CLASS OF 1860
Rev. Arthur Little, secretary of the class, died of pneumonia April 11 at his home at West Newton, Mass.
Dr. Little was born in Webster, N. H., May 24, 1837, the son of Simeon B. and Harriet (Boyd) Little. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy. In college he was a member of Kappa Kappa Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa.
He taught for the first year after graduation, and then studied for a year at Andover Theological Seminary. A second year of theological study at Princeton Seminary had not been completed when in March, 1863, he was offered the chaplaincy of the First Vermont Heavy Artillery. Accepting this call to service, he returned home and on the 16th of March was ordained to the Congregational ministry in his native town. His regiment was first employed in garrison duty at Washington, but later saw a great deal of active service in the campaign around Richmond and in the Shenandoah. Chaplain Little continued with his regiment until it was mustered out, June 24, 1865.
After a few months further study at Andover, Mr. Little took the work of the pastorate with the Presbyterian church at Bedford, N. H., remaining there for over two and a half years. In October, 1868, he became pastor of the Congregational church in Fond du Lac, Wis. In 1878 he was called thence to assume the pastorate of the New England church in Chicago, and in January, 1889, became pastor of the Second church in Dorchester, Mass. This pastorate he held for twenty-three years, releasing it only when he gave up active work in 1912, then becoming pastor emeritus.
Dr. Little (the doctorate was bestowed by Dartmouth in 1880) was not only highly successful as preacher, pastor, and administrator for the churches he served in succession, but was always active in religious and educational interests outside the local church. From 1869 to 1885 he was trustee of Ripon College; since 1890 president of the trustees of Bradford Academy; visitor of A.ndover Theological Seminary .from 1896 to 1907; vice-president of the American Tract Society; moderator of the National Congregational Council of 1883; delegate to the International Congregational Council in London in 1891 ; member of the board of preachers at Dartmouth, 1893-5.
He was conspicuous for his work in civic righteousness, temperance, and moral reform, and was a contributor to religious periodicals on many subjects and for many years.
Dr. Little was married August 15, 1863, to Laura Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Catherine (Brant) Frost of Thetford, Vt. She was a sister of the late Dr. Carlton P. Frost of Hanover. She died in 1883, and he married in February, 1895, Elizabeth A. Wales of Dorchester. She survives him. with a daughter of the first marriage.
