One of the most enterprising and successful farmers of Mower County is Charles Delos Douglass, of Pleasant Valley. Coming here in 1858 he has met and overcome the obstacles incident to pioneer life and owns a fine farm of 320 acres, with all the modern improvements and conveniences indoors and out.

He was born in Lewis County, New York, June 5, 1835. His aged parents after having lived together nearly sixty-two years, still reside in Racine. He went to the district school when it was in session and helped his father clear the eastern farm during vacations. As soon as he was able to gain the first grade certificate he began teaching winters, and has taught many terms. He attended high school at Lowville and commercial college at Oswego, New York.

Hearing so much of the rich lands of the northwest he started for Minnesota. He landed at Winona and came thence to High Forest, where he bought eighty acres of land, paying $400 for it. He broke twenty-five acres that season and in the fall his parents came to him. He sold this land to his father and took up 160 acres of government land where he now resides.

During the war he offered himself for service, but was refused on account of height. In 1864 he married miss Augusta Rowley and they went to house-keeping in part of the granary. Now a beautiful home nicely furnished fills it place. Mr. Douglass has been a trusty town official always, and thinks farming the best business in the world. He wisely planted a large grove of trees at an early date, and for the last ten years has had all the wood needed for two fires. He has five groves of both hard and softwoods and his grounds are amply stocked with small fruits and with butternut and walnut trees.

He has one child, Mrs. James A. Revill, of Moody County, S. D. and four grandchildren.

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Submitted to MnGenWeb by Darrel K. Waters