Pat Morris Neff | |
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28th Governor of Texas | |
In office January 18, 1921 – January 20, 1925 |
|
Lieutenant | Lynch Davidson Thomas Whitfield Davidson |
Preceded by | William P. Hobby |
Succeeded by | Miriam A. Ferguson |
Texas Railroad Commissioner | |
In office 1929–1932 |
|
Succeeded by | Ernest O. Thompson |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 68th District | |
In office 1903–1905 |
|
Preceded by | John Hemphill |
Succeeded by | George W. Barcus |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 66th District | |
In office 1899–1903 |
|
Preceded by | James Sluder |
Succeeded by | Edward English |
Personal details | |
Born | November 26, 1871 McGregor, Texas, USA |
Died | January 20, 1952 Waco, Texas |
(aged 80)
Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Myrtle Mainer Neff |
Children | Hallie Maude Neff Wilcox |
Alma mater | University of Texas Law School |
Profession | College president |
Pat Morris Neff (November 26, 1871 – January 20, 1952) was the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925 and ninth President of Baylor University from 1932 to 1947.
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 School of Law in Austin. There, he developed a close friendship with future U.S. Senators Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard of Texas. On May 31, 1899, he married his Baylor classmate Myrtle Mainer in her hometown of Lovelady. 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, Neff was for six years the assistant county attorney and county attorney for McLennan County. In 1901, Pat and Myrtle Neff had a daughter whom they named Hallie Maude.