James Henry Wayland (1863-1948) was a physician, philanthropist, and businessman who was the founder of Wayland Baptist UniversityinPlainview, Texas.
He was born in Randolph County, Missouri studied at the Kentucky School of Medicine and then practiced in Fort Worth, Texas and Azle before moving to Plainview in 1888 where he developed a large meidcal practice in the country and also serving patients of the Santa Fe Railraod. He was known for providing extraordinary care for his patients with home visits, providing the first X-ray machine in the town, and for praying for his patients. He was also active in planting trees in and around Plainview. Wayland married Sarah Tucker and they had nine children. Wayland helped found the First Baptist Church in Plainview and was a local civic and church leader. In 1906 Dr. and Mrs. Wayland offered $10,000 and 25 acres (100,000 m2) of land in Plainview, Texas if the Staked Plains Baptist Association and the citizens of the city would raise an additional $40,000. In 1910, the school offered its first classes.[1] He was on the committee that brought the railroad to Plainview in 1907. He also operated a drugstore and the Wayland Hotel. Wayland died in 1948 Sarah Wayland died in 1955.
