From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1362-1363
 
CARLOS S. DOUGLASS.  One of the best known business men of Walworth county is 
Carlos S. DOUGLASS, who has spent his life in his native community, having 
been born in Walworth township on August 1, 1854.  He is the grandson of 
Christopher DOUGLASS and son of Carlos Lavalette DOUGLASS, one of our sterling 
pioneers, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
 
The subject attended the Fontana district schools and the Big Foot Academy, 
also Beloit College, and was graduated from the latter in 1878.  He began his 
business career by forming a partnership with his father in farming and 
milling, later adding a real estate business.  They built the first full 
roller mill in this part of Wisconsin, and were among the best known mill men 
in this part of the state for many years.  The death of the father occurred in 
1898 and the subject continued to operate the mill with his usual success 
until 1908, when he sold his interest.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS has been chairman of the county board for eight years.  He was 
chairman of the town board for thirteen years, and he was three times assessor 
of his township.  He has identified himself with many enterprises which have 
helped the growth of the village of Fontana, whose interest he has ever had at 
heart and sought to promote; not only has he assisted in the upbuilding of 
that place, but also Williams Bay and Walworth.  He is now president of the 
Walworth State Bank, manager of the Fontana Land Company and president of the 
Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company.  He has been very successful in 
whatever he has turned his attention to, being by nature a business man of 
keen discernment, able to see with remarkable accuracy the future outcome of a 
present transaction, and he seldom makes a mistake.  He keeps fully abreast of 
the times in all matters pertaining to commercial life, civic affairs and 
current literature.  He has a beautiful and modernly appointed home in Fontana.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS was married on September 10, 1879, to Emma BORDWELL, daughter of 
Danthford and Jennie (BURNS) BORDWELL.  She was born in McHenry county, 
Illinois, near the Walworth county line.  To this union two children were 
born, Courtney C., born on December 26, 1880, and William LeRoy, born April 
16, 1882.
 
The mother of these children passed away on September 9, 1901, and Mr. 
DOUGLASS was united in marriage with Annabel PURL, on October 22, 1902.  She 
came to this county from Topeka, Kansas, and she is the daughter of Filmore 
and Kate (CASEY) PURL.  She received a good education at Lewis Institute, 
Chicago, and she came to Fontana as a teacher.  She is a lady of culture and 
refinement.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS is a member of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen.  He has 
always taken an active interest in political affairs, being an ardent Republican, 
and in 1909 he was nominated for state senator, and he carried his county by 
over one thousand votes, showing his popularity at home.  He is guardian and 
administrator of numerous estates, some of them being very large involving 
much care, judgment and close attention.
 
Submitted by Carol