Hosea Garrett

Hosea Garrett (November 26, 1800 – September 4, 1888) was an American clergyman, philanthropist, and university administrator. He is primarily known as one of the founders of Baylor University, where he was elected the first president pro tem of the university. He served as a member of the board of trustees for 42 years and president of the board of trustees for 35 years, as well as president of the Baptist State Convention of Texas, and vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Hosea Garrett
Born(1800-11-26)November 26, 1800
Gray Court, Laurens County, South Carolina
DiedSeptember 4, 1888(1888-09-04) (aged 87)
Brenham, Washington County, Texas
SpouseMary "Polly" Garrett
Children5
Parents
  • John Garrett
  • Sarah Mauldin
ReligionSouthern Baptist Convention
OrdainedApril 26, 1835
Offices held
Title

Early life

Hosea Garrett was born on November 26, 1800, in Gray Court, Laurens County, South Carolina. He was the son of John and Sarah (née Mauldin) Garrett. He was married three times. He married his first wife, Mary "Polly" Garrett on November 14, 1819, at the Warrior Creek Baptist Church in Gray Court. They had five children, including three daughters and two sons. She died on November 14, 1861, in Chappell Hill, Texas, from breast cancer. On September 9, 1862, he married Nancy Banks, widow of General Thomas D. Wooldridge. She died on October 17, 1879, in Chappell Hill. On May 20, 1880, Garrett married Mary Herzog. This marriage lasted until his death on September 4, 1888, following injuries incurred when he was thrown by a horse. He is buried in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham, Washington County, Texas.[1]

Ministry background

Garrett was raised in a religious home practicing the Baptist faith.[2] While he was not formally educated, he taught himself to read. He was ordained as a Baptist preacher in 1834 at Warrior Creek Baptist Church in Gray Court and became pastor of the local church two years later.[3][4]

Baptist State Convention

In 1842, he moved with his family to Texas, where he lived in the Austin area alongside the Colorado River. He worked as both a farmer and Baptist preacher in Chappell Hill for 46 years.[5] During this time, he pastored the Providence Baptist Church and established several Baptist congregations throughout Texas and became prominent in the leadership of the denominational activities. In 1857, he was appointed as the vice president of the Baptist State Convention of Texas.[6] Three years later, he was named as the president of the organization.[3][7]

Baylor University

On May 15, 1845, Hosea Garrett was elected as the initial President Pro Tempore of Baylor University at the board's first organizational meeting in Independence, Texas.[2][8] On May 1, 1847, after Henry Lee Graves was officially installed as the university's first president, Garrett was named as a member of the board of trustees. A year later, in June 1848, he was selected as president of the board of trustees, after the death of the previous president, William Tryon, who had died due to yellow fever. He served in this capacity until February 1868, when he left due to health problems. After returning to the university in June 1870, he was again installed as president of the board, holding this role until 1886, when Baylor University moved to Waco.[9]

As of 2013, Hosea Garrett has held the title of chairman of the board of trustees longer than anyone in the history of the school.[10] Baylor cofounder Rufus Burleson called him "a monument of what uneducated, strong common sense, incorrigible honesty and humble piety can attain",[11] while the United States Department of Education has stated of Garrett that "no man ever contributed more of his time, his money, and his wisdom to the success of Baylor University."[12]

References
  1. (September 7, 1888). "Rev Hosea Garrett Obituary, Dallas Morning News, page 2.
  2. Chicoine, Stephen (2005). The Confederates of Chappell Hill, Texas: Prosperity, Civil War and Decline, McFarland Publishers, page 119. ISBN 978-0786483228
  3. Cathcart, William (1881). The Baptist Encyclopaedia, L.H. Everts, page 437.
  4. Allen, Ira Mason (1836). The Triennial Baptist Register, Harvard University, page 188.
  5. Riley, Benjamin Franklin (1907). History of the Baptists of Texas, University of Wisconsin, page 316.
  6. Riley, Benjamin Franklin (1907). History of the Baptists of Texas, University of Wisconsin, page 138.
  7. Riley, Benjamin Franklin (1907). History of the Baptists of Texas, University of Wisconsin, page 150.
  8. "Collection: Hosea Garrett, Jr. Civil war letters | Kenan Research Center Finding Aids".
  9. Daniell, Lewis E. (1892). Personnel of the Texas state government, Maverick Print House, page 95.
  10. Carroll, James Milton (1923). A History of Texas Baptists: Comprising a Detailed Account of Their Activities, their Progress and Their Achievements, Baptist Standard Publishing Company, pp 102–105.
  11. Burleson, Rufus Columbus; and Henry Haynes (1901). The Life and Writings of Rufus C. Burleson, Harvard University, pp 700–703.
  12. US Department of Education (1903). Circulars of Information, Volume 28, Issues 1-3, U.S. Government Printing Office, page 70.
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