THOMAS DOUGLAS, a public-spirited citizen who has ably occupied the position of Constable of Sandoval for thirty years, is widely known throughout Marion County, and as a man of sterling integrity, commands the high regard of the entire community where he is at present engaged as a money loaner.
Mr. Douglas is a native of Selkirkshire, Scotland, and his birth occurred December 31, 1830.
William and Agnes (Welch) Douglas, the parents of our subject, were likewise natives of Scotland, and the former was the son of Thomas Douglas, who was a weaver by trade. The latter gentleman reared the following-named children:
The father of our subject passed his entire life in Scotland, where he was a shepherd. He was a man of limited means, and although his father was wealthy at one time, the children were not benefited, as he lost his property by going security for friends.
The parental family included four children, those besides our subject being Agnes, who is deceased, Elizabeth and Ellen, both living in Scotland.
William Douglas was a prominent member of the Old School Presbyterian Church and departed this life when in his thirty-ninth year.
Thomas received his education in the common schools of his native land, and when a lad of fourteen years began to learn the trade of a brickmason, serving an apprenticeship of five years. He worked at his trade in Scotland until 1851, when he decided to try his fortunes in the United States, and embarking on a sailing vessel, landed in New York.
Settling in Seneca County, N. Y., our subject followed his trade there for about a year, and then making his way to this state, began working on the Illinois Central Railroad as contractor. He was thus employed for a twelvemonth, when he removed to Mt. Vernon and later went south to New Orleans. After several months spent there, he returned to Illinois, and taking up his abode in Centralia, embarked in the grocery business. Two years later he came to Sandoval and was engaged for some time in working at the freight depot of the Illinois Central Railroad. Later he accepted the position of baggagemaster of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at the same place and continued to be thus occupied for some time.
Miss Alice, daughter of John Murphy, became the wife of our subject, and their union was blessed by the birth of five children:
The surviving son and daughter are finely educated, the former being graduated from the St. Louis Business College, while the latter completed her studies in the Belleville High School. Mrs. Douglas was a most estiraable lady and her death was deeply mourned by a host of friends.
Mr. Douglas has traveled quite extensively and in 1887 made a tour of the western country, visiting the Pacific coast.
Socially he is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 21 in Centralia, and as an Odd Fellow is a member of the encampment at Sandoval.
In his political relations he is a stanch Republican and takes a leading part in local matters.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 509 - 510
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer