Louisa Renshaw Covey
McMullen County, McMullen County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in Philadelphia; married Dr. J.V.E. Covey, Baptist minister and teacher, in 1845. They came to Texas during the 1850's as missionary-teachers. Regarded by her associates as a gifted instructor, Mrs. Covey aided her husband in founding and operating three colleges. In 1857 they established Alma Institute at Hallettsville; then during the Civil War, Concrete College near Cuero; an in 1881, McMullen College at Tilden. Recorded -- 1969
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Philadelphia, Louisa Renshaw Covey came to Texas with her husband in the 1850s as a missionary-teacher and won a reputation as a gifted instructor. Together the couple founded and ran three colleges—Alma Institute at Hallettsville, Concrete College near Cuero during the Civil War, and McMullen College at Tilden in 1881. Her life spanned the hard early decades when Texans built schooling from almost nothing.
Why it matters
Covey's career shows the outsized role women played as educators on the frontier, founding the colleges that carried learning into a still-raw state.
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Related people
- · Louisa Renshaw Covey
- · J.V.E. Covey
Themes & tags
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