Doniphan in Ripley County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Zebedee Washington Stephens

Born Sept. 19, 1825 Died Feb. 13, 1893

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2022

1. Zebedee Washington Stephens Marker

Inscription. An early pioneer, farmer, and businessman, was born during his family's trek from Virginia to Missouri in 1825. He grew up in Ripley County and became a Justice of the Peace and a Baptist minister. He owned several prosperous farms and built the first hotel in Doniphan. His father, James Calvin Stephens, and other relatives are buried in the Stephens Cemetery on K Highway in the northeast section of the county.

Erected by Stephens' descendants and Doniphan Neighborhood Assistance Program (DNAP).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1825.

Location. 36° 36.99′ N, 90° 49.688′ W. Marker is in Doniphan, Missouri, in Ripley County. It is on Charles Street west of Franklin Street, on the right when traveling east. This marker is on the grounds of Heritage Homestead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Franklin St, Doniphan MO 63935, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Old Time Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); New Ground Plow (a few steps from this marker); Farm Wagon (a few steps from this marker); Mold Board Plow

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Log Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Log Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Potato Plow (within shouting distance of this marker); Wheat Drills (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Doniphan.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, October 12, 2022

2. Zebedee Washington Stephens Marker

Zebedee Washington Stephens image. Click for full size.

3. Zebedee Washington Stephens

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on June 4, 2025, by Edward Troxel of Creal Springs, Illinois. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on July 13, 2023, by David Stephens of Cincinnati, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.