William Carruthers Little Explained

William Carruthers Little
Constituency Mp:Simcoe South
Parliament:Canadian
Successor:Richard Tyrwhitt
Term Start:1867
Term End:1881
Birth Date:1820
Birth Place:Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
Death Date:December 31, 1881 (aged 61)
Death Place:Allandale, Ontario, Canada
Party:Liberal-Conservative
Children:Edward Alfred Little
Residence:Allandale, Ontario
Occupation:farmer

William Carruthers Little (1820  - December 31, 1881) was an Ontario farmer and political figure. He represented Simcoe South in the House of Commons of Canada as a Liberal-Conservative from 1867 to 1881.

He was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England in 1820, the son of John Little.[1] He was a land surveyor in Australia and had also been a sailor; he came to Upper Canada in 1837[2] or 1847.[1] He served as a member of the council for Innisfil Township, also served as reeve and was a member of the council for Simcoe County. Little was a major in the local militia and also served as president of the Innisfil Agricultural Society.[1] Little died in office in Allandale at the age of 61.[3]

Little was married twice: to Mary Hamil in 1854 and to Mary Harriet Bennett in 1869.[1] His son Edward represented Cardwell in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Another son, also named William Carruthers Little, was chief clerk in the Department of Railways and Canals and was also captain of the Ottawa Rough Riders.[2]

Little is the great-grandfather of impressionist Rich Little.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/mtq?doc=32955 The Canadian parliamentary companion and annual register, 1881
  2. http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=3632 Historical review, June 23-24, 1951 : a record of 100 years of progress : Innisfil Township centennial, 1850-1950
  3. Book: Johnson, J.K. . The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967 . 1968 . Public Archives of Canada.
  4. News: Gilmour . Clyde . RICH LITTLE alias just about everybody . July 27, 2020 . Maclean's Magazine . November 15, 1965.