Wharton, Clarence Ray

Clarence Ray Wharton, son of Frank B. and Ella Ray Wharton, was born in Tarrant County, Texas, on Oct. 5, 1873. He attended county schools, taught from 1888 to 1892, studied law and was admitted to the bar around 1893. He began a law practice in 1885 in Decatur with Charles V. Terrell, moved in 1897 to Richmond and then to Houston to join the law firm of Baker, Botts, Baker, and Lovett in 1901. On Aug. 5, 1902 he married Adele Spoonts, and together they had four children. He was made full partner of the law firm in 1906, and as a corporate attorney represented Houston Lighting and Power, Houston Gas and Fuel, and Houston Electric companies. Wharton was the first chairman of Houston Community Chest, and prominent in the American Red Cross during World War I. He was active in the Harris County Historical Society, reaching vice president in 1923. He was very well known for his many articles and published works on Texas history. He died in Houston on May 1, 1941 and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery.

Excerpted from The New Handbook of Texas, 1996.