The Douglass Families of Boone County, Missouri

GEN. J. B. DOUGLASS.

Gen. Joseph Beeler Douglass was born in Mercer (now Boyle) county, Kentucky November 12th, 1819. His father, William Douglass,. was a native of Maryland, born in 1775, died in Boone county, Missouri, June 3d, 1843. He came to this county in 1827, and settled near Harrisburg, where he lived out the remainder of his days. Gen. Douglass remained on his father's farm until 1848, when he came to Columbia as deputy sheriff under Wm. P. Hickman. In 1850 he was elected sheriff and in 1852 was re-elected. In 1856 he was elected to the Legislature with Col. William F. Switzler. In 1859 was elected clerk of the county court, which office he was holding when the war commenced. In 1862 was commissioned colonel of the Sixty-first E. M. M The year following he was commissioned a brigadier-general by Gov. Hall, and assigned to the Eighth military district, embracing several counties in this part of Missouri. Left the service in 1865. He was of much service to the citizens of this county, protecting their lives and property. Was severe on men in arms, especially bushwhackers, but guarded the rights of non-combatants. After the war (in 1866) he was appointed United States assessor of the Fourth district, which position he held for two years. 'Afterwards followed the nursery business, at the same time acting as general agent of the horticultural department of the State University. He is now living in Columbia. Oen. Douglass was married in 1849 to Miss Nannie Wirt, of Boone-county. She died in 1875. They had six children, of whom only two are now living, Joseph L. and Fannie D. Two children died in infancy. One son, William Wirt, a graduate of medicine, died in 1877, aged twenty-three years. Mary A. died in 1882, aged twenty-eight. She was a graduate of Christian College, and possessed a bright intellect and fine culture. She excelled in music and mathematics, and was quite proficient in all the accomplishments that constitute a refined and cultivated lady. She was universally loved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance, and her death cast a gloom over the entire community. Gen. Douglass is a member of the Methodist Church South.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HON. SHANNON CLAY DOUGLASS.

The subject of this biographical sketch is the son of Alexander Douglass, a prominent citizen of Columbia and for many years identified with the business interest of the people among whom he lived and died. He was a native of Harrison county, Kentucky, where he was born and reared to the age of twelve years, when he came to Columbia, Missouri, where he spent the remainder of his life in active business, dying in February, 1866. In October, 1851, he was married to Ann M. Shannon, eldest daughter of Kev. James Shannon, LL. D., then president of the State University. Five children were born of this marriage: Shannon C, William H., Alex. E., Fannie B., and Mary Evalina Douglass, all of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was born December 29, 1852. He entered the State University in early youth and graduated in June, 1870. Although but eighteen years of age, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and was chosen valedictorian of his class. Two months later he commenced reading law with Gen. Odon Guitar, and remained in his office for about five years. In the spring of 1871 he was appointed town attorney, at which time he was licensed a member of the bar. Was city attorney for four years in succession. In June, 1873, ho graduated in the law department of the State University, taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws; also the degree of Master of Arts. He was elected Aprosecutiug attorney for Boone county, November, 1874, and was jeelected three times in succession, holding the office from January 1, 1875, to January 1, 1881. At the State Democratic convention, July, 1878, Mr. Douglass was made a member of the Democratic State central committee, for the eleventh congressional district. In 1880 he was reelected and chosen chairman. Declined a reelection at the State convention in July, 1882. Previous to resigning this position he addressed the convention, making an able, logical and eloquent appeal in behalf of unity and harmony within the party and excoriating the malcontents and traitors, who had twice betrayed Ihe party in the hour of its greatest peril. Mr. Douglass was married, September 8, 1880, to Miss Hattie H., daughter of Col. William E. Burr, of St. Louis. One child, William Burr, was born to them, May 28, 1882. Mr. Douglass has been a member of the Christian church since he was eleven years old. He united with the Masonic order, December, 1878. Mr.. Douglass is thorough in his profession, and as an advocate he has, perhaps, no superior of his age in the country. His profound knowledge of the law, his earnest, candid, logical mode of speaking, coupled with an excellent knowledge of human nature, gives him remarkable prestige at the bar and generally insures a victory for his client, even under the most unfavorable circumstances. He has already accomplished more than the average professional man achieved in a lifetime, yet in the order of nature and according to the rules that govern human life and effort, his career of usefulness has just commenced.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES MONROE DOUGLASS.

James Monroe Douglass is the youngest son of Henry L. and Susan

(Jacobs) Douglass, pioneer settlers of Boone county. He was born on the Douglass homestead, where he now lives, March 9th, 1852.

H8 father bequeathed the home place to himn 1882, a short time previous to his death, in consideration of the latter's maintenance of his widowed mother and invalid sister. He is a thrifty farmer, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. His father, Henry L. Douglass, deceased, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, February 15th,

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.