Alexander William Doniphan, 1808-87
    American lawyer and soldier, b. Mason co., Ky. He began (1830) to practice law in Lexington, Mo., and served three terms in the state legislature, becoming involved in the Mormon issue. In 1838, Doniphan, as brigadier general of the state militia, was ordered against the Mormons by the governor but flatly refused to carry out orders to execute Joseph Smith and other Mormon leaders.

Doniphan Links

Col. Alexander William Doniphan
   [Doniphan], orator, jurist, statesman, soldier and Christian gentleman, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, July 9, 1808, and died in Richmond, Mo., August 8, 1887. He was of immense stature, noble appearance, brilliant parts, fearless, of great moral courage, sanguine, faithful, just, poetic in temperament, the champion of the down-trodden, eloquent beyond description.
    He took up the practice of law in Liberty in 1833 and at once began his active support of every progressive movement. In 1837 he married Elizabeth Jane Thornton, who was born in Clay County December 21, 1820, a daughter of Col. John Thornton, one of the county's first settlers. During his residence of thirty years, he held his place as leading citizen, giving the best of his powers to Clay County's development, being absent only during his famous expedition to Old Mexico in 1846-1847- one of the longest marches ever made by a military organization- when he was Commander of the First Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and when representing his County in the Legislature. Alexander Doniphan was a strong supporter of all educational endeavors. His name appears on lists of trustees of a number of early schools, he was instrumental in securing William Jewell College for Liberty, and in 1853 he became the first county school commissioner. In 1861 he was a member of the Peace Commission which met Lincoln in Washington, and during the Civil War his sympathies were with the Union.
    On June 5, 1875, Col Doniphan was one of the guests of honor and first speaker of the day at Clay County's Semi-Centennial celebration. In 1909 a chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Liberty and in his honor was named the Alexander Doniphan Chapter. On July 29, 1918, the State of Missouri dedicated a magnificent monument of bronze and granite at Richmond, to his memory.
    The death of his two sons early in life prevented the direct continuance of Alexander Doniphan's brilliant qualities but Clay County is the heir of his achievements.
    - 1922 Ethel Massie Withers, Regent of Alexander Doniphan Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Clay County Missouri Sesquicentennial Souvenir, 1822-1972 by Alexander Doniphan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Liberty Tribune, 1922, with supplement 1972, page 10.

Alexander Doniphan in his later years

Great Moral Courage
    On October 27, 1838, Governor Boggs issued an order to General John B. Clark of Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, heading a company of 2000 militia Boggs had ordered out the day before. The order stated: ". . .The Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary, for the public good."
    General Samuel D. Lucas was in command of about 3000 men and came to Far West before Clark arrived. George W. Hinkle induced Joseph Smith and others of his fellow Mormons to go to Lucas' camp and there they surrendered as were all the Mormons' arms. About midnight Doniphan received an order from Lucas: "Brigadier-General Doniphan, Sir: You will take Joseph Smith and the other prisoners to the public square of Far West and shoot them at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. 'Samuel D. Lucas' Major-General Commanding."
    To his everlasting credit Doniphan answered: "It is cold-blooded murder. I will not obey your order. My brigade shall march for Liberty tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, and if you execute these men I will hold you personally responsible before an earthly tribunal, so help me God." The execution did not take place. - A New History of Missouri by Frederic Arthur Culmer of Central College, Fayette, Missouri. Mexico MO: The McIntyre Publishing Company, 1938, pages 216-217.

A Life Without Reproach
    The Doniphan Monument at Liberty in Fairview Cemetery, where his body lies, was dedicated October 17, 1888. The monument was furnished by the State of Missouri as they did for Governors.

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