John R. Douglass (1924)
DOUGLASS, DOUGLAS, NUNAMACKER, EMMS
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 4/29/2014 at 08:00:46
Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, May 1, 1924John R. Douglas, third in a family of five children of Stephen and Ellis R. Douglas, was born in Wisconsin, October 20, 1845 and passed from this life April 23, 1924 at the age of 78 years, 6 months and 3 days.
His older brother entered the Civil War and left the home and support of a frail father, mother, sister and younger brother to John, then sixteen and small for his age. He cheerfully carried this burden, and it really became a life mission because the brother never returned, but fell to sleep beneath the sod of the sunny south.
John came in touch with pioneer life in lumber camps and hunting trips in Wisconsin. Later the pioneer life was continued in Iowa when the family moved to Earlham in 1870. He had an active part in breaking the virgin soil, in road making, and the railroad building here.
About 1877 he began the drayage business in Earlham in connection with small farming. In 1880 he added the coal business to the drayage which he and his brother, Bradley continued until February 1916 when they retired because of failing health.
The youngest brother Willie met a tragic death the first year after the family came to Earlham.
The father died in September 1885 and John and Bradley continued the home with the mother. The mother lived until past 85 years of age. She was blind and an invalid for more than fifteen years, but with the help of the widowed sister who joined the home, the boys gave her every care.
Since 1870 his home has been in Earlham and the older settlers remember him as one of the leading spirits in the community. Kind and considerate, of a cheerful disposition, always helping the needy and distressed, supporting every worthy enterprise, he will be remember as a loyal citizen indeed.
John has been failing in health for some eight years. Gradually his condition became worse. All that kind hands and loving hearts could do was done, but the hand of death could not be stayed, and the tired body fell asleep.
He leaves to mourn his loss one sister, Mrs. S. I. Nunamacker, one brother Bradley, both of Earlham, and two nieces Miss Sarah Nunamacker of Earlham, and Mrs. Roy B. Emms of Perry. Besides these are others and a host of friends and acquaintances who will miss him and his kindly deeds from the community in which he lived so long.
Services were conducted at the house with Rev. Pringle officiating. Interment was in Earlham cemetery.
________________________Transcriber's note: Typed as printed in the Earlham Echo. Name on gravestone is Douglass.
Gravestone Photo
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