Alvah Littlefield Sawyer, the subject of our sketch, was born at Burnett, Dodge county, Wisconsin, September 16, 1854. He was reared at his native place, receiving his education in the public schools and in the Wayland Institute at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. For two years he was engaged in teaching. Then he entered the law office of his brother, Hon. H. W. Sawyer, at Hartford, Wisconsin, where he pursued the study of law, and where he was admitted to the bar in 1877. In June of the following year he came to Menominee, and in the office of the late Judge E. S. Ingalls commenced the practice of his profession, continuing alone until 1 88 1, when he became associated with Hon. Byron S. Waite. In April, 1893, they took in as a third partner William F. Waite, and the firm name became Sawyer, Waite & Waite. Under this name they do strictly a law business. In the matter of investment and land ownership, however, the firm of Sawyer & Waite still continues. Mr. Sawyer also has various other interests. He is a member of the firm of Childs & Sawyer; is secretary of the Shuswap Lumber Company, which owns a large tract of land in British Columbia; has been interested in mining operations in northern Michigan; and is also engaged in farming to some extent. He has a passion for flowers and a fine reputation for his success in their culture. He is also a director in the Agricultural society.

Mr. Sawyer was married April 13, 1880, to Miss Josephine S. Ingalls, a native of Lake county, Illinois, born March 9, 1857, daughter of Judge Eleazer S. and Martha M. (Pierson) Ingalls.
Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have four children living: Kenneth I., Gladys, Meredith, and Wilda, and one, Irma, deceased. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. F

raternally, he is identified with the blue lodge chapter and commandery, F. & A. M., at Menominee, having served as the first Secretary of the chapter; and he is a member of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids. Politically, he is a Democrat, but in all local matters he is usually found on the right side. He served as City Attorney five years, and was for three years a School Trustee; at this writing is chairman of the Democratic county committee.

Mr. Sawyer's residence at No. 1701 State street, Menominee, was built by him and is one of the handsomest homes in this city.