Robert T. Secrest

Robert Thompson Secrest (January 22, 1904, near Senecaville, Ohio – May 15, 1994, in Cambridge, Ohio)[1] was an American Democratic representative to the United States Congress from the state of Ohio. He served in Congress three separate times: 1933 to 1942, 1949 to 1954, and 1963 to 1966, resigning each time prior to the end of his term.

Bob Secrest
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 15th district
In office
March 4, 1933  August 3, 1942
Preceded byC. Ellis Moore
Succeeded byPercy W. Griffiths
In office
January 3, 1949  September 26, 1954
Preceded byPercy W. Griffiths
Succeeded byJohn E. Henderson
In office
January 3, 1963  December 30, 1966
Preceded byTom V. Moorehead
Succeeded byChalmers P. Wylie
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 20th district
In office
January 3, 1969-December 31, 1976
Preceded byTom V. Moorehead
Succeeded bySam Speck
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office
1931-1932
Personal details
Born(1904-01-22)January 22, 1904
Senecaville, Ohio
DiedMay 15, 1994(1994-05-15) (aged 90)
Cambridge, Ohio
Resting placeSenacaville Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materMuskingum College
Columbia University
British School of Civil Affairs
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1942 - 1946
RankCommander
Battles/warsWorld War II

Biography

Robert Secrest was born at Senacaville, Guernsey County, Ohio, the eldest son of a miner, Robert Waits Secrest (1880-1929), and his wife Amelia née Thompson. Robert attended the State public schools. He subsequently graduated from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, 1926, Washington, D.C. College of Law, 1938, and Columbia University, New York City, 1943. He graduated from British School of Civil Affairs, Wimbledon, England, 1943.[2]

Secrest was superintendent of the Murray City, Ohio, schools 1931–1932. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives 1931–1932. He was elected as a Democrat to the 73rd to 77th United States Congresses, and served March 4, 1933, to August 3, 1942, when he resigned to join the United States Navy. He was later promoted to Commander and served until February 28, 1946, in England, Africa, Italy and the Pacific.[2]

Secrest ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1946, and acted as legal supervisor for the Library of Congress in 1946–1947. He was elected to the 81st through 83rd Congresses, and served January 3, 1949, to September 26, 1954, when he resigned to become a member of the Federal Trade Commission. He served on that commission 1954–1961, and was Director of Commerce, State of Ohio in 1962.[2]

Secrest again was elected to the 88th and 89th Congresses, and served January 3, 1963, to December 30, 1966, when he again resigned after failing at re-election in 1966. He was a member of the Ohio State Senate, 1969–1973, and member of the National Council of the American Legion, 1978 to 1987. He died May 15, 1994, in Cambridge, Ohio.[2] At the time of his death, he was the earliest-serving former congressman as well as the last one to have served during the Herbert Hoover administration.

References

  1. (18 May 1994). Robert T. Secret Dies, The Washington Post
  2. "Secrest, Robert Thomas (1904-1994)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
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