Daniel Littlefield

November 23, 1822 (age 68)

North Kingstown, Rhode Island , United States

Starting at age eight, Littlefield worked in the cotton and wollen mills of Scituate, working his way up from bobbin boy to superintendent. Daniel"s younger brother Alfred later went on to become Governor of Rhode Island. 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, setting up the factory and placing the equipment. 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 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. 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.

Daniel Littlefield

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lieutenant

Background

Littlefield was born in North Kingstown, Rhode Island but his family moved to Scituate, Rhode Island when he was young.

Career

Starting at age eight, Littlefield worked in the cotton and wollen mills of Scituate, working his way up from bobbin boy to superintendent. Daniel"s younger brother Alfred later went on to become Governor of Rhode Island. 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, setting up the factory and placing the equipment.

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 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. 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.

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