From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana page 859-860
John Douglas, Merchant and Postmaster, Richland Center, Ind., was born in
Richland Township, July 3, 1862, a son of Robert and Mary (Akers) Douglas.
When he was three years of age, his father died and his mother subsequently
married James Hutchinson, and lives in Hastings, Nebraska. His grandfather,
John Douglas, was one of the pioneers of Richland Township, coming here in
the early days of its settlement. He located on Section 25, buying 80
acres of land upon which he made his home. He was born in Pennsylvania
but was reared in Richland County, Ohio, where he married Mary Ann Kerr.
Of their seven children three are living -- Mrs. Martha J. Highland, of Michigan;
Mrs. Margaret A. Slade, of Angola, and John, of Michigan. Those deceased
are -- Robert, Mrs. Matilda Everhart, Mrs. Lydia Newville and Diana.
His wife died in 1853, and he subsequently married Eleanor Dougal, and to
them was born one child -- Mary Ellen, who died at the age of eighteen years.
Mr. Douglas died August 6, 1864, aged 55 years. His widow survives and
lives with our subject, whom she reared from his childhood. Our subject
was reared a farmer, receiving a good education in the common-schools of
the township. In January, 1884, he bought the stock of merchandise of
Morley and Son, and is now conducting a general merchantile business.
His courteous, geneal manners and accomodating disposition makes him well
adapted to this branch of business, and he has a large and constantly increasing
trade. He was married September 26, 1882, to Susie Rudisill, a native
of Lagrange County, Indiana, born July 6, 1862, daughter of Jacob Rudisill.
Her father died when she was sixteen years of age, and her mother afterward
married Harvey Olmstead, of Lagrange County. The only child of Mr. and
Mrs. Douglas died in infancy, November 16, 1884. A brother of Mr. Douglas,
Charles, makes his home with him.
Submitted By: Mindee Gleason
E-mail: bcmgleason@gmail.com