Miles Horst | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1954–1956 | |
| Preceded by | M. Harvey Taylor |
| Succeeded by | George I. Bloom |
| Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office 1943–1954 | |
| Governor | Edward Martin John C. Bell Jr. James H. Duff |
| Preceded by | John H. Light |
| Succeeded by | W. S. Hagar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1891-05-25)May 25, 1891 |
| Died | April 5, 1968(1968-04-05) (aged 76) |
| Party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Millersville State Normal School Pennsylvania State College Columbia University |
Miles Horst (May 25, 1891 – April 5, 1968) was an American politician who was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1933–1936), Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture (1943–1953), and chairman of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania (1954–1956).
Early life
Horst was born in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania on May 25, 1891. He graduated from Millersville State Normal School in 1909, Pennsylvania State College in 1914, and Columbia University in 1915.[1] He was president of his class at Penn State.[2] Prior to holding elected office, Horst was a farmer, field editor of the Pennsylvania Farmer, and secretary of the Pennsylvania Potato Growers' Association.[3][4]
Career
From 1933 to 1936, Horst was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was chairman of the legislative committee to investigate public relief during his second term. He did not run for reelection in 1936.[1] After leaving office, Horst was secretary of the Pennsylvania State Grange and editor of the Pennsylvania Farmer. In 1943, he was appointed secretary of agriculture by Governor Edward Martin.[5] He was retained by Governors John C. Bell Jr. and James H. Duff.[6]
On June 19, 1954, Horst was unanimously elected chairman of the Republican state committee after receiving the support of Lieutenant Governor and 1954 gubernatorial nominee Lloyd H. Wood.[6] Wood was upset by George M. Leader, becoming the first Republican to lose a Pennsylvania gubernatorial election since 1954.[7] In 1956, Horst, a member of the James H. Duff-faction of the party, was opposed for reelection by George I. Bloom, a supporter of Joseph R. Grundy. Horst chose not to run for another term and instead endorsed Henry W. Lark.[8] Lark withdrew shortly before the election and Bloom was elected unopposed.[9]
On May 24, 1956, Horst was appointed staff assistant to United States Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson.[10] In 1962, Horst was chosen to coordinate the primary campaigns of the party-backed gubernatorial and United States Senate candidates William Scranton and James E. Van Zandt. It was believed that Horst would be able to counteract the rural support of Scranton's opponent, J. Collins McSparran, who was master of the Pennsylvania state grange.[11] Scranton was able to defeat McSparran and win the general election. After taking office, he appointed Horst to the newly-created position of special advisor on agribusiness.[12]
Death
On April 5, 1968, Horst died suddenly while visiting relatives in Hagerstown, Maryland. He had been hospitalized three years prior and had not been in great health since.[13]
References
- ^ a b "Miles Horst". Archives of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Pittsburger (sic) Gets Cane". The Pittsburgh Press. June 9, 1914. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Re-Nominate All Directors Of Farm Group". Gettysburg Times. January 29, 1932. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Spud Growers At Cohocton". Steuben Farmers' Advocate. February 18, 1932. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Martin Announces Name Of Seven Cabinet Aides". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 7, 1943. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Horst Named Republican State Chairman". The News-Dispatch. June 21, 1954. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests, 1950-2004. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2006. p. 89. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "State GOP Chairman Fight Seen". The Washington Reporter. March 16, 1956. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "New State GOP Chairman Will Try To Unite Factions". The News-Dispatch. May 21, 1956. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Miles Horst to Be Benson's Assistant". The Washington Reporter. May 25, 1958. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Miles Horst To Lead GOP Campaign". The Beaver County Times. March 21, 1962. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Staudinger Named To Liquor Board". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 9, 1964. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Miles Horst Dies Suddenly". Gettysburg Times. April 5, 1968. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
