John Lafayette Camp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Lafayette Camp
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| Texas State Senator District 6 |
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| In office 1874–1876 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 20, 1828 Jefferson County, Alabama |
| Died | July 16, 1891 (aged 63) San Antonio, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Mary Ann Ward |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit |  10th Texas Cavalry |
John Lafayette Camp (born February 20, 1828 – died July 16, 1891) was an American lawyer and a farmer who owned a large farm called a plantation. He was an important person in Texas politics. He served as a state senator and later as a judge.
John was born in Jefferson County, Alabama. His parents were John and Elizabeth Camp. After finishing college at the University of Tennessee in 1848, he moved to Gilmer, Texas. There, he started a plantation and became a lawyer. In 1851, he married Mary Ann Ward. She was the daughter of a local doctor. John and Mary Ann had five children together. One of their children was named John Lafayette, Jr.
John Camp and the Civil War
John Camp joined the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He became a Captain in the 14th Texas Cavalry Regiment. By the end of the war, he was a Colonel. He led the 10th Texas Cavalry. His unit was part of the Army of Tennessee.
Colonel Camp fought in several important battles. These included Cumberland Gap, Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga. During the war, he was hurt and captured two times.
John Camp's Political Career
In 1866, people in the first district of Texas chose Camp to go to the U.S. Congress. However, after the war, there was a time called Reconstruction. During this time, there were many disagreements about how states that had left the U.S. could rejoin. Because of these issues, John Camp was not allowed to take his seat in Congress.
Even though he couldn't serve in Congress, he stayed active in the Democratic Party. This political party was very important in Texas.
In 1874, John Camp was elected to the Texas State Senate. He served there from 1875 to 1878. After that, Governor Hubbard chose him to be a judge. He worked as a judge in a state district court. However, he had to stop being a judge in 1878 because he was not feeling well.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1884, John Camp moved to Arizona. He worked there in a land office. He hoped the dry weather would help his health. But it did not make him feel better. So, two years later, he moved back to Texas.
He settled in San Antonio. In his later years, he lived with his son, John Lafayette Camp, Jr.. John Camp died in San Antonio in 1891. He was buried in the Dignowitty Cemetery.
A county in Texas was named after him. Camp County, Texas got its name because John Camp helped create it. He introduced the bill in the state Senate that led to the county being formed.
