Thomas Doughty

DOUGHTY, DEARMAND, CARLETON, HUTCHINSON

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/16/2014 at 15:54:57

VETERAN RIVER ENGINEER DIES IN ST. LOUIS.

Was One of the First to Seek to Improve on the Old Towing System--His career as a Resident of this County.

One of the best known river men of the upper Mississippi breathed his last at St. Louis yesterday, that city having been the home of Thomas Doughty since he left LeClaire a dozen years ago. Death was the result of diabetic coma, and was not unexpected, as it terminated a period of declining health extending over several years.
During his residence in LeClaire, from the time of his return from service in the United States navy during the entire civil war, Mr. Doughty was actively identified with the rafting interests of the Upper Mississippi. He built and was part owner of the first raft boat which attempted to handle the rafts from the pineries to the mills, but sold out his interests in the boat before the practical improvement which that method offered over the old method of floating the raft and guiding it with sweeps was manifested. He went into the engine room after that and was known as an expect engineer until the time that he retired from active service. He was a college bred man, having been fitted by education for a professional life, but upon coming west was attracted by the steamboat business and devoted to it the natural ability and training that would have won him success in any walk of life.

The deceased was a Mason of long affiliation and high degree, as well as a member of the Loyal Legion of St. Louis.

He is survived by his wife, and four children, Mrs. J. A. DeArmand of Davenport, Mrs. Robert Carleton of Omaha, Mrs. L. M. Hutchinson, of the City of Mexico, and J. H. Doughty of St. Louis.

The funeral will take place in St. Louis.

Source: The Morning Democrat, Davenport, Ia., 22 Dec 1896, p. 4.

VETERAN RIVERMAN DEAD.

Thomas Doughty a Former Resident of LeClaire: Passes Away.

A telegram received by Davenport relative yesterday announced the death of Thomas Doughty, the veteran river engineer, which occurred yesterday at the family home in St. Louis. His death was the result of a period of declining health, extending over several years and his death will be generally regretted, especially among the river men where he was known so well. Mr. J. A. DeArmand, daughter of the deceased, left last evening for St. Louis to attend the funeral.

Thomas Doughty was numbered among the foremost river men along the upper Mississippi, and for many years he was a resident of LeClaire. During the civil war Mr. Doughty was a member of the United States Navy and at its close turned his attention to the rafting interests on the upper river. He built and was part owner of the first boat attempting to handle rafts from the pineries to the mills. When the improvement had manifested itself in a practical way he sold out his interest and commenced work as a practical engineer.

The change in the method of lowering logs he introduced was taken up by the mill men and soon supplanted the old method of floating the rafts and guiding them with “sweeps.” Although a college bred man and fitted for professional life he became attracted by steam boating and his natural ability soon assured his success from the start. Mr. Doughty was a member of high standing in the Masonic order, as well as a member of the Loyal Legion of St. Louis. About 12 years ago he removed from LeClaire to St. Louis, which city has been his home since that time.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Mrs. Robert J. A. DeArmand of Davenport, Mrs. Robert Carleton of Omaha, Mrs. L. M. Hutchinson of the City of Mexico, and J. H. Doughty of St. Louis. The funeral will take place in St. Louis.

Source: The Davenport Daily Times, Davenport, Ia., 22 Dec 1896, p. 2.

OBITUARY

DOUGHTY

The St. Louis Globe-Democrat gives the following details as to the life of Capt. Thomas Doughty, formerly of LeClaire, whose death has been noticed in these columns:

Capt. Doughty was born at Meadville, Pa., July 1, 1828. He came west and engaged in steam boating. In July, 1862, he was appointed acting first assisting engineer, United States navy, and ordered to service on the United States steamship Indianola, under the command of Lieut. George Brown, now the ranking admiral of the navy. On the 31 of December 1862 he was appointed to acting chief engineer, United States navy. With other vessels, the Indianola ran the batteries at Vicksburg, and participated in the battle near Grand Gulf, where she was sunk.

Capt. Doughty, with others, was taken prisoner and sent to Libby prison, at Richmond, Va. After his exchange he was ordered to duty on the monitor Osage, built by Capt. James B. Eads. During the Red river expedition the turret of the Osage became disabled and it was thought that the vessel was practically out of commission for the balance of the war, but Engineer Doughty obtained permission to attempt its repair, which was granted, and in a few days the Osage was in good fighting trim, for which he received special commendation from Admiral Selfridge.

His funeral will take place at 2 p.m. today from his late residence, 4575 A West Bell Avenue. His remains, in compliance with his expressed wish, will be cremated.

Source: The Morning Democrat, Davenport, Ia., 23 Dec 1896, p. 4.