Abilene in Taylor County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Claiborne Walker Merchant

(August 31, 1836 - March 9, 1926)

Photographed By Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

1. Claiborne Walker Merchant Marker

Inscription. Claiborne W. Merchant and his twin, John, were born in Nagodoches. “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.

Erected 1999 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12220.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 32° 27.438′ N, 99° 43.434′ W. Marker is in Abilene, Texas, in Taylor County. Marker can be reached from Cottonwood Street, 0.1 miles N. 7th Street. Marker is located in the southern section of the Abilene Municipal Cemetery; the above directions are to the cemetery entrance nearest to the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Abilene TX 79601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. Thomas Middlebrook Willis (within shouting distance of this marker); James Winford Hunt (within shouting distance of this marker); "Double V" Memorial Flagpole (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Zion Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abilene African-American Schools (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abilene Municipal Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morgan Jones (approx. 0.2 miles away); Abilene Negro High School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abilene.

Also see . . .
1. Merchant, Claiborne Walker. From the Texas State Historical Association’s “Handbook of Texas Online”. (Submitted on October 16, 2014.)

2. Capt Claiborne Walker “Clabe” Merchant. From the findagrave.com website. Includes article from the April 8, 1956 edition of the Abilene Reporter-News. (Submitted on October 16, 2014.)

Headstone and Grave of C.W. Merchant image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

2. Headstone and Grave of C.W. Merchant

Headstones and Graves of C.W. Merchant, his Mother, and his Wife image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

3. Headstones and Graves of C.W. Merchant, his Mother, and his Wife

Merchant Family Cemetery Plot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, October 8, 2014

4. Merchant Family Cemetery Plot

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 16, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.