Pat Morris Neff (November 26, 1871 – January 20, 1952) was an American politician, educator and administrator, and the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925, ninth President of Baylor University from 1932 to 1947, and twenty-fifth president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1944 to 1946. He served as Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 1946.
He worked for the next two years teaching at Southwestern Academy in Magnolia, Arkansas, to earn money to go to law school. Among his students was Harvey C. Couch, who would later become a successful entrepreneur in Arkansas.
Upon returning to Texas, Neff studied and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin. There, he developed a close friendship with Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard of Texas, who both became politicians and were later elected as U.S. senators from the state.
After receiving his law degree and passing the bar, on May 31, 1899, Neff married Baylor classmate Myrtle Mainer in her hometown of Lovelady. In 1901, they had a daughter, whom they named Hallie Maude. They also had a son, Pat M. Neff, Jr.
Public office in Texas
Neff joined the Democratic Party and entered politics, being elected in 1898 to the Texas House of Representatives, and serving from 1899 to 1905. He was elected to one term as Speaker. After returning to his law practice in Waco, Neff served for six years as the assistant county attorney and then as county attorney for McLennan County.
Considered a progressiveDemocrat, Neff defeated former U.S. Senator Joseph Weldon Bailey, a former populist, in the party primary for governor in 1920. This defeat effectively ended Bailey's political career. Neff handily won the general election and started his term in 1921.
Neff was a strong supporter of prohibition. He was instrumental in the development of the Texas State Parks Board. Neff and his mother, Isabella Neff, donated the land which would become the first state park in Texas. It was named 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 reelected in 1922 but did not seek a third term in 1924. At the time, it was "understood" that no governor should run for a third term, although Texas did not have official term limits for the office.
In 1924 Miriam Wallace "Ma" Ferguson, wife of controversial former Governor James E. Ferguson, won the general election. The Republicannominee, George C. Butte, an American jurist who had opposed James Ferguson's line item veto of the 1917 University of Texas appropriations bill, had a stronger than usual showing. Many voters crossed party lines to vote for him, as they were unhappy with the corruption associated with "Pa" Ferguson.
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 that he had held since it was vacated by B. H. Carroll in 1907, upon the nomination as President. In 1947, Neff was asked to stay on as the President by the staff at Baylor University.
Pat Neff Hall at Baylor UniversityIllustration of Neff and handwritten signature from 1933 Baylor University "Roundup" yearbook
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
morris, neff, november, 1871, january, 1952, american, politician, educator, administrator, 28th, governor, texas, from, 1921, 1925, ninth, president, baylor, university, from, 1932, 1947, twenty, fifth, president, southern, baptist, convention, from, 1944, 19. Pat Morris Neff November 26 1871 January 20 1952 was an American politician educator and administrator and the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925 ninth President of Baylor University from 1932 to 1947 and twenty fifth president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1944 to 1946 He served as Grand Master of Masons in Texas in 1946 Pat Morris Neff28th Governor of TexasIn office January 18 1921 January 20 1925LieutenantLynch DavidsonThomas Whitfield DavidsonPreceded byWilliam P HobbySucceeded byMiriam A FergusonTexas Railroad CommissionerIn office 1929 1932Succeeded byErnest O ThompsonMember of the Texas House of Representatives from the 68th DistrictIn office January 13 1903 January 10 1905Preceded byJohn HemphillSucceeded byGeorge W BarcusMember of the Texas House of Representatives from the 66th DistrictIn office January 10 1899 January 13 1903Preceded byJames SluderSucceeded byEdward EnglishPersonal detailsBorn 1871 11 26 November 26 1871Coryell County Texas U S DiedJanuary 20 1952 1952 01 20 aged 80 Waco Texas U S Resting placeOakwood CemeteryPolitical partyDemocraticSpouseMyrtle Mainer NeffChildrenHallie Maude Neff Wilcox Pat M Neff Jr Alma materBaylor UniversityUniversity of Texas Law SchoolProfessionAttorneyCollege president Contents 1 Early life 2 Public office in Texas 3 President of Baylor University 4 President of the Southern Baptist Convention 5 Legacy 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditBorn on his family ranch near the Eagle Springs community in Coryell County Texas to Isabella Neff and her husband Noah Pat Neff grew up on the Texas frontier and attended local schools He graduated from McGregor High School He received his bachelor s degree from Baylor University in Waco He worked for the next two years teaching at Southwestern Academy in Magnolia Arkansas to earn money to go to law school Among his students was Harvey C Couch who would later become a successful entrepreneur in Arkansas Upon returning to Texas Neff studied and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in Austin There he developed a close friendship with Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard of Texas who both became politicians and were later elected as U S senators from the state After receiving his law degree and passing the bar on May 31 1899 Neff married Baylor classmate Myrtle Mainer in her hometown of Lovelady In 1901 they had a daughter whom they named Hallie Maude They also had a son Pat M Neff Jr Public office in Texas EditNeff joined the Democratic Party and entered politics being elected in 1898 to the Texas House of Representatives and serving from 1899 to 1905 He was elected to one term as Speaker After returning to his law practice in Waco Neff served for six years as the assistant county attorney and then as county attorney for McLennan County Considered a progressive Democrat Neff defeated former U S Senator Joseph Weldon Bailey a former populist in the party primary for governor in 1920 This defeat effectively ended Bailey s political career Neff handily won the general election and started his term in 1921 Neff was a strong supporter of prohibition He was instrumental in the development of the Texas State Parks Board Neff and his mother Isabella Neff donated the land which would become the first state park in Texas It was named 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 reelected in 1922 but did not seek a third term in 1924 At the time it was understood that no governor should run for a third term although Texas did not have official term limits for the office In 1924 Miriam Wallace Ma Ferguson wife of controversial former Governor James E Ferguson won the general election The Republican nominee George C Butte an American jurist who had opposed James Ferguson s line item veto of the 1917 University of Texas appropriations bill had a stronger than usual showing Many voters crossed party lines to vote for him as they were unhappy with the corruption associated with Pa Ferguson President of Baylor University EditAfter 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 that he had held since it was vacated by B H Carroll in 1907 upon the nomination as President In 1947 Neff was asked to stay on as the President by the staff at Baylor University Pat Neff Hall at Baylor University Illustration of Neff and handwritten signature from 1933 Baylor University Roundup yearbookPresident of the Southern Baptist Convention EditNeff was president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1944 to 1946 Legacy EditPat Neff Elementary School in Houston and Pat Neff Middle School of San Antonio Northside Independent School District are named for Neff as is Pat Neff Hall at Baylor Neff died in Waco and is interred there at Oakwood Cemetery His papers including those from his time as governor are housed in The Texas Collection at Baylor University See also EditList of Southern Baptist Convention affiliated people Southern Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Convention Presidents Wahrenberger HouseReferences EditDorothy 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 UniversityExternal links EditPat 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 1933 Baylor University Roundup via the Baylor University Libraries Digital CollectionsParty political officesPreceded byWilliam P Hobby Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas1920 1922 Succeeded byMiriam A FergusonPreceded byW W Hamilton President of the Southern Baptist Convention1944 1946 Succeeded byLouie D NewtonTexas House of RepresentativesPreceded byJames Sluder Member of the Texas House of Representativesfrom District 66 Waco 1899 1903 Succeeded byEdward EnglishPreceded byJohn Hemphill Member of the Texas House of Representativesfrom District 68 Waco 1903 1905 Succeeded byGeorge W BarcusPolitical officesPreceded byRobert E Prince Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives1903 1905 Succeeded byFrancis William SeaburyPreceded byWilliam P Hobby Governor of TexasJanuary 18 1921 January 20 1925 Succeeded byMiriam A FergusonPreceded byMissing Texas Railroad Commissioner1929 1932 Succeeded byErnest O Thompson 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