Pat Morris Neff

Pat Morris Neff
28th Governor of Texas
In office January 18, 1921 – January 20, 1925
Lieutenant	Lynch Davidson (1921-1923) Thomas Whitfield Davidson (1923-1925)
Preceded by	William P. Hobby
Succeeded by	Miriam A. Ferguson
Personal details
Born	November 26, 1871 Waco, Texas
Died	January 20, 1952 (aged 80) Waco, Texas
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Baylor University University of Texas at Austin
Profession	Attorney College president

Pat Morris Neff (26 November 1871 – 20 January 1952) was the 28th Governor of Texas from 1921 to 1925. He had previously served in the Texas House of Representatives, including a term as Speaker. He received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in Waco and 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.

A progressive Democrat, 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. He resigned the post in 1932 to accept the presidency of Baylor University. Governor Ross Sterling then appointed Ernest O. Thompson of Amarillo to succeed Neff. Thompson served on the panel for thirty-two years and developed a reputation as an expert on petroleum issues.

Neff's mother would later donate land which would become the first state park in Texas, Mother Neff State Park.

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.

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

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