11-20-1870...On this day 144 years ago, my paternal grandfather, James Bernard Douglas, and his twin brother, Jewett, were born. My grandfather also died on this same day in 1957. He was a multi talented and colorful personality...2nd generation Scots Irish (I think 2nd). He always wore the old fashioned 3 piece pinstriped suit and had a pocket watch in the vest pocket and had lace up black boots. He lived with my Mom and Dad and myself when I was quite young for a year or so. I remember that he always was the battleship in Monopoly and kidded that he wanted his ice cream warmed up. I spent most of my little time with him in the kitchen still sitting at the table because I would not eat some gross vegetable my mom had made. He was in there washing dishes so he could help out. He sure did! Sometimes he said to eat a little and then he smashed the rest down the drain. I know for a fact that he was not that kind to his own 7 children. He did not marry until he was 30 and then to an 8 year younger lady (my grandmother) who died before I was born. He was almost 50 when my dad, the youngest, arrived in 1919! I have often thought about just even a few of the things that happened in his time...the Civil War of which his father was a young vet, had only ended 6 yrs prior...the Indian Wars were still being fought...transcontinental railroad just built...industrial revolution...World Wars and even Sputnic! He even still walked miles in the snow and ice when he was in his 80s...with a stiff leg and a cane. What a character. I think most of my older cousins were half afraid of the fierceness he could show...but guess he had mellowed down some by 80!
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:22:51 +0000
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