My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. WILLIAM B. DOUTHAT, postmaster of Fayetteville, and a native of Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Va., was born March 1, 1840, son of John H. and Margaret (Burke) Douthat. He received his education in Snowville, Pulaski Co., Va., and at the age of twelve was bound out for seven years to T. S. Bullard, of Snowville, to serve an apprenticeship at the shoe-maker’s trade. He worked four years, abandoned his master, and commenced in life on his own responsibility. He went to Salem and worked for his brother, James H., ten months, after which he returned to his former home and set up a shop. During the late Rebellion he was a firm supporter of the Union. In 1863 he was about to be drawn into the Confederate side, when he, with upward of fifty others, started to join the Union forces, walking to Somerset, Ky., a distance of 150 miles, where they took the train for Nashville. He enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, U. S. A., and took an active part in the battles of Trune, Clifton, Lynchburg, Pulaski, Tenn., Florence, Sulphur Trestle and Richland Creek Bridge, Ala. In the action at Pulaski he was wounded twice, being shot in the right arm and hip. He was taken to the hospital at Nashville, where he remained two months. December, 1864, he rejoined his regiment and remained until October 7, 1865, when he was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., and discharged at Nashville. He was appointed second lieutenant of Company A, Twelfth Regiment Cavalry, Tennessee Volunteers, United States Army. May 11, 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant of the same company and regiment. April 16, 1865, he was assigned assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Brig.-Gen. G. Spaulding. He was assigned to duty as regimental commissary in June, 1865, and served until mustered out of service. He received a complimentary commission as captain October 20, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service. In 1866 Mr. Douthat went to Denver, Col., and remained there three years. In the spring of 1870 he came to Fayetteville, and the following year he and his brother, Robert S., formed a partnership in the manufacture of boots and shoes. In 1873 he accepted the position of postmaster at Fayetteville, and in 1885 disposed of his interest in the shoe shop, since which time he has given his attention to the office. In 1875 he married Emma Burgess, a native of Lebanon, Tenn., born July 7, 1848, and the daughter of Charles T. and Mary E. Burgess. This union resulted in the birth of one child—Carl B. Mr. Douthat has proved to be a most worthy and efficient postmaster. He has given universal satisfaction, and not one word of complaint has been offered for his removal under the new administration. He is a Republican in politics, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.