Douglas Cupid Filkins (1859-1914)

FILKINS, YOUNG

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 7/7/2019 at 19:23:00

April 4, 1859 --- March 18, 1914

Douglas Filkins' Funeral.

Burial of Douglas C. Filkins, Minneapolis lawyer, took place yesterday afternoon at Belle Plaine, Ia. Mr. Filkins died Wednesday, at Battle Creek, Mich. He was 56 years old and had been practice in Minneapolis for several years. He was a member of the Minneapolis lodge of Elks.

Star Tribune --- Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 21, 1914

Douglas C. Filkins was born April 4, 1859, and died of organic heart failure, March 18, 1914. He was born at Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, and at the age of three his parents moved to Belle Plaine, where he grew to manhood. After completing the High school, course in the public schools, he attended the State University of Iowa, and graduated from its law department in June, 1880. He then entered the law office of J. J. Mosnat remaining there until the spring of 1881, when he came to Eagle Grove, a new town on the Northern Iowa division of the Northwestern where he successfully practiced law until 1902, when he moved to Minneapolis and engaged in the law and real estate business.

He came to Eagle Grove as a young man and the best part of his life was given to its interests. He was one of the most prominent lawyers in northern Iowa, and in his law practice his good sense prevailed and his influence was always on the side of peace. He was a public spirited man and he used his time, money and energy in the building up of the town and community.

He considered it a great privilege to be instrumental in forming the Independent School district of Eagle Grove. Was elected its first secretary and continued to hold that office until his removal to Minneapolis.

In the death of Mr. Filkins the Public schools of our country have lost an ardent and sincere worker.

In 1885 Mr Filkins was made a Master Mason and has been prominently identified with the many different degrees of that order which he so deeply revered. He was reared in a Masonic atmosphere, his father and grandfather being faithful members of the order and sincerely attached to its principles.

Mr. Filkins was a man of unusual mental force and of letters in every sense of the word. He had a strong personality and his charm of manners made him a host of friends wherever he went. Victor Hugo said in a beautiful generalization of his estimate of humanity, that there is only one thing before which we should kneel, and that is "goodness." This is the homage that the family and friends of Mr. Filkins pay to him.

He was a man of means, who had been very successful in his business affairs and at the time of his death was an extensive land owner in North Dakota. He used his wealth to alleviate the call of the poor and the wants of humanity.

He was identified with the social life of Minneapolis, being a member of the order of Elks, the Shriners, the Commercial club, University club, the Minnesota alumni of S U l and Colonial club. He was a member of the Burbank society, which was formed by the follower’s of Luther Burbank, an honor conferred upon only a few of the most highly respected and educated men of the country.

He leaves to mourn his loss two sisters, Miss Fannie M. Filkins, Mrs. O. A. Young, one brother, Daniel G. Filkins, a niece, Margaret Young and two nephews, Douglas C. and Daniel G. Filkins Jr., a sister-in-law, Mrs. D. G. Filkins and a brother-in-law, O. A. Young.

He was a loving and devoted brother considering no sacrifice too great for their welfare.

His remains were taken to Belle Plaine, his childhood home and Masonic services were held in the Congregational church conducted by Rev. Vinton Lee and he was laid to rest in the family lot in the beautiful cemetery by the side of his father, mother, brother and sister.

Those attending the funeral from here were J. M. Rudy and wife, E. C. Platt, D. L. Miller, E. Schaffter, C. A Haukole and wife, G. E. Correll, Mrs. J. S. Keith, Wm. Walters and wife, Mrs. George Tyck, Mrs. F. G. Parkhurst, of Hawarden, E. C. Jewett and W. F. Insel. The pall bearers were Messrs Jewett, Piatt, Haukole, Schaffter, Walters and Rudy.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 26, 1914