Zebedee Washington Stephens, 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.