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     In the 28th Session seventy-six Republicans and twenty-four Fusionists represent the political complexion of the House. Ohio leads the states as the birth-place of the greatest number of members, supplying fifteen, with honors for second place divided between Illinois and Iowa, each of which supplies eleven members; New York is the birth-place of nine members; Indiana of eight, equaling Nebraska, which is also the birth-place of eight members. Five of the Representatives were born in Germany; three born in Sweden; two in Ireland; two in Denmark and two in England. Of the other foreign countries represented, Switzerland and Bohemia furnished one each. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin each is the birth-place of four members. Two of the southern states, Tennessee and West Virginia, supplied two each, and Kentucky and Virginia, one each. New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan and Missouri each supplied one member.

     Farmers and ranchers predominate in the House in the matter of occupations represented, there being forty-nine, with more than seventy-five per cent of all members being the owners of farms and lands. Lawyers have second place in numbers, there being fourteen, and bankers stand third with seven. There are five general merchants, three hardware and implement dealers, three teachers, two each of insurance men, editors, doctors, real estate dealers, and one each of the following: liveryman, hotel-keeper, flour manufacturer, beet sugar manufacturer, mechanical engineer, lumber and coal dealer, carpenter, commission man, stock shipper, and one butcher.

      John H. Mockett. Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives, was born in Genesee, Wisconsin, December 18, 1860. In 1872, his parents removed to Cuming county, Nebraska, and here Mr. Mockett attended the public schools and when eighteen years of age was sufficiently advanced to commence school teaching, which he followed for two years. In 1880 he entered the University of Nebraska, where he studied for three years, taking classical and literary work. He then became a member of the firm of J. H. Mockett & Sons, General Agents of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., and since then has represented this company. He is one of the most successful life insurance men in Nebraska. Mr. Mockett became interested in politics some few years ago and on account of his active work for his party he was chosen by the Republicans, as a member of the City Council of Lincoln, being elected from the 7th Ward in 1897 and again in 1899, the last time having no opposition. He was president of the Lincoln City Council from April to December, 1900, when he resigned on account of his election to the Legislature of 1901. During the 27th Session he was chairman of the Revenue and Taxation committee and a member of the Insurance committee. Mr. Mockett, in the 27th Session, introduced the first bill in the lower house and was the author of several measures that were successful, including the new Lincoln City

Charter. His ability as a parliamentarian made him one of the leaders of the Republican majority in the House. He was re-elected by an increased majority in 1902, and upon organization of the House received unanimous support for the Speakership. Mr. Mockett was married February 8, 1888, to Miss Hattie H. Jones, of Omaha, Nebraska, and has a family of five children, two sons and three daughters.

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      Charles Anderson, Representative from the Forty-first District, composed of Hamilton county, was born in Wermland, Sweden, January 28, 1863. He received his education in his native country and came to America in May, 1880, and located in Nebraska, where for four years, he worked as a farm hand in Hamilton county. He then bought a farm near Marquette and engaged in farming on his own account. He continued farming until 1890 when he commenced in the mercantile business. After four years spent as a general storekeeper he went to Texas and there engaged as a contractor in building roads and drainage canals. In 1898 he returned to his farm in Hamilton county and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising.

      Mr. Anderson has always been a Republican but never held an office other than that of assessor which he filled for three years. He was married February 18, 1899, to Caroline Larson, and has one son. His post-office is Marquette, Nebraska.

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