William Wallace Little
William Wallace Little was born December 13, 1825, in Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the village of Manchester, in Adams County, O. : but during his childhood, boyhood and young manhood, his home was in Manchester. His father, James Little, one of the pioneers of Adams County, Ohio, was born December 4, 1793. near Johnstown, Pennsylvania: and he was married to Miss Charlotte Davis, January 10, 1825. There were thirteen children of this marriage, of whom our subject was the eldest. His grandfather, Thomas Little, was a native of Ireland. He came to this country in 1774 or 1775. He was a Revolutionary soldier. He enlisted on December 22, 1777. in Captain Fauntleroy's troop, Fourth Regiment of Dragoons, commanded by Col. Stephen Moylan, to serve during the war. His regiment was from New Jersev. His wife, who had been Miss Mary Neiper, came from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1768 or 1769, in the ship "Prosperity." Her parents settled first in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and afterwards moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
She and her husband came to Manchester, Ohio, in 1803 where both died and are buried. They had eight children. Their son James resided in Manchester until his death. August 11, 1887, at the age of ninety-four years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was pensioned for his services therein. Our subject's great-grandfather. John Little, was born and lived in Ireland in County Tyrone, four miles from Market Hill. He was a farmer. His wife's name was Mary McCully. His son Thomas was the only child of a numerous family who came to the United States.
The education of William W. Little, our subject, though meagre, was obtained at Manchester, Ohio. His childhood, boyhood, and youth were filled with hardships, but he took them good-naturedly and cheerfully, trying to make the best of every condition he was compelled to meet. He went on the river at an early age, and by his energy and sheer force of character soon rose to the position of mate. He served as a boy on Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Memphis packets from deck sweep up. He was on the steamboats United States, two or more of the Sciotos, and the Boston. He was also a pilot and master; and was known everywhere as Captain Little, the usual title given to steamboat masters. He knew every man connected with the river trade from Portsmouth to Cincinnati, and had an extensive acquaintance on the Southern rivers. He made Portsmouth his home from 1855 to 1882. On January 29, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A. J. Timmonds, who was born April 27, 1827, and who died October 20, 1855. Her twin daughters died in infancy. Mr. Little was married a second time to Miss Harriet A. Timmonds, sister of his first wife, who resides at the family homestead with her only surviving child. Miss Mary J. Both of Mr. Little's wives were granddaughters of Richard Woodworth, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who enlisted in February, 1777, in Captain William Gray's Company, of Col. William Butler's regiment, Pennsylvania, and served four years. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and was pensioned May 9, 1818.
Mr. Little and his second wife have had seven children. Their eldest son, William H., born in 1857, died in 1888, leaving a wife and child. Their sons Carey E., aged eighteen, and Frank C, aged sixteen, both died of that fell disease consumption. The others died in infancy.
Mr. Little went into the coal business in Portsmouth Ohio, in 1858, and continued in it until 1879. He was first alone and then in partner ship with James Hamilton, as Little & Hamilton, in `862. From that time he continued the business alone until 1866, when he formed a part nership with E. N. Hope, the firm being known as W. W. Little & Company. In advertising this business in 1865. he adopted the motto of Capt. William McLain, "We have come to stay." and placed it at the head of his advertisement and kept it there. While engaged in the coal business, he also had other activities. He owned the steamboats Pike, Boskirk, Viola, Gaylord, Brilliant Eldorado and not fewer than three ferry boats; and he commanded all of them at times, as he always had master's papers. He operated the ferry between Portsmouth, Ohio, and Springville, Kentucky, for many years. He built the River City Ferry Boat in 1874, and ran her until September 28, 1881. when he sold the ferry to Capt. Samuel Brown for a farm of two hundred acres at Little, in Greenup County, Kentucky, to which he removed in 1882. spending the remainder of his life as a farmer. During the Morgan raid in 1863 he commanded a fleet of boats in the Ohio River, and thereby acquired the title of "Commodore."
Mr. Little always resided in the second ward during his life in Portsmouth. He became a Councilman from that ward in 1867, and served as such during- most of the time thereafter until he removed to Kentucky. He was president of the City Council of Portsmouth from 1870 to 1874, and in 1877 and 1878. He was president pro tem, in 1876. Mr. Little was a most enthusiastic Republican, and a power in city politics. He knew the second ward thoroughly, and he could always carry it when ever he undertook to do so. It was never any trouble to induce him to do political work.
He was a director of the Farmers' National Bank for several years in its early history, and always took a prominent part in every public measure for the advancement of the city. He took a leading part in introducing the Holly waterworks into the city of Portsmouth. He was a member of Rev. E. P. Pratt's church in Portsmouth, and lived up to his professions as closely as any one could who had been a steamboatman.
Mr. Little went through not only many family afflictions, but several financial disasters, but he never lost courage or hope. He always retained his good spirits and his energy. From 1866 to 1882, he resided on the northeast corner of Front and Court Streets, Portsmouth, Ohio, in what has since been known as the Morton Club property, where he was known to all. As a public spirited citizen, he was a model.—always ready to do his part and more, too; and was always readry and willing to help every good cause. When he became a farmer, which every steamboatman has an ambition to be, he kept his interest in public affairs as before. He died July 18, 1897, and is interred in Greenlawn Cemetery, in Portsmouth. When called in judgment on the last day he will cheerfully face his record, and will have nothing to explain or apologize for. He did the best he could every day of his life, and who can do more?
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900