Past and present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana: BF
Bowen, 1913 p 351 -- Orlando S. Douglass -- No member of the Fountain County bar is more
highly esteemed generally or stands higher among his professional brethren than the
gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. A man's reputation is the
property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being
either submits to or rises above the controlling influence which touches, controls, guides
or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor,
investigation will brighten his reputation and point the way along which others may follow
with like success. The purpose of biography is to preserve the records of such men for
the edification of succeeding generations; thust he lesson of biography may be
far-reaching to an extent not superficially evident. The career of Orlando S. Douglass,
well known attorney at Covington, Fountain County is of that class whose example is
calculated to be an incentive to others, for his efforts have met with a fair measure of
success. Orlando S. Douglass is a native of the Hoosier State having been born in Rush Co
In on Dec 29, 1858, and he is the son of J. W. and Nancy M. (Glass) Douglass. The father,
who was a farmer by profession was also a native of Rush Co and was a man of good standing
in his community. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the
public schools of Champaign, Ill and in 1878 came to covington, Indiana. Having determined
upon the practice of law for his life work, Mr. Douglass entered the office of Schwin
& Booe, where he gave earnest study to Blackstone, Kent and other legal authorities
for several years, being admitted to the bar of Fountain Co in 1886. He at once entered
upon the active practice of his profession in Covington, to which he has since given his
attention with very gratifying success. >From January 1891 to January 1896, Mr.
Douglass in company with John B. Schwin, engaged in the publication of the Covington
Friend, a Democratic newspaper, but, aside from this diversion Mr. Douglass has applied
himself unremittingly to the practice of his profession and allied lines. During the past
15 yeares he has given considerable attention to the abstracting business, being
considered one of the most careful and accurate abstracters in the state. On June 12,
1889, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage with Kate E. Fields, the daughter of Samuel and
Rebecca (Cleland) Fields. She was born in Fountain Co. To them have been born two
children: Margaret and Cleland G., both of whom are at home with their parents.
Politically, Mr. Douglass has been aligned with the Democratic party, to which he has
given his earnest support, though he has never sought election to public office. His
fraternal relations are with the Free & Accepted Masons & Knights of Pythias at
Covington. Mr. Douglass has achievedsuccess not only in a professional way but from a
material standpoint also, and is the owner of 164 acres of splendid land in Mound
Township, Warren County, which is well improved and which he has leased out. The farm is
located 4 miles from Covington. His attractive and comfortable residence is located on
Crocket Street, Covington, and here the spirit of true hospitality is always in evidence.
In Mr. Douglass are found united those qualities which go to the making of the successful
lawyer and int he course of a practice here extending over a quarter of a century he has
at all times commanded not only his full share of the legal business of the county, but,
what is of more value to a man, the sincered respect and friendship of those with whom he
has been brought into contact. Genial and unassuming in manner, he easily makes friends
and always retains them.