J. W. Clampitt

Historical marker location:

US 67, S. of Ballinger, Ballinger, Texas

( Ballinger Cemetery (Evergreen) US 67, southwest city limit, Ballinger)

Marker installed: 1969

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.

ranching sheriffs

Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.