WEST REGION

Oh dear Pat Neff,
How great your are!
And forever you will be
Oh dear Pat Neff,
How great you are!
You were our 14^th governor

       Pat Morris Neff was born on November 26, 1871 in Coryell County. His mother’s name was Isabella Sheperd. His father’s name was Noah Sheperd. His mother would later donate land which would become the first state park in Texas. He married Myrtie Mainer in 1899 and had a son and a daughter. Mrs. Neff died on July 19, 1953.

       Pat worked on his father’s farm and attended county school when allowed. He went to McGregor High School. He received an A.B. degree at Baylor University at Waco in 1894. He worked on religious and educational projects, civics, and studied law in Waco from 1912 through 1919.    

       Pat served on the Texas House of Representatives from 1899 to 1905. He was the McLennan County representative. He became the county attorney in 1906. During the time Pat Neff was a lawyer; he tried 422 cases and lost only 16. He became the governor of Texas in 1921. On his first day in office, he abolished the Board of Pardon Advisors. He lowered taxes and helped develop medical facilities. Pat also improved education by putting more schools in rural places. He completed his second term as governor in 1925. When Robert E. Vinson resigned, Neff was considered for the University in Texas presidency in 1923. He was a Railroad Commission in 1929 through 1932.

       He was president of Baylor University from 1932 to 1947 during his later years. In 1947 he resigned in his 60’s to be president emeritus. Pat died on January 20, 1952 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Pat Neff Elementary in Houston, Texas is named after Pat Morris Neff.