US Congressman. He graduated from Millersville State Normal School (now Millersville University) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1876 and became a teacher, also serving on the Lancaster School Board for over 24 years. In 1882 he became editor of the "Lancaster Inquirer", where he remained until 1888. In 1887 he was appointed Chief Clerk in the Lancaster County Commissioner's Office, serving until 1899. Griest also served on the state Tax Commission, Sinking Fund Board, and Board of Pardons. In 1899 he became Pennsylvania's Secretary of State, serving until 1903. An active Republican, he was a Delegate to the party's national conventions every four years from 1896 through 1928. After completing his term as Secretary of State he became active in several businesses, including electric companies and street railways. In 1908 he was elected as a Republican to represent Pennsylvania's 9th and 10th Congressional Districts in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1909 until his death in office in 1929. An admirer of 16th United States President Abraham Lincoln, in 1911 he introduced the bill authorizing creation of the Lincoln Memorial. He also collected photographs and other illustrations of Lincoln, with the goal of acquiring one copy of every likeness ever made, and his collection is in the archives at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. The city's W.W. Griest Building, a skyscraper completed in 1925, was named in his honor and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
US Congressman. He graduated from Millersville State Normal School (now Millersville University) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1876 and became a teacher, also serving on the Lancaster School Board for over 24 years. In 1882 he became editor of the "Lancaster Inquirer", where he remained until 1888. In 1887 he was appointed Chief Clerk in the Lancaster County Commissioner's Office, serving until 1899. Griest also served on the state Tax Commission, Sinking Fund Board, and Board of Pardons. In 1899 he became Pennsylvania's Secretary of State, serving until 1903. An active Republican, he was a Delegate to the party's national conventions every four years from 1896 through 1928. After completing his term as Secretary of State he became active in several businesses, including electric companies and street railways. In 1908 he was elected as a Republican to represent Pennsylvania's 9th and 10th Congressional Districts in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1909 until his death in office in 1929. An admirer of 16th United States President Abraham Lincoln, in 1911 he introduced the bill authorizing creation of the Lincoln Memorial. He also collected photographs and other illustrations of Lincoln, with the goal of acquiring one copy of every likeness ever made, and his collection is in the archives at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. The city's W.W. Griest Building, a skyscraper completed in 1925, was named in his honor and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
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