From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 574 - 576
 
HORACE GREELEY DOUGLASS.  The examples such men as Horace Greeley DOUGLASS, the 
popular ex-mayor of the city of Lake Geneva, furnish of patient purpose and 
steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to 
accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting 
even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the interests of their 
fellow men and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which make 
so much for the prosperity of the community, for, all will agree that it is the 
progressive, broad-minded, alert, wide-awake men of affairs who make the real 
history of a community and the subject's influence as a potential factor of the 
body politic is difficult to estimate.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS was born at the town of Fontana, near the west shore of Lake 
Geneva, this county, on November 12, 1858.  He is the son of Carlos Lavalette 
DOUGLASS and Margaret (STEWART) DOUGLAS, a complete sketch of whom appears 
elsewhere in this work.  Suffice it to say here that this family has been 
prominent tin the county since pioneer days.
 
The subject grew up at Fontana and in his youth worked with his father in the 
flour mill there, the latter owning the mills, remaining in this work until he 
was about twenty-four years old.  The father also owned a fine farm of three 
hundred and sixty acres, which he kept well stocked; this the son took charge 
of when the father retired from active life, and the son now owns the place.  
He remained there successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising 
until about 1887, then came to Lake Geneva and entered the milling business, 
the ins and outs of which he had long previously mastered.  He operated the old 
Geneva mill, the first mill in this county run by water power.  He continued to 
operate the old mill about four years, then bought ground along the railroad, 
and he and Mr. DUNN, his brother-in-law, built an elevator and ran that for 
eleven years, doing a large business in this line.  Selling the elevator to 
John E. BURTON, they went to Williams Bay and embarked in the lumber and coal 
business with Mr. DUNN, under the firm name of DOUGLASS & DUNN.  They had a 
good business both at Williams Bay and at Zenda.  About 1907 Mr. DOUGLASS sold 
his interest to Mr. DUNN and he has not been engaged in active business affairs 
since.  He made a success of whatever he turned his attention to and 
accumulated a competency.  He has a commodious and attractive home at Lake 
Geneva.
 
Politically, Mr. DOUGLASS is a loyal Republican and has long been active in 
party affairs.  He has been a member of the school board at Lake Geneva for two 
years and in the spring of 1908 he was elected mayor of Lake Geneva, his time 
expiring in June 1912.  His administration has been characterized by a 
progressive, fair and broad-minded policy which has met the hearty approval of 
all concerned, and he has done much toward the permanent good of the city.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS was married to Katherine DUNN, daughter of Patrick and Ann 
(MURRAY) DUNN, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.  She was born 
and reared in the town of Linn, this county, where her parents settled in 
pioneer days.  Four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. DOUGLASS, namely: Ruth, Harold, Josephine, and Howard, all at home 
with their parents, Harold being engaged in the coal business at Lake Geneva.
 
Fraternally, Mr. DOUGLASS is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
 
Mr. DOUGLASS owns the family homestead and on that ground is a flag staff, 
marking the spot where Brink and Jeauno, a half-breed Indian, stood when they 
discovered Geneva lake - the first white man who saw the lake.  He and Jeauno 
were surveying for the government.  Mr. DOUGLASS got this information directly 
from Mr. BRINK and it was corroborated by others.  On the same ground Chief Big 
Foot's son was buried high in a tree, then afterwards taken down and placed in 
another tree near the lake shore.
 
From Mr. DOUGLASS' home he can see the whole of Lake Geneva, from end to end 
with the exception of Williams Bay and Geneva Bay, and a view of the lake from 
the old home is a sight which is calculated to remain in one's memory through 
life.  On the farm is a great spring of excellent water, which analysis has 
shown to be the same as White Rock.  It is sold for drinking purposes and 
shipped to offices, stores and homes, find a very ready sale.
 
Personally, Mr. DOUGLASS is a sociable, genial and obliging gentleman whom it 
is a pleasure to meet, and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)