Early Life
Doniphan was born near the town of Maysville, Kentucky, in Mason County, 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.
Read more about this topic: Alexander William Doniphan
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