Doughty, George

DOUGHTY

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/3/2008 at 14:04:02

George Doughty

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.18, Council Bluffs)
George Doughty, retired, Council Bluffs, has been a resident of Council Bluffs since the fall of 1853, except a short time spent in the mountains of Colorado, during the summer of 1860-61. He was born March 4, 1817, in Dutchess County, N. Y. His people were among the early settlers of the New England States. The name of Doughty, so far as can be traced, is of Scotch origin. When ten years of age, Mr. Doughty's parents moved from Dutchess County to Cayuga County, N. Y., where the early part of his life was spent, and his education received. In 1839, he left home, and for several years, was traveling over the West; his last place of residence before coming to Council Bluffs was Atchison, Mo. In 1853, he engaged in the mercantile business in Council Blfufs, and continued the same until June, 1858. In the spring of 1859, he was elected Mayor of the city for one year. In 1860 and 1861, he spent a part of the time in Colorado, mining and prospecting; he was out of active business until 1866, when he opened a furniture house, which he conducted until 1870, since which time he has not been engaged in the mercantine business. In 1871, he was elected by the Democratic party to the office of Sheriff of Pottawattamie County by a majority of eight votes, though the votes of the county were 300 Republican. In 1873, he was re-elected ths time by a majority of 380. At the expiration of his second term of office, he withdrew from public life, and has since been leading the quiet life of a retired citizen. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled the chair of Noble Grand of his lodge for three terms. He is also a member of the A., F. & A. M., and has acted as W. M. in his lodge during the absence of that officer. He was one of the builders of the first three-story brick building ever erected in the city; this was the corner now occupied by the savings bank, and was known as the Empire Block.