J. B. Douglass

As printed in 1882

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 History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.