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take a baby boomer's peek back in time... *** FALL 2010 ***
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An educator from Loysburg, Pa., over a hundred years ago, was one William Francis Little. He was born on November 24, 1864, the son of the town blacksmith, William Little, Jr. In a book written by Rev. C. W. Karns in 1933, entitled "Historical Sketches of Morrisons Cove", Rev. Karns paid tribute to Dr. Little as follows:



Education was not forgotten in the earlier days of Loysburg and some noted educators are the product of that community. Among these we have Professor Frank Little. He graduated from Dickinson Seminary with a Bachelor's degree. Ambitious for better training, entered Wesleyan University in September 1888. There he came under the influence of such intellectual giants as Professor Woodrow Wilson. While in college he distinguished himself in scholarship and was elected to PHI BETA KAPPA and played on the varsity baseball team. On graduation in 1892, he became Assistant Head Master of The Betts Academy in Stamford, CT.The next year he established a private school of his own in the same city and conducted it until 1899. In that year he went to Heidelberg, then the center of research and learning of Germany, and of the world. In a year he took his doctorate in the classics under such famous scholars as Neumann and Von Duhn. Before returning to America he visited Switzerland, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, and England, studying the Ruins of Antiquity and viewed the masterpieces of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It is safe to say that few men have entered upon the duties of a High School Principal as well equipped as Dr. Little. In 1916 he was elected Superintendent of the Rahway School System. Dr. Little's services to the community have not been confined to the schools. He has been a leading spirit in the Kiwanis Club, a member of the Trinity Methodist Church, the teacher of a popular Bible class, and active in the betterment of Rahway. He is undoubtedly the best trained man in his profession of teaching that Loysburg has given the world. The honest toil of William Little, Jr. has born fruit in all the fine young people who are descendants of the blacksmith. Dr. Little spends his summers at his old home in Loysburg, usually working in the shop and also tutoring Greek or Latin. His wife, Mrs. Marou (Brown) Little, graduated from Wellesley and is in demand as a speaker in P.T.A. work, being one of the national officers of that organization. Their sons, Frank Jr., will graduate from Yale in 1933, and Richard from Exeter.
(Rev. C.W. Karns, 1933 "Historical Sketches of Morrisons Cove")



Dr. William F. Little died in 1939 and was buried in the Reformed Church Cemetery in Loysburg, Pa. Dr. and Mrs Little's son, Frank Jr., did graduate from Yale in 1933 and became a Lawyer in New Jersey. Frank Jr's son, Lt. William F. Little, III, was killed in Vietnam in November 1969. His name appears on "The Wall" in Washington D.C. He was buried at West Point, where he had graduated in the Class of 1968. Dr. and Mrs Little's son, Richard, graduated from Exetor and persued a career in sales in NYC. Richard's daughter, Elsa M. Little, is the Chief Financial Officer of Rosemount Center Schools near Washington D.C. When William III was killed, it brought to an end the chance of carring on Dr. & Mrs Little's name. I wanted to pay tribute to my Great-Great Uncle and his family. An educator from the small village of Loysburg, Pa.

Gaylord W. Little 09-22-06