| Marker Number |
12220 |
| Atlas Number |
5441012220 |
| Marker Title |
Claiborne Walker Merchant |
| Index Entry |
Merchant, Claiborne Walker |
| Address |
1133 Cottonwood St. |
| City |
Abilene |
| County |
Taylor |
| UTM Zone |
14 |
| UTM Easting |
431964 |
| UTM Northing |
3591358 |
| Subject Codes |
ranches/ranching; Civil War; Business topics, general; cattle, cattle industry topics; military topics |
| Marker Year |
1999 |
| Recorded Texas Historic Landmark |
No |
| Marker Location |
Abilene Municipal Cemetery, 10th & Cottonwood |
| Private Property |
No |
| Marker Condition |
In Situ |
| Marker Size |
grave marker |
| Marker Text |
(August 31, 1836 - March 9, 1926) Claiborne W. Merchant and his twin, John, were born in Nacogdoches. "Clabe" married Frances Bell in 1856. He served in the Confederate army and later became a cattle rancher. Merchant established his first ranch in 1874 in Callahan County and began acquiring land in neighboring Taylor County prior to the arrival of the railroad in 1881. When Abilene was established, Merchant, a city founder, named the new town after Abilene, Kansas. For many years he contributed his time and money to the development of Abilene. He is lauded as a respected benefactor and beloved citizen. Recorded - 1999 |
