, being the date of their wedding. Mrs. Little's parents were Daniel and Mary S. (Woods) Morgan, who were also natives of Fleming County, Ky. Three of the six children born to our subject are now living: Gershom J.; Sandford H., who is in the livery business, and is unmarried; and Harriet C., wife of J. W. Crampton, proprietor of the Leland stable at Springfield. There is also an adopted daughter, Fannie Y., now the wife of B. H. Smith of this city. The deceased children are William H., who was born March 16, 1845, and was killed in a railroad collision at Lamont on the Chicago & Alton Rail Road August 16, 1873, while on his return from Chicago, where he had been to purchase goods; Mary E., who died in childhood; Minerva C. who died in infancy.

Gershom J. Little received the advantages of a very fine education in his youth. He turned his attention to the study of medicine and was graduated from Rush Medical College at Chicago. He pursued his profession for a while at Edinburg till circumstances over which he had no control compelled him to abandon his practice and necessitated his being at home, so that he entered the livery business in which his father was engaged and has carried it on ever since. As before remarked this is a long established business and is well conducted. The firm name still continues Little & Sons. Mr. Little has a fine well equipped stable and has the patronage of the best people in the city.

Mr. Little has been twice married. He first entered the matrimonial state with Nellie Crafton, January 2, 1867. Their wedded life was of brief duration as scarce a year had passed before the young wife died, her death occurring January 14, 1868. He was a second time married October 27, 1875. Miss Margaret Conner becoming his wife. They have had two children, one of whom died in infancy and the other, Georgia F., is a child of seven years.

The Littles have been staunch supporters of the loyal Republican party since its formation and Gershom still gives it his heartfelt allegiance, and is one of our most patriotic and law abiding citizens. His maternal grandfather, Daniel Morgan, was a loyal Republican. He fought under Gen. Jackson in the War of 1812, and subsequently was under Gen. Harrison. His last vote was cast in his eighty-second year and was in favor of Abraham Lincoln, of whom he was a great friend. He was so anxious to cast his ballot for that illustrious man that though old and feeble he was taken on a feather bed in a spring wagon with an umbrella held over him to the polls where for the last time he exercised his privileges as a free-born citizen. He died at the home of the Littles, September 6, 1866 and was a firm patriot to the last. Mrs. Morgan lived to the venerable age of ninety years and seven months, retaining all her faculties to the last and finally her long life was brought to a close January 20, 1878.