Meredith Miles Marmaduke (1791-1864), a native of Westmoreland County, Va., removed to Missouri in 1824, where he was successful in business and held several prominent political positions, among them the lieutenant-governorship of the state. Son John S. Marmaduke born in Arrow Rock, Mo., March 14, 1833; d. Jefferson City, Mo., Dec. 28,1887, was reared on his father's farm and received his education from country schools, Yale College and Harvard. He was appointed a cadet to the United States Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1857. He was with Albert Sidney Johnston in his campaign against the Mormons and remained two years in the service in Utah, going thence to New Mexico. In 1861 he resigned his commission in the United States Army, tendering his services to the Confederate government. He entered the cavalry branch of the Southern army with the rank of first lieutenant, served with General Hardee, receiving promotion shortly to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and in January, 1862, to the colonelcy, of the Third Confederate infantry, an Arkansas regiment.

Marmaduke was severely wounded in the second day's fight at Shiloh, was thereafter commissioned brigadier-general, and after Corinth sent to the trans-Mississippi to serve under General Hindman. From this time he was markedly conspicuous for his boldness in leading expeditions into the enemy's territory. For gallantry he was recommended for promotion to a major-generalship, his commission not arriving, however, until March 17, 1865, while he was a prisoner in Fort Warren. He was carried there after his capture, on Oct. 25,1864, while guarding the rear at Marais des Cygnes. He was not released from imprisonment until August, 1865. His health was much broken by his continuous service in the field and his several months' confinement, and after the war he traveled in Europe. Returning to Missouri in May, 1866, he was from that time until 1869 engaged in the commission business, assuming in the latter year the management of Southern agencies for an insurance company. He edited various Missouri newspapers, 1871-74; was secretary state board of agriculture, 1874; member state railroad commission, 1875-80; governor of Missouri, 1885-87.