Pat Morris Neff

Pat Morris Neff (26 November 1871 – 20 January 1952) was the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925 and 9th President of Baylor University from 1932 to 1947.

Early life

Born on his family ranch in Coryell County 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.

Public Office in Texas

A progressive 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.

President of Baylor University

After the death of Samuel Palmer Brooks, 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.

Legacy

Pat Neff Elementary School in Houston and Pat Neff Middle School of San Antonio 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.

See also

• Wahrenberger House

References

• Dorothy Blodgett, Terrell Blodgett, and David L. Scott, The Land, the Law, and the Lord: The Life of Pat Neff (2007).
• Stanley, Mark. "Booze, boomtowns, and burning crosses: The turbulent governorship of Pat M. Neff of Texas, 1921--1925," M.A. thesis, University of North Texas, 2005, 138 pages; AAT 1430156 in PROQUEST
• Neff (Pat Morris) Collection, The Texas Collection, Baylor University

External links

• Pat Morris Neff from the Handbook of Texas Online
• 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