Isaac Wertenberger Douglass (1866-1940)

DOUGLASS, GAMBLE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/12/2024 at 00:59:19

From Nevada Evening Journal December 21, 1940 (page 1)

Memorial Rites In District Court for I. W, Douglass

District court convened in Nevada paused Friday afternoon to pay memorial tribute to I. W. Douglass, dean of the Story County Bar for nearly half a century who passed away October 14, 1940, at the age of 74 years.

The memorial service, which was presided over by Judge H. E. Fry who had known the deceased for 25 years, was attended by practically all members of the Story County Bar and by Mrs. I. W. Douglass, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley G. Douglass and daughter of Maxwell and other relatives and friends.

The "In Memoriam" resolution were presented by the Bar committee composed of J. R. Hattery, chairman; Judge C. G. Lee and Arthur Buck. Mr. Hattery moved their adoption.

In seconding the adoption of the resolutions by Judge C. G. Lee, B. B. Welty, Judge J. Y. Luke and Col. H. E. Hadley, members of the Story county bar, all spoke in the highest terms of the deceased whom they had all known for many years.

Rev. James D. Mahoney of Nevada, who had known Mr. Douglass when a boy in Maxwell and intimately during the intervening years, voiced a personal tribute.

Judge H. E. Fry closed the service with a brief talk during which he paid high tribute to the deceased whom he designated as a fine lawyer, an outstanding citizen and upright, honest and dependable friend.

The following resolutions were adopted unanimously at the close of the service as the members of the bar stood in silent tribute to one who had been their associate for many years.

In Memoriam--In the District Court of Story County, Iowa, December 16th, 1940:
It is with a feeling of deep personal loss that we, the members of the Story County Bar, take notice of the death of I. W. Douglass.

I. W. or "Ike" Douglass, as he was frequently known, was a native of Michigan, being born near Battle Creek, June 26, 1866. He came with his parents to Iowa, however, when a child but three years, making the trip overland in a covered wagon. The family located on a farm five miles and a half south of Maxwell in Polk county. There he attended the rural schools, grew to young manhood, taught rural school for a time and finally started his higher education at Drake University.

Entering the college of law at the State University of Iowa in 1888, his studies led to his graduation in 1890. His first practice was in Carroll county, but in 1892 be returned to the Maxwell neighborhood and opened his law office, and there continued his life's work.

He was married that same year to Miss Addie Gamble of the Maxwell neighborhood and she with two sons, D. G. Douglass of Maxwell and Emelin Douglass of Sac City, survive him. He had been in failing health during the last six or eight years and the law work had fallen more and more on the shoulders of the junior member of the firm.

Mr. Douglass had been an active Mason for over fifty years and was well-known in Masonic circles of the state. He leaves his immediate family, his wife and two sons, D. G. and Emelin and a granddaughter, Ann Douglass, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Douglass. The very sudden and unexpected death of the only daughter, Miss Lucille Douglass, was a severe blow to the father and one from which he never fully recovered.

During his long years in practice, he was well acquainted in the courts of Story, Polk, Marshall and Jasper counties and enjoyed a wide acquaintance over the state. At the time of his death on October 14th, 1940, at the age of seventy-four years he was Dean of the Story County Bar and for nearly a half century a prominent citizen of Story county.

He was endowed with a natural talent for the law. He asked no favors, he expected none. He performed his duties without fear or favor. His integrity was above suspicion. He was conscientious, courageous and conducted his business in a common-sense, practical manner.

He was gifted in the ability to express his thoughts in clear, convincing and illuminating English. As a citizen he felt the responsibilities of his place in the community and wielded a large influence in the affairs of Maxwell and the surrounding country. He was always on the right side of issues affecting the moral welfare of the community and stood always for fundamental principles, whether in matters of government, of law or social relationship and affairs.

As a husband and father he was affectionate, unselfish and ideal. We will miss his kindly greeting, his passing has saddened us but his work is done and we bow our heads today in memory of a sincere friend, an able lawyer and an outstanding citizen.

ARTHUR BUCK
JOHN R. HATTERY
C. G. LEE