Alta Louise (Clarke) Douglas (1901 - 1985)

Born 29 Jan 1901 in Ida Grove, Ida, Iowa, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Henry Thomas Douglas II — married 15 Mar 1920 in Oklahoma, United States

Died 15 Nov 1985 at age 84 in Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma, United States

Biography

Alta Louise Clarke

Birth

When Louise Clarke was born on January 29, 1901, in Ida Grove, Iowa, her father Sidney Clarke was 41, and her mother Lou Etta Irion was 34.^[1]

Life Story

Alta Louise Clarke traveled as a baby in the back of a covered wagon to Oklahoma whose family participated in the Oklahoma Land Rush in 1901. Her father had traveled to Oklahoma from Iowa 2 years prior to scout out land options for moving his family. About two million acres of what the government called “Unassigned Lands” had recently been opened for settlement. These lands had previously been “Indian Territory” occupied by the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole people. Sooners and other settlers were rushing to establish homesteads. Settlers could claim up to 160 acres for a homestead as long as the settler stayed on the land and improved it—through agriculture, residency, or industry—they would own it.^[2] Her father became a founding father of Shawnee, Oklahoma and later established the first grain and seed mill.

Louise was a very artistic soul. She would spend time sketching portraits and scenes in an art notebook. I have these notebooks and she was a very talented drawer. She also starred in many plays and productions at Shawnee High School. She had many friends and was loved by all. Louise graduated from Shawnee High School in 1919.

Marriage

As a teenager of 18 years of age, she married Henry Thomas Douglas Henry Thomas Douglas on March 13, 1920, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the time of their marriage, Tom was 17 years old.They had one child during their marriage.^[3]

Clarke Family 1930

Tom and Louise raised their young son in Shawnee with him attending the public schools. Tom Sr. worked in his fathers banks and Louise was a homemaker. In the 1930's the young family moved to Chicago, ILL. Tom and Louise Douglas lived in Chicago, Illinois from 1935-1951. Louise attended The Art Institute of Chicago to receive her certificate in Interior Design. After her education, Louise and Tom were employed by Marshall Field & Co., located on State St., Chicago. Tom selected furniture and goods for the furniture division and Louise was one of the stores interior decorators.

Chicago, Illinois 1945

Tom & Louise returned to Shawnee, Oklahoma after the end of World War II and the marriage of their son Henry Thomas. Louise opened her own interior decorator business. She was an avid rose grower and earned many first place ribbons for outstanding rose presentations.

Recollections of my Grandmother

My Grandmother was a generous, talented and thoughtful lady. She was a talented artist from her youth drawing and sketching in a journal throughout her high school years. She also starred in many of her high school plays. She was a devoted and caring mother to her son. Her artistic talents blossomed upon her training as an Interior Designer with a huge clientele that continued throughout her adult life.

Tom & Louise Douglas

My summers staying with Grandma and Grandpa would always involve visits to clients homes, the country club swimming pool and great fried chicken dinners. Peach ice cream and root beer floats were always on the menu. Grandma had over 50 rose bushes that were tended and watered everyday. A large refrigerator on the back porch never had food in it! It was strictly for roses in preparation for the weekend rose competitions. Always a beauty, always a friend, and always hard working. She was dearly loved by many.

Louise Douglas with rose awards

She was also a state representative for the DAR for the Oklahoma state society. She was instrumental in assisting the development and design of the Oklahoma State Flag.

Tom & Louise Douglas

Death

Louise passed away on November 15, 1985, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, at the age of 84, and was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Iowa, Delayed Birth Records, 1850-1939, Retrieved from FamilySearch (Available online); accessed 24 Jan 2021
2. ↑ Retrieved from: Select Oklahoma Records. Oklahoma Historical Society. (Available online); accessed 28 Apr 2012.
3. ↑ Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Marriage Index, 1889-1951. Retrieved from Archives.com (Available online); accessed 30 Jan 2021.
4. ↑ Alta Louise Clarke DouglasDeath 15 Nov 1985 (aged 84) Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, USA, Burial,Fairview Cemetery Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, USA, PLOT Blk 14,lot 180, MEMORIAL ID: 95004344. Retrieved from Find A Grave, (Available online); accessed 30 Jan 2021.