Marion Littrell Colfax County, New Mexico

Marion Littrell, sheriff of Colfax County, New Mexico, was born in Carroll County, Arkansas, February 1 1855, son of John C. and Miranda (Howard) Littrell. About 1862 or '63 the family moved to Missouri and located near Springfield, where they remained until the close of the Civil War, when they returned to Arkansas. Being a northern sympathizer, John C. Littrell suffered on account of numerous depredations in Arkansas before he took his family to Missouri.

His father, a farmer, Marion Littrell, early became familiar with all the details of ranch life. From 1869 until 1873 he was in Texas, the latter part of that time on a cattle ranch, and in 1873 he came to New Mexico, driving a herd of cattle for a man named Cox, and that year spent some time on the Una de Gato creek. The next year he returned to Texas and came back with more cattle, and continued in the employ of Mr. Cox until the latter moved to the San Juan Country, about 1877. In the meantime young Littrell had saved his earnings and invested in cattle, accumulating a nice little bunch. The next two or three years he worked, for Dr. Wilson L. South and others. About 1881 he entered the employ of the Maxwell Land Grant Company, being placed in charge of their roundup outfit, and continued thus occupied for twelve years. During this time he made his home on the Vermejo.

In 1894 Mr. Littrell was elected sheriff of Colfax County, at the end of his term was re-elected, and served four continuous years as sheriff. Again, in the fall of 1902, he was the choice for sheriff, and was again reelected at the end of his term. A man of cool nerve and daring courage, as sheriff he is the right man in the right place. Between his official terms Mr. Littrell was engaged in stock raising on land leased of the Maxwell Company, which he finally bought. This land, 9,000 acres on the Vermejo, lie sold to William Rustin in August, 1903. He owns real estate in Raton, where he lives, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of this place. Formerly he was a stockholder and director in the old Citizens' Bank, which he helped to organize.

Mr. Littrell has always been a Republican. Fraternally he is both a Mason and an Elk. He is a member of Gate City Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M. and has also taken the chapter degrees. While living on the Vermejo he served as a member of the school board.

September 19, 1879, Mr. Littrell married Miss Carrie C. Gale, a native of Ohio, but reared in Illinois, and they have five children living, viz.: Violet May, wife of George Warden, a merchant of Springer, New Mexico; and Ollie, Roy, Carmelia and Mation, at home.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.

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