John William Little

Colonel John William Little(JW) was a businessman and mayor of London, Ontario, Canada from 1895 to 1897. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 18, 1848, the first-born child of Thomas Little and Rebecca Robinson.

He was raised and educated in Montreal. In 1875, he moved to London, Ontario and joined his uncle in a partnership that became Robinson, Little. The company rapidly expanded throughout Ontario, the North-West Territories and British Columbia, buying out, in 1887, J.B. Laing & Co., in 1890, John Birrell & Co., both of London and in 1908 they acquired Greenshields Western Ltd. He was also vice-chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Western Ontario, where he was a major influence in re-organization of the university when in 1908 it became a civic enterprise and also non-denominational. His generosity made possible the building of a stadium for both sports and convocations, which was completed in 1929 and named in his honour the .

He served on the Board of Water commissioners, was a director of the London and Southeastern Railway and a vice chairman of The Western Fair. In 1885 he joined the Seventh Regiment, Canadian Fusiliers as a Captain and by 1902 took command as Lieutenant-Colonel. He died July 22, 1913.

Family[]

He had seven sons. His first son, Arthur T. Little, was chair of the Board of Governors and oversaw the construction of at UWO. Herbert Melville Little, was a physician and surgeon. Walter Hartley Little was a businessman and sportsman. The third son was Canadian senator Edgar Sydney Little, businessman, gentleman-farmer and politician. Harold Robert Little, became an architect and engineer. George Wilfred Little, was a businessman, sportsman and soldier. Ernest Victor Little, was a businessman.

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