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==History== The first settlement at Doniphan was made in the 1840s.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_ripley.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624071854/http://shsmo.org/manuscripts/ramsay/ramsay_ripley.html | archive-date = June 24, 2016 | url-status = live | title=Ripley County Place Names, 1928β1945 | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri| access-date= December 14, 2016}}</ref> The community was named for [[Alexander William Doniphan]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n106 107]}}</ref> A post office called Doniphan has been in operation since 1848.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MO&county=Ripley | title=Post Offices| publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref> === Early years === The earliest recorded permanent settlement in the area that would become Doniphan was that of Lemuel Kittrell in 1819. Kittrell built a grist and wood mill near his home that attracted additional settlers to the region. By 1841, the Kittrell settlement had grown to a sizeable village that included an inn, store, distillery, produce warehouse, tannery, justice of the peace and notary office, blacksmith, and a gunsmith.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Doniphan History|url=https://www.ripleycountymissouri.org/history.php|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=Ripley County Chamber of Commerce}}</ref> The town of Doniphan was founded in 1847. Due to most of the population of Ripley County being concentrated in the southern half of the county, the county seat was moved from Van Buren to Doniphan the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Doniphan History|url=https://www.ripleycountymissouri.org/history.php|access-date=February 22, 2022|website=Ripley County Chamber of Commerce}}</ref> === Civil War === Most residents of Southeast Missouri identified as southerners and sympathized with, or fought for, the Confederacy. During the winter of 1861-1862, the combination of harsh conditions and numerous skirmishes ruined crops and many families suffered. The residents of Doniphan were promised protection by Captain W. T. Leeper if they remained loyal to the Union, but the residents were mostly rebel sympathizers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wright|first=T. L.|date=April 2, 1970|title=Ripley County - No Man's Land In The Civil War|pages=7|work=Doniphan Prospect-News|url=http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/mocwmb/arch_config.pl?md=read;id=4307|access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> In 1862, Reverend Timothy Reeves, a Baptist minister in Doniphan, formed Reeves's Independent Company of Missouri Scouts, a militia group under the command of Confederate General John Sappington Marmaduke.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ponder|first=Jerry|date=1991|title=Between Missourians: Civil War in Ripley County|url=https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow404i.htm|journal=OzarksWatch|volume=4}}</ref> On April 1, 1862, a skirmish lasting two days took place at the Doniphan Ford on Current River. Union forces were led by Captain Leeper, while pro-Confederate forces were led by Reverend Reeves. The skirmish resulted in many killed, wounded, or captured for both sides.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wright|first=T.L.|date=April 2, 1970|title=Ripley County - No Man's Land In The Civil War|pages=7|work=Doniphan Prospect-News|url=http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/mocwmb/arch_config.pl?md=read;id=4307|access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> In 1863, Reeves combined his Independent Scouts with another militia group to form the 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, CSA. In 1864, Union troops entered Doniphan and burned most of the town, including the wooden courthouse. As of 1900, Doniphan was a [[sundown town]] that prohibited African Americans from living there.<ref>{{cite news|title=A White Man's Town: Citizens of Doniphan Determined No Blacks Shall Live There|work=[[Indianapolis Journal|The Sunday Journal]]|location=Indianapolis|date=July 29, 1900|page=1|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015679/1900-07-29/ed-1/seq-1/|via=Chronicling America|quote=The importation of a large number of negroes into Doniphan nearly precipitated a race war. No negroes are allowed to live in the town and on their arrival the citizens undertook to drive them out. Several colored men were roughly handled and a number of white men and negroes were injured. Sheriff Morrill came to the rescue and an armed posse is now guarding the colored laborers. The citizens are determined the negroes shall not be allowed to remain and further trouble is expected.}}</ref>
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