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Abilene "Top Citizen" dies
On this day in 1968, Abilene civic leader Clifton Mott Caldwell died.
Born in Palo Pinto County, Texas, on May 1, 1880, Caldwell spent his
early years working on the family farm and earning a teaching
certificate. In 1896 he moved with his family to Breckenridge, where he
met his future wife, Cora Belle Keathley. They were married in 1901 and
soon moved to Caddo, where, after teaching for five years, Caldwell
became the principal of the Caddo school. In 1908 he moved his family to
Austin and, with a total of $400 in savings, he entered the University
of Texas law school. After he graduated in 1911 they returned to
Breckenridge, where in 1912 Caldwell was elected county attorney. He was
then appointed county judge and later district judge. In 1917 Caldwell
and his partner, Breck Walker, formed the highly successful
Walker-Caldwell Oil Company. Caldwell acquired large landholdings in
West Texas, and invested much of his time and profits in the future of
Breckenridge. After moving to Abilene in 1922, his continuing community
service included serving as chairman of the Hardin-Simmons University
board of trustees, regent of the University of Texas, founding director
of the Brazos River Authority, and trustee of the Hendrick Memorial
Hospital in Abilene. Caldwell also donated land and operating funds for
the hospital. In 1951 Caldwell was presented the "Top Citizen of the
Year" award, the highest civic honor awarded by the Abilene Chamber of
Commerce.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- CALDWELL, CLIFTON MOTT
- HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER
- BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY
- HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY
- ABILENE, TX
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