Michael E. Douglas

MICHAEL E. DOUGLAS.

There are few citizens who have given such tangible evidence of loyalty and patriotism as has Michael E. Douglas through his active service in defense of the union in the Civil war, and through his administration of the offices that have been conferred upon him by the vote of his fellow townsmen and by his ready and helpful co-operation in many movements for the public good. In business, too, he is widely and favorably known as the secretary of the Merchants & Manufacturers’ Mutual Insurance Company. He was born in Springfield township, Richland county, Ohio, October 21, 1831, and has therefore reached the age of seventy-seven years. His parents were William and Margaret (Edgington) Douglas.

His father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and died in Springfield township, this county, in 1857. He was a son of Michael and Lydia (Pollock) Douglas, both of whom were natives of Scotland but were married in Ireland, and in emigrating to the new world took up their above in Pennsylvania. By this marriage there were eight sons and six daughters. In 1823 Michael Douglas and his family came to Richland county, Ohio, settling in Springfield township upon a farm which had previously been secured by their son William and his brother, who arrived in this county prior to the arrival of the other members of the family. The journey was made from Pennsylvania in an old covered wagon after the primitive manner of travel at that day. After arriving at years of maturity William Douglas was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Edgington, who was born in Jefferson county in 1803, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (or Polly) Edgington. Mr. and Mrs. Edgington arrived in Richland county in the fall of 1815, accompanied by Jonathan Beach and his family, and the Edgington and Beach families were the first to locate in Springfield township. The, marriage of William Douglas and Margaret Edgington was blessed with five children.

Of this family Michael E. Douglas, whose name introduces this review, was the third born and upon the home farm was reared, acquiring a common-school education. He studied during the winter months, mastering the common branches of English learning, and in the summer season he worked upon the homo farm. He taught school for five consecutive winters, but regarded this as merely an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to become a member of the bar and with this object in view he took up the study of law under the direction of L. B. Matson, a practicing attorney of Mansfield. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, but was soon afterward elected secretary of the Richland Mutual Insurance Company, a position which he filled for ten years, interrupted by his service in the Civil war. He was one of the organizers of the Merchants & Manufacturers’ Mutual Insurance Company, and became its secretary in 1876, since which time he has continuously filled the position, so that for the greater part of his life he has been connected with the insurance business in an official capacity. Thus called to a position of executive control he has subsequently bent his energies largely to organization and constructive efforts and administrative direction. Possessing broad, intelligent and liberal minded views, a well founded faith in himself and a recognition of the possibilities for development in the field of insurance, his has been an active career in which he has accomplished important and far-reaching results, while from his labors he has derived substantial benefits.

In the year 1861 Mr. Douglas was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Zimmerman, of Mansfield, a daughter of Levi and Mary Ann (George) Zimy german. Her father was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1814, and her mother’s birth occurred October 6, 1815. They were married November 17, 1835, and unto them were born six children, of whom five are living, three being residents of Mansfield. Mr. Zimmerman came to Richland county in 1824 and took up his above in Mansfield in 1827. Early in life he engaged in farming and when still quite young he was bound out as an apprentice to learn the tin and copper trade, serving for a term of five years. On the expiration of that period he went to Massillon, Ohio, where he began work at his trade, but after three months he came to Mansfield. He was here employed by others for about two years, at the end of which time he commenced business for himself and continued an active representative of the industrial and commercial interests of the community until his retirement a few years ago. He was also a partner of Mr. Buckies in a similar business at Bucyrus, Ohio, and when his partner died Mr. Zimmerman remained as sole proprietor of the business. Three times during his active business career he suffered extensively from loss by fire and on one of these occasions, in 1860, his home with all its contents was entirely destroyed. He ever commanded the respect and trust ot his fellowmen by reason of business methods which have never sought nor required disguise.

His political allegiance was long given the republican party and previous to its organization he was a whig, casting his first vote for Harrison in 1836. Fraternally, he was an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Mansfield for fifty-seven years and in all his life he exemplified the beneficent spirit of that order, which is based upon the brotherhood of mankind and finds its best exemplification in mutual helpfulness and charity. His early faith was that of the Methodist church and his life record constitutes an example that is well worthy of emulation.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas has been blessed with one son and two daughters: Levi Earnest; Mary, wife of J. E. Gibson; and Lucretia, wife of Henry C. Hedges.

Two years after his marriage Mr. Douglas, in October, 1863, assisted in organizing Company G of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, of which he was made first lieutenant and in May, 1865, he was promoted to the captaincy of the company and resigned from that position the same year, the war having ended. He was a brave and loyal soldier, being advanced through meritorious conduct and inspired his men with his own bravery and valor. He belongs to McLaughlin post, G. A. R., of Mansfield, and in politics has ever been a stanch republican, standing loyally by the party which was the defense of the union in the dark days of the Civil war and which has ever been the party of reform and progress. In 1868 he served as mayor of the city by appointment and was a capable and efficient officer, his administration being businesslike and progressive. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, the order claiming him as one of its efficient members since 1860, and he has long been a faithful member, of the Methodist church. Throughout the community he is recognized as a man whose word is as good as his bond, while his genial disposition, his unfailing courtesy and his kindliness have won for him popularity with a host of warm friends.

As printed in History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908 : also biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.