J. W. Clampitt
Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Pioneer Texas cattleman and law officer. Reared in Denton County, he joined brother-in-law in ranching, 1883-1886. They moved to "free grass" county of Presidio and ran Chalk Valley Ranch. Sometimes had to drive cattle 50 miles to water. On the range, carried their food in typical pioneer "greasy sack". After losing herd in 1885-1886 drouth, Clampitt went into the hardware business with R. A. Hall in Ballinger. Served as second county sheriff-tax collector (1890-1896). By first wife Elizabeth (McAuley), he had 5 children; by second wife Callie (Mansker), 3.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Raised in Denton County, J. W. Clampitt tried his hand at ranching on the "free grass" ranges of Presidio County in the 1880s, running the Chalk Valley Ranch and sometimes driving cattle fifty miles just to find water. Drought wiped out his herd in 1885-86, so he turned to the hardware business in Ballinger and then to law enforcement, serving as Runnels County's second sheriff and tax collector from 1890 to 1896.
Why it matters
Clampitt's shift from open-range cowboy to town merchant and sheriff mirrors the closing of the Texas frontier, as cattle country gave way to settled towns and county government.
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Related people
- · J. W. Clampitt
Themes & tags
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