VEST, George Graham, senator, born in Frankfort, Kentucky, 6 December, 1830. He was graduated at Centre college in 1848, and in the law department of Transylvania university in March, 1853. Beginning practice in central Missouri, he was chosen a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1860, and in the same year was elected to the Missouri house of representatives. In the legislative debates of the session of 1861 he was an ardent supporter of southern views. He relinquished his seat in order to take his place in 1863 as a representative from Missouri in the Confederate senate, of which he was a member for two years. After the downfall of the Confederacy he resumed the practice of law in Sedalia, Maine, whence he removed in 1877 to Kansas City, Missouri He was elected to the United States senate, taking his seat on 18 March, 1879, became prominent by his powers as n debater and orator, and was re-elected for the term ending 3 March, 1891.