**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Davis S. LITTLEJOHN [Surnames: BARKLEY, GOUDY, HARRIS, HULVEY, LANDIS, LITTLEJOHN, McADAMS, POLLOCK, SCOVILLE, SHAFER, SMITH, STEWART, VAN TILBURG] LITTLEJOHN, DAVIS S. Among the most worthy and substantial of the sturdy pioneer farmers of Bernadotte Twp., is David S. Littlejohn, who has lived in that Twp. since 1839. He was born in Clarke Co. Ohio on January 25,1836, a son of Abram and Sarah (SHAFER) Littlejohn. The former was a native of Scotland, whence he came to the United States, first settling in Virginia, whence he removed to Clarke County, where David was born. The Shafers were of German ancestry. Sarah Shafer was early left an oprhan and was reared among strangers, her marriage to Abram Littlejohn taking place in Virginia. From Clarke Co., Ohio, the family came to Illinois on Oct. 27, 1939, arriving in Bernadotte Twp., Fulton Co., where they located on Sect. 13. There Abram Littlejohn rented a farm with two small cabins, and afterward bought 120 acres in the southwest quarter of that section, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in Feb. 1853. His son, David, still owns the original 120 acres purchased by the former in 1839. Abram Littlejohn was a typical pioneer. His energy was inexhaustible, was strong in his likes and dislikes, but was a thorough believer in fair play. If friendly, he was a staunch friend in time of need. His worthy widow died in 1893, at the ripe old age of ninety-two years, having been familiar with all the wonderful changes that had taken place in OH and IL, since her removal from her girlhood home in Virginia. She and her husband were the parents of five sons and five daughters, as follows: Elizabeth, who was the wife of Dan STEWART, both now being deceased. John Margaret J., deceased, wife of Isaac HARRIS, also deceased. Phoebe A., who lives on the old homestead and is the widow of John LANDIS. Catherine, who died in infancy. Magdalene, wife of Thomas SCOVILLE, and living in the Indian Territory. William, who when about six years old, was killed, being thrown from a horse. David S. Abram, a gardener of Lake Co., IL, residing near Chicago. Perry, who died in infancy. John, before mentioned, a prominent farmer of Bernadotte Twp., married Margaret BARKLEY, and died, leaving a family. His wife is also deceased. With the exception of about three years spent in the West, Bernadotte has been the home of David S. Littlejohn for sixty-seven years. He was reared on the home farm, and when he needed a little extra spending money, went out and killed a 'coon or killed a deer. Many a time he has worked for twenty-five cents a day. His first possession was an old-fashioned rifle and the next article was a shotgun, paid for in venison hams at twenty- five cents a pound, the total price being eighteen dollars. He was a crack shot, always attending the shooting matches, and "young Dave" never found anyone who could beat him at a target. In the early days when the family wanted meat for dinner he would go out and shoot a wild turkey. He had killed ten turkeys in one forenoon. Wild game was abundant and the sport was full of excitement. Mr. Littlejohn received his early education in the subscription schools. People who had children were in the habit of subscribing a certain sum for the tuition of each scholar. Then the teacher was engaged and received the amount raised in the district for three or four months teaching, which usually amounted to five or six dollars. At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Littlejohn left the parental roof and in company with John A. HULVEY rented a farm in McDonough Co, IL, for two years. In 1863 the removed to Omaha, NE, then a village of about one thousand inhabitants, and was there employed by a Mr. POLLOCK to drive a team hauling Government freight. In 1865 he returned to Fulton Co., getting safely back to his old friend Hulvey's place at 12:00 on an October night. In Aug. 1865, Mr. Littlejohn purchased 72 acres in Sect. 24, Bernadotte Twp., but found himself unsatisfied with this, and bought more, until he owned 832 acres, besides three lots in Evergreen Park, Cook Co., IL, and one lot in Lake Co., IL, just north of Chicago. On Feb. 13, 1868, Mr. Littlejohn has united in marriage with Mary E. GOUDY, who was born in Ohio and came to Fulton Co. with her parents in 1865. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (VAN TILBURG) Goudy, long residents of Bernadotte Twp., her fahter dying Jan. 8, 1906. Two children resulted from this union: William E., born Aug. 13, 1870, who lives on the old homestead Frank C., born Feb. 6, 1873. The former married Catherine McADAMS, and has one child, Lucien A. The latter married Inez SMITH, who was born in Fulton Co., and is a daughter of Arilous Smith. Two children were the offspring of their union: Fay Carliete and Charles Glenn. Mr. Littlejohn has always been one of the leading men of that locality. He has been active in school and church work. Farming has been his life work. Besides his other interests he is the owner of stock in the Lewistown Sanitary Resort. In politics he is a Democrat. For a number of years he served as School Director. The Littlejohn family has done its full share in reclaiming Fulton Co. from the condition of a wilderness and developing the region to its present productiveness and prosperity. David S. Littlejohn started life with only a strong constitution, and resolute determination to get to the front, and his successful careet furnishes a strong incentive to the aspiring element of the rising generation to follow his example.