WHARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL

Clarence Delano Kemp

1914 - 1923

Wharton County Sheriff



Clarence Delano Kemp



C.D. Kemp was born in Monroe, Louisiana on August 9, 1852. His parents migrated east to Texas when C.D. was still very young. They settled in the area of what is now Iago.

In 1873 he married Sara Jane Crawford. Their children were Hattie (named town of Iago) and Taylor Dickson who was named for his business partner of many years and the former sheriff.

He owned a store and a cotton gin in Iago. In the late 1880's he moved to Van Vleck and had a general merchandise and wholesale business there. In 1901 he moved to Wharton and opened a feed store.

In 1914 C.D. ran for Sheriff and won on November 3. he re-ran the next election and was again elected into office November 7, 1916, 1918 and again in November of 1920.He served until January 1, 1923.

He and H.B. Dickson were partners in a ranching business for about thirteen years before Dicksons death in 1894. After his partners death Kemp was among the citizens who erected the Dickson Memorial in the Courthouse yard.

May 22, 1922 he married Toni Havana Vordick of Taiton, Texas and they had a son, William in 1925.He later became an optometrist.

Kemp was a member of first the Bay City Masonic Lodge and then later he transferred his membership to the Wharton Lodge

In 1934 he was involved in a car accident and was no longer able to ranch.

On April 7, 1937 he passed away.



January 21, 1916

Wharton Spectator

C.D. Kemp
In the regular announcement column will be noted that of C.D. Kemp, present sheriff, as a candidate to succeed himself. Mr. Kemp has served the county one term, and in this time has discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. In announcing for office again, he feels that good old democratic precedent of a second term is due in his case, unless there is something in the record of his first term to make it not advisable. This record is one he feels is above criticism, and subject to the investigation of anyone interested.



This page researched by Janet Barrett Hobizal in June 2007,

From the book "Texas Sheriffs" found at the Wharton County Historical Museum


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