Alexander William Doniphan
| Alexander Doniphan | |
|---|---|
Alexander William Doniphan
(Mathew Brady's studio) (Library of Congress collection) |
|
| Born |
July 9, 1808 Mason County, Kentucky |
| Died | August 8, 1887 (aged 79) Richmond, Missouri |
| Resting place | Fairview Cemetery, Liberty, Missouri 39°14′34″N 94°25′26″W / 39.2428°N 94.4239°W |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Augusta College (1824) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, soldier |
| Known for | Sparing Joseph Smith's life Author Kearny code |
| Home town | Liberty, Missouri |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Title | Colonel |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Jane Thornton (m. 1838–73) (her death) |
| Children | John Thornton Alexander William, Jr. |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Anne Fowke (Smith) Doniphan |
| Military career | |
| Nickname(s) | "Colonel" |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1836–1848 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 1st Missouri Mounted Volunteers |
| Battles/wars | |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Heatherly War
1838 Mormon War
Mexican–American War
Alexander William Doniphan (July 9, 1808 – August 8, 1887) was a 19th-century American attorney, soldier and politician from Missouri who is best known today as the man who prevented the summary execution of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, at the close of the 1838 Mormon War in that state. He also achieved renown as a leader of American troops during the Mexican–American War, as the author of a legal code that still forms the basis of New Mexico's Bill of Rights, and as a successful defense attorney in the Missouri towns of Liberty, Richmond and Independence.
Doniphan was born near the town of Maysville, Kentucky, near the Ohio River. He was the youngest of the ten children of Joseph and Anne Fowke (Smith) Doniphan, both natives of Virginia. His father had been a friend of Daniel Boone, and both of his grandfathers had fought in the American Revolution.
Doniphan graduated from Augusta College in 1824, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He began his law practice in Lexington, Missouri, but soon moved to Liberty, where he was a successful lawyer. Doniphan always served as a defense attorney, never as a prosecutor, and was noted for his oratorical skills. He served in the state legislature in 1836, 1840, and 1854, representing the Whig Party.
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