List of high state officials hailing from York County growing
Our quest for high state and federal state office holders from York County’s past started when Pennsylvania’s Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf was under consideration for state treasurer.
Soon thereafter, we added former state attorney general Robert P. Kane to the list.
I found more in reading the appendix to Georg Sheets’ “Lawyers and Leaders: The Role of Lawyers in the Development of York County, Pennsylvania.” (Order through York County Heritage Trust.
Here is Sheets’ list of county residents who became state administrative officials (concentrating on lawyers) between 1950-2000 (some of which duplicates mine):
— Samuel S. Lewis, secretary of forest and waters, 1952-1954. (Also, Pa. lieut. governor.)
— Herbert B. Cohen, attorney general, 1954-1956.
— Henry B. Leader, legislative secretary to governor (and Governor George B. Leader), 1955-1959.
— Michael R. Deckman: deputy chief counsel, PennDOT, 1957-1985.
— Gerald E. Ruth, Constitutional Convention delegate, 1967-1968.
— Daniel W. Shoemaker, Constitutional Convention delegate, 1967-1968.
— John R. Gailey, Jr.: Legislative Reference Bureau director, 1968-1972.
— Jane M. Alexander: director, bureau of Foods and Chemistry, 1972; deputy secretary of Agriculture (1972-1977).
— Robert P. Kane: secretary of Revenue (1971-1974); attorney general, 1975-1978.
— Jesse L. Crabbs: chairman, state Harness Racing Commission, 1979-1987.
— Robert L. Cable: director, Legislative Reference Bureau, 1981-1986.
Also of interest:
Tom Wolf was the latest in a string of York County residents who have held high office in Harrisburg. Wolf has since returned to his family business in York, The Wolf Organization. Fellow York countian Steve Stetler replaced Wolf, but resigned in December 2009.
Updated, 3/29/10
