Noble Douglass

Noble Douglass was born, May 12th 1818. In Brownstown township ( nearby ), Jackson County, Indiana. Noble was the son of Cyrus ( senior ) Douglass and Lydia Scott. Cyrus ( senior ) Douglass, was the son of Revolutionary soldier ( Domini Douglass born 1732 Ireland ). Noble was a farmer, and remained within his parents home until the age of 21. He attended the nearby schools, and farmed during the summer seasons. At the age of 21, he married Louisa Bales. Her parents were James Bales ( Jr. ) and Elizabeth Mitchell. Louisa had a sister who married Noble's nephew and 1 brother Perry Bales. Louisa, Samantha, and Perry Bales. All 3 had a triple wedding on 12/29/1839 in Bloomington township, Monroe Co., Indiana. Noble farmed in Indiana until spring of 1853. He rigged up an oxen team, and gathered his families belongings. 1 item Noble brought with him was a grindstone. Out in the prairie this grindstone he brought turned lucrative. His neighbors traveled to sharpen thier crude tools.

Noble had also a road wagon. He placed his wife and children. Along with thier household items abord it. George Hopkins, a well known citizen of Lucas County, and a 1 time sheriff of Lucas county, Iowa. George accompanied Noble and his family on the trip from Jackson Co., Indiana to their destination in Lucas County, Iowa. Noble and George, along with a hired hand. Drove some 30 head of cattle along with them.

They crossed the Mississippi river at Burlington, and some 3 week journey came to an end in Lucas Co., Iowa.

Noble Douglass, purchased 200 acres in Lincoln Township, Lucas Co., Iowa. His price was 3.00 and sometimes 5.00 an acre. His land was located at, N 1/2 NE 1/4, E 1/2 NW 1/4, E 1/2 SW 1/4, Section 32-72-21.

Noble built a log house. Of which he lived in until 20 years later. When he built a framed house. Noble endevered hardships and good times. Common life for a farmer in those periods.

Noble's first wife Louisa Bales-Douglass,was born 03/30/1822 in Monroe Co., Indiana. She was the daughter of, James ( junior ) Bales, and Elizabeth Mitchell. Louisa ( Bales ) Douglass died 11/14/1866 at, 44yr, 7m, 14dys. On January 9th 1868. Noble married Eliza McDonald Larimer. She was the daughter of Hugh Larimer. Eliza died in 1894.

Noble had the following children with first wife Louisa; Napolean Bonaparte Douglass born 09/19/1840. He married Laura Hopkins, and Casandra Giles; Lydia Elizabeth Douglass born 03/03/1843. Married Jesse Everett Dixon; Volney D. Douglass born 08/19/1845. Married Nancy Antoinette Mitchell; Edward C. Douglass born 04/21/1847. Married Irene Gifford; Mary Jane Douglass born 06/06/1850. Married George Davidson; Commodore Perry Douglass born 06/29/1853 ( no further information ); Laura Ann Douglass born 09/15/1855. Married George Harris Niswender.

Noble and second wife Eliza McDonald Larimer, had the following 2 children; Effie Armeta Douglass born 11/20/1868. Married James Manford Kneeland; Tessa Mae Douglass born 01/24/1872. She never married, but did have a lady partner, Mary Taylor, they lived together for many years.

Noble Douglass, also is said to have owned the land of the first Cemetery in Lucas Co., Iowa. This Cemetery is to be the beginning of present day Chariton Cemetery. Click here for details on it. Douglass Cemetery

Noble Douglass had several other family branches within Lucas Co., Iowa. One such family would be; Luther Douglass ( 1st cusin once removed ) Luther was the son of Joel S. Douglass ( grandson of Domini Douglass, Revolutionary patriot ). ~ Taken in part by Bio for Noble Douglass, 2 obituaries, family accounts.. rewriten by David Niswender.

( obituary )

SEVERAL OLD CITIZENS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN CALLED TO THE UNKNOWN.

The funeral of Noble Douglass was held from the family home last Saturday at 2:00 o'clock p.m., conducted by Rev. F. B. Palmer, pastor of the Baptist Church, of which the deceased was a veteran member. Many old friends and neighbors paid there respectst with thier presence, after which the reamins where laid to rest.

Noble Douglass was born near Brownstone, Indiana, May 12, 1818, and at the time of his death was likley the oldest person in Lucas County. He came to the state in 1853, settling on his farm just south east of Chariton, on which he resided until about 10 years ago, and since the death of his companion has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Kneeland. He had been twice married and was the father of 9 children, five of whom survive him, Ed Douglass of Harper, Washington, who was not present at the funeral, Mrs. Mary Davidson, Mrs. Laura Niswender, Mrs. J. M. Kneeland, and Miss Tessie Douglass. There are also ninten grandchildren and thirteen great grand children. Mr. Douglass while never a rugged man had great tenacity of life and was very active, seldom complaining of physical ills. The fatal disease was caused by a complication following Lagrippe. Noble Douglass was a man of strong Character, just in all his dealings with his fellow men and was revered throughout a long life of usefullness, and in his passing those who knew him best silently pay tribute and retain him in thier memories. His span of life was long; his years where tilled with good deeds; his reward is certain.