My Genealogy Hound

George M. Douglas, proprietor of a blacksmith and wagon repair shop at Mountain Grove, Wright County, Mo., was born in Gasconade County, of the same State, July 23, 1847, the son of W. R. and Elizabeth (Watton) Douglas. W. R. Douglas was born in Missouri in 1818, probably in St. Louis County, and was a successful tiller of the soil. He immigrated to Gasconade County, Mo., and from there to Texas County, where he died in 1882. He was a volunteer to the Mormon War. His wife, Elizabeth (Watton) Douglas, was the mother of four children, and died when the subject of this sketch was quite small. He grew to manhood in Gasconade County, Mo., and at the age of eighteen moved with his father to Texas County, where he lived until 1876. He was married in Texas County to Miss Sarah C. Shorns, who was born in Texas County, Mo., in 1855, and who, by her marriage, became the mother of these children: Elizabeth L., James A., W. E., Benjamin B., Hattie E. and Charley E. One child they lost in infancy. Mrs. Douglas died in 1884, and Mr. Douglas took for his second wife Miss Maggie A. Ferguson, who was born in Missouri in 1858. To this union were born two children, one now living, Lyle E. The other child died in infancy. Mr. Douglas learned the blacksmith’s trade in Texas County, and followed this business in that county for about two years. In 1876 he came to Wright County, where he engaged in the blacksmith and wagon repairing business. This he has followed ever since, with the exception of one year, when he bought and ran a planer. He owns his shop and residence in Mountain Grove, and is a first-class citizen. He does about $1,000 worth of business per year. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Baptist Church.