Patrick Morris Neff

Born in Coryell County, Neff practiced law in Waco, and served as state representative (1899-1905), county attorney (1906-12), Governor (1920-25), Railroad Commissioner (1929-32), and as president of Baylor University (1932-47).

He also left an important conservation legacy in the state. He successfully lobbied for creation of the Texas State Parks Board (via SB 73, passed in 1923), and named effective advocates, including David Colp, Florence Martin, Phoebe Warner, and Katie Welder for its leadership. During his tenure, the Board accepted numerous parks as gifts, including Buescher, Frio County, Mother Neff, and Washington-on-the-Brazos.

As well, the Governor appointed potent officials, such as A.E. Wood, to the Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission, which undertook a more aggressive stance on collecting revenue and enforcing game and shell-dredging laws. Last, Neff advocated for strengthening the Board of Water Engineers, pressing for proof of water’s beneficial use, and a move from a riparian rights tradition to a prior appropriation system (General Water Rights Act of 1923).