Douglass, John bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 549-550; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Douglass owns and occupies a most excellent farm on sections 16, 17 and 28, Lee Township. The estate consists of two hundred acres of good land, which has been well improved and ranks among the best in the township. Eighty acres have been entirely developed by our subject, and nearly the entire acreage is under cultivation. Mr. Douglass is a general farmer, always keeping good stock on hand and raising crops equal in quality to any produced in the county. The family dwelling is a commodious frame house, presenting to the passer-by an appearance of great comfort and homelikeness. It was erected in 1875, very soon after the destruction by fire of the old home. The lumber for the new house was on the ground within a few days after the conflagration, and the building was pushed forward as rapidly as possible. The insurance on the first dwelling had run out a short time before it burned, and the owner therefore sustained a considerable loss.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Scotland, and the father, Samuel Douglass, in Ohio. In the same State Miss Sally Shoff, who was of Dutch descent, opened her eyes to the light, grew to womanhood and married Samuel Douglass. The death of Mrs. Douglass occurred in 1840, when our subject was about five years old. The father came to this county in 1853, but in a short time went into Peoria County where he sojourned about a year. Returning hither he located on section 9, Lee Township, but four years later removed to Prairie City, McDonough County, where he died in 1858.
Our subject is the seventh in a family of nine children, and was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, March 12, 1835. He accompanied his father to this State, although he had been working for himself since the age of about thirteen years. He had been employed by the year and had spent about three months out of each twelve in attending the district schools. He worked one year at the trade of a carpenter. The young man continued his efforts to gain a comfortable maintenance, and when about twenty-five years old felt justified in taking a companion. Immediately after that happy event he took possession of the farm upon which he now lives, renting about seven years, and then becoming its owner.
The lady who has shared in the fortunes of Mr. Douglass since December 27, 1860, was previously known as Mrs. Martha E. Peirsal, and had by that marriage one son – Willard G. Peirsal. She is a woman of fine character, worthy of the esteem in which she is held. She was born at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., May 9, 1829, being the first-born of the seven children of Williard and Ruth B. (Moore) Guernsey. Both her parents were born in Windham County, Vt., and they were married in that State April 3, 1828. The father died October 5, 1873, and the mother November 4, 1877.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Douglass has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, of whom the following survive: Hortense E., now the wife of Charles F. Frederick, living in Young Hickory Township; Judson A., who is still living with his parents; Alysia P., wife of Juhn Kutchler, living in Union Township; DeWitt B., who is still at home. The deceased are twins, one of whom died in early infancy and the other when two years old; and a son, John G., who died at the age of four days.
Mr. Douglass is a life-long Republican. He is now School Director, while his wife is filling her second term as Township Treasurer, being the only woman holding such a position in the county. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Anti Horse-Thief Society. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Baptist Church.