Born in Ralls County, Missouri, Priest received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Westminster College in 1872.

[2] On August 6, 1894, President Grover Cleveland nominated Priest to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, to a seat vacated by Judge Amos Madden Thayer.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 9, 1894, and received his commission the same day.

[2] Following his resignation from the federal bench, Priest resumed private practice in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was a candidate for the United States Senate from Missouri in 1920, but did not win election.