Dorchester Illustration no. 2341 Albert Little
At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.
Our next biography features: Albert W. Little1924.0001.073
Albert W. Little was born on August 19, 1898 on Lonsdale Street, Dorchester, to Melvin Clarence Little, a broker, and Maud Emmeline Smith. Both parents were born in Massachusetts, Maud in Boston. (Albert was listed as Alfred by Dr. Perkins.)
In 1910, the family lived on Fuller Street. Albert had an older sister, Mildred, and 3 younger brothers, Charles W., Richard M. and Frank B. Albert’s father was listed as a vinegar dealer and Albert worked with him. By 1917, Albert is listed as a salesman in a city directory.
Albert enlisted in the National Guard at Boston on April 4, 1917. He reported for duty on July 25, 1917 and was mustered August 5, 1917 as Private (Private First Class on September 19, 1917). He was with 3 Co. CAC (18 Co. Boston CAC) until August 27, 1917 and then Battery F, 55th Artillery, CAC until discharge. {The U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps (CAC) was an administrative corps responsible for coastal, harbor, and anti-aircraft defense of the United States between 1901 and 1950. The CAC also operated heavy and railway artillery during World War I.} Albert had served overseas from May 25, 1918 to January 22, 1919 and was honorably discharged on February 8, 1919.
In 1920, the family was still living in the rented home on Fuller Street, but now Albert has 3 more siblings; a sister Grace, a brother Melvin T. and another sister, Dorothy Maud. The father is listed as a salesman, Produce Company. Albert is also listed as a salesman and City Directories (1920-1922) indicate he was working on Essex Street.
By 1930, the family owned a home on North Street, Weymouth. Albert is listed as a traveling salesman, Importers.
In 1940, Albert’s father died in Barnstable, Massachusetts and Albert is found living with his wife, Ruth P.(Leighton), and their 3 children, Donna, Cynthia and Gerald onEast St., Weymouth. Albert was a cloth salesman. By 1941/42, he was living on Essex Street, E. Weymouth, and was a salesman for Harry Small.
By 1957, the family had moved one last time to Standish Street, N. Weymouth and Albert was working for Harry Small Associates in textiles. From 1961-66,he worked with a partner as the company is now called Tarko& Little.
According to his death record, Albert died (CA pancreas) at age 73 on December 22, 1971 while at the N.E. Rehabilitation Center in Woburn, MA. His home residence was given as Standish Street, North Weymouth. His wife was the informant. He was listed as a textile salesman and was buried in the North Weymouth Cemetery on December 24, 1971. He was survived by his wife and mother. His mother died a year later at 97.
Do you know more about Albert W. Little? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!
REFERENCES:
Birth Record; FamilySearch.org
Census Records; Federal, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940; FamilySearch.org
Death Record; Vital Statistics, Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester
Directories: 1917, 1920-22, 1941-42, 1957, 1961-66; Ancestry.com
Dr. Perkins photo album
Service Record; TheAdjutant General Office, Archives-Museum Branch, Concord, MA
Wikipedia.org: U.S. Coast Artillery Corps