Henry L. Jost

Henry Lee Jost (December 6, 1873 – July 13, 1950) was an American lawyer and politician.

Orphaned as a child, Jost moved to Missouri as part of the Orphan Train, where he went on to practice law and engage in politics. A Democrat, he served as mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, and was also a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri. He was part of the Joe Shannon and Tom Pendergast political machines.

Early life and education Henry Lee Jost was born on December 6, 1873, in New York City, Simeon Jost and Lena (née Bahr) Jost. As a child, he lived in an orphanage in Five Points, Manhattan, as his mother had died and his father was ill. In 1881, he moved to Nodaway County, Missouri as part of the Orphan Train after his parents missed a payment to keep him in the orphanage. In Missouri, he lived with Judge Dale and then with the Lasswell family. Beginning at age 15, he worked as a farmhand near Maryville.

Career Jost began practicing law in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1899, In 1909, he became associate city counselor in 1909, and from 1910 to 1912, he served as Kansas City's first assistant prosecuting attorney. He taught criminology at Kansas City School of Law from 1917. and his second election by between 6,000 and 7,000 votes.

During his tenure, the Kansas City Union Station and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City were established; the latter came with a $4,250,000 bond for the city. He served two terms and lost his re-election. He increased the efficiency of the Kansas City government.

From March 4, 1923, to March 3, 1925, Jost represented the Missouri's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. During his tenure, he introduced legislation to establish a park to commemorate the Battle of Westport.

He is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, in Kansas City. A special collection covering Jost is held by the State Historical Society of Missouri.