Kiess was born in
Warrensville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Lycoming County Normal School in
Muncy, Pennsylvania, in 1892. He taught in the public schools of
Lycoming County for two years. He became engaged in the newspaper publishing business in
Hughesville, Pennsylvania, in 1894. He served as a member of the
Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1904 to 1910. He was engaged in business in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1910, and served as a trustee of
Pennsylvania State College from 1912 to 1930. Kiess was elected as a Republican to the
Sixty-third and to the eight succeeding Congresses and served until his death at his summer home at
Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania in 1930. He served as chairman of the
House Committee on Insular Affairs, which had jurisdiction over United States territories such as
Puerto Rico and the
Philippines, during the
Sixty-ninth through
Seventy-first Congresses. Interment was at
Wildwood Cemetery in
Williamsport. ==See also==