William P. Hobby
William Pettus Hobby (March 26, 1878 – June 7, 1964) was an American politician, journalist, and publisher. He was the publisher/owner of the Beaumont Enterprise when he entered politics and the Democratic Party. Elected in 1914 as Lieutenant Governor of Texas, in 1917 he succeeded to become 27th Governor of the U.S. state of Texas, after James Edward "Pa" Ferguson was impeached and forced to resign. In 1918, Hobby won the office in his own right, serving a full term.
For his son, the longtime Texas lieutenant governor, see William P. Hobby Jr.
William P. Hobby
In 1924, Hobby lost the Democratic primary to Miriam A. Ferguson, wife of "Pa" Ferguson and she was elected to the governorship. Hobby returned to publishing, and in 1924 was chosen as president of the Houston Post. He later served as chairman of the board of the Houston Post Company, which had also acquired radio and TV stations.
Early life[edit]
Born in 1878 in Moscow, Texas, Hobby attended local public schools.
He started working at the age of 17 as a circulation clerk for the Houston Post in 1895. Several years later, he was promoted to business writer in August 1901. In 1907, he left the Post to become manager and part owner of the Beaumont Enterprise. He acquired the entire paper shortly thereafter.
Publisher[edit]
After leaving the governorship, Hobby returned to the Beaumont Enterprise. In 1924, he was invited to become the president of the Houston Post. In August 1955, Hobby became chairman of the board of the Houston Post Company. By then, the company also owned the radio station, KPRC, and the television station, KPRC-TV. His wife, Oveta Culp Hobby (see below), served as president and editor.
Personal and civic life[edit]
In 1931, Hobby married Oveta Culp. She later was appointed as the first Secretary of the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare (its name was changed after a later reorganization).
Hobby served as a member on the Board of Directors of Texas Technological College.[2]
Family[edit]
His son William P. Hobby Jr. also served as lieutenant governor of Texas from 1973 to 1991. His daughter, Jessica, was married to Henry E. Catto Jr., who became the Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St James's. His grandson, Paul Hobby, narrowly lost the election for comptroller of Texas in the 1998 general election. Republican Carole Keeton Strayhorn won that election.
Several public facilities were named for him:
