Albert Boggess is the father of Offa Shivers Boggess, Sr. (1884-1952), who married Nina Higginbotham (1887-1963). The comments below are from a combination of sources, including the recollections of James Horace Boggess (a grandson), “The History of Central and Western Texas” by Buckley B. Paddock and a very good biography written for his Findagrave listing by an unknown author.
Albert Boggess was born near Lumberport, Harrison County, Virginia (now West Virginia) on April 23, 1839. His father, Albertus Boggess, was a farmer and “stockraiser”, whose own father, Samuel Boggess, had served as an officer in the American Revolution. Albert’s mother, Anne Wood, was the daughter of Benjamin Wood of Harrison County, and she was a great-niece of Governor James Wood, the eleventh governor of Virginia.
Albert studied at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, from July 30, 1860, until his graduation in June 1864. When the VMI Corps of Cadets was ordered to join the Confederate Army in the defense of the Shenandoah Valley, Albert marched over 80 miles with the Cadets from Lexington to New Market, Virginia, where he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company C at the Battle of New Market on May 15, 1864. The Confederates routed the Union forces and the courage of the VMI cadets became legendary.
In January 1866, Albert became a professor of mathematics at Waco University, which later merged with Baylor University, taking on the name of the latter institution. The Baylor University website says of Professor Boggess that, “Besides being a key figure in the developmental years of Waco University and Baylor University under the leadership of President Rufus C. Burleson, Professor Boggess (1839-1891) was the first chairman of the mathematics department. He taught mathematics, astronomy, and engineering at Baylor University from 1887 to 1891 and was chairman of the Department of Mathematics during that time. Prior to this, he was professor of mathematics at Waco University.”
Albert Boggess married Nannie Louise Shivers on July 11, 1877. Nannie was the daughter of Dr. O. L. Shivers of Marion, Alabama. Nannie had come to Texas from Mississippi with an aunt and uncle by the name of Sheffield. Reporting the ceremony, the following announcement appeared in the local newspaper:
Waco Daily Examiner, Friday, July 13, 1877
“Prof. A. Boggess and Miss Nannie Shivers of Waco University were married Wednesday at Blue Ridge, Falls County, at the residence of Prof. John L. Lattermore, brother-in-law of the bride.”
The Boggess family grew to include five children who survived infancy: Albert (1880-1996), Annie Lou (1882-1961), Offa Shivers (1884-1952), John Wood (1887-1945) and Robert (1891-1976).
The death of Professor Albert Boggess on December 13, 1891 was announced in the local newspaper:
Waco Evening News, 1891
Mon., Dec. 14 (5-4): “Prof. Albert Boggess of Baylor University died yesterday. Was buried at Oakwood following services at the university chapel.”
A scholarship for mathematics majors in memory of Professor Boggess was established by his wife and family at Baylor University in 1910.
“The Corps Forward: The Biographical Sketches of the VMI Cadets who Fought in the Battle of New Market”, by William Couper (2005) includes a short biography of Albert Boggess.
–Mike Magers
E R Nash Sr. and Family 