Athens in Henderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Clinton Williams Murchison, Sr.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2020
1. Clinton Willams Murchison, Sr. Marker
Clint W. Murchison, Sr. was born April 11, 1895, in Tyler to John W. and Clara (Williams) Murchison. His grandfather, T.F. Murchison, was one of the earliest settlers to arrive in Athens and established the first bank in Henderson County in 1890. Following the death of T.F. Murchison, control of the bank passed to his sons. After a short stint at Trinity University in Waxahachie, Clint returned to Athens to assist with the family bank. Clint enlisted in the army and served stateside as a lieutenant during World War I.
Discharged in 1919, Clint accepted an invitation from his friend and fellow Athenian Sid Richardson to join him as a lease trader in the booming Burkburnett oilfield near Wichita Falls. In 1920, Clint married Anne Morris from Tyler and they started a family, having three sons. After the tragic death of Anne in 1926, Clint decided to move to Dallas to continue wheeling and dealing. Nationally recognized companies that he founded included American Liberty Oil, Southern Union Gas, Delhi-Taylor, Florida gas and Trans-Canada pipelines.
In 1943, Murchison married Virginia Long. They often returned to Athens and their beloved Glad Oaks Estate. He diversified his holdings into life insurance, banking, publishing, real estate, ranching and railroads. When his health began to deteriorate in the early 1960s, he
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Marker is property of the State of Texas
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17506.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 11, 1895.
Location. 32° 11.97′ N, 95° 51.441′ W. Marker is in Athens, Texas, in Henderson County. It can be reached from Commanche Street. The marker is at Athens Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 313 Commanche Street, Athens TX 75751, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Virginia Lucille "Ginger" Murchison (here, next to this marker); Stella E. Parsons La Rue (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Thomas La Rue (within shouting distance of this marker); Sid Williams Richardson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dulcinea Ann Holland Thompson Avriett (about 400 feet
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2020
2. Clinton Williams Murchison, Sr. Marker
The marker is just to the left in this view of Murchison's grave at Athens Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,533 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
