My Genealogy Hound

William R. Douglass was born in Smith County, Tenn., March 26, 1839. His father, Robert J., was born in Virginia, and when thirteen accompanied his widowed mother to Tennessee, where he grew to manhood and married Permelia Hodges, who was also born in Virginia and reared in Smith County, Tenn. In 1848 Mr. Douglass immigrated to Arkansas, and locating in Arkansas County, entered land and engaged in farming, until his death in 1851. William R. Douglass was but ten years old when he lost his father, and thereafter lived in Little Rock until grown. In 1861 he enlisted in the State service, in Woodruff’s battery, but afterward became a soldier in the regular army, and served until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private, in 1862 was made second lieutenant, and the following year became first lieutenant, which position he held while in service. He participated in the battles at Oak Hill, Prairie Grove, Helena, Mansfield, La., Jenkins’ Ferry, and many smaller skirmishes. His company was disbanded in Texas, and he was paroled at Little Rock in June, 1865. Prior to the war Mr. Douglass served a four years’ apprenticeship at the printer’s trade, and had worked at the tinner’s trade. In 1865 he went to Little Rock and worked there at the last named business until 1870. In September of that year he went to Ozark, and engaged in the hardware business, which he continued until 1885. He then sold out and moved upon his present place. He continued until 1885. He then sold out and moved upon his present place. He now owns 1,100 acres of land in this township, in five different tracts, 300 acres being cultivated. The home place contains 520 acres, 200 cleared, and sixteen acres devoted to the cultivation of fruit trees. In 1866, in Pulaski County, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Agnes Bender, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Arkansas. Mrs. Douglass died in 1880, leaving four children living. Mr. Douglass afterward married Mrs. Smith, a widow and daughter of Dr. G. C. Sadler, a prominent physician of this county. Mrs. Douglass had two children by her former marriage, Charles and Burk Smith. By her marriage with our subject she is the mother of four children. Thomas, a medical student, of St. Louis; Samuel, Bender and Harrison are the children of Mr. Douglass’ first marriage; and Susan E., Robert, Sula and Council the children of his last. Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.