Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-05-23
CHARLES {. uIILsFlsLo.
sRisr SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF OUR MKT
CONGRESSMAN.

Charles +. Littlefeld WAS born In
Lebanon, York County, on June II, lsoi'
the sou OF Rev. W. II. and Mary Ste
yens) Lirtlefield, his ancestors being ORR
County people. Rev. Mr.. Li,tleteld WAS
pastor OF the Free Baptist church In
lebanon AZ the time Of Charles birth, out
when the latter WAS one yesr old tne
family moved TO Rocklsnd, where Tor
six wears the father preached st the Free
Rsptist church on Camden Street, while
the son became initiated into the per-
plexities and destinations OF juvenile
school life.
AT the age of 10 Mr.. Llttlefield stood
six feet In height, with a slender though
poxerful frame, and az the carpenters
bench did a mans work st a ooy pay.
Al Is he had charge Of crew OF 70 men,
and with wages averaging ~ day, ne
worked hard for five years laying oy =
nest egg which stood him IN good stead
when he went TO Rocklsnd In 1874 10
study law.
From Rocklsnd the family moved TO
Foxcrofr, Mr.. Littlefield preaching In
Dover. while Charles attended Foxcroft
Academy. They resided there -FOUR
wears after which Rev. Mr.. Littlefeld
held successive charges OF four years
each at yinslhsven and Weeks Mills,
China. La the latter town young Lit
tletield completed his public school edu-
cstiop-the same town curiously enough.
where Congressman Dingley had taught
school several years before. A. l..
Brown, who has recently been appointed
postmaster OF Belfast 20 succeed the late
Mr.. kilgore, WAS principal OF the Weeks
Mills High school AZ the time young Lit
tlefield attended IL.
The Young mans school life WAS IN
eyentful. He WAS devoted 70 his studies
and made progress In them which was
extremely satisfactory 70 the principal
and assistants. In addition TO the resu-
lar course. which most high school pupils
consider sufficient, the young man was
Obliged by his father 10 undertake other
AID deeper studies, q wise precaution on
the part Of the parent which Is now duly
appreciated BY the subject OF this sketch
The Littlefield family lefr Weeks Mills
when Charles WAS l6 sud returned 20
yinslhsven where NJ. Lirtledeld has
since resided. although he retired from
the pulpit some years ago. The granite
industry OF vinslhsven WAS then AZ its
height. Construction stone Was being
furnished for the war and navy depart
ments. Mr.. Littlefieid, the subject OF
this sketch, worked here until 1874 "a
boss OF = crew, and in that yesr entered
the study Of law with Rice & Hall. be-
ing admitted 10 the bar 10 Knox County
in 1876. He At once entered practice
with Gen. j. Z. Clley, retiring from his
partnership TO practice alone until the
entrance OF his brother, Arthur ;. Little
deld, 70 the irm.
Mr.. Lirtlefield's career at the bar has
been very successful. He tried many
important cases and became noted for
his skill and eloquence.
In 1885 he Was nominated for repre-
sentative 70 the Legislature aud was
elected, serving on the Judiciary COM
mittee. IL Was while acting In this Ca
pacity that his efforts obtained charter
for the water company, which now sup
plies that section Of Knox County.
He was reelected 10 the House In lSsI
and Was chosen Speaker Of that body by
scclsmation. A unanimous nomination
AZ that time Was an especial honor and
reflected credit upon the popularity and
ability Of the candidate. Mr.. Littlefieid
splendid record as Speaker Is matter
OF history. Ii laid the foundation OF MS
election As Encouragement two years
later and IL made the name Of Littlefielo
household term In Maine political cir
oloa from, thar time