Twentieth Legislature of Nebraska --1887

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SENATE.

As to status and calibre, the Nebraska State Sensate is an average legislative body. The legal element largely predominates. When the lawyers put their heads together, it takes a combination of all the others to hold them level. They number just one-third of the entire Senate, eleven. Some of them are quite musical, and to keep up an active fusillade they practice considerable sharp shooting, and crossfire at each other with no fatal results. Senator Majors !a the only member who has been in Congress, but the others are heading that way. Senator Schminke has to carry around the most avoirdupois, and his chestnuts are fresh and in good supply. He is the solid man of the Senate, and when he puts his foot down it carries weight. Senator Colby hatches more bills than the prolific mosquito family in dog-days. He is the bill champion of the United States.

Senator Van Demark is the only hard-shell Democrat among them, although there are eight Democrats in the body. His democracy has settled in his bones. He was born and bred a Democrat, and worships at no other shrine. In the senatorial right he nailed his tag to the mast-head, went aloft with his glass and complacently surveyed the carnage. He now lies back on his oars and smokes the pipe of peace. Senator Casper is the only editor in the Senate. He appreciates his loneliness, and has associated himself with the rheumatism. It is hoped he will soon be master of the situation. Senators Heartwell, Holmes, Kent, and Moore are rich bankers. They have been reading up on the camel and the eye of the Devil's darn-needle, and they are still in doubt. Senator Bonesteel is a confirmed bachelor, an the shady side, but well preserved and good looking. There is hope for him, even in this life. Senator Lininger has seen more of the world than any other man in either body. He has been in almost every country of the six grand divisions of the earth, and if his good life is spared a few more years he will complete the catalogue. Senator Sprick is the senior member, and Senators Tzschuck, of Douglas, and Higgins, of Cass, are next. The two latter appeared upon the scene the same year. They have skipped through sixty summers, and an in their sixty-first winter. Senator Tzschuck is the oldest soldier in the Legislature, and the fight is not all out of him yet, by any means. He is ready to wade in at the drop of the hat. The junior member is Senator Meiklejohn. He is not yet out of the twenties, yet he carries a head pretty well rounded out, erect upon his shoulders, and he commands the esteem of his fellow senators and citizens. He is yet a single man, but if the court knows herself, that state of affairs will change before many moons. The farmer senators are a representative half dozen. They keep their eyes peeled for the agricultural side of the question and watch the railroad sharpers. Senator Higgins, of Colfax, is just on the meridian line of life, 44 years of age, and the ages of the thirty-three aerations average just 44 years, Senators Lininger, Wolbach, Linn, and Campbell are merchants. Senator Duras speculates in real estate, and Senator Bonesteel is a business man at large. Senator Shervin is the only man-

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ufacturer in the catalogue. He looks like a good, healthy alderman, or one of the F. F. V.'s, and must be prospering. In the order of nativity, six an accredited to New York, six Ohio, six Illinois, three Germany, two Pennsylvania, two Iowa, and one each to Maine, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, Wisconsin, Bohemia, and Ireland - ten states and three foreign countries.
HON. H. E. BONESTEEL, Niobrara, Knox county, was born in Oswego, New York, Oct. 20,1830. He was taught the rudiments of the common schools of his native place until 13 years of age, when his parents came west, and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he was accorded the advantages of the schools of that rising city. Subsequently he drifted into the south, and became a cotton planter in Louisiana. That was before the war. He put in about twelve years down there, raising cotton and speculating in the product. He then returned north, settled in Dakota, and had a hand in shaping its primitive government. He remained there until about six years ago, when he took another turn, and landed in Nebraska. He is a living contradiction to the old adage that "the rolling stone gathers no moss." He has rolled from Dan to Beersbeba, and has gathered moss all along. In 1880 he located in Niobrara. He has extensive property interests, not only in this state, but in Dakota and Wyoming. Merchandising, stock raising, mining, flooring mills, banking, and other industrial branches are some of the many business enterprises to which he is devoting his attention, and from which he is reaping the reward due to far-seeing judgment and executive ability. He is pre-eminently a representative westerner with Yankee proclivities. Senator Bonesteel is a Democrat of the old school, and was a member of the national convention that nominated Grover Cleveland. He is the coming man in the future political battles of the upper country. Popular among, those who

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know him best, his influence deepens and broadens as his acquaintance becomes extended. He is a man of the people and for the people; warm hearted, generous to a fault, approachable, and companionable; he will honor his present position in this body, and command the esteem of his fellow citizens, irrespective of party, creed, or corporation. His district - the eleventh - embraces the counties of Dakota, Dixon, Cedar, and Knox, and his majority was 700. It is largely Republican, and it took an able and popular Democrat to overcome that powerful and confident majority.
HON. R. G. BROWN, Sutton, Clay county, was born in Clark county, Ill., Oct. 4, 1848. He attended the schools of that state, studied law down there, and was admitted to practice before coming west. In 1871 he came to Nebraska, and located in Sutton in the practice of law. Senator Brown was in the national convention in 1876 that nominated Hayes, and has been identified with local and state politics for the past fifteen years. He has valuable property interests in Sutton; has been mayor of the place, treasurer in an early day, and is a Republican by birth and education. He represents Clay county, the twenty-fourth district.

HON. S. W. BURNHAM, Lincoln, Lancaster county, was born in Harrison, Maine, October 15, 1844. He lived at home until 17 years old, when he joined the army, and went down into the hottest of it. He was in the army of the Potomac, and served three years in all the hard-fought battles of that eventful period. For two and a half years he carried a musket, but was mustered out a lieutenant in command of his company. He was in every battle, from Fredericksburg to Lee's surrender at Appomatox, and was a commissioned officer before he was of age. After the

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war he returned home, and went to school for two years, and subsequently traveled in the southern states for the period of six years. He was proprietor of a nursery in Kentucky. In 1876 he was married down there, and soon after removed to Nebraska, and located on a stock farm three miles from Lincoln, where he still resides. Senator Burnham's home place consists of about 500 acres of choice land, and he is feeding and handling stock as his principal business. He is a Republican, and was a member of the House in 1885.
HON. D. K. CALKINS, Macon, Franklin county, was born in Dexter, Jefferson county, New York, April 21, 1843. When he was a mere lad his parents settled in Byron, Illinois. There he attended school, and lived at home until the war broke out, then went into the army of the Cumberland. He was with Pap Thomas, and was wounded at the battle of Resaca, and now draws a pension. He was about six months in Libby prison, and saw that bastile in all its horrors. He was finally exchanged, served three years, was mustered out, returned home, and subsequently settled in Iowa; was there married; remained until 1872, then removed to his present home, He has since followed farming, merchandising, has been sheriff of his county, and represented the county in state conventions. He was elected on the Republican ticket to his present position by over 1,000 majority. Senator Calkins is a popular and hard working member of the Senate, and is a conscientious and honorable citizen. His constituents are ready to honor him with any public trust within their gift at any time. He resides on his beautiful farm about one mile out of town, and does business in Macon. His district is the twenty-third, and includes the counties of Webster, Franklin, and Nuckolls.

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HON. J. E. CAMPBELL, Papillion, Sarpy County, is a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, born January 15, 1847. In 1857 his parents settled in Champaign, Ill., where the subject of this sketch attended the common and graded school and lived until 1869, when he went to St. Louis and followed blacksmithing, a trade he had previously learned. In 1870 he came to Nebraska, and located in La Platte, remained there two years, then removed The fall of 1873 he was elected county clerk to Papillion of Sarpy county, and held that position by successive elections for six years. He subsequently engaged in the lumber and agricultural implement business, and in 1881 was elected county treasurer, re-elected in 1883, thus serving two terms. In the meantime he carried on his lumber and implement business. Senator Campbell is the float member, representing Douglas and Sarpy counties, the seventh district, and was elected on the Democratic ticket against that indefatigable bee, Edward Rosewater, of the Omaha Bee. His majority was less than 300, and he is one of the strongest and most popular men in Sarpy county. Ten years filling the most responsible offices in the county, tell the story of his integrity, worth, and popularity.
HON. C. D. CASPER, David City, Butler county, was born on a farm in New Castle county, Delaware, Dec. 10, 1845. When 16 years of age he went into the war, enlisting in Co. A First Delaware Cavalry, as a bugler. In 1866 he enlisted in the Twenty second U. S. Infantry, and served until 1869, when he was mustered out. In 1873 he came to Nebraska, and settled in David City. Here he immediately started a newspaper, the Butler County Press, which enterprise he still operates. The press must certainly be a power in Butler county politics, as its proprietor was sick in New Jersey when he was nominated,

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and elected on the Democratic ticket by 800 majority, in a district usually Republican by 300. A combination of press and personal popularity makes a strong factor in politics.
HON. L. W. COLBY, Beatrice, Gage county, was born in Cherry Valley, Ashtabula county, Ohio, and is 38 years of age. Ashtabula was the stamping ground of that old war horse, bluff Ben Wade. Senator Colby was raised in Illinois, his people settling in Freeport at an early day. His father was a farmer. Senator Colby went into the army in his teens, enlisting in the Eighth Illinois, Dick Oglesby's old regiment. He went in a private, and at the end of two years came out occupying the same honorable position. He then went to school, attending the literary and law departments of the University of Wisconsin. Subsebuently (sic) he went into the law office of Carpenter & Chase, and was admitted to practice. In 1875 he came to Nebraska and located in Beatrice, where he has since practiced his profession. In 1877-78 he was a member of the State Senate, and in 1883 was a candidate for judge of the first district but was defeated. He has been colonel of the First Nebraska militia since 1881. A singular coincident in the lives of Senator and Mrs. Colby, they are coeval to a day. Senator Colby is an active and influential member on the floor of the Senate, and is chairman of two committees, judiciary and labor. His district embraces Gage county, and is the twenty-first. In politics he is a vertical Republican, and was one of Senator Paddock's most determined supporters.

HON. W. H. CONGER, Loup City, Sherman county, was born in Willsborough, Essex county, New York, June 21, 1840. He was educated at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, New York. When the war began he went into

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the service, enlisting in the One Hundred and Eighteenth N. Y. Vol., went south and served until his term expired. He subsequently carried on a transportation business on Lake Champlain, and was extensively engaged in the lumber trade between the lake and Montreal. He erected the first circular saw mill ever put up in the Adirondacks, but a half a mile from where unfortunate John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave. Senator Conger was married in the fall of 1863, and has seven children, all natives of the state of New York. In 1879 he buried his beloved wife. He then took his children and came west. They are still with him at his home in Sherman county. He settled in Loup City, March 1, 1883. Until the spring of 1885 he followed stock raising, and then began the practice of law, real estate, and insurance. He had studied law in York State, and was admitted in Loup City. In 1885 Senator Conger was a member of the House, representing the fiftieth district, including Custer and Sherman counties. In November, 1885, he married his second wife, Mrs. Clemma Frock, of Carroll county, Missouri. She is a very estimable lady, and is connected with some of the best families of that state. His senatorial district is the twenty-sixth, and embraces Howard, Sherman, and Buffalo counties. Senator Conger is a Republican in politics, an active member in his present capacity, and he will ably represent his district, and honor his position in this body. He was one of Senator Paddock's warmest and most indefatigable supporters, from first to last in the great senatorial contest of last month.
HON. C. DURAS, Crete, Saline county, is a native of Bohemia, born January 21, 1846. He was educated in Bohemia, and Germany, and since coming to the United States, has acquired a fair English education. In 1866 he landed

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in Baltimore. From there he proceeded to Illinois, was in Cairo and Memphis for a time, then went to St. Louis, and from there to Chicago, where he engaged in the publishing business. In the great fire of October, 1871, he was burned out, his building being the third or fourth one to take fire in the preliminary of that marvelous conflagration. He lost all his property there, and the succeeding panic of '73 put the finishing stroke to his financial misfortunes. He then pulled out for Nebraska, stopped in Omaha briefly, and finally settled in Crete, January, 1874. He has since prospered, and believes a grand destiny awaits the state of his adoption. He is influential among his countrymen, and a popular citizen. Senator Duras is a man of ability and energy, and he will be a credit to the twentieth district in this body.
HON. FRANK FULLER, Wayne, Wayne county, was born in Virginia, December 5, 1851. He was educated in Washington, D. C., graduating from Columbia College, and the National Law University in 1876. In 1881 he came to Nebraska and located in Wayne in the practice of law. From 1882 to 1885 he was postmaster at Wayne. He is the first Republican ever elected from that district, and he comes up here with a majority of 640, his own county rolling up the largest majority ever polled there. His is the tenth senatorial district, and includes Stanton, Cuming, Madison, and Wayne counties. Senator Fuller is a stirring member, quick on his feet, popular and influential.

HON. JAMES B. HEARTWELL, Hastings, Adams county, was born in Waterloo, Seneca county, New York, July 4, 1843. His early educational advantages were the common and select schools, and he graduated from. the Eastman Commercial College and struck out for himself with a good practical business education. He then went into the First

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National Bank, Geneva, N. Y., as bookkeeper, and was there over five years, and became teller and cashier. In 1870, he came west and located in Des Moines, Iowa. There he engaged in the real estate and loan business, and in 1872, with others, organized the Iowa Loan and Trust Co., of which he was secretary for the period of about eight years. In June, 1879, he settled in Hastings as manager of the Kansas and Nebraska department of the Iowa Co. In 1882, he, with others, organized the Nebraska Loan and Trust Company, capitalized at $500,000, and is president of the Association. He is also president of the Nebraska Real Estate and Live Stock Association, capitalized at $300,000. Senator Heartwell has led an active business life and has filled many responsible business and official positions. He is not a politician, but was elected to this position because the people wanted him and had confidence in his integrity and ability.
HON. J. M. HIGGINS, Sunlight, Cass, county, is a native of Columbus, Ohio, born Nov. 22, 1826. He lived there until manhood, was there schooled, married, and began the battle of life there. In 1854 he settled in Clark county, Iowa, worked at the carpenter trade until the war called him to arms. He then enlisted in Co. B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, a private; served all through the war and saw the rebs lay down their arms and doff their colors. He was mustered out a regimental quartermaster. Good luck was on his side all the way along as he was in the hottest of it and never received a scratch. He was a war Democrat and thinks the Lord was on his side for that reason. However, he was with General Thayer and voted for him last fall. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., and discharged when he reached Davenport, Iowa. Soon after he went to Page county, Iowa, and there followed farming until he

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came to Nebraska, in March, 1876, and located where he still resides. Since settling in the state he has followed farming. He has a well tilled farm of 160 acres all under cultivation. Senator Higgins was in the House in 1885. His district - the fifth - is Cass county, ordinarily Republican by 300 majority. He is a Democrat and came in from the race with 140 majority.
HON. P. M. HIGGINS, Schuyler, Colfax county, is a native of Ireland, born in county Mayo, September, 1842. He had the advantages of the primary schools there until 1867, when he emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. He was there about five years, when he removed to Maryland, and was two years in that state. From Maryland he came to Nebraska in 1875, and settled on a farm in Colfax county. Since then he has steadily followed agricultural pursuits and has prospered. He is a steady and thorough-going man and has many friends in Colfax county. Senator Higgins, although an Irishman, is not a Democrat, but supports the Republican ticket. He is a man of strong convictions.

HON. C. A. HOLMES, Tecumseh, Johnson county, was born in Lockport, Ill., June 6, 1840. In 1843 his parents settled in Jefferson county, Wis. He attended school at Waukesha and at Galesburg, Ill., and subsequently enlisted in Company F, Twenty-ninth Wis. Infantry. He was all through the Vicksburg campaign, and on the 16th of May, 1863, was severely wounded in the battle of Champion Hill. He was also in the Red River campaign under General Banks in 1864, and in the Mobile campaign which virtually ended the war. Senator Holmes was in many of the hard fights of that time, all of which are vividly impressed upon the memory of the survivors, and interwoven with the history of our country. The war

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over, and he returned to his home in Wisconsin, studied law, was admitted, and practiced his profession up to 1871, when he came to Nebraska and located where he now resides. Since that time he has been in the banking business of the firm of Russell & Holmse (sic). He was a member of the House in 1875, and has been a member of the Board of Regents of the State University for nine years. He is one of the successful and enterprising business men of the state.
HON. CHARLES R. KECKLEY, York, York county, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 3,1847. When he was very young his parents came west and settled in Ottumwa, Iowa. He there attended the common schools, and became a farmer and stock grower. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry and went to the front. He followed the Vicksburg campaign through and was in most of the hard-fought battles of that memorable time. He was several times wounded, but finally came out alive with honorable scars and a good record. He settled in his present abiding place in 1870, and has since followed farming and stock raising, in which he has been fairly successful. Mr. Keckley is a Republican and is serving his first term in a legislative capacity. He is an upright and popular citizen, and one of the sturdy men of the state.

HON. LEWIS A. KENT, Minden, Kearney county, was born in Olney, Ill., Oct. 29, 1847. His educational advantages were the common and academical schools. When 17 years of age he began teaching, and continued in that capacity seven years. In 1871 he came to Nebraska, located a homestead in Kearney county, improved it, worked in a store, and slowly but surely grew up with the county. In 1873, he was elected county clerk, which position he

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held by successive elections until 1882. He then went into the banking business, and is now president of the First National Bank of Minden. His district, the twenty-ninth, embraces the counties of Kearney, Harlan, and Phelps, and his majority - Republican, was 1,400. Senator Kent is an active working member, and stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is treasurer of the State Board of Agriculture, and has been a member of that organization for fourteen years. Prominently identified with many of the representative interests of the state, he is ever ready to encourage her advancement and aid in the development of her resources.
HON. J. P. LINDSAY, Beaver City, Furnas county, was born in Londonderry, Ohio, May 24, 1856. In 1858 his parents settled in Illinois, and in 1860 in Warren county, Iowa. Here he grew up on a farm until 1872, attended the district school, was in college at Indianola, Iowa. In 1873 he entered Monmouth college, Ill., and subsequently the Chicago University, from which he graduated in 1880. He studied law in Illinois and Iowa, and was admitted to practice in 1881. That year he settled in Lincoln, Neb., remained one year, then located at his present abiding place in the practice of his profession. For the past three years he has been county attorney there. Senator Lindsay is a rising young attorney, an active member of this body, and eminently qualified for any position in the gift of his constituents. His district, the thirtieth, embraces Furnas, Red Willow, Gosper, Frontier, Hitchcock, Hays, Dundy, and Chase counties. It is a broad region, and thrifty people are rapidly planting their homes on its inviting acres.

HON. GEORGE WASHINGTON LININGER, Omaha, is a native of Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., born December 14, 1834. From school age up to 11 years, he

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attended the common schools of that time, and in 1845 his parents removed to Illinois and settled in Peru. There he was accorded such educational advantages as that new country afforded. At the age of 20 he began business for himself, dealing in stoves and tinware, on a capital of $200 he had earned and saved up for a rainy day. Shortly after he was 21 he took a wife, a sterling helpmeet, who encouraged him in well-doing, and shared his lot with Christian fortitude. Two children blessed this union, a son and daughter. The son died several years ago, but the daughter is married, and resides in Omaha. Senator Lininger did business in Peru until 1868, filling responsible local positions in the mean time. He is a very active and prominent member of the Masonic order, and has held the office of Grand High Priest of the state of Illinois. In 1868, health failing, he removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa. He there entered into partnership with E. L. Shugart and engaged in the agricultural machinery and implement business. This continued about five years, and was highly successful. About this time their trade had crossed the Missouri river, and in 1872 Senator Lininger removed to Omaha. The partnership lasted about a year after he located on this side the river, when it was dissolved, and he continued alone until 1879, then sold out, and with his family went abroad. He made a complete tour of continental Europe, visiting England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. He was deeply interested in the grand old historical fields of Palestine, Egypt, and Syria. In 1885, himself and wife started on another journey with the intention of visiting the Land of the Midnight Sun. They were too late, however, to reach that far arctic point, and thus made the tour of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Turkey in Asia, Greece,
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and other countries. He has collected one of the finest cabinets of art, relics, and famous paintings in the west. It is not only valuable as a historical collection, but it is a great feast to the lover of art, and characterizes the taste, refinement, and culture of its worthy author. After the return from his first journey, Senator Lininger organized the Lininger & Metcalf Co., the largest firm dealing exclusively in agricultural machinery and implements in the United States. It commands large capital, and the floor area of its great warehouse in the city of Omaha aggregates 65,000 square feet. Sales for 1886 amounted to $750,000. In addition there are eighteen branch houses in the principal cities of the state. Senator Lininger is now so situated that he can go and come as he pleases, and will soon make a tour of the remaining countries of the world, India, China, Japan, and others. He has been eminently successful in his business, and in all the relations of life he has been prominently identified with important public and private enterprises. He is Past Grand Master of the state of Nebraska, and in whatever capacity he may be found, no one will question his integrity and sterling worth of head and heart. He is not a politician, but was elected to the Senate on the Republican ticket from the sixth district because his constituents demanded him.
HON. JAMES L. LINN, Humboldt, Richardson county, was born in Tazewell county, Ill., Dec. 22, 1841. When 18 years of age he came to Iowa, settled in Hardin county, attending the common and academical schools, and in July, 1861, enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Infantry, and went into the army. He was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, Jackson, Miss., and at the latter place was captured July 16,1863. He was a prisoner in Libby and Belle Isle until the following Dec. 27, when he was paroled. He then

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went to Annapolis, Md., where he was confined in the hospital until March, 1864, then transferred to St. Louis, and in May, 1864, was exchanged. August 23, 1864, he was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, returned home, took a wife, and that fall came to Nebraska and settled on a homestead in Pawnee county. There he remained until 1872, when he sold out and went into the livery business at Table Rock. He subsequently went into the grain, stock, lumber, and coal business. He was interested in a flouring mill and elevator, but sold out two years ago, and now devotes his attention to the lumber business. The session of 1881 he was a member of the House, and the special session of 1882. A Republican, his county went Democratic on the state ticket, although he carried it by the close shave of sixty-one majority. Mr. Linn is an active businessman, and a working member of this body.
HON. THOMAS J. MAJORS, Peru, Nemaha county, was born in Libertyville, Jefferson county, Iowa, June 25, 1841. He lived there and attended the common and select schools until 19 years of age. In 1859, when the Pike's Peak gold fever was at its height, he started for that marvelous Eldorado, but met the return stampeders and did likewise. June 15, 1861, he entered the service in the Frst (sic) Nebraska, Gen. Thayer's old regiment, as first lieutenant, and came out major and brevet colonel. Five years and fifteen days he served Uncle Sam in a military capacity. He was in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, campaigned it on the plains after Indians, and was mustered out on the 30th of June, 1866. He was all this time with the same old regiment, through thick and thin, and shared its hardships and its honors. In October of that year he was elected a member of the Territorial Council for the term of 1867-8. He was also a member of the first State Sen-

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ate after her admission, and was re-elected his own successor. This was the session that returned Tipton to the United States Senate for the long term, he having already served two years. About this time Senator Majors was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for the district of Nebraska, which position he held until the office was discontinued by law, a period of five years. On the death of Frank Welch, he was elected to fill out his unexpired term in Congress, and has three times been elected contingent Congressman in his district, but through informalities in the apportionment did not take his seat. Senator Majors, it will be seen, has been closely identified with the history of Nebraska from her early territorial days down to her present magnificent proportions. He has been active, not only in politics, but in the general advancement of the state. He introduced the bill in the State Senate that located the State Normal School at Peru, and for a year after it opened he was himself a student in the institution. It is now one of the most flourishing institutions of learning in the state and contains over 400 students. Senator Majors owns large and valuable real estate interests, and has one of finest homes in south-eastern Nebraska. Fine cattle, horses, and other domestic animals; buildings, fences, orchards, groves, gardens, and beautiful fields dot his well cultivated acres, and afford him a competence. With all these blessings at his command he need not covet a more royal position, for a grander diadem cannot adorn the brow of any man on earth. Senator Majors has been identified with the Republican party from its birth, and at this late day, after having tilled the country over the turbulent times and brought it out of bondage, and while it is yet in the pride of its strength, and grand in its power and usefulness, he sees no reason for its abandonment.

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HON. C. W. McMAMAR, Plum Creek, Dawson county, was born in Wheatland, Boone county, New York, May 14,1838. His parents settled in Illinois when he was a child, and there he received his schooling. He graduated in the law and has been in active practice about twenty years. In 1872 he settled in Nebraska, at Plum Creek. His district includes about one-fourth of the state, embracing the counties of Dawson, Custer, Lincoln, Keith, Cheyenne, Dawes, Sheridan, Cherry, Box Butte, Grant, Arthur, Hooker, McPherson, Thomas, Sioux, and all of the unorganized territory north of Keith and Lincoln. It is the thirty-first - the last senatorial district in the state, representing a voting population of 13,000. Senator McNamar was elected on the Republican ticket by 2,000 majority. His opponent was Beecher Hinman.
HON. GEO. D. MEIKLEJOHN, Fullerton, Nance county, president pro tempore of the Senate, was born in Weyauwega, Wisconsin, August 22, 1857. He was educated at the State Normal School of Wisconsin, and is a graduate of the law department of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was admitted to bar in Michigan in 1880, and after his arrival in Nebraska the same year, was also admitted here, and subsequently to practice in the United States courts. He has built up a fine practice, was a member of the Senate the session of 1885, then but 27 years of age, and is the youngest member of the present session. For three years he has held the office of county attorney, and is spoken of as one of the most promising lawyers of the state. He went to Nance county in its primitive days and aided in moulding its local affairs and rounding it into form. Senator Meiklejohn is popular and influential on the floor of the Senate, and dignified and able as a presiding officer. His district is the twenty-seventh, and embraces Boone, Nance, Greeley, and Merrick counties.

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HON. R. E. MOORE, Lincoln, Lancaster county, was born in Clark county, Ill., October 22, 1849. He was educated at the Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill.; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in that state in April, 1871. The same month and year he came to Neraska (sic) and located in Lincoln. He was a member of the law firm of Cobb, Marquett & Moore for a number of years, was police judge of the city - 1871-72, and its mayor - 1883 -85. Senator Moore is a popular citizen of the capital city, an active business man, and influential in local politics. His district is the sixteenth, embracing Lancaster county, represented by himself and Senator Burnham, both well developed Republicans.
HON. A. M. ROBBINS, Ord, Valley county, was born in Boone county, Illinois, March 5, 1849. He was raised on a farm, attended the common school of his native place, and subsequently the Pawpaw Classical Institute of that state. In 1873 he began the study of law in the office of A. K. Truesdell, Dixon, Ill., and in 1875 was admitted to the bar. That year he came west and located at Papillion, Sarpy county, Nebraska. He practiced law there until April, 1881, when he settled in Ord, where he has since followed his profession. Senator Robbins enjoys an extensive law practice, is largely interested in real estate, banking, and other business in the state. He was elected on the Republican ticket by the largest majority of any member of either body - over 3,000, and he represents the largest constituency. He was nominated by acclamation, and in the canvass did not go beyond the bounds of his county. His district embraces the counties of Valley, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine, Antelope, Pierce, Holt, Brown, Keys, Pubs, and part of Cherry, a region of country as large as an average empire. In his business and pro-

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fessional relations he has been eminently successful. He is a representative citizen, a popular and able member of the bar, and he ranks among the most able and influential members of the Senate.
HON. PAUL SCHMINKE, Nebraska City, Otoe county, is a native of Germany, born in Hessen, August 16, 1835. He attended the schools of that country, and acquired the rudiments of a German education, and with parents came to the United States in 1852, landing in New York. For a year he worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines, and in 1853 removed to Washington county, Ohio, where for several years he farmed, then learned the trade of mason. He was married in Ohio in 1858, and in 1865 he removed to Nebraska and located in Nebraska City. Here he continued at his trade, contracting and doing well for about ten years. He then built a flooring mill, in which he still retains an interest. About this time he began to take an interest in local politics, and in 1872 was elected alderman of Nebraska City. The next year, 1873, he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1875 was appointed a member of the board of commission to locate and manage the construction of the asylum for the blind at Nebraska City, the best and most economically constructed state building in Nebraska. In 1877 he was again in the Legislature, and that year he was appointed by President Hayes post-master of Nebraska City, which office he held for over eight and a half years, when he was elected to his present position in this body. He is a Van Wyck Republican, and carried his county by the largest majority ever polled there, 1,401. He is a warm personal friend of Senator Van Wyck, and came here to return "the grand old man," or die in the last ditch - a forlorn hope - snowed under.

HON. JOHN E. SHERVIN, Fremont, Dodge county, is a

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

native of Hagerstown, Maryland, born Dec. 26, 1836. In his youth he attended the common and select schools, and was brought up on a farm near Hagerstown. In early life he learned the harness trade, and has since been a manufacturer and dealer in that branch of business. During the war he was on government work much of the time. In 1862 he located in Springfield, Ill., and in 1865 came to Nebraska, stopped a while in Omaha, and in October, 1866, settled in Fremont, which has since been his permanent abiding place. He is still in the harness business, manufacturing and jobbing. Once in, and never out, until he shuffles off the cumbersome rig. Senator Shervin was married in Fremont in 1868. He was a pioneer in Dodge county, and has witnessed his town and the state round out in grand shape. For two terms he has been mayor of Fremont, county treasurer four years, city treasurer two years, in the city council, member of the school board, and was in the State Senate in 1885. Although a Democrat, he seems to be making considerable headway, and must have some of the other fellows on his side. His district is the ninth, Dodge county.
HON. W. H. SNELL, Fairbury, Jefferson county, was born in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland county, Pa., July 2, 1852. When he was 7 years of age his parents settled in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and there he lived until 1868, when he came to Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from the Nebraska State University in the class of 1873, read law in Col. Philpott's office, and was admitted to practice before Judge Gantt, in Johnson county. In 1874 he went to Georgetown, Colorado, practiced law there, and in 1877 returned and settled in Fairbury. He was a member of the Senate in 1885, and is chairman of the committee on engrossed and enrolled bills. It was interesting in the