J. E. DOUGLAS, a resident and farmer of the Second District, was born in 1829 in Wilson County, and is the son of Hon. Burchett Douglass, who was born October 6, 1793, and died July 31, 1849. He was one of the prominent politicians of his day; was a member of the Whig party, which he represented a number of times in the State Legislature, and was at one time speaker of the House. He was a very popular man, and during twenty years of public life never was defeated, and for many years he was president of the m\bank of Somerville, Fayette County.
Our subject’s mother was Martha McGEE, born in Wilson County; she was the daughter of Rev. John McGee. As his father was engaged so much in politics, J. E. Douglass remained on the farm until twenty-four years of age; he then went to Mississippi and farmed two years, when he returned and remained with his father until he died, when he bought a steam, grist and saw-mill near Memphis, which he ran until 1859, then came to his present farm, thirteen miles southwest of Brownsville, and three miles west of Dancyville, and engaged in the mill business, which he still continues.
Mr. Douglass was first married, in 1859, to Sarah F. PEWETT. The three children born to this marriage are dead. March 8, 1868, he married Mrs. Martha Phillips, a widow with one son — David C. Phillips. By this marriage were two children: Lena Lee, born in 1871, and Willis B., born in 1873. Dr. Douglass is a man trusted and esteemed by all, and is one of the most substantial citizens and business men of his county. In politics he is a Democrat.
Goodspeed Pub. Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood and Crockett Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Nashville: Goodspeed Pub. Co, 1887.