Philip
Douglas, master car repairer, Central Pacific Railroad Company, is a native of
the Isle of Man, born February 28, 1843, his parents being Philip, Sr., and
Jane (McDowell) Douglas. When he was eight years old his parents came to the
United States, landing at New Orleans, and located in New York, where his
father resided some eighteen years before, and four years later returned to
England. There he remained until twenty-two years of age, and learned the trade
of carpenter in the shops of the London & Northwestern Railway at
Lancashire. In 1865 he again came to the United States, and was engaged until
1868 working in the shops of the New York Central Railroad and those of the
Hudson River Railroad, before these two systems were consolidated. In 1868 he
came to California, and locating in Sacramento, entered the employ of the
Central Pacific Railroad as a carpenter in the car and locomotive departments
of the shops, under Benjamin Welch. His work at that time was principally in the
round-house. He worked two years at the bench as carpenter, then as foreman of
the running-gear department in car shops. In October, 1876, he was promoted to
master car repairer, having his jurisdiction over all the line of which J. B.
Wright is superintendent. The number employed in his department averages about
135, though it sometimes reaches 175. Mr.
Douglas was married at Albany, New York, June 4, 1868, to Miss Caroline Foreman,
a native of Great Yarmouth, England, but was reared in this country. They have
three children, viz.: Jennie M., Hattie C. and Harry W. Mr. Douglas is a member
of Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Sacramento Lodge, K. of P. He was one
of the organizers of the Union Building and Loan Association, and is now
director. He has two brothers, also in the shops, viz.: Robert C., machinist,
and James A., a moulder. Mr. Douglas is
an active, energetic man of business, and performs with great credit the supervision
of his department, in which he is popular with the employes, and whose respect
and confidence he commands.
Transcribed
by: Marla Fitzsimmons
An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California.
By Hon. Win. J. Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 307.
© 2004 Marla Fitzsimmons.