It's just one of those things that tends to come up from time to time when talking about the University of Texas, something I often do. So, here it is for at least the hundredth time—yes, there really was a lady named Ima Hogg, and she really was the "First Lady of Texas."
Ima wasn't the governor's wife, but rather his daughter. She earned her title through a long life of philathropy and patronage of the arts and learning in Texas. Ima was one to be proud of.
Just why Governor "Big Jim" Hogg and his wife, Sallie, would want to name their daughter Ima isn't clear. As cruel as such a thing might seem to modern sensibilities, in 1882 such a thing brought a good laugh and was, by all accounts, helpful to Governor Hogg's efforts to attract voters. Miss Hogg seems not to have herself fancied the name, preferring to sign her name "Imogene Hogg." Take note, however, that her legal name was "Ima" with no middle name.
Ima was the first woman upon whom was bestowed the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the University of Texas Ex-Students Association, an honor given her in 1963. Contrary to many reports, she did not have a sister named "Ura". Ima never married and died in 1975. More info on Ima's life and achievements can be found here.
