littler was born in clifton, ohio. in 1857, he moved to lincoln, illinois and worked as a carpenter. he studied law and was admitted to the illinois bar in 1860. he served as a justice of the peace and as a master-in-chancery. littler also served as a collector of internal revenue for the united states government. in 1868, littler moved to springfield, illinois and continued to practice law. stephen t. logan was his brother-in-law. littler served in the illinois house of representatives from 1883 to 1885 and from 1887 to 1889. littler then served in the illinois senate from 1895 to 1899. littler was a republican. littler died in springfield, illinois from a long illness.