Alfred Henry Littlefield (April 2, 1829 – December 21, 1893) was an American businessman and politician. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and the Rhode Island Senate, and was the 35th Governor of Rhode Island.

Early life

Littlefield was born in

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, Providence County, Rhode Island, on April 12, 1829. In 1831, his family moved to Warwick, Rhode Island, where he attended the common schools. He worked at a dry goods store in Central Falls, Rhode Island, before working at the Littlefield Manufacturing Company. He became a partner in the company, eventually serving as president. He helped found the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company in 1861 with his brother

Daniel Daniel is a masculine given name and a surname of Hebrew origin. It means "God is my judge"Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 68. (cf. Gabriel—"God is my strength" ...

, and served as director until his death. In 1864, he served as the division inspector of the Rhode Island Militia, and was promoted to colonel. He served in the militia for five years.

Political career

Littlefield began his political career as a member of the Lincoln Town Council in 1873, and was reelected to that office four times. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1876 and 1877, and served in the Rhode Island Senate in 1878 and 1879. He was elected as Republican candidate to the governor's office, serving as the 35th Governor of Rhode Island from May 25, 1880, to May 29, 1883. He succeeded fellow Republican

Charles C. Van Zandt Charles Collins Van Zandt (August 10, 1830 – June 4, 1894) was the 34th Governor of Rhode Island. Early life He was born in Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, class of 1851. He then studied law ...

, who did not run for re-election in 1880. Littlefield beat the Democratic candidate Horace A. Kimball by 10,224 votes against 7,440, with 5,047 votes going to the Prohibition candidate Albert C. Howard. Republican Henry H. Fay became Lieutenant Governor. During his administration, the boundary line between Rhode Island and Massachusetts was established. He was succeeded May 29, 1883, by fellow Republican Augustus O. Bourn. After leaving the governorship. Littlefield returned to his business interests. He was president of the First National Bank of Pawtucket, the Pawtucket Gas Company and the Pawtucket Street Railway in Pawtucket.

Death

RI governor Alfred Littlefield grave at Swan Point

He died on December 21, 1893, at his home in Central Falls, Rhode Island. He is interred at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, Rhode Island.

Family life

Littlefield was the son of John and Deborah (Himes) Littlefield. On February 9, 1853, Littlefield married Rebecca Jane Northrup. They had four children: Ebenezer N. Littlefield, Minnie J. Littlefield, George H. Littlefield and Alfred H. Littlefield.

References

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