John S. Little

For other people named John Little, see John Little (disambiguation).

John Sebastian Little (March 15, 1851 – October 29, 1916) was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and briefly as, before having a nervous breakdown and resigning, the 21st Governor of Arkansas.

John Sebastian Little
21st Governor of Arkansas
In office January 18, 1907 (1907-01-18) – February 15, 1907 (1907-02-15)
Preceded by	Jeff Davis
Succeeded by	John Isaac Moore as Acting Governor
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 4th district
In office March 4, 1903 – January 14, 1907
Preceded by	Charles C. Reid
Succeeded by	William B. Cravens
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 2nd district
In office December 3, 1894 – March 3, 1903
Preceded by	Clifton R. Breckinridge
Succeeded by	Stephen Brundidge, Jr.
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
In office 1884-1886
Personal details
Born	March 15, 1851 Jenny Lind, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	October 29, 1916(1916-10-29) (aged 65) Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elizabeth Jane Irwin (1861–1953)

Biography

John Sebastian "Bass" Little was born in Jenny Lind in Sebastian County, Arkansas, the son of Jesse Eaton Little and Mary Elizabeth (Tatum) Little, and grandson of Eaton Tatum and Charlotte Bruer (Reynolds) Tatum. Little attended Cane Hill College in Washington County for one term.

Little taught school and studied law. He was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1873, and in 1876 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the 12th Judicial District. He served in that position until 1882.

Little married Elizabeth Jane Irwin on January 4, 1877, in Paris, Arkansas.

Career

Little served in the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1884, and in 1886 was appointed judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and served for four years.^[1]

In 1894 he was elected to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Representative Clifton R. Breckinridge.^[2] He served in the United States House of Representatives until 1907 when he resigned his seat to take office as Governor of Arkansas.^[3]

Little was inaugurated in January 1907, and shortly thereafter suffered a nervous breakdown which left him unable to execute his political duties. He was succeeded by the President of the Arkansas Senate, John Isaac Moore.

Death

Bust of Little on the grounds of the South Sebastian County Historical Society Museum

Little left Arkansas and went to the Texas gulf coast in an effort to rehabilitate. Little never recovered and died in Little Rock, in the Arkansas State Hospital for Nervous Disorders. He is buried at the City Cemetery in Greenwood.