Clinton McKamy Winkler facts for kids

Clinton McKamy Winkler (born October 19, 1821 – died May 13, 1882) was an important person in Texas history. He was a soldier, a judge, and a lawmaker. Winkler served in the Texas Legislature twice, in 1847 and again in 1873. He also worked as a lawyer in Corsicana, Texas. During the American Civil War, he fought for the Confederate States Army and was hurt in a big battle. After the war, he became a judge on the Texas Court of Appeals, serving until he passed away. A county in Texas, Winkler County, is named after him.

Early Life and Becoming a Lawyer

Clinton Winkler was born in Burke County, North Carolina on October 19, 1821. When he was about 14 years old, he moved with his family to Indiana. At 19, he moved to Franklin, Texas, which is in Robertson County, Texas.

In 1844, Winkler became a clerk for the district court in Robertson County. A year later, in 1845, he became a lawyer. This meant he could practice law and represent people in court.

First Time in the Legislature

In 1847, Winkler was elected to the Second Texas Legislature. This was like being a representative for his area in the state government. While serving, he helped create Navarro County, Texas. This new county was formed from a part of Robertson County.

In 1848, Winkler married Louisa Bartlett-Smith. She was a widow whose first husband had also been a Texas lawmaker. After his time in the legislature, Winkler worked as a lawyer in Corsicana, Texas, for several years. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president, Winkler was one of the people who helped organize a movement in Navarro County for Texas to leave the United States.

Serving in the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Clinton Winkler became a military leader. He commanded a group called the Navarro Rifles. This unit was part of Hood's Texas Brigade, a famous group of soldiers in the Confederate Army.

While Winkler was away fighting in the war, his wife Louisa passed away in 1861. In January 1864, he married Angelina V. Smith. She was the sister of his first wife's late husband. Angelina Smith was a writer who started a literary magazine called Corsicana Prairie Flower.

Winkler was seriously hurt during the Battle of Gettysburg. He got a bad leg wound. Even with his injury, he continued to fight in the Civil War. He served until Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, which ended the war. Angelina Smith later wrote a book about her experiences during the war.

A Judge and His Legacy

After the Civil War, Winkler returned to his law practice in Corsicana. In 1872, he was elected to the Thirteenth Texas Legislature. He represented a large area that included Ellis, Hill, Kaufman, and Navarro Counties.

In 1876, Winkler became a judge on the new Court of Appeals of Texas. He served as a judge until he died. Clinton Winkler passed away from an illness called dysentery in Austin, Texas, on May 13, 1882. He was still serving as a judge when he died.

Winkler County

In 1887, a new county was created in West Texas. It was formed from land that used to be part of Tom Green County. This new county was named Winkler County in honor of Clinton McKamy Winkler.

In 1900, only 60 people lived in Winkler County. By 1910, the population grew to 442. The number of people living there reached its highest point in 1950, with over 10,000 residents. In 1990, the county had 8,626 residents.