Agnew, George Bliss, 1868-1941.

George Bliss Agnew (1868-1941) was a New York City businessman and politician.

He entered politics in 1895 with his appointment as aide-de-camp to New York governor Levi P. Morton. In 1901 Agnew was elected a Republican member of the New York State Assembly and then served two terms in the New York State Senate, 1906-1910. As a legislator, he was best known for co-sponsoring the Agnew-Hart Act which prohibited racetrack gambling in New York. He was also active in the New York National Guard, 1896-1911, and the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church.

George Bliss Agnew was born in New York City in 1869. He graduated from Princeton University in 1891 and began his business career with the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company. He was subsequently associated with Cuyler, Morgan and Company, a banking firm in New York City, and many other firms including North Star Mines Company, which owned gold mines and mining claims near Nevada City, California (Agnew was elected the company's president in 1908) and the Northern Empire Mines Co. LTD., a Canadian gold mining company and a subsidiary of the Gauley Mountain Coal Company, of West Virginia (Agnew was a Vice President). He was also a director of the Phelps Dodge Corporation, Intertype Corporation, Robins Conveying Belt Corporation, Towne Securities Corporation, Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad Company, and the Mexican Northern Railway.

Agnew entered public and political life in 1895 with his appointment as aide-de-camp (with rank of colonel) on the staff of Governor Levi P. Morton of New York. From 1896 to 1911 he was a member of Squadron A, New York National Guard, with the rank of first lieutenant. In 1901, Agnew was elected as Republican member of the New York State Assembly, followed by two terms in the New York State Senate, 1906-1910. He was widely known for co-sponsoring the Agnew-Hart Act prohibiting racetrack gambling in New York.

Agnew volunteered extensively at many organizations and clubs. He had a long association with the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City, serving as treasurer, clerk of the session, an elder, and as a trustee from 1899 through 1941. He was treasurer and a director of the Honest Ballot Association. He was also a trustee of Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, and was active in Children's Village, Dobbs Ferry, New York; West County Defense Council; Sons of the Revolution; Union League; Princeton Clubs; Downtown Association of New York City; and the Seawauhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY.

George B. Agnew was married in New York City, December 2, 1908, to Emily Dutilh, and had five children: George Bliss, Andrew Gifford, Charles Dutilh, Catherine Madelaine Dutilh, and David Agnew. George Bliss Agnew died in New York City, June 21, 1941.