[1] From 1846-1863, Littlefield lived in Florence, Massachusetts, where he managed various woolen mills and also operated a general store with his brothers George and Alfred.

In 1863 came the career move that would define the rest of his life: the manufacture of haircloth, which is a stiff fabric made from the hair of a horse's mane or tail.

[1] The company previously had small operations but significantly expanded due to the invention by Isaac C. Lindsley of a mechanical loom that could automatically select the single hair from the mass.

[4] He had intended to only stay in Rhode Island for a year and return to Massachusetts, but the factory was so profitable that he decided to spend the rest of his life in Central Falls, serving as president of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company.

"[2] During his travels, Littlefield was named honorary commissioner from Rhode Island to the Paris Exposition.