John Harvey Doran was the son of Robert Lowry Doran and Elizabeth Lowry. His father, Robert Lowry Doran was born in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, on July 19, 1786. Robert’s mother was Elizabeth Lowry, who was born on August 13, 1790 in Virginia. Robert’s parents were distant cousins. John was born in Tennessee in 1828. By 1849, John Harvey Doran and his extended family were in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. John Harvey Doran married Jane Caroline Mitchell on July 13, 1854, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
John kept a journal all of his life. The only journal that is still around is one that was written during the Civil War period. The original is at the University of Missouri at Rolla in the archives. It is also available on line. John was active in the community. When Springfield was founded, by John Campbell, it was called Campbell Township. John Harvey was a farmer, a carpenter, and a home builder. He also helped his father-in-law, Allen Mitchell, at his mill. John supervised the building of Fort Springfield, which was built for the defense of the town, during the Civil War.
In his journal, John talked about his family, activities in the community, and the politics of the day. He writes about the death’s in Greene County. John built most of the coffins in the area. He wrote about the Civil War from his perspective. We know, from John’s journal, that General George B. McClellan visited the area, while campaigning for president. McClellan ran for President against Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He campaigned throughout the country and spent a good deal of time and money on that endeavor. Lincoln hardly campaigned at all. However, Lincoln won the election.
John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell had eight children. The first child born to them was Harriet Luella Doran. She was born on April 17,1857 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Harriet’s nickname was Lulu. Some people interpret the spelling as Lula. We don’t know who she married or when. Harriet died in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri on September 11, 1920. She was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
Julia Mary Doran was the second child born to John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell. Julia went by the nickname Julie. She was born in 1861 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. We haven’t found a record for her marriage. Julie died on June 4, 1907 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. She was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
The third child of John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell was William Clyde Doran. He was always known as Clyde. Clyde was born in 1864 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. He was married. We don’t know her name or any other details. Clyde died in 1922 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. He is buried at Maple Park Cemetery, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell’s fourth child was Ida E. Doran. She was just called Ida by her friends and family. Ida was born on January 24, 1866. She never married. Ida lived in a small white house on the North side of town. She died on February 8, 1955 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Ida is buried in Maple Park Cemetery, at Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
The fifth child born to John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell was Margaret Elizabeth Doran. She was born on December 20, 1867 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Margaret’s nickname was Maggie her entire life. She was considered quite beautiful. Maggie married Charles Harker Coulter on February 16, 1892 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. They had four sons. Charles was a successful businessman. She traveled all over the country with him. But she wouldn’t get on a boat or ship. Maggie died on September 9, 1935. Maggie was in a car accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She and her husband were run off the road by a truck. She died and he was injured. Maggie was buried in Hazelwood Cemetery, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
Mathilda Emma Doran was the sixth child of John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell. Mathilda’s nickname was Mattie. She was born in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, on August 14, 1970. Mattie married Alfred Bryant in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Alfred’s nickname was Al. We have no record of when they were married. Mattie died on October 6, 1937 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. She was buried in Maple Park Cemetery, in Springfield, Greene County,Missouri.
John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell’s seventh child was Allen Mitchell Doran. He was named after his grandfather, Allen Mitchell. Allen just went by Allen. He was born on October 13, 1872 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Allen married Adal or Adel Yoxall in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. We have no record of when they were married. He died on March 3, 1950 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Allen was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
The eighth child of John Harvey Doran and Jane Caroline Mitchell was Myrtle Jane Doran. She was born on August 31, 1875 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. Some say that she was born in Campbell, Dunklin County, Missouri. Myrtle married Benjamin Elisha Garrett. We have no record of where or when they were married. Benjamin went by Ben or Elisha. Myrtle died on September 25, 1947 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. She was buried in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
John Harvey Doran wrote about many things in his journal. He was in Springfield during the Civil War and for so much important history. Wild Bill Hickok was jailed and tried for the killing of Dave Tut. Dave Tut said Wild Bill had cheated him in a card game and challenged Bill. They stood on the town square, old west style, and fired. Davis Kasey Tutt was a Confederate. James Butler Hickok was a Northener. The trial lasted five weeks in 1865, just after the Civil War had ended. Hickok was found not guilty. The whole incident was the talk of the town for years.
John Harvey Doran was very important to the community. He died on January 20, 1898 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. John was buried at Maple Park Cemetery, in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri. His Find A Grave number is: 40780522.