Leslie Waggener, Sr

Biography

Leslie Waggener, PhD was born on September 11, 1841 in Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky, USA. His parents were Stokeley Towles Waggener and Elizabeth T. Waggener. He was a Professor of English language, history, and literature; University of Texas, Austin.

Leslie married Dr. Frances L. Pendleton, PhD on June 27, 1867, in KY. Together they had the following children:
Elizabeth Lizzie Fontaine;
Leslie Waggener, Jr.;
Ellen Woolridge Lancaster (Waggener).

He died on August 19, 1896 in Manitou Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, USA and was buried after August 19, 1896 in Maple Grove Cemetery, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, USA.

---

---

President of the University of Texas 1883-1895 his death

From the university’s founding in 1883 until 1895, the chairman of the faculty acted as the university’s chief executive officer. When legislative opponents of having a university president relented in 1895, Waggener was appointed the first president, although it was on an interim basis. He was already in failing health.

Waggener joined the university as a professor of English and history in its first faculty. He was a great influence on the growth of the university, which had plenty of lands but not much money. His tenure was hampered by the fact that he was only appointed as an interim president, which gave him responsibility but little authority.

---

When the first University of Texas facility opened in 1883-

When the University of Texas opened in September 1883, the faculty was composed of the eight men pictured here (left to right): John William Mallet, professor of physics and chemistry, Leslie Waggener, PhD, professor of English language, history, and literature; Robert L. Dabney, professor of mental and moral philosophy and political science; Robert S. Gould, professor of law; Oran M. Roberts, professor of law; Henri Tallichet, professor of modern languages; Milton Humphreys, professor of ancient languages; and William LeRoy Broun, professor of mathematics. Following the University of Virginia model, the faculty elected one of their colleagues, Professor Mallet, to serve as Chairman of the Faculty; the office of University President was not created until 1895. There were only two departments established, Academic and Law. Photo Courtesy of Dolph Briscoe Center for American History[https://web2.ph.utexas.edu/utphysicshistory/MainBldgPeriod.html]

---

The WaggenerHallHistoric Waggener Hall, named for the University's first President, Leslie Waggener, houses the Classics Department at the University of Texas as well as several of its research units. The front entrance of the building was constructed in 1931 as a part of the original cluster designed by Paul Cret[https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/classics/about/Waggener-Hall.php]

---

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 17 2019, 22:48:29 UTC
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Oct 17 2019, 23:31:16 UTC

  ---

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Sep 26 2020, 6:33:27 UTC

Here are my notes for Leslie, from his entry in my family tree file- Rick Waggener:

From The University of Texas Information Service:

LESLIE WAGGENER

Leslie Waggener, son of S. T. and Elizabeth (Ross) Waggener, was born in Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky, on September 11, 1841.

He graduated from Bethel College of Russellville, Kentucky, in 1860. He then attended Harvard University. As the Civil War began, the young men from the South were sent home by this educational institution.

Serving as a private in the Confederate Army, he was seriously wounded in the Battle of Shiloh. His life was saved by a faithful body servant. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded again. Upon returning to his home from the War, he found that his graduation diploma had been sent to him by Harvard University.

On June 27, 1867, Leslie Waggener married Fannie Pendleton, Seven children were born of this union-five daughters and two sons.

After the War, Leslie Waggener began teaching in the Preparatory Department of Bethel College. In time, he became the principal of that department. In 1870 he became Professor of English in Bethel College. Three years later he became the Chairman of the Faculty. In 1875 he become the President of that institution. Georgetown College of Kentucky conferred its LL.D. degree upon him in that year.

His success had attracted the attention of Ashbel Smith and others who were selecting the, first faculty for the newly-formed The University of Texas. Dr. Waggener served on this first faculty as a Professor of English and History. In the year 1888 this department was subdivided. He remained as the head of the Department of English.

For the first twelve years The University of Texas had no President. Its chief administrative officer during that interval was the Chairman of the Faculty. Three men served in that capacity-Professor J. W. Mallet, 1883-1884-, Professor Leslie Waggener, 1884-1894-, professor Thomas S. Miller, 1894-1895. Many difficulties were encountered in these early years. Combined with a paucity of operating funds were the hostility of existing church schools and the indifference of the people toward higher education. Even in the years during which it was difficult to make progress due to the shortness of his tenure, Dr. Waggener exerted a powerful influence, for good on the young University. He frequently assumed responsibility without being given commensurate authority. The position of President of the University of Texas was finally created in 1895. Dr. Waggener was selected as the first President. His health had begun to fail even though he was only fifty-four years of age. The initial appointment was, therefore, made on an ad interim basis.

He served as President for the year 1895-1896. He died in Manitou Springs, Colorado, on August 19, 1896. He was interred in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

Leslie, Waggener took part in the famous Hundred Days March from Dalton to Atlanta, Georgia in 1864. He served as adjutant of his regiment in the Confederate Army, and as assistant adjutant of his brigades.

Dr. Waggener's early service- at The University of Texas was characterized by high hopes, but little, actual financial support.

In 1895 Leslie Waggener served as President of the Texas State Teachers Association.

Leslie Waggener's good influence upon the University was not terminated by his death. Two of his children proved to be benefactors of this institution. Lila Belle (Waggener) Etter, his third daughter, left a bequest to The University of Texas of significant proportions. It was used in part to construct an the campus a home for the Ex-Students' Association. His son, Leslie Jr., served for ten years as a member of the University Board of Regents. At the time of his resignation from that body in 1941, he was serving as its Chairman.

In 1936 a new building was dedicated on the University campus. It was named Waggener Hall to honor the memory of the first president of the University of Texas.

Leslie Waggener never diminished his efforts even though he served The University of Texas in its infancy and could not hope to receive recognition commensurate with the noble service which he rendered. He was wise enough to realize that the institution would, in time, benefit, very greatly from the unselfish manner in which he gave of himself.

=================

From © The Texas State Historical Association, 1997,1998.:

WAGGENER, LESLIE (1841-1896). Leslie Waggener, Confederate soldier, professor of English, and university president, was born in Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky, on September 11, 1841, the son of S. T. and Elizabeth (Ross) Waggener. He graduated from Bethel College, Russellville, Kentucky, in 1860 and from Harvard University in 1861.

While serving as a private in the Confederate Army he was badly wounded at Shiloh but was saved by his faithful servant, promoted to lieutenant, and again wounded at Chickamauga; he again recovered and took part in the famous Hundred Days' March from Dalton to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. At one time he served as adjutant of his regiment and later as assistant adjutant of his brigade.

After the war Waggener became principal of the preparatory department of Bethel College, professor of English in the same college in 1870, chairman of the faculty in 1873, and president in 1876. His success was so conspicuous that he was elected professor of English and history in the first faculty of the University of Texas. In this capacity he served from 1883 until 1888, when he was relieved of teaching history. From 1884 until 1894 he was also, by annual faculty election, chairman of the faculty. When the office of president was established, he was elected president ad interim and served for the school year 1895-96.

Waggener was a great influence in the development of the University of Texas. The university had two million acres of land and great hopes, but very little actual money. Against all the difficulties of the first years-lack of operating funds, hostilities of church colleges, and wide-spread indifference-the chairman of the faculty was the natural leader, but he was hampered by the fact that his office was annual and, though it conferred responsibility, did not carry authority. Waggener's courage and high standards sustained the university through a difficult period and prepared the way for later development.

He married Fannie Pendleton on June 27, 1867; they had seven children. In 1875 Waggener was made LL.D. by Georgetown College, Kentucky, and in 1895 he was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association. He was a Mason and a Baptist. He died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, on August 19, 1896, and was buried in Austin. Waggener Hall on the University of Texas campus was named in his honor in October 1932.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Austin Daily Statesman, October 25, 1896. Daily Texan, April 15, 1932. Lewis E. Daniell, Personnel of the Texas State Government, with Sketches of Representative Men of Texas (Austin: City Printing, 1887; 3d ed., San Antonio: Maverick, 1892). Carl John Eckhardt, One Hundred Faithful to the University of Texas at Austin (197-?). Vertical Files, Barker Texas History Center, University of Texas at Austin.

=======================

From the 1850 Federal Census of District #1, Todd County, Kentucky, page 236, taken August 24, 1850, household #293; from ancestry.com, image 83 of 100. Leslie is listed in the household of his parents:

Leslie

---

; age- 8, male, born- Kentucky

=======================

From the 1860 Federal Census of Russellville District No. 2, Logan County, Kentucky, page 621, Post Office- Russellville, household #820, taken July 21, 1860; from ancestry.com, image 285 of 326. Leslie is listed in the household of his parents:

Leslie Waggener; age- 18, male, born- Kentucky, in school

=======================

In 1989, Martha Boyden Alt put together a group of documents that pertain to Leslie during the 1860's. They are basically broken into three parts. The first part is a series of letters from 1860-1861, while Leslie attended classes at Harvard College. Eleven were written by Leslie to his mother, two were written by Leslie to his father, one was written by Leslie to his sister Annie, and one was written by the President of Harvard, C. C. Felton, to Leslie's mother. Leslie had apparently graduated from Bethel College in 1860. Before his 19th birthday, he traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts in August of 1860 and enrolled in Harvard College. The letters document many of his impressions of the area and times, as well as some of the mundane business of living and going to school. He talks about the differences between the Boston area and Kentucky. The nation was on the verge of the Civil War and he was living in the middle of the North. He talks about the military preparations that were going on, as well as the growing fervor against the South. As April of 1861 turned in May, his safety became a significant concern. Although he apparently had support from the school administration and most of his fellow students, the issue of whether he should leave school early, was an almost a daily concern. He apparently stayed until mid-June, which must have been pretty close to the end of school year. Reportedly some time after the Civil War ended, Harvard conferred a Masters of Arts Degree on him for the year he attended.

The second part of the documents is an account of Leslie's war experience, as later written down by his son, Leslie Waggener, Jr. Leslie returned to Russellville, Kentucky in June of 1861, and on September 22, 1861, he joined Company A of the 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment of the Confederate Army as a Private. Most of the account pertains to his experience of being wounded during the Battle of Shiloh or Pittsburgh Landing, and his subsequent recovery. Apparently his father was able to send a male slave named Albert, to live and look after him. Apparently another of his father's slaves, known as "Uncle Tom," had taken a team of horses to help the army, and was unable to get back to Russellville, but was able to join Leslie and Albert. Leslie apparently was part of the initial Confederate attack at Shiloh on the morning of April 6, 1862. He talked about how they attacked before many of the Union troops were even up, and at least initially they seemed to have caught them by surprise. Leslie reported that he was advancing with his regiment about 9:30-10:00 AM, when he was shot in the right breast, the ball going clear through him. Apparently his regiment had to retreat for a few hundred yards, and Leslie lay on the battle field between the two lines, still conscious. He spoke of hearing the bullets hitting all around him, and hearing the groans and shrieks of other wounded. Eventually he passed out and he was later found by Tom and Albert, who brought him to a field hospital and begged a doctor to give him some help. Tom and Albert stayed with him as he was taken to Corinth, Mississippi, where he stayed for a month; and then in the home of some kind of family friend in Mississippi, where he stayed another month. Reportedly he was visited there by Capt. Jasper A. Waggener, his half-brother. He was later taken back to Russellville to finish recovering. By that time that area was controlled by the Union Army, and Leslie reportedly barely escaped being captured when a neighbor reported him to the the Union Soldiers. He was able to get back to his unit, and subsequently served the rest of the war. Leslie's family was convinced that Leslie would not have survived the experience, had it not been for the loyal service of Tom. After the war Tom was given a home on the farm of Leslie's parents, where he spent he rest of his life. I found Tom listed there on the 1880 census record.

The last part of the documents are letters from 1863-1864. There are five letters from Leslie to his mother, two letters from his mother to him, and one letter from his mother trying to learn if Leslie had survived the Battle of Chickamauga. Leslie was apparently wounded again at the Battle of Chickamauga, but not very seriously. At one point he was apparently a Lieutenant in Company A of the 9th Kentucky Regiment, and at another point he says he is serving as an Ordinance Officer for General Lewis. In a letter from March of 1863, he was near Manchester, Tennessee, and in August of 1864, he was apparently near to Dalton, Georgia. It was clear that it was not easy to get mail back and forth, and it appears that most of the letters were from when Leslie was encamped somewhere. In a letter from October of 1863, it was mentioned that Jasper was a prisoner-of-war at Johnson's Island. Much of the letters concern news about various friends and family members. Much of the news of friends and acquaintances in the army was not good.

Rick Waggener

=================

From Ancestry.com. Kentucky Civil War Confederate Volunteers [database online]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: Adjutant General's Office. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky. Confederate Kentucky Volunteers. War 1861-1865. Frankfort, KY: State Journal Company Printers, 1915:

Listed in the Adjutant General's Report of the State of Kentucky, Confederate Kentucky Volunteers War 1861-65, Infantry Regiments, Ninth Regiment Infantry, Kentucky, page on 416, line 157:

• ***** "Waggoner, Leslie" is listed as enrolling as a Private on September 22, 1861, in Russellville, Kentucky.

(Leslie's cousin, St. Clair Walker, is listed in this same report on line 160. St. Clair also enlisted as a Private on the same date in Russelville, Kentucky. St. Clair Walker also fought in the Battle of Shiloh, and was killed there on April 6, 1862. RW)

=================

From United States National Archives. Civil War Compiled Military Service Records [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1999-:

Name: Waggener, Leslie
Company: A Unit: 9 Kentucky Mounted Infantry Rank- Induction: Private Rank- Discharge: 2 Lieutenant Allegiance: Confederate

=====================

From the 1870 Federal Census of Russellville Corporation, Logan County, Kentucky, page 502, Post Office Russellville, taken August 20, 1870, household 46; from ancestry.com, image 489 of 530:

Wagoner, Leslie; age- 28, male, occupation- Teaches in College, real estate- $5,000, personal property- $1,000, born- Kentucky

---

Frances; age- 27, female, occupation- Keeping house, born- Kentucky

---

Catherine; age- 2, female, born- Kentucky

---

Elizabeth; age- 1/12, female, born- Kentucky William, James; age- 40, male, occupation- Day Laborer, born- Kentucky, can't r/w

---

Julia; age- 25, female, occupation- Cook, born- Kentucky

=====================

From a series of transcribed family letters, sent to me by Judy Senter, there is a letter sent by Leslie's half-sister, Olive Kay (Waggener) Waller, to her cousin in Illinois. Olive is apparently in either Tennessee or Kentucky, not far from Trenton, and the date is August 29, 1877. She writes about news of a number of family members who she apparently keeps in touch with, including Leslie. She writes:

"...Leslie is a very worthy man, he has been made President of Bethel College and has an enviable reputation as a teacher..."

=====================

From the 1880 Federal Census of the Town of Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, district 164, page 48/ 451B, taken June 4, 1880, household 573; from ancestry.com, image 42 of 45:

Waggener, Lesly; male, age- 38, head of household, married, occupation- President Bethal College, born- Kentucky, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee

---

Fanie P.; female, age- 35, wife, married, born- Kentucky, father born- Virginia, mother born- Kentucky

---

Katie; female, age- 12, daughter, in school, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky

---

Lizie; female, age- 10, daughter, in school, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky

---

Lela B.; female, age- 8, daughter, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky

---

Lesly; male, age- 3, son, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky

---

Fanie; female, age- 1, daughter, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky Lang, Elvira; black, female, age- 50, servant, widowed, occupation- servant, born- Kentucky, parents born- Kentucky

=========================

From Ancestry.com. Austin, Texas Directory, 1887-1892. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original data: Austin, Texas Directory, 1887-88. Austin, TX: Morrison and Fourmy, 1888. Austin Texas Directory, 1889-1890. Austin, TX: Morrison and Fourmy, 1890. Austin Texas Directory, 1891-1892. Austin, TX: Morrison and Fourmy, 1892.:

Name: Leslie Waggener
City: Austin State: TX Occupation: chairman of the faculty, and professor of English language, history and literature Year: 1887, 1888 Business Name: University of Texas Location 2: r. 2211 Nueces

---

Name: Leslie Waggener City: Austin State: TX Occupation: chairman of the faculty and professor of English language, history and literature Year: 1889, 1890 Business Name: University of Texas Location 2: r. 1807 Lavaca

---

Name: Leslie Waggener City: Austin State: TX Occupation: chairman of the faculty and professor of rhetoric and English literature Year: 1891, 1892 Business Name: University of Texas Location 2: r. 2204 San Antonio

===================

From a document reportedly written on the Garnett and Waggener families by Lottie B. Halberstadt, in March of 1939. I had earlier information that this document was written by Mary Lucetta Waggener, first cousin to Lottie, and who I think may have worked with Lottie:

"...Leslie Waggener was for many years connected with the University of Texas, as teacher, Chairman of the Faculty, and President. I am indebted to his son, Leslie Junior of Dallas, for much of my data.

A booklet containing the addresses delivered at the dedication of Waggener Hall, named in his memory at the University of Texas, bespeaks his worth and the high esteem in which he was held...."
(Some of these addresses are mentioned below.)

=================

Becky Taylor sent me a copy of a newspaper story from the Dallas Morning News, dated April 16, 1932:

Waggener Hall Is Dedicated at University Fete
Round-Up Starts With Many Graduates Visiting Alma Mater

Austin, Texas, April 15- Old grads flocked here Friday to enjoy the round-up festivities and to ingest the big building programs under was at the University of Texas. The new buildings on the campus also came in for much attention. The day was the opening of the 1932 round-up.

All fraternities and other campus organizations held dinners, smokers and receptions in the early evening, followed at night by a revue and round-up ball at which the various members of Texas educational institutions were present.

In the afternoon the exes rooted long for the Longhorns as they faced their traditional enemy, Baylor, on the diamond battling for baseball honors. Baylor won 6 to 2.

Waggener Hall Dedicated

The main event of the day was the dedication of Waggener Hall, built in memory of Dr. Leslie Waggener, first professor of English at the university, chairman of the faculty for ten consecutive years and who acted as president from the time that office was created in 1895 until a permanent official could be selected. Dr. Waggener's son, Leslie Waggener II, attended the university as an undergraduate and obtained his bachelor of law degree in 1898. A grandson of the first president, Nelson Waggener, son of Leslie Waggener, II, now is enrolled as a student, and his father Leslie Waggener was selected as a member of the board of regents last year. He now lives in Dallas.

The dedication address was made by Judge R. L. Batts, chairman of the board of regents, who said: "The regents have decreed that this noble building, dedicated to learning, bear the name of a great teacher, a great administrator, a gentleman. For all time let it be called Waggener Hall."

High Praise Is Given

Dr. Morgan Callaway Jr., professor of English and a long-time associate of Dr. Waggener, delivered the memorial address in which he briefly outlined the major episodes in Dr. Waggener's life and praised the devotion with which he gave thirteen years to the university.

"During his thirteen years of service, Dr. Waggener's time was almost evenly divided between his duties as teacher and his duties as chief executive of the faculty." Dr. Callaway said, "The success attained in each sphere was truly remarkable. The office of chairman of the faculty was one of difficulty because, while entailing heavy responsibilities, it conferred little authority. Our university has had some noble men to occupy this office. In my judgement, Dr. Waggener has seldom been equaled by his successors and never surpassed."

Waggener Hall was completed last Summer and has been occupied since school opened in the Fall. It is in Spanish Renaissance architecture and harmonizes with the plans for the greater university building program now under way. It is occupied chiefly by the school of business administration and the English department.

=================

From Logan County, Kentucky Cemeteries; copyright by Logan County Genealogical Society, 1986:

There is a record of Leslie in the Maple Grove Cemetery, with the records of his parents:

Waggener, Leslie, September 1841- August 1896, buried at Austin, Texas

(There is also a record there of Leslie's half brother Jasper, who also was a veteran of the Confederate Army. The record seems to indicate that Jasper is buried with or near to Leslie in Austin. RW)

=================

Becky Taylor sent me a copy of a newspaper story from the Dallas Morning News, dated July 5, 1953:

Rare Papers Relate Early Woes of UT

Austin, Texas, July 4- Worries and troubles of the University of Texas in its infant days are told in papers of Dr. Leslie Waggener, Sr., its first president, which the university archives announced Saturday it has gained.

Included in the gift are Dr. Waggener's class notes, correspondence and official papers. The treasurers formerly were held by the late Leslie Waggener Jr. of Dallas, who served ten years on the board of regents and was board chairman when he resigned in 1941.

Dr. H. Bailey Carroll, director of research in Texas history and director of the Texas State Historical Association, said the Waggener papers would provide material sufficient for a graduate student to write a doctoral dissertation.

Dr. Waggener was president of Bethel College at Russellville, Ky., when he was elected professor of English literature and history at the newly organized University of Texas in 1883. The next year he became chairman of the faculty and was named president when that post was created. He served until his death in 1896.

Among the papers in the collection is a 1892 Harvard report which included a citation in praise of Dr. Waggener. It noted professors were leaving the university because of its uncertain outlook and through fear of hostility from the Legislature when Dr. Waggener took over as faculty chairman. It described conditions then as "in almost a chaotic state."

Out of the confusion in a few years, the report continued, Dr. Waggener brought order, adding: "The faculty has been doubled, the building has the main or central portion added, hostility on the part of the Legislature has been changed to friendship and the attendance has grown 50 per cent."

=======================

From The Dailey Texan, Thursday, February 14, 1957, page 6:

Waggener Hall; Honors Ex- President
by Lloyd Wright

Waggener Hall was built in 1930--31 at a cost of approximately $600,000. It is named in honor of Dr. Leslie Waggener, first president of the University.

To make room for the new building, several shacks along Speedway, called "Speedway Rat Row," were demolished. These shacks were built in 1918, to serve as temporary classrooms "as the result of the sudden enlarged enrollment of the University." They were used for business administration laboratories, typing labs, and band practice rooms.

When the School of Business Administration moved into the newly completed Waggener Hall in 1931, this marked the first time since it had been given a permanent building on the campus. It had shifted from the "shacks," where it had run the gamut of H.R.S.T. and finally Z Hall.

The building has five floors, including the top story which was remodeled in 1954. Space formerly occupied there by the Anthropology Museum now, like the rest of the building, houses the College of Business Administration and the Bureau of Business Research.

Since its construction, it has also housed at various times offices of the Department of Pure Mathematics, the Department of Anthropology, the Department of English, and the Department of Public Speaking.

Dr. Waggener succeeded Dr. J. W. Mallet, for whom the Mallet Library is named, as the second chairman of the University faculty. Dr. Waggener was unanimously elected chairman of the faculty nine times before the office of President ad interim during 1895-96. While holding this position, he died at Manitou Springs, Colo., August 19, 1896.

As head of the 300 student University, Dr. Waggener acted as his own secretary, stenographer, and financial agent. He wrote the biennial report for the Board of Regents and the Legislature, acted as registrar, kept all records, and taught classes.

After graduating from Harvard in 1861, he served as an officer in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Wounded and left to die on the battlefield at Shiloh, he was rescued and carried to Corinth by a Negro slave whom he had brought from home.

Following the war, he returned to his home in Russellville, Ky., and in June 1867, married Miss Fannie Pendleton of Upland, Pa. He came to the University in 1883 as chairman of the English Department.

Because of a rather brusque manner, Dr. Waggener was not a favorite with students. However, a keen sense of humor was evident, although he was stern with student pranks.

He allowed students to construct their own honor pledges on examinations. One which he cherished for years read: "I have not given any assistance on this examination because I did not know enough about it to give any. I have not received any because no member of the class knew any more about it than I did."

Probably nothing better summarizes Dr. Waggener's leadership and ability than a citation prepared by a UT colleague. It was published in 1892, in the Fifth Report of Harvard College Class of 1861:

"When Dr. Waggener was elected chairman of the faculty at the opening of the session of 1884-85, the affairs of the University were in almost a chaotic state. Little was known of its resources and actual condition by those who were shared with its management.

"The faculty was made up largely of newly organized members, the work of organizing had practically to be started anew, the building was finished only as to the west wing and an attack on the University by the Legislature was threatened- altogether the prospect was discouraging. Out of this confusion, Dr. Waggener brought order."

=============

Leslie is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Travis County, Texas.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 26 2020, 7:23:10 UTC

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Sep 16 2023, 2:13:26 UTC
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 17 2024, 5:54:13 UTC

Leslie Waggener was the son of Wah=ggener and (MMM) Waggener.

Leslie Waggener married Fannie Pendleton on 27 JUN 1867 in Kentucky.

AGGENER, Leslie: PVT, SGT, and 2LT; Served with the 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment CSA 1st Kentucky "Orphan" Brigade he also saw service with 3d Kentucky Infantry Regiment CSA, where he was wound again at Raymond, Mississippi. BIRTH-11 Sep 1841 Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky-DEATH-19 Aug 1896 (aged 54) Manitou Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, BURIAL -Oakwood Cemetery Austin, Travis County, Texas,"Leslie Waggener, who had a Minie ball through his lung at Shiloh, but, with their attention, recovered. After the war he graduated at Harvard, and was one of the most distinguished professors of the University of Texas. He died a few years ago, probably of the old wound received at Shiloh. The ladies of dear old Mississippi will ever be held in honor and love. Let us never forget them." FOLLOWING the WAR he completed his education and became one of the Most respected professors at the University of Texas. SOURCES: WOMEN OF MISSISSIPPI IN THE WAR. E. B. ROSE (THIRD KENTUCKY) CONFEDERATE VETERAN, Volume XII (12), Number 4 (April), 1904, pp 183-184. (3d KIR at BTL of RAYMOND.) INFANTRY). ROSEVIEW, TENN. And FINDAGRAVE, also Company A; 9th Kentucky Infantry Regiment CSA LESLIE WAGGONER, Russellville, fought at Shiloh, and was so badly wounded there as to be thought disabled, in consequence of which he was discharged soon afterward. Having measurably recovered, however, he reenlisted in the autumn, and was elected second lieutenant on Nov. 29, 1862. He fought in almost every subsequent battle of the regiment, and was again wounded at Chickamauga. HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE, BY ED PORTER THOMPSON, EX-SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION; AUTHOR OF "THE ACADEMIC ARITHMETIC," "YOUNG PEOPLE S HISTORY OF KENTUCKY," "YOUNG PEOPLE S HISTORY OF ARKANSAS," ETC. LOUISVILLE, KY.: LEWIS N. THOMPSON, 1898. Pg 815

• ***********

WAGGENER, LESLIE
Leslie Waggener, of Austin, was born in Todd County, Kentucky, Sept., 11, 1841, the son of S. T. Waggener, a native of Culpeper county, Virginia. He studied in Bethel College, and in 1861 was graduated from Harvard University in Massachusetts, with the degree of A. B. A month later he joined the Confederate army as a private in Co. A, Ninth Kentucky Infantry, of the Army of Tennessee. He was shot through the chest at Shiloh, and left upon the field, but was saved by a faithful negro servant, and was again slightly wounded at Chickamauga. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and at one time served as adjutant of his regiment and assistant adjutant-general of his brigade. After the war he became professor of English at Bethel College, Tenn., and in 1876 was made president of the institution. In 1883 he was elected professor of English in the University of Texas at Austin, and was for seven years chairman of the Faculty, being chosen seven times by the unanimous vote of his colleagues. He was the author of a work on the "English Sentence," one on Rhetoric and one on Literature. He contributed many learned articles to leading American periodicals and enjoyed a national reputation as scholar and educator. His efforts did much toward giving the University of Texas a place among the leading colleges of the nation. He was married in Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Fannie, daughter of the Rev. James M. Pendleton, and the union was blessed with seven children. He died a few years ago and is buried in Austin. Source: Texans Who Wore the Gray, Volume I; by Sid S. Johnson;)

• *********

WAGGENER, LESLIE (1841–1896).Leslie Waggener, Confederate soldier, professor of English, and university president, was born in Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky, on September 11, 1841, the son of S. T. and Elizabeth (Ross) Waggener. He graduated from Bethel College, Russellville, Kentucky, in 1860 and from Harvard University in 1861. While serving as a private in the Confederate Army he was badly wounded at Shiloh but was saved by his faithful servant, promoted to lieutenant, and again wounded at Chickamauga; he again recovered and took part in the famous Hundred Days' March from Dalton to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. At one time he served as adjutant of his regiment and later as assistant adjutant of his brigade. After the war Waggener became principal of the preparatory department of Bethel College, professor of English in the same college in 1870, chairman of the faculty in 1873, and president in 1876. His success was so conspicuous that he was elected professor of English and history in the first faculty of the University of Texas. In this capacity he served from 1883 until 1888, when he was relieved of teaching history. From 1884 until 1894 he was also, by annual faculty election, chairman of the faculty. When the office of president was established, he was elected president ad interim and served for the school year 1895–96. Waggener was a great influence in the development of the University of Texas. The university had two million acres of land and great hopes, but very little actual money. Against all the difficulties of the first years-lack of operating funds, hostilities of church colleges, and wide-spread indifference-the chairman of the faculty was the natural leader, but he was hampered by the fact that his office was annual and, though it conferred responsibility, did not carry authority. Waggener's courage and high standards sustained the university through a difficult period and prepared the way for later development. He married Fannie Pendleton on June 27, 1867; they had seven children. In 1875 Waggener was made LL.D. by Georgetown College, Kentucky, and in 1895 he was elected president of the Texas State Teachers Association. He was a Mason and a Baptist. He died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, on August 19, 1896, and was buried in Austin. Waggener Hall on the University of Texas campus was named in his honor in October 1932. W. J. Battle, "Waggener, Leslie," Handbook of Texas Online, accessed December 31, 2023, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/waggener-leslie.
Published by the Texas State Historical Association.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 17 2024, 6:26:20 UTC