CAPTAIN ALEXANDER C LITTLE AVERY CARLYLE DANFORTH IRVING PARKS RAE SHITE SMITH SNOW Captain Alexander C. LITTLE, one of the leading attorneys of Aurora, was born in Jan 1838, in Rome, Oneida Co. NY and is the son of John and Nancy (RAE) Little, both of whom are natives of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and who are related to Thomas Carlyle and Edward Irving. They were married in Scotland and came to the United States in the '30's, locating in Oneida Co. NY where the father purchased a farm near Rome and carried on farming. In 1851, he came to Illinois, locating in Kane co., where he was engaged in farming. He died at Big Rock, in July, 1860. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian and in politics a Republican. He was the son of John LITTLE, who was the son of John LITTLE, an old Scotch family of substance. Nancy RAE was the daughter of Benjamin and Agnes RAE, and also a member of the Presbyterian church. She died at her son's home in 1879. They were the parents of 9 children, of whom our subject was the youngest son. Alexander C. LITTLE, our subject, attended the common schools until he was 18 yrs of age, and then began studying medicine with Dr. W. Danforth, of Joliet, a friend of the family. Later he entered the medical department of the Iowa College, at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1858. For a year before he graduated he was a partner of Dr. Danforth. After he left college he spent his time in the seminary in Aurora until 1862, when, the war being on, he enlisted in July of that year. He organized a company, but it was not mustered in, and was disbanded. With 15 of his men, he went to Plano, and enlisted there, joining Company K, 127th Illinois Vol. Inf. His first service was at Camp Douglas, and Dr. LITTLE was appointed orderly sargeant. The regiment remained in camp until Nov 20th, when it was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., and assigned to General Shermans division, and with it remained until the close of the war. From Memphis he went with the Chickasaw Bay expedition, and was in the fight in December. Later his command went to Arkansas Post, and was in that battle in which about 5000 prisoners were captured. From there they went to Vicksburg, and were under Grant at Young's point. He was in that vicinity and in the siege until the surrender. While at Arkansas Post the captain of the company was taken sick and resigned, and our subject was appointed to his place. After Vicsburg, they were ordered to Chattanooga, and were all throught that campaign. After the relief of Chattanooga they were sent up to relieve Burnside, at Knoxville, from which place they returned to Larkinsville, and went into camp, while Sherman was organizing his Georgia Campaign. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was in command of the regiment; the colonel pleading sickness and the major withdrawing; he was put in command by General Giles A. Smith, and with his command was in the hottest of the fight. After the day was won, he recieved the compliments of the general for his gallant services. From then on he was in the campaign until the fall of Atlanta. In the engagement of Aug 3, 1864, at Atlanta, he was wounded while in command of the left wing of the regiment. Colonel Curtis lay back with his regiment and would not come out, so Captain LITTLE, in whose valor and capacity to lead there was no question, was called to take charge, and as the regiment was marching out for battle he was wounded. After he was wounded, Capt. LITTLE went north, and later returned to Chattanooga, where he was ordered to roganize, among the detachments of the 15th Army Corps, a command and go to the relief of General Ammen at Knoxville. His command consisted of 600 men. He then returned to Louden and took command there, guarding the bridge. From there he went to Cleveland, Tenn. and was assigned to the staff of General Baughton, where he remained until he rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro. He was aide-de-camp on General Gaughton's staff. On their way they had a fight with Gen. Bragg, at Kingston, NC. After he arrived at Goldsboro, the provisional division was disbanded and he was put into the Second Missouri Eng. Corps, Army of the Tennessee. In this position, he served until he arrived in Washington, when on the 5th of June, 1865, he was mustered out. After his discharge, Capt. LITTLE returned to Aurora, and feeling rusty in literary matters, after his long service in the army, he entered Antioch College to review his studies. He entered the senior class, and remained there for about one year, when he returned to Aurora, and began the study of law with the Hon. Charles WHEATON. He was admitted to the bar in 1867, and began at once his practice by opening an office at Arora, where he has since continued. He soon came to the front, and is one of the successful attorneys of the Kane Co. Bar. His first partner was Hon. B.F. PARKS, who remained with him in 1873-4. His next partner was L. Isham SHITE, who was with him about one year., and was succeeded by G.W.AVERY, that partnership continuing 5 years. Then came Ira S. SMITH, who is his present partner. Capt. LITTLE is a close student of law and is regarded as an able counselor and pleader. Capt. LITTLE was married Jan 18 1877 to Miss Bonnie B. SNOW, daughter of Proff. SNOW, who was a massachusetts man by birth. They have an adopted son, Leonard RAE. Mrs. LITTLE is a member of the Episcopal Church, in which she takes an active part. In politics, Capt. LITTLE is a Republican, and in 1869 served as alderman of the 11th ward. In 1874 he was elected mayor of the city, serving one term, and during his incumbency he organized the public library, which has become one of the beneficial institutions of the city. Previous to his election as mayor he served as city attorney, and has served one term subsequently. Fraternally, he is a member of Aurora Post 20, G.A.R. As a citizen he is progressive, and is ever ready to do his part for the best interests of the community in which he lives. The Biographical Record of Kane Co. Illinois S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Chicago, 1898 page 538 Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above parties. Use your "BACK" button on your browser to return to Kane County ILGenWeb pages.