George Washington Baines
George Washington Baines (December 29, 1809 – December 28, 1882) was an American frontier politician, editor, teacher, and Baptist preacher in Texas; he was also president and co-founder of Baylor University.[1]
George Washington Baines | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 29, 1809 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 28, 1882 (aged 72) Texas, U.S. |
| Education | University of Alabama Baylor University |
| Occupation(s) | Baptist preacher, editor, politician |
| Organization(s) | Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Baylor University |
| Known for | Co-founding Baylor University |
| Relatives | Lyndon B. Johnson (great-grandson) |
Background
Baines was born near Raleigh, North Carolina to Thomas Baines and Mary McCoy. Baines was the oldest child and was raised in Georgia and Alabama where he spent most of his childhood.[2] Due to health issues he was forced out of school during his senior year. When he was 20, he went to the University of Alabama and in 1836 he graduated. There, in 1832, he had a conversion experience in Tuscaloosa, Alabama under the T.J. Fisher ministry.[3] He was baptized in Salem Church and in 1834 he became the preacher of the Baptist church of Tuscaloosa. 1836 Grant Creeks Church ordained and later he was in Arkansas for his health treatment in 1837.[4][5]
He baptized more than 100 people in Arkansas where he spent six years before moving to Texas in 1850 together with his family.[6]
Political career
Baines served in the Arkansas House of Representatives representing Carroll County, Arkansas from November 7, 1842 to February 4, 1843.[7][8]
Baptist ministry
He began his career as preacher, after succeeding as preacher; he was the editor of Texas Baptist in 1855 although he was the president of Baylor University in 1851 due to the experience he had in Board of Trustees but his health issue makes him resigned in 1863 which see's him get M.A degree award as honour by Baylor University.[5] He devoted his life as a Christian leader; even with health issues he was the field agent of Baptist State Convention.[3]
He died in December 1882 of malaria a day before he would have celebrated his 74th birthday. At the time he was a pastor at Salado. His son Baines Jr was also ordained as minister in 1874 as fourth generation Baptist minister.[9]
Family
His great-grandson was Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States.[5]
References
- "Freestone County, Texas Biographies". Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- SUMMERLIN, TRAVIS L. (June 12, 2010). "BAINES, GEORGE WASHINGTON, SR". tshaonline.org. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- Early, Joseph Everett (2004). A Texas Baptist History Sourcebook: A Companion to McBeth's Texas Baptists. University of North Texas Press. ISBN 978-1-57441-176-8.
- Boone Co, AR. Turner Publishing Company. 1998. ISBN 978-1-56311-423-6.
- "George Washington Baines". About Baylor | Baylor University. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- "Baines Family Collection, Inclusive: 1807-1912, undated; Bulk: 1855-1882; 1896-1899". legacy.lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- 'Arkansas Biennial Report of the Secretary of State John W. Crockett, Tunnah & Pittard, 1903, Fourth Legislature Held November 7, 1842-February 4, 1843, pg. 123-124
- Texas State Historical Association-George Washington Baines
- Texas State Historical Association-Handbook of Texas-George Washington Baines, Sr.
Further reading
- George Washington Baines, library of University of Baylor, Texas. 1855.
- George Washington Baines, Baylor University, 1809 - 1881. Department of History.
- The Family of Thomas Baines, George Washington Baines Sir, 1890. Bible study, Baptist Church Texas.
- The Personal Correspondence of Sam Houston: 1848-1852 by Sam Houston