LITTLEJOHN, JAMES, of Divernon, Ill., who for many years carried on coal mining in this State, has now retired from active life and has erected a comfortable home in the village. He was born in Rockerton, Scotland, December 3, 1830, son of William and Jane (Gibson) Littlejohn, natives of the same place. The father was born January 12, 1805, and the mother January 31, 1804, and both died in their native town, he in 1880 and she in 1882. He came to America to visit his son James, but soon after returned home. He was a coal miner and spent his entire active life in this occupation. Eleven children were born to him and his wife, nine sons and two daughters, and but two of these children survive, James, of this sketch, and one daughter Jannie, wife of Joseph Hynds, a farmer of Oklahoma.

As a small boy James Littlejohn attended the schools of his native town, and at the age of nine years began working in the mines there, remaining in that occupation until 1869, the date of his emigration to the United States. He went first to Braidwood, Ill., and engaged in mining there. He continued until 1898, when his health failing, he removed to South Wilmington and lived there until 1903, the date of his coming to Divernon, where he built a fine two-story residence, which he now occupies. He has made many friends in the vicinity and has the good-will and esteem of all who know him. In politics he is a Republican and he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, being ever ready to further any good cause and worthy object with which he is made acquainted.

Mr. Littlejohn was married at Killiwenen, Scotland, August 21, 1858, to Miss Mary Ferguson, a native of that place, and daughter of James and Barbara (Conin) Ferguson, also born there. The father was a weaver by trade, and he and his wife were parents of two children, Mrs. Littlejohn, born August 1, 1836, and a son, both of whom are deceased. Eleven children were born to Mr. Littlejohn and wife, of whom five sons and four daughters now survive, namely: William, a miner, living at home with his father; Janny married William Walker, an electrician living in Chicago; George, in charge of a mine at Thayer, Ill., where he lives, married Margaret Kinnenharm; Mary, widow of Joseph McLaughlin, lives in Chicago; James is a miner and lives with his father; Isabella married William Smith, a brick mason residing at Joliet, Ill.; John is a miner and lives at Divernon, and married Jenny Buckley; Finley, a miner living at Divernon is a member of Divernon Baseball Team, and marries Stella Welch; Grace married William Thomas, a miner of Divernon. There are twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in the family.