Kemp, Louis Wiltz, 1881-1956

Born in Cameron, Texas on September 4, 1881, Louis Wiltz Kemp was deeply interested in Texas history. He was instrumental in the construction of the San Jacinto Monument, the reburial of Texans in the State Cemetery, and the locating of the massacre site of James W. Fannin's men. He did significant research on the veterans of the Battle of San Jacinto and the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Kemp was employed by the Texas Company. He married Violet Volz in 1925. L. W. Kemp died on November 15, 1956, in Houston.

Louis Wiltz Kemp (1881-1956) was born in Cameron, Texas and studied engineering at the University of Texas before embarking on a long career with Texaco. Throughout his life he was an avid historian and collector of Texana, and he played a key role in the improvement and development of the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. Kemp also was active in the planning and building of the San Jacinto Monument and Museum. He was a member of the Texas State Library Board and served as president of the Texas State Historical Association from 1942 to 1946. Kemp's rich collection of Texana was eventually purchased by the Houston Endowment and the University of Texas, and now resides in the Center for American History.