Clay County MO Archives Obituaries.....Dougherty, John December 28, 1860
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Ronald J. Reid rreid21@cox.net September 8, 2007, 12:19 pm

The Liberty Tribune, Jan 4, 1861
Jan 4, 1861, The Liberty Tribune
Death of Maj. John Dougherty.
The recent death, in our county, of Major John Dougherty, should not be 
suffered to pass without every appropriate tribute to his memory; for, take him 
all in all, he was a man whose like we shall hardly ever look upon again in 
this world.  We greatly fear the period has passed, in our history, when men of 
his firm nerve and solidity will be born.  His eyes first saw the light in 
Kentucky, in the month of April, 1791.  At an early age, in my own life, I knew 
his venerable father and mother, and his brothers, Hannibal, Robert and Joseph, 
then residing in what in now Trimble county, Kentucky.  Coming to the county of 
Clay in December, 1829, I first became acquainted with Major John Dougherty, 
(then Indian Agent on the borders of Missouri,) and then began that friendly 
intercourse between us which continued to the close of his life.  It seems 
strange to me that I, who was always so frail in body, should yet live; and 
that he, who was so stout and robust, should die.  But such has bee the will of 
Providence, “whose ways are inscrutable, and past finding out.”  Major D. was 
one of the most agreeable men in social life it has ever been my fortune to 
know; and oh! how many thousand in this great State, and all over our country 
whose hearts will be touched as mine has been by the news of his death; how 
many will remember, fondly, those pleasant hours they have passed in his 
company, whilst he recounted the scenes and trials of his early life midst the 
regions of the Rocky Mountains, and the “far distant Oregon,” whither he wended 
his way, as a “Mountain Trapper,” at the early age of 18 years.  Of his early 
associates in those adventure – among whom was General Ashly and the Sublettes –
 none are left, that I am aware of, to write out the history of those eventful 
times.  Major Dougherty has been often requested to do so but he was too modest 
a man to go into an undertaking where his own name must figure conspicuously.  
I trust, however, he has left memoranda by which such a history can yet be 
written.  It was not long before the merits of the “Trapper” were appreciated 
by the Government of the United States, and President Monroe-I think it was-
made him an Indian Agent.  He held that appointment throughout the entire 
Presidency of Gen. Andrew Jackson; altho’ the “Old Hero” knew, all the time, 
that Major D. was an uncompromising Whig.  Various attempts were made, as I 
personally know, to induce Gen. Jackson to remove him, but without success.  
Major D. was of the class of men that “Old Hickory” thought “had the right” to 
oppose him.  “Twas a noble trait in General Jackson to tolerate men of known 
honesty and firmness, and incorruptability, although standing up against him.  
Col Benton, also, was the fast friend of Major Dougherty, although Major D’s 
principles (which he never threw off or disguised, at any time, or in any 
place,) made him the political enemy of Col Benton.  It was not, if I remember 
correctly, until about the second year of Mr. Van Buren’s administration, that 
a Democratic President could be induces to remove Major Dougherty.  This was 
done, I think, in 1837 or ‘8 and then Major D. became a permanent resident of 
Clay county, where he has ever since resided, surrounded by all that could be 
desired in this world, viz: a living and devoted wife, and children who, I 
doubt not, never gave him a pang on account of their departure from the 
strictest principles of honor, honesty and integrity.  These children, he has 
lived to see all grown, and “well to do” in the world; one of them a daughter, 
has been married, for many years, to Major Charles F. Ruff, of the U.S. Army.  
The other three are men, all living at, and near the “Old Homestead.”  In 1840, 
together with Col. A.W. Doniphan, and Judge William T. Wood, (now of St. 
Louis,) Major Dougherty was nominated as the Whig candidate for the Legislature 
against Gen. David R. Atchison, Col. John Thornton, and George Wallis.  It was, 
indeed, a memorable struggle, and resulted in the election of the Whig 
candidates, by a majority of about 104.  As a member of the Legislature, Major 
D. exhibited such traits of honesty, firmness, and icorruptibility, as made him 
a great favorite with all parties.  I could go on, if this were the proper 
place, and time permitted, to fill a volume in speaking of the life of Major 
Dougherty; but I forbear.  Some one, more competent, I trust, will undertake 
the task.  The eloquent tribute to his memory, on Sabbath last, by Prest. 
Thompson; the deep feeling of the entire congregation; the large number…..
(remainder is unreadable due to taping of the paper).

The following is from the same Newspaper and same date.

Maj. John Dougherty.
It is with feelings far deeper and sadder than even similar bereavements 
usually call forth, that we record the death of one of our oldest, most useful 
and most respected citizens.  On Friday, the 28th ult., at 6 P.M., Major John 
Dougherty breathed his last, at his residence, in this county – full of years 
and full of honors, he fell asleep surrounded by his sorrowing wife and 
children, (whose gentle and assiduous attentions, for long weeks, had soothed 
the intense suffering of the stricken husband and father.)  Major D. was born 
near Bardstown, Nelson county, KY., in April, 1879 – and hence, was rapidly 
approaching his three-score-and-ten years.
Impelled by an energy and self-reliance – that characterized him in all his 
subsequent life – at the early age of seventeen, he took leave of his family, 
and the familiar friends and loved scenes of his childhood, and came to the 
wild forest of the Missouri Territory, and commenced the battle of life, 
gallantly and unaided – marked ever by true merit, and ultimately crowned with 
eminent success.  Descended from an early pioneer, to the “dark and bloody 
grounds” – the tales of adventure more thrilling than romance – so permeated a 
bold and enterprising nature, that it is not astonishing that his first essay 
in active life should have been one of extreme danger, peril and hardship.  In 
the year 1808, soon after his arrival in the French village of St. Louis, he 
became connected with a company for the purpose of traversing the plains, 
crossing the Rocky Mountains, and descending the Columbia to its mouth.  This 
trip is now destitute of romance; it has become common – it is the work of a 
few months – not so fifty-two years ago – then it was a terra incognito – the 
labor of years and full of danger – as the wily savage watched for the daring 
adventurer along his entire voyage.  He spent many years in hard and dangerous 
enterprises, in the Indian county, in which he became more perfectly acquainted 
with the habits, manners, tastes and peculiarities of the North-Western tribes, 
than any man ever did before, or since – and no man has ever acquired such an 
influence over them – this did not result so much from his peculiar knowledge 
of them, as it did from the man himself – his face, his form, his physique, 
were perfect; a commanding and easy dignity, a bright and intellectual eye; and 
unvarying candor, and directness in all his intercourse with them, at once 
pleased, charmed and overawed them.  For these reasons added to his 
intelligence, business habits, and high sense of honor, he was selected by his 
Government as the principal Agent for all the tribes from the border of 
Missouri to the crest of the Mountains; and this position he retained for 
nearly twenty years; and, although an unwavering Whig, Gen. Jackson was too 
good a patriot, and had too much regard for manly worth, to dispense with his 
invaluable services – it was left to his wily successor to inaugurate the 
corrupting policy – “that to the victors belong the spoils.”
Major D., soon after, removed to this county, and was elected one of her 
Representative, in the hard contest of 1840; and well and faithful to the State 
and county did he discharge his every duty.  His strong common sense, his large 
fund of acquired knowledge – much from books, but more from men, (that volume 
of rich treasures to him who can read and understand it – and few possessed the 
charmed key that unlocks and reveals human nature in its inmost recesses, and 
used it with a master’s hand, more perfectly than the deceased) – his bland 
manners, his high social qualities, his rich and unfailing fund of pure and 
original anecdote, gave him an enviable standing in the House; and has left 
garnered up in the memories of his fellow-members, the most kindly and 
respected feelings; and not one of them will hear of his death without feelings 
of sadness and sorrow.
In all the relations of life, Major D. was a most excellent citizen – his 
hightoned patriotism, confined to no party and not section embraced all that 
the Constitution and Union of his county embraced – public spirited and liberal 
in the rearing and endowing schools, colleges and churches; building rail-rods, 
and all other public works; he was of the first to start them, and of the most 
liberal to sustain them.  He was kind, courteous and hospitable; a good 
neighbor, a warm and devoted friend, and an affectionate husband; and he has 
given the best evidence, that man can give of the manner in which he has 
discharged the delicate duties of a father, in the social and moral deportment, 
usefulness, and high standing of every one of his children.  This is his best 
eulogy, and it was a cheering solace to him, when the dark shadows of death was 
slowly, but surely, falling over him.  The last years of his life, like the 
first, were characterized by energy and usefulness, morality and virtue; and he 
died trusting in a merciful redeemer.  The public and his many warm friends 
will deeply feel his loss, but none can feel as his bereaved wife and children, 
who received his last sigh, and closed his glazed eye, with the kind hands of 
affection, and with bruised and bleeding hearts followed him to his last 
earthly resting place.   This feeble tribute is from one, who has known him 
long and intimately, and known him with increasing admiration, respect, and 
friendship.      D.


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