Daniel Littlefield

Daniel Greene Littlefield
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
In office 1889–1890
Governor	Herbert W. Ladd
Preceded by	Enos Lapham
Succeeded by	William T.C. Wardwell
Personal details
Born	(1822-11-23)November 23, 1822 North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Died	May 31, 1891(1891-05-31) (aged 68) Central Falls, Rhode Island
Resting place	Swan Point Cemetery
Political party	Whig Republican
Spouse(s)	Maria B. Collins, Maria Antoinette McMurray
Parent(s)	John and Deborah (Himes) Littlefield
Relatives	Alfred H. Littlefield
Residence	Central Falls, Rhode Island
Occupation	Merchant and horsehair manufacturer

Daniel Greene Littlefield (November 23, 1822 – May 31, 1891) was a haircloth mill owner in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island for one term 1889–1890.

Early life

Littlefield was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, but his family moved to Scituate, Rhode Island, when he was young. Starting at age eight, Littlefield worked in the cotton and wollen mills of Scituate, working his way up from bobbin boy to superintendent. From 1846-1863, Littlefield lived in Florence, Massachusetts, where he managed various woolen mills and also operated a general store with his brothers George and Alfred. He then relocated to Northampton Center, where he ran a dry goods business. He would later represent the district for two years in the House of Representatives of Massachusetts. Daniel's younger brother Alfred later went on to become Governor of Rhode Island.

Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company

Engraving of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co.

In 1863 came the career move that would define the rest of his life: the manufacture of haircloth, which is a stiff fabric made from the hair of a horse's mane or tail. He established the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, setting up the factory and placing the equipment. The company previously had small operations but significantly expanded due to the invention by Isaac C. Lindsley of a mechanical loom that could automatically select the single hair from the mass. He had intended to only stay in Rhode Island for a year and return to Massachusetts, but the factory was so profitable that he decided to spend the rest of his life in Central Falls, serving as president of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company.

Littlefield traveled extensively in Europe, visiting "all the principal countries" and making a particularly long visit to Southern Russia, the "great horsehair market of the world." During his travels, Littlefield was named honorary commissioner from Rhode Island to the Paris Exposition.

Political life

Littlefield started his political career as a Whig, but joined the Republican Party on its formation. He served in the Massachusetts assembly in 1861 and 1862, and then became Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 1889.

Personal life

In 1843, Littlefield married Maria B. Collins, who was from Natick, Rhode Island. After his wife's death in 1866, he married Maria Antoinette McMurry of New York. He had four daughters by his first wife, only one of whom lived to adulthood, and she died at age 20. He had two children with his second wife, Leland H. and Florence A.

Littlefield was a member and trustee of the Pawtucket Congregational Church. Physically, he was a large and imposing figure at over six feet tall.

Littlefield owned a mansion at Broad and Central Streets in Central Falls that was said to be one of the finest in town. He died in his home on May 31, 1891, and was buried at Swan Point Cemetery.