Moscow in Polk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Texas Statesman William Pettus Hobby
(1878-1964)
Texas voters elected William P. Hobby Lieutenant Governor in 1914 and 1916. He became Governor with the impeachment of James E. Ferguson in 1917. In 1918, Hobby was elected to his own full term (1919-1921). In 1924, he served on the first board of regents of Texas Technological College (Texas Tech). Hobby was also president of the Houston Post from 1924 until his death in 1964.
In 1931, Hobby married Oveta Culp, parliamentarian of the Texas House and daughter of Elizabeth (Hoover) and former state representative Ike W. Culp. For the next quarter century, William and Oveta shared editorial administration of the Post, except four years during four years during World War II when Oveta served as commander of the Women's Army Corps of the United States military forces, and from 1953 to 1955, when she served in the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower as the first Secretary of the Housing, Education and Welfare Department. William and Oveta had two children: William Pettus, Jr. and Jessica.
Hobby's highlights as Governor included initiation of a free schoolbook program, compulsory school attendance law, state government budget system and state drought relief. His leadership was vital to Texas' participation in World War I and the effecting of woman's suffrage in the state and nation.
Erected 1964 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10397.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • War, World I • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 30° 55.171′ N, 94° 49.558′ W. Marker is in Moscow, Texas, in Polk County. Marker is on U.S. 59 south of Farm to Market Road 350, on the right when traveling south. In Hobby Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moscow TX 75960, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Moscow (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Moscow Male and Female Academy (approx. 0.2 miles away); E.C. Matthews Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Wesley Hardin (1853-1895) (approx. 4 miles away); Town of Corrigan (approx. 5˝ miles away); Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 11.1 miles away); Whitehead Home (approx. 11.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moscow.
Also see . . .
1. William P. Hobby - Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 9, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. Oveta Culp Hobby. (Submitted on September 9, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 880 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.