USA > Missouri > Encyclopedia of the history of Missouri, a compendium of history and biography for ready reference, Vol. II > Part 56
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serving from the time the bank was organ- ized until July 1, 1893. Prior to that time Mr. Donovan had been connected with the stock yards as a director in the company at the head of St. Joseph's live stock market, the organization having begun its existence in 1884. July 1, 1893, Mr. Donovan took active charge of the affairs of the Stock Yards Com- pany and is now the vice president and gen- eral manager. His military experience had its beginning when he assisted in the organi- zation of the Saxton Rifles of St. Joseph, be- ing elected first lieutenant. Afterward a battalion was formed under the same name and he was elected captain of Company A. Later he was promoted to the position of major, commanding the battalion, but re- signed his commission when he went to Texas. Mr. Donovan was one of the first police commissioners of St. Joseph, Missouri, receiving his appointment at the hand of Governor Marmaduke when the metropolitan police system was established in that city. He was one of the organizers of the force under the new system, and performed good service in establishing a force that for ef- ficiency of service and thoroughness of work is not excelled by any other police depart- ment in the West. Mr. Donovan was the treasurer of the board of police commission- ers, and was a member of the board about five and a half years. He has held to the Democratic faith since he arrived at the age of majority. The members of his family are identified with the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Donovan is a pew-holder in Christ Church, St. Joseph. He was married October 5, 1875, to Emma C. Patee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Patee, of St. Joseph, and has one daughter named Emma Donovan. The father of Mrs. Donovan was the son of John Patee, one of the very first residents of St. Joseph. Mr. Donovan is an exceedingly busy man, but has time for that which will advance the interests of St. Joseph, and is continually in demand on occasions of public importance.
Dougherty, John, lawyer and Con- gressman, was born February 25, 1857, in Platte County, Missouri. His parents were William Wallace and Mary (Frazier) Dougli- erty. The father was a native of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish ancestry ; he graduated in medi- cine at Louisville, Kentucky, and practiced
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first in Indiana, removing thence to Clay County, Missouri, where he lived a life of much usefulness; for one term he was a Representative from Clay County in the State Legislature, and for some years he re- sided among the Indians, in close association with Major John Dougherty, and spoke sev- eral of their dialects with fluency ; for a time he was Indian agent for the Navajos, in Oregon, resigning the position on account of impaired health. His wife, who survives hier husband, was a daughter of John Frazier, of Indiana; he was a distinguished civil engi- neer, who built many bridges and turnpike roads in soutliern Indiana ; among his works was the construction of a bridge near Hamil- ton, Ohio, the piers of which were built upon bags of wool; this unique structure is yet standing, although now but little used. John Dougherty was principally reared in Liberty, Missouri, to which place his parents removed while he was an infant. He acquired his lit- erary education in the public schools at Lib- erty, and at William Jewell College. He then went to Paoli, Indiana, where he read law under Judge William H. Martin, with whom he was associated in practice for a short time following his admission to the bar in 1879. In 1880 he returned to Liberty, and entered upon practice, but was almost immediately called to public duties. In 1881 he was elect- ed city attorney, a position to which he was four times successively re-elected. In 1888 lie was elected prosecuting attorney of Clay County, and was twice re-elected. In these positions, and in his personal practice, he was the principal figure in many criminal cases which attracted national attention on account of peculiar conditions and legal intricacies, and under all circumstances he acquitted himself with rare ability, challenging the ad- miration of bench as well as of bar. With instant grasp of all facts and of applicable law, he was dreaded as a prosecutor and glad- ly welcomed in defense. He was a peerless advocate before a jury, his wealth of lan- guage and fervid oratory at once command- ing interest and admiration, leading to conviction of judgment. He has been the lead- ing attorney in various important cases taken before the Supreme Court of the State, and here his success in preparation and presenta- tion has vindicated his deep knowledge of law, as distinguished from the qualities which mark the practitioner whose abilities are
bounded by the necessities of jury trial. A Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, intense- ly earnest in his advocacy of government by and for the people, Mr. Dougherty has been for many years an active participant in State, judicial and congressional district conven- tions, and he has been one of the most inter- esting and forceful orators in every impor- tant political campaign since 1892. In 1896, he was presented for the congressional nomi- nation from the Third Missouri District, which was for that time withheld. In 1898 he was elected to the Fifty-sixth Congress, re- ceiving 19,560 votes, against 16,440 votes for Goodrich, Republican, and 809 votes for Towns, Populist. In the bitterly contested presidential campaign of 1900 he was re- elected by a largely increased majority and plurality, receiving 22,993 votes, against 19,131 votes for Leeper, Republican, and 80 scattering votes. In his first congressional terni he attained a distinction far surpass- ing that usually accorded to a new member, and was heard on the floor on the financial question, and upon the Porto Rican tariff. As a member of the important committee on Indian affairs, his services were of signal advantage through his familiarity with con- ·ditions and necessities. In forwarding legis- lation in the interest of the Louisiana Purchase World's Exposition, he displayed marked ability, and is to be accounted among the foremost of the Missouri delegation in the attainment of success through his per- sonal effort with the membership of the House of Representatives. From 1885 to 1888 he was owner and editor of the "Liber- ty Tribune," which he conducted with marked ability. Mr. Dougherty is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Knight Tem- plar and a Knight of Pythias. He was mar- ried May 24, 1882, to Miss Annie D. Park, a daughter of J. J. Park, an extensive land- owner and stock-breeder of Platte County. She was liberally educated in a high class seminary at Staunton, Virginia, and is an ac- complished musician, and an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church. Two daughters have been born of the marriage-Bessie and Flora Dougherty.
Dougherty, John, an early Western pioneer, conspicuously identified with Indian affairs and with the Platte Purchase, was a native of Kentucky, born April 12, 1791, in
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Neison County. In 1809, when eighteen years of age, he accompanied Lewis and Clark on their second expedition from St. Louis and, notwithstanding his youth, proved to be one of the most resolute of the daring band. From 1809 to 1815 he traveled in the Rocky Mountain region, and spent six win- ters on the Columbia River, returning home by way of the Great Salt Lake and the Big Platte River ; during this time he was in the service of the American Fur Company, un- der the auspices of Sarpy, Chouteau, Picot and others, of St. Louis. He was a member of Major Stephen H. Long's expedition, in 1819-20, his name appearing frequently in the narrative written by that officer. In this it is told that Major Dougherty had several nar- row escapes from the grizzly bear in close encounters. With the exception of one year passed in St. Louis, he served as an Indian agent from about 1820 to 1837, at first at Fort Leavenworth, then at Council Bluffs, and again at Fort Leavenworth. His quali- fications for this position were admirable. He spoke French and several Indian dialects with such perfect fluency that his services as interpreter were constantly in demand, and he possessed much influence among all the tribes between the Missouri and Colum- bia Rivers, among whom he was known as "Controller of Fire Water." The Sioux call- ed him "Iron Leg," on account of his great endurance. On one occasion he and a half- breed Indian went on a hunt for meat for the camp. The two agreed to go without fire
arms, and depend upon their knives. They went afoot, and after a journey of forty miles hemmed in a gorge a drove of elk, of which they killed twenty-three. They returned to camp the same day, having traveled a dis- tance of eighty miles in all. The Indian never
recovered from the tremendous effort, but Major Dougherty suffered only temporary inconvenience. He assisted in making various
treaties with the Otoes and Missouris, the Pawnees, the Iowas, Sacs and Foxes, and other Indians. At one time he took to Washington City a party of twen- ty-five chiefs, among whom was the famous White Cloud, whom he presented to President Van Buren. One of the chiefs was so impressed with the "Great Father" that he embraced him, rubbing his cheek with his own, and leaving upon it a bright vermilion stain. Major Dougherty's most conspicuous
public service was in connection with the cession of the Platte Purchase territory. As early as January, 1835, he urged its pur- chase upon Senator L. F. Linn, of Missouri. In the subsequent transactions he was an im- portant figure, and his commanding influence with the Indians was a potent factor in pro- curing the cession, which was consummated September 17, 1836, his name appearing as witnessing the act. Major Dougherty gave much attention to the extension of trade in the Missouri Valley. He was an original owner of real estate in St. Joseph, and sold his holdings to Joseph Robidoux, and he founded Iatan, named for an Indian chief whom he held in high regard, which became an important trading point on the river, six miles above Weston. In 1837 he removed to Liberty, Missouri, where he made his per- manent home on a farm-some seven miles from the city-which he made one of the most productive in the neighborhood. He built a palatial mansion of brick and stone, which, with its furnishings, cost nearly $20,- 000, an immense sum in that day. His hos- pitality was unbounded, and his home was the scene of many large social gatherings, and was visited by people from adjoining counties, who, with their servants, were en- tertained for long periods. At one time he engaged in the unusual pursuit of breeding buffaloes ; beginning with one cow, in a few years he had a herd of twenty-three head, the products of which he put to various do- mestic uses. A quantity of wool from one of his finest animals, Mrs. Dougherty spun and knit into a pair of mittens and a pair of stock- ings, which Major Dougherty sent to Henry Clay, for whom he entertained a peculiar ad- miration, and the great statesman made a grateful acknowledgement, which was most gratifying to the donor. After the death of Mr. Clay his heirs deposited these gifts in the Patent Office in Washington City, where they are preserved among other relics of dis- tinguished men, with an accompanying writ- ten statement of their history. Major Dongh- erty was a Whig in politics, and served one term usefully and honorably as a representa- tive from Clay County in the Legislature, having as colleagues Colonel Alexander W.
Doniphan and Judge W. W. Wood. When civil war was impending, he was a Unionist, although his sympathies were with the Southern people, but his death occurred be-
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fore the storm broke. During his life he exercised a wide and salutary influence, and was esteemed as a broad-minded, public- spirited citizen, whose judgment was to be relied upon, and his example to be emulated. Predominant traits of his character were generosity and kindheartedness. A man of fine business ability, he accumulated a hand- some competence. Physically, he was a mag- nificent specimen of manhood, a typical fron- tiersman of the highest class. About the time of his first locating at Fort Leavenworth hie married Miss Mary Hertzog, a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Four of their children reached years of maturity. The oldest, Annie, resides in Philadelphia, widow of General C. F. Ruff, a Union officer during the Civil War; Lewis B. and O'Fallon are prominent residents of Liberty, Missouri; and the youngest child, John Kerr, was killed in 1864 at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, while serving in a company commanded by his brother, Captain Lewis B. Dougherty, in the Third Missouri Confederate Infantry. Major Dougherty died December 28, 1860, on his farm, near Liberty, Missouri. Mrs. Dough- erty died March 27, 1873, in the seventy- fourth year of her age, at the home of her son-in-law, General C. F. Ruff, in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania.
F. Y. HEDLEY.
Dougherty, O'Fallon, was born in St. Louis, June 5, 1832, son of Major John Dougherty. He was named for the well known Colonel John O'Fallon, of St. Louis, who was a business associate of his father for many years. His parents removed to Clay County when he was about five years of age. He was educated at William Jewell College, where' he pursued a four-years' course, fitting himself for almost any call- ing. His tastes, however, were for an agri- cultural life, and upon completing his education he returned to the farm, in the cultivation of which he assisted his father until the death of the latter. In the settle- ment of the paternal estate he inherited the fine family homestead of 1,163 acres, which he improved and cultivated until 1885. In 1883 he removed to Liberty in order to educate his children, and there erected one of the most handsome residences in the city. A Democrat in politics, and liberally educated, and held in high esteem in the community,
the path to political preferment lay open to him, but was without attraction, and he has always maintained a quiet home life. He holds membership in the local lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order. With his wife, he is a member of the Baptist Church, and has ever been among the first in its maintenance, and in liberal support of its benevolences. A firm friend of education and cherishing a sincere pride in his home city as an educational center, he has at vari- ous times afforded substantial aid to higher educational institutions. His most important gift was in connection with his brother, Cap- tain Lewis B. Dougherty, in the bestowment of the beautiful ten-acre tract adjoining the city of Liberty, upon which was built the magnificent Liberty Ladies' College. The tract was, at the time, worth fully $3,000, in which the brothers held equal interest, and their individual contributions were larger than those made by any other individuals. November 30, 1865, Mr. Dougherty married Miss Sarah Nutter, a lady liberally educated at the Liberty Female Seminary, daughter of James and Eliza Nutter, early settlers of Clay County. Born of the marriage were two daughters. Katie is the wife of Charles W. Moore, who is now in Chicago, Illinois, studying for the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mary Hertzog Dough- erty, living at home, was educated at the Liberty Ladies' College, and at Stephens College, at Columbia, Missouri. Mr. Dough- erty's beautiful home contains a fine oil por- trait of his distinguished father and his wife, and many rare volumes reciting the history of the various expeditions with which Major Dougherty was connected, and of the many treaty and other transactions with Indians in which he was a participant as an agent of the government and a cherished friend of the race which finally gave way to the onward march of civilization, led by such daring and discreet leaders as he and his compeers. A peculiarly valuable work is the famous folio, now extremely rare, "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," by Thomas L. McKenney and James Hall, 1836, embellished with 120 superb portraits of the principal Indian chiefs, and pictures of Indian scenes, taken after the original paintings in the In- terior Department, Washington, D. C. Mr. Dougherty also has one of two large silver medals, bearing the effigy of President An-
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drew Jackson, struck for presentation to Indian chiefs on treaty occasions.
Douglas, James Trevilla, physician, was born May 24, 1835, in Jefferson County, Virginia. He is a son of William and Nancy M. (Rutherford) Douglas, who were of Scotch descent, and farm people in moderate' circumstances. On the maternal side, his great-grandfather, Thomas Rutherford, was in the service of the newly formed govern- ment during the Revolutionary period, and engaged in the purchase of supplies for the patriotic army; his grandfather, Van Ruth- erford, was a major during the British War of 1812. His parents removed to Missouri when the son was a child, and he grew up in this State. He took a collegiate course in St. Charles College, at St. Charles, and then entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he completed a two-years' course, being grad- uated therefrom in 1860. In the same year he located in Kirkwood, where he devoted himself to the practice of his profession for five years. He then sold his property to Dr. John Pitman, who succeeded him, and re- moved to St. Louis, where he was engaged in practice for five years. He removed in 1869 to Memphis, Tennessee, and practiced there during the following five years. The climate, however, was not congenial, and in 1874 he returned to St. Louis County, Mis- souri, locating at Ferguson, where he has since resided, ministering to the necessities of a large class of the best people in the town and surrounding country. He has always been a Democrat, and during the war was a warm sympathizer with the Southern people. His political convictions are based solely upon conscience and judgment, without sel- fish ambition, and he has never held public office nor cared for public position. In his religious life he holds consistent relationship with the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Royal Arcanum. October 30, 1862, he was married to Miss Bettie O., daughter of David Anderson, a Kentuckian by birth, then a resi- dent of St. Louis, and a prominent member of the Merchants' Exchange in that city. Of this union three children were born. A daughter, Mary Pauline, is deceased. Two sons survive, James A. and William R. Doug- las, the latter named residing at St. Joseph, Missouri. Dr. Douglas is one of the most
substantial and highly regarded citizens of the place wherein he makes his home. He is accomplished in his profession, and has been uniformly successful in his treatment. In a social way he stands high, and his may be regarded as one of the successful lives which bring happiness to the individual, while con- ferring benefits upon those with whom he is associated.
Douglas County .- A county in the southern part of the State; bounded on the north by Webster, Wright and Texas Coun- ties; east by Howell; south by Ozark and Taney, and west by Christian County ; area, 503,000 acres. The surface of the county is broken, alternating in hills and valleys. There is no prairie, though considerable wooded table land. Its total area was one vast forest until the ax of the settler made inroads in various places, and the rich valleys were made to produce abundant crops. The county is well watered and drained. Through the central part flows Bryant's Fork of White River and its feeders, Brush, Dry, Fox, Rip- pens, Hunter's Fork, Bill, Mack and Bryant's Creeks; in the eastern part, North Fork of the White River and its tributaries, Spring, Hungry and Indian Creeks; in the western part, Big Beaver and Little Beaver Creeks. Of the former the chief tributaries are Bear, Spring, Prairie, Cow Skin and Honey Creeks. All streams flow in a southerly direction, as the county lies on the southern slope of the Ozark Range. The valley lands are gener- ally fertile, having a rich soil excellent for the growing of all the cereal and vegetable crops. The uplands are fairly productive, but in places barren of soil even sufficient to grow native grasses. The timber of the county consists of the different kinds of oak, yellow pine, cedar, maple, ash, black walnut and hickory. Lead and zinc have been found, but little attempt has been made toward de- velopment of mines. There is plenty of excellent building stone, both lime and sand- stone. Beds of onyx exist, and other semi- precious stones have been found. Owing to the bountiful growths of native grasses, and the shelter afforded by the hills and woods, stock-raising is one of the most pleasant and profitable industries of the inhabitants. The hills and uplands are excellent for fruit-grow- ing, an industry that is highly developed in the county. These two branches of hus-
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bandry constitute the most profitable and chief occupation of the majority of the land- holders. Included among the articles of ex- port from the county are cattle, hogs, horses, mules, sheep, wheat, corn, oats, cotton, to- bacco, honey, wool, poultry, butter, eggs, game, hides, furs, feathers, lumber, cross- ties, apples and other fruits and vegetables. Of the land in the county only 25 per cent is under cultivation. In 1898 there was re- ported by the register of the United States land office at Springfield, Missouri, 19,080 acres of land subject to entry under the homestead laws. Douglas County was or- ganized by legislative act approved October 19, 1857, and was named in honor of Stephen A. Douglas. In 1864 its area was increased by portions of Taney and Webster Counties being added to it. On January 11, 1872, its boundaries were again defined as they at present exist. The commissioners appointed to locate a permanent seat of justice selected Vera Cruz, where a small log courthouse was built. In 1864, when portions of Taney and Webster Counties were included in its limits, the county seat was changed to Ava, where it has since remained. The present courthouse was built some years ago. During the war the sympathy of the greater number of resi- dents of the county was with the Confed- eracy. There was, as in neighboring counties, considerable bushwhacking and guerrilla warfare, resulting in the killing of many citi- zens and the destruction of property. The county is divided into fourteen townships, named, respectively, Benton, Boone, Buch- anan, Campbell, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Finley, Jackson, Lincoln, Richland, Spring Creek, Walls and Washington. In 1898 the total assessed value of all taxable property in the county was $1,844,613 ; estimated full value, $3,883,000. There are no railroads in the county, a condition which has retarded the development of its resources. In 1898 there were 103 public schools, 109 teachers and a school population of 6,728. The permanent school fund amounted to $4.518.37. The population in 1900 was 16,802.
Douglass, Shannon Clay, lawyer, was born December 29, 1852, in Columbia, Missouri, son of Alexander and Ann Maria (Shannon) Douglass. The father, who was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, removed to Missouri in about 1835 and was, therefore,
one of the pioneers of Boone County, which he chose as his permanent location shortly after reaching this State. The mother was a native of Georgia, but her parents were also prominently identified with Missouri his- tory many years ago, her father being one of the most able educators in the State. He was Dr. James Shannon, the second presi- dent of the University of Missouri, and prior to that time at the head of other important educational institutions, in the States of Georgia, Louisiana and Kentucky. Shannon C. Douglass received his preparatory train- ing in Christian College, at Columbia, Mis- souri, and afterward entered the Missouri State University in that city, completing the classical course at the youthful age of seven- teen and a half years. In the university he spent four profitable years and laid a most thorough foundation for the course in law. He finished his college course in 1870, taking the degree of bachelor of arts, was valedic- torian of his class, having received the highest standing therein, and was also awarded the gold medal as first prize in the university debating contest of that year. He then en- tered the law department of the University of Missouri, that department having just been added to the growing institution, and was a member of the first class of graduates in 1873. He received the degree of bachelor of laws, and while he was engaged in legal studies prepared himself for higher honors in the lit- erary department, having conferred upon him the degree of master of arts at the time of his graduation from the law department. At the close of his brilliant college career he located in Columbia for the practice of law, was city attorney there at the age of nine- teen, and, after holding that position for several years, with great credit to himself and the full satisfaction of the people, was elected prosecuting attorney of Boone County at the November election prior to his twenty-second year. At the two succeeding elections he was re-elected to this office, serving three full terms in all, or six years. He continued the practice of the profession at Columbia until January, 1883, when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and formed a part- nership with Judge C. L. Dobson, which con- tinued in effect until January 1, 1887, when J. McD. Trimble was added to the firm. The style of this strong combination of legal talent was Dobson, Douglass & Trimble, and
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