Pat Morris Neff
Encyclopedia
Pat Morris Neff was the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925 and 9th President of Baylor University
from 1932 to 1947.
near McGregor, Texas
, Neff attended McGregor High School
. He received his bachelor's degree
from Baylor University
in Waco
before spending two years teaching at Southwestern Academy in Magnolia, Arkansas
. While in Magnolia, Neff taught Harvey C. Couch
, who would later become a successful entrepreneur in Arkansas. Upon returning to Texas, he received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin
. While studying at the University of Texas Law School, Neff was a close friend of future U. S. Senators Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard
. He served in the Texas House of Representatives
from 1899 to 1905, including a term as Speaker
. After returning to his law practice in Waco, he served as assistant county attorney and county attorney for McLennan County
for six years.
Democrat
, Neff was a strong supporter of Prohibition and was instrumental in the development of the Texas State Parks Board
. Pat Neff and his mother, Isabella Neff, donated the land which would become the first state park in Texas, Mother Neff State Park
. During the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan
during his administration, Neff was criticized for not taking a stronger stance. Neff is notable for his pardon of folk singer Lead Belly in his last days as Governor. Neff was succeeded as governor by Miriam Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, who defeated a stronger-than-usual Republican
nominee, George C. Butte
, an American jurist who had opposed James E. Ferguson
's line item veto of the 1917 University of Texas appropriations bill. After leaving the governorship, Neff served on the Texas Railroad Commission. Governor Ross Sterling then appointed Ernest O. Thompson
of Amarillo
to succeed Neff when he left the position to become President of Baylor University. Thompson served on the panel for thirty-two years and developed a reputation as an expert on petroleum
issues.
, Neff was nominated to replace him as President of Baylor University. He resigned the post of President of the Board of Trustees, a position he had held since it was vacated by B. H. Carroll
in 1907, upon the nomination as President.
Northside Independent School District
are named for Neff.
Neff died in Waco and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery
. His papers, including those from his time as Governor, are housed in the Texas Collection at Baylor University.
Pat Neff hall in Baylor University was dedicated in his honor
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
from 1932 to 1947.
Early life
Born on his family ranch in Coryell CountyCoryell County, Texas
Coryell County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 74,978. The county seat is Gatesville. Coryell County forms part of the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area...
near McGregor, Texas
McGregor, Texas
McGregor is a city in Coryell and McLennan Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 4,727 at the 2000 census.McGregor lies in two counties as well as two metropolitan areas...
, Neff attended McGregor High School
McGregor High School (Texas)
McGregor High School is a United States secondary school located in McGregor, Texas. It is part of the McGregor Independent School District located in McLennan County, Texas...
. He received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Waco
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
before spending two years teaching at Southwestern Academy in Magnolia, Arkansas
Magnolia, Arkansas
Magnolia is a city in Columbia County, Arkansas, United States, that was founded in 1853. At the time of its incorporation in 1858, the city had a population of about 1,950. The city grew slowly as an agricultural and regional cotton market until the discovery of oil just east of the city in March,...
. While in Magnolia, Neff taught Harvey C. Couch
Harvey C. Couch
Harvey Crowley Couch, was an Arkansas entrepreneur who rose from very modest beginnings to control a regional utility and railroad empire...
, who would later become a successful entrepreneur in Arkansas. Upon returning to Texas, he received his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. While studying at the University of Texas Law School, Neff was a close friend of future U. S. Senators Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard
Morris Sheppard
John Morris Sheppard was a Democratic United States Congressman and United States Senator from Texas. He authored the Eighteenth Amendment and introduced it in the Senate, so that he is referred to as "the father of national Prohibition."-Biography:John Morris Sheppard was born in Morris County...
. He served in the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
from 1899 to 1905, including a term as Speaker
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives. The Speaker's main duties are to conduct meetings of the House, appoint committees, and enforce the Rules of the House...
. After returning to his law practice in Waco, he served as assistant county attorney and county attorney for McLennan County
McLennan County, Texas
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. In 2000, its population was 213,517; in 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to be 230,213. Its seat is Waco. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler....
for six years.
Public Office in Texas
A progressiveProgressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Neff was a strong supporter of Prohibition and was instrumental in the development of the Texas State Parks Board
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas...
. Pat Neff and his mother, Isabella Neff, donated the land which would become the first state park in Texas, Mother Neff State Park
Mother Neff State Park
Mother Neff State Park is a state park located on the Leon River west of Moody, Texas in Coryell County. The park is part of Mother Neff State Park and F.A.S. 21-B Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 2, 1992.The park's initial were donated by...
. During the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
during his administration, Neff was criticized for not taking a stronger stance. Neff is notable for his pardon of folk singer Lead Belly in his last days as Governor. Neff was succeeded as governor by Miriam Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, who defeated a stronger-than-usual Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nominee, George C. Butte
George C. Butte
George Charles Butte was a jurist, educator, and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Texas, who was his party's gubernatorial nominee in 1924 against the controversial Democrat Miriam Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, one of the first two women governors in the United States.U.S...
, an American jurist who had opposed James E. Ferguson
James E. Ferguson
James Edward "Pa" Ferguson, Jr. , was a Democratic politician from the state of Texas.- Early life :Ferguson was born to the Reverend James Ferguson, Sr., and Fannie Ferguson near Salado in south Bell County, Texas. He entered Salado College at age twelve but was eventually expelled for...
's line item veto of the 1917 University of Texas appropriations bill. After leaving the governorship, Neff served on the Texas Railroad Commission. Governor Ross Sterling then appointed Ernest O. Thompson
Ernest O. Thompson
Ernest Othmer Thompson was a general in the United States Army during World War I, a mayor of Amarillo, Texas, an attorney, a businessman , and a 32-year member of the Texas Railroad Commission. He was recognized as a world authority on petroleum and natural gas production and conservation...
of Amarillo
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
to succeed Neff when he left the position to become President of Baylor University. Thompson served on the panel for thirty-two years and developed a reputation as an expert on petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
issues.
President of Baylor University
After the death of Samuel Palmer BrooksSamuel Palmer Brooks
Samuel Palmer Brooks was the President of Baylor University from 1902 to 1931.-Biography:Samuel Palmer Brooks was born in Milledgeville, Georgia on December 4, 1863. He graduated with a B.A. from Baylor University in 1893, and from Yale University in 1894. At Baylor, he roomed with later Governor...
, Neff was nominated to replace him as President of Baylor University. He resigned the post of President of the Board of Trustees, a position he had held since it was vacated by B. H. Carroll
Benajah Harvey Carroll
Benajah Harvey Carroll, known as B.H. Carroll , was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher, and author.-Biography:...
in 1907, upon the nomination as President.
Legacy
Pat Neff Elementary School in Houston and Pat Neff Middle School of San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
Northside Independent School District
Northside Independent School District
Northside Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Leon Valley, Texas. It is the largest school district in the San Antonio area and the fourth largest in the State of Texas...
are named for Neff.
Neff died in Waco and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery (Waco, Texas)
Oakwood Cemetery is a cemetery in Waco, Texas, in which three governors of Texas are buried.-History:Founded in 1878, to relieve crowded conditions at Waco's main, First Street Cemetery, the cemetery was built on the site of an abandoned horse racing track....
. His papers, including those from his time as Governor, are housed in the Texas Collection at Baylor University.
Pat Neff hall in Baylor University was dedicated in his honor
External links
- Speeches delivered by Pat M. Neff, Governor of Texas, discussing certain phases of contemplated legislation, hosted by the Portal to Texas History]
- Messages of Pat M. Neff, Governor of Texas to the thirty-seventh legislature, hosted by the Portal to Texas History]
- Baylor University Web Site