Shannon Clay Douglass

As printed in 1882

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 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.