John Sappington Marmaduke
The town of Marmaduke was named in honor of John Sappington
Marmaduke. Born March 14, 1833 near Arrow Rock, Missouri, his father
Meredith Miles Marmaduke served as governor of Missouri in 1844.
John S. Marmaduke was a man for all seasons in that he was a West
Point graduate Class of 1857, Officer in the Mexican War,
Confederate Major General, Missouri Railroad Commissioner, and
Governor of Missouri 1885 - 1887.
During the "War Between the
States" General Marmaduke used the east slope of Crowley's Ridge as
a base camp west of the present town of Marmaduke. He assumed
command of Arkansas General Thomas Hindman's cavalry (made up of
Missouri & Arkansas Units) and led several successful cavalry raids
into Missouri. While at this camp Marmaduke learned that Col.
William Quantrill's Raiders were in the area. A skirmish resulted in
the death of 30 of Quantrill's men. They are buried just east of
Rector. Marmaduke was highly commended for his actions at the Battle
of Shiloh and Prairie Grove. He also saw action at Chalk Bluff,
Helena, Poison Springs, Price's Raid into Missouri, and many other
battles during the war.
In Price's final raid through Missouri in
the fall of 1864, General Marmaduke was captured at Mine Creek
during the retreat from the Battle of Westport. Marmaduke died on
December 28, 1887 while still serving as Governor of Missouri. He is
buried in the City Cemetery, in Jefferson City, Missouri.
