The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-17
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT
To the Memory of the Late Frederick j.
LitiiefieId.

At the coming in of the Supreme Judicial
Court yesterday afternoon at o'clock, Jddge
Virgin presiding the Hon. Nathan Cleaves,
Judge of Probate, arose and addressed the
Court as follows:
May at Please Your ordinarily, at
the loss of friends, we may properly bury our
grief in our own hearts, for Through all crowds
of strangers aud friends, among all voices Of
good will and cheer, walks sorrow silently and
does not hear" but when faithful public SER
want is taken from us, it becomes solemn duty
to express our feelings, that his example may
be placed on record, for the imitation of those
who n their turn shall succeed to public trusts
and duties
frederic J. Littefeld the accom- plished Clerk
of this Court, at his beautiful home 10 Bridg-
ton, on Sunday evening, the twelfth of Nav,
1878, after brief but exceedingly painful ill
ness entered into rest
He was the son of Hon. Nathaniel s. Little
field, distinguished and honored member of
the Cumberland Bar; and at the time of his
death was forty years of age. Born in Bridg-
ton, he passed the most OF his life among the
friends and acquaintances of his youth.
He received his education at North Bridgton
and Fryeburg Academies and at Westbrook
Seminary; and was admitted to this Bar 10
1861, and Immediately entered upon the prac-
tice of the law, with his father, under the firm
name of N S. & E. j. Lttlefield.
He devoted himself to his profession uatil
1875, when he became the protector aud active
agent 10 the erection of the Pondicherry Mills,
at Bridgton, and continued as treasurer and
manager of the company for nearly ten years
Mr.. Littefeld held several important town
Offices and was member Of the State Lsgs-
lature in 1864.
He was elected Clerk of Courts for Cumbar-
land county in 1875, and died in office.
As lawyer, he was accurate, painstakiog
and thoroughly reliable.
AS man of business ne was energetic. dill
gent and public spirited.
As legislator, he was cautious, pru ient and
eminently practical-and in the high and re-
sponsible Office to which he was last elected,
the records of this court bear enduring witness
to his fidelity and eminent ability.
Intelligence, honesty and faithfulness distin-
guished the administration of every publ
trust committed TO his care.
His private life was without reproaoh. |
knew Mr.. Little6ed in his childhood; eve
were schoolboys together and the frie ndship
of our youth continued, am assured, to the
day of his death.
The poet has well said,
"The childhood shows the man.
As morning shows the day."
10 his boyhood days, our deceased brother
exhbitedthe manly traits of his N aturer years
He was always gentle in his manners, amia-
BILE in his disposition, and entirely tree IRON
A distinguished writer has said, Twain aud
forgotten are all the fine offers and offices of
hospitality, if there is no holiday in the eye"
You could see 10 Mr.. Littefeld's face. the
kindness of his heart, and his hospitable, gen.
er0us nature.
He made friends of all who had social or
business relations with him; and while he dis
owned all prejudice by his courtesy and con-
sideration, he inspired confidence by his candor
and trathfulness.
he was systematic in his tablespoonful in
his engagements, and disappointed not,
though it were to his own hindrance"
He was deeply interested in all public enter
prises and Improvements, especially 10 his own
village, where there are many monuments of
his generosity and pablo spirit; and bat few
weeks before his death, his revealed to mo pro-
jects that were near his heart, to increase the
prosperity and influence Of his native town.
To his friends and kindred and neighbors, he
was all that friendship could ASK, affection
claim, or humanity and kindness enjoin.
His whole life was rich in good deeds, and be
leaves the precious legacy of a good name.
While occupied and anxious about the cares
and duties of this orld, he was not unmindfal
of the life to come; and Sustained and soothed
by an unfaltering trust, he approached his
grave,
"Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to peasant Dreams"
He sleeps in the bosom of the people he had
loved SO well and their voices of regret mingled
with praise, will long bear testimony of their
real sorrow for his loss, and their sincere rev.
erence aud affection for his memory.
have been requested to present the follow
ing resolutions, and ask your Honor to have
them recorded:
RESOLVED, That the members of the Bar OF Cum
berand County, meet for the first time since the de-
cease of Frederic j. Littlefeld, the late Clerk OF
Courts for this County, with emotions of deep sympa
thy and sorrow.
Resolyed. That we place on record our apprecia-
ton of the distinguished ability and fahfuness with
which he discharged the duties of his office; and
shall always remember his courteous manners, his
obliging disposition, his refined taste his sterling
integrity and unwavering fidelity and correctness OF
his public and private lite.
Judge Cleaves was followed in some very
fitting remarks by Henry W. Swasey. Esq,
after which Judge Virgin briefly but very APP
propriately responded; at the close of which he
ordered the proceedings and resolutions to be
entered upon the records of the court, and that
out of respect to the occasion the COURT stand
adjourned until this morning at ten o'clock.