Hartford Douglass

Hartford Herman Douglass was born October 7, 1915 in Hudson Township, MN, the son of William and Adelia (Schuhmacher) Douglass. He was raised and schooled in Hudson Township. Following his schooling he helped his parents on the family farm. On August 6, 1936, Hartford was united in marriage to Agnes Johnson. During World War II he entered the U.S. Army and served at Ft. Lewis, WA and in North Carolina. Following his discharge he returned to Minnesota where he was employed at Ford Motors in the Twin Cities for a short time. Hartford became a salesman for Farmers Magazine. He spent twenty years selling the magazine and insurance to farmers in northern Minnesota and North Dakota. In 1954 Hartford moved his family to Long Beach, CA hoping to keep them together and improve opportunities for his children. He worked as a boilermaker for Swedlow Plastics for twenty-six years. Hartford and Agnes moved later to El Toro, CA. Following Agnes? death Hartford lived with his children in California and Indiana until moving to Alexandria, MN in 2001. Hartford church life was very important to him. Wherever he lived he was a member of a Lutheran church. His family was also very important. He spent time with his family while traveling, camping, fishing and visiting them. Hartford also enjoyed reading. On Wednesday February 27, 2008 Hartford died at the age of ninety-two years. His wife, Agnes and one granddaughter, Laura Zuniga, preceded him in death. Hartford is survived by two sons, Jon Douglass of Long Beach, CA and Douglas and wife, Hortensia Douglass of Yucaipa, CA; three daughters, Deborah K. Douglass of Anchorage, AK, Lesley Rae and husband, Rocke Woelk, of Aliso Viejo, CA and Janet and husband, Guillermo Schmidle, of Greenwood, IN; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and one brother, Palmer Douglass. A funeral service was held though Forest Lawn Mortuary, Cypress, CA. Interment was in Forest Lawn Cemetery.