RICHARD B. DOUGLAS, M. D., is a member of one of the first families to establish their home in Sullivan county, and from the early days until the present the name of Douglas has been inseparably associated with its history. His father, Samuel Douglas, was born in Curry township, and the scene of his birth has been the field of his subsequent operations and his present residence, three miles west of Shelburn. Samuel is a son of Benson and Eliza (Dawson) Douglas, natives respectively of Curry township and of Vigo county, Indiana. Benson was a son of Samuel, who was also a native son of Curry township, and he served through the Civil war as a private. The earlier generations of the family followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood.
Samuel Douglas, Jr., is now living retired from an active business life, owning a fine estate of one hundred acres. His wife, Nancy M. (Smith) Douglas, was born in Sullivan county, and died in May of 1905, after becoming the mother of two children, both of whom have embraced a professional life, and the younger, Perry, is practicing law in Terre Haute. He married Sarah Wolf. Samuel Douglas, the father, is a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Shelburn, No. 369, and of the Methodist church.
Richard B. Douglas was born in Curry township, Sullivan county, Indiana, February 17, 1876, and after receiving a common school education taught school for five years. In 1898 he became a student in the Eclectic Medical College, where he studied for three years, and during one year was a student in the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis. Returning to Shelburn after the completion of his medical training, he opened an office here and has ever since been engaged in practice, enjoying a large and representative clientele. His politics are Democratic, and he was nominated and elected by the party for the office of trustee, while from 1900 for four years he served as the assessor of Curry township. He is the medical examiner for the Modern American Lodge, and is a member of the Indiana Eclectic Medical Association, the Sullivan and Vigo Counties Medical Association, and is an honorary member of the Illinois Eclectic Medical Association. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order, Lodge No. 369, at Shelburn; with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 420, also of this city, and with the Eagles, at Sullivan. His religious views are in harmony with the teachings of the Christian church.
Dr. Douglas is married and has two children: Harry, born April 25, 1899, now attending school, and Blanche, born June 22, 1903.