Christopher Columbus Slaughter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Columbus Slaughter
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | February 9, 1837 Sabine County, Texas, U.S.
|
| Died | January 25, 1919 (aged 81) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Greenwood Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | Larissa College |
| Occupation | Rancher, cattle drover, cattle breeder, banker, philanthropist |
| Title | Colonel |
| Spouse(s) | Cynthia Anna Jowell Carrie Averill |
| Children | 9, including Robert Lee Slaughter |
| Parent(s) | George Webb Slaughter Sarah Mason |
| Relatives | John Bunyan Slaughter (brother) William B. Slaughter (brother) Ira P. DeLoache (son-in-law) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1861–1865) |
| Service/ |
Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Colonel |
Christopher Columbus Slaughter (1837–1919) was a famous American rancher. He was also a cattle breeder, banker, and a generous person who gave money to good causes. He lived during the time of the Old West.
After fighting in the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865, he became very successful. He owned 40,000 cattle and over one million acres of land in West Texas. He was known as the "Cattle King of Texas." He also used his wealth to support Baptist schools and hospitals.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Christopher Columbus Slaughter was born on February 9, 1837. His birthplace was Sabine County, Texas. His father, George Webb Slaughter, was a minister and rancher. His mother was Sarah Mason Slaughter.
When he was twelve, he started working with cattle. He helped manage them near the Sabine River and the Trinity River. In 1852, his family moved to Freestone County, Texas. He later transported timber and sold it in Dallas County. He also processed wheat and sold it. He was educated at home by private teachers. Later, he attended Larissa College in Larissa.
Career as a Rancher and Banker
In 1857, Slaughter became a rancher with his father. They had 15,000 cattle in Palo Pinto County, Texas. They sold beef to Fort Belknap and local Native American groups.
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), he served as a colonel. He was part of Terry's Texas Rangers in the Confederate States Army. After the war, he explored Mexico but was accidentally shot and wounded. He later became a cattle drover on the Chisholm Trail in Kansas.
In 1873, he started his own cattle breeding company. It was called C. C. Slaughter and Company. Four years later, in 1877, he bought the Long S Ranch. This ranch stretched from Plainview to Big Spring, Texas. It was the largest ranch in West Texas at the time. That same year, he helped start the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Slaughter also became involved in banking. In 1873, he helped create the City Bank. This bank later became City National Bank. He served as its vice president starting in 1881. The town of Slaughter, Texas was named after him in 1882. In 1884, he started another bank, the American National Bank.
By 1905, Christopher Columbus Slaughter was very successful. He owned 40,000 cattle and over a million acres of land. His ranches were in many Texas counties. He was known for breeding Shorthorn and Hereford cattle. For many years, he paid the most taxes in Texas.
Community Involvement
Slaughter was a leader in several organizations. He was president of the United Confederate Veterans. He also served as vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. He was a member of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
In 1904, he helped establish the Baylor Hospital of Dallas. He served on its board of trustees. He also gave money to the Texas Baptist Memorial Sanitarium. This hospital is now known as the Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. He was also on the board of trustees for the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Family Life and Later Years
Slaughter married Cynthia Anna Jowell in 1861. They had five children together. After Cynthia passed away in 1876, he married Carrie Averill in 1877. They had four more children.
In 1910, he broke his hip and became crippled. He also started to lose his eyesight.
Death and Legacy
Christopher Columbus Slaughter died on January 25, 1919, in Dallas, Texas. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery. After his death, his children divided and sold his large land holdings.
One of his daughters, Nelle Slaughter DeLoache, married Ira P. DeLoache. He was a real estate developer who founded Preston Hollow.
