Confederate Biography : C. B. KILGORE, Van Zandt county, TX

*****************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Susie McFarland Lemin slemin46@yahoo.com
20 October 2001
*****************************************************************
TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson, p. 159

C. B. Kilgore, of Wills Point, was born at Newnan, Ga., February 20, 1835.  
His father removed to Rusk county, Texas, in 1846, and as a volunteer in 
the Third Texas Cavalry fell at the battle of Oak Hills, in 1861.  C. B. 
Kilgore was educated in Henderson College, and then after one year's 
study of law was admitted to the bar.  He was much opposed to secession, 
but when Texas seceded and the call was issued for volunteers, he joined 
the Tenth Texas Cavalry and was made orderly sergeant of his company.  
Soon he was commissioned first lieutenant, and when the regiment was 
reorganized at Corinth he was chosen captain of Co. G.  While on the
Kentucky campign he was made adjutant-general of his brigade, which 
position he continued to fill until after the battle of Chickamauga 
where he was serverly wounded and later captured, being confined as a 
prisoner of war in Fort Delaware until March, 1865.  He returned now to 
Rusk county, Texas, and resumed the practice of law.  In 1875 he was 
elected a member of the Constitutional convention that passed the 
present organic law of Texas.  In 1877 he removed to Wills Point, in 
Van Zandt county, where he resided continuously thereafter.  In 1880 
he was presidential elector on the Hancock and English ticket.  In 
1884 he was elected to the Texas senate, and although a new member, 
he was chosen president pro tempore of that body - a high tribute to 
his ability and popularity.  Two years later he was elected to congress 
and served therin continuously eight years.  In 1895 President
Grover Cleveland nominated Col. Kilgore to be United States district 
judge in Indian Territory and was confirmed and served with 
conspicuous ability for several years.  He was a member of the 
Presbyterian church and a bright Mason.  Col. Kilgore occupied various 
offices of trust, always with credit to himself and his people, and 
his death, in 1898, was widely deplored.