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- Michael E. Douglas was born in Springfield township, Richland county, Ohio, October 21, 1831, a son of William and Margaret (Edgington) Douglas. His father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and died in Springfield township, this county, in 1857. He (i.e. the father) was a son of Michael and Lydia (Pollock) Douglas, both of whom were natives of Scotland, were married in Ireland and emigrated to America, taking up, their abode in Pennsylvania. By this marriage there were eight sons and six daughters. In 1823 the grandparents of our subject came to Richland county, taking up their abode in Springfield township upon a farm which had previously been secured by their son William and his brother who had come to the county before the immigration of the family. The journey was made from Pennsylvania in an old "schooner" wagon. After arriving at years of maturity William Douglas married Miss Margaret Edgington, of Richland county, Ohio, in 1803, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Edgington. Her mother, however, was usually known as Pollie. They came to Richland county in the fall of 1815, accompanied by Jonathan Beach and his family. The Edgington and Beach families were the first to locate in Springfield township, and in Richland county William Douglas and Margaret Edgington were married. They had a number of children, as follows: Alexander J., a Lutheran minister living in Monroeville, Indiana; Thomas E., a veteran of the Civil war, who makes his home in Mansfield; Michael E.; Elizabeth, of Columbia City, Indiana; and Nancy, who resides in Riverside, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Michael E. Douglas, the subject of this review, was reared upon a farm and pursued a common-school education. He studied during the winter months and in the summer worked in the plowed fields and fragrant meadows, assisting in the early spring planting. He taught school through five consecutive winter seasons; but, desiring to enter the legal profession, he studied law under the direction of L. B. Matson, a practicing attorney of Mansfield. He was then admitted to the bar in 1860, but was soon afterward elected secretary of the Richland Mutual Insurance Company, a position which he filled for ten years, interrupted, however, by service in the Civil war. As an organizer of the Merchants' and Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company, he became its secretary in 1876 and has since held that position, so that during the greater part of his career he has been connected with the insurance business. He is a man of keen discrimination, who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. He possesses much executive force, is reliable, prompt and persevering and his labors have brought to him creditable success.
In the year 1861 Mr. Douglas was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Zimmerman, of Mansfield, a daughter of Levi Zimmerman, who came to this city from Pennsylvania. Their children were Levi Ernest, of Boston; and Mary and Lucretia, of Mansfield. Two years after his marriage, in October, 1863, Mr. Douglas assisted in organizing Company G, of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, of which he was made first Lieutenant, thus entering the army service. In May, 1865, he was promoted to the captaincy of the company and resigned from that position in November of the same year, the war having ended. He was a brave and loyal soldier, being advanced through meritorious conduct, inspiring his men by his own bravery and valor. He is now a member of McLaughlin Post, G. A. R., of Mansfield, and in his political views is a Republican, giving a warm support to the principles of the party. In 1868 he served as mayor of the city by appointment and was a capable officer, his administration being businesslike and progressive. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although his 1ife has not been filled with a large number of thrilling incidents it contains lessons of value, showing marked fidelity to duty in every relation of life. He is a man of his word, and his genial disposition, unfailing courtesy and kindness have made him popular with a host of warm friends. [2]
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