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He retired on May 1, 1921,<sup>3</sup> and built one of the first homes in the Atascadero, California community at 12-13 Z.A. Atascadero Avenue.<sup>4 </sup> He also assisted with planting thousands of acres of orchards for what he expected to become one of the larger fruit-growing colonies in the area, winning regional awards for gigantic cauliflower and cabbages in 1916.<sup>5</sup>
In an article for January 8, 1920 of the [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=chi.097877749;view=1up;seq=12 Optical Journal and Review], a letter was included of his regarding the fruit growing, and he wrote, "I have raised on one-quarter of an acre over four tons of potatoes, cabbage that weighed over 25 lbs. to the head. I sold today over ten tons of carrots that I have on about one-quarter of an acre... it will be five years, January 1st, since I put out the first garden in Atascadero... In March, I set out my orchard and this year I have apples, pears, apricots, several varieties of plums and peaches, quince, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, Loganberries, strawberries, almonds, and some others. With chickens, rabbits and pigeons I did not feel the pinch of "H.C.L."
He had two wives and several children:<br />* Clara Etta Bomgardner Littlefield (b. 1866 in Missouri to farmer John C. (b. 1842 Ohio) & Sarah Hatfield Bomgardner (b. 1845 Iowa). Married life spent in Topeka, Kansas before divorcing between 1895-1905. Clara remarried a Wallace in 1925 in Framingham, MA. ** [[Ralph Edwin Littlefield]] (b. 1886) followed his father into optometry, as did his son Lawrence and grandson who is currently in practice.** Earl C. Littlefield (b. 1887), optician from as early as age 23, in 1910, worked for the C.B. Norton Jewelry Company in 1918, as reported by a jewelry magazine. ** James Woodberry Littlefield (1889-1918) served in World War One, earning the rank of Sergeant, dying at 28 of pneumonia from influenza at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, KY. ** Bessie A. Littlefield (1895-) born in Kansas, was living in KCMO in 1910, and self-employed at the age of 15 as a lawyer.
** Elizabeth Alden Littlefield Williams (b. 1908-<br /><br />==Atascadero years==In 1917, he had opened up an optical practice inside a large general store in Atascadero, and was active in the first businessman's association there. He retired on May 1, 1921,<sup>3</sup> and built one of the first homes in the Atascadero, California community at 12-13 Z.A. Atascadero Avenue.<sup>4 </sup> He also assisted with planting thousands of acres of orchards for what he expected to become one of the larger fruit-growing colonies in the area, winning regional awards for gigantic cauliflower and cabbages in 1916.<sup>5</sup> In an article for January 8, 1920 of the [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=chi.097877749;view=1up;seq=12 Optical Journal and Review], a letter was included of his regarding the fruit growing, and he wrote, "I have raised on one-quarter of an acre over four tons of potatoes, cabbage that weighed over 25 lbs. to the head. I sold today over ten tons of carrots that I have on about one-quarter of an acre... it will be five years, January 1st, since I put out the first garden in Atascadero... In March, I set out my orchard and this year I have apples, pears, apricots, several varieties of plums and peaches, quince, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, Loganberries, strawberries, almonds, and some others. With chickens, rabbits and pigeons I did not feel the pinch of "H.C.L."
no edit summary
In the book, he states that he held the honor of being the first registered Doctor of Optics to have his degree confirmed by an act of the Legislature, and passing a medical board in the Science of Optometry. He also claimed to have written a bill to recognize optometrists in Kansas, and coining the term.
==Family==
===Siblings===
James E. had a younger sister Alice Louise (1862-1945) who never married, and a younger brother Ralph (1872-) who became a machinist.
===Marriage and Children===
He had two wives and several children:
** [[Ralph Edwin Littlefield]] (bMay A. 1886) followed his father into optometry, as did his son Lawrence and grandson who is currently in practice.<br />** Earl C. Littlefield Sawyer (b. 18871874)married February 4, optician from as early as age 231905, living in 1910, worked for the C.B. Norton Jewelry Company in 1918Saco, as reported by a jewelry magazineMaine. <br />** James Woodberry Littlefield (1889-1918) served in World War One, earning the rank of Sergeant, dying at 28 of pneumonia from influenza at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, KY. <br />** Bessie AHugo F. Littlefield (18951906-1912) born in Kansas, was living in KCMO in 1910, and self-employed at the age of 15 as a lawyer.
* May A. Sawyer * Elizabeth Alden Littlefield Williams (b. 1874) married February 4, 1905, living in Saco, Maine. <br />** Hugo F. Littlefield (19061908-1912)
==Sources==