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The Legacy of Douglas: From Industry Titan to Historic Mansion

The Humble Beginnings of a Family and Industry

George Bruce Douglas was born into a family that thrived on opportunity and entrepreneurship. His father, Old George Douglas, migrated from Scotland to the United States in the late 19th century and co-founded a small oatmeal grinding business in Cedar Rapids alongside fellow Scottish immigrant Robert Stewart in 1873. At that time, oatmeal was not yet a household staple in America; some joked that it was better suited for horses in England or Scots. However, the grain industry was about to undergo transformative change.