Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    CHARLES W. DOUGLASS

    Click here for photo of Mr. and Mrs.
    Charles W. Douglass and grandson

    Charles W. Douglass. Among the old and honored citizens of Troy who have lived in well-earned retirement after many years of honorable identification with the city's business interests, none were held in higher regard than Charles W. Douglass; former treasurer and a director of the Troy Carriage and Sunshade Company. Mr. Douglass was born at Ithaca, N. Y., March 26, 1843, a son of William and Caroline Douglass, and died November 3, 1920. His father, who was a tobacconist, was in business at various points, principally Geneva, N. Y., and was a man of worth and standing who had the confidence of his associates. There were three children in the family: H. F., who is now president of the Troy Carriage and Sunshade Company; Charles W., and a daughter who died in infancy. Charles W. Douglass attended the country schools of Cayuga county, New York, and the Seneca Falls Academy, and upon the completion of his education was attracted to the railroad business, as were many youths of his day and locality. He accordingly studied telegraphy, the mastering of which gained him a position as railroad telegraph operator, a line of work which he followed for five years. After this he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, at Cleveland, Ohio, with which concern he was identified for thirty- seven years, rising from operator to superintendent clerk. Coming to Troy in 1903, Mr. Douglass and his brother, H. F., became identified with the Troy Carriage and Sunshade Company, Mr. Douglass as treasurer and his brother as president. A full history of this concern will be found in the industrial part of this work. Mr. Douglass retained the treasurership of this concern until 1915, at which time he resigned and retired from active affairs, although he still retained his connection with the company as a member of the board of directors. Mr. Douglass was largely instrumental in outlining the policy by following which this company rose to a place among the leading manufacturers of Troy, and during a long period of years his connections with business and financial affairs in the city have been varied and important. He also had numerous social and civic attachments, and during the war period was a liberal contributor to all war movements. Mr. Douglass married Julia, daughter of Harley and ary (Horton) Brownell, of Cayuga, N. Y., and to this union there have been born two children: Charlie, who died in infancy, and Edwin, a vocalist and teacher of vocal music of Cleveland. Mr Brownell was one of the first conductors of the Cleveland-Toledo Railroad.

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