young Burkett should go to college. The family income being too meager to meet the increased expense, he worked his way, acting as assistant janitor, sawing wood, and turning his hand to any odd job that came in his way. In 1890 he graduated from Tabor College, Iowa, was principal of the Leigh, Nebraska, high school in 1891 and 1892, entered the State University College of Law in September of the latter year, and in June, 1893 received the degree of LL B. Two years later he received the degree of LL. M. In June, 1896, he delivered the alumnal address at his alma mater, at the close of which he was elected to the board of trustees of that institution. He married Miss Fannie Wright, of Glenwood, Iowa, in 1891, and has enjoyed domestic happiness. In the campaign of 1896 he made a brilliant and most successful canvass, and his addresses were logical, forceful, and pleasing. He received the largest majority given to any one candidate in his district. The house honored him with a unanimous compliment on his ability, courtesy, and fairness in presiding over the two days' stormy debate on the Trans-Mississippi Exposition bill. Mr. Burkett is a member of the committees on judiciary, medical societies, and apportionment.

ON. F. BURMAN, of Douglas county, served for some weeks as a member of the house from the tenth district, and was unseated after a warm legislative contest. He was born in Sweden, August 2, 1856. He took a high school course and is a graduate of the agricultural college, afterwards serving two years as superintendent of a large estate. He came to America in 1881 and for eight years worked at the carpenter trade and mining in Wyoming and Idaho. He entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company as clerk in Omaha in 1889, and held the position until 1892 when he resigned, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business as a general agent. In January, 1897, he was appointed to the general state agency of the Northwestern Life Assurance Company of Chicago. Mr. Burman is a genial, intelligent gentleman, and very popular in his large circle of political acquaintances. During his service in the legislature he gave strict attention to the business of the house, and was an active and able member of the committees on claims, militia, mines and minerals.

OR about one month the tenth district had among its representatives in the legislature Hon. John H. Butler, of Omaha. At the close of the notable contest of the seats of certain members from his district he retired by a vote of the majority to make place for his contestant. Mr. Butler was born in Jennings county, Indiana, April 5,1842, moved with his parents to Iowa the same year, and there resided until April, 1861, when he enlisted in the war for the Union. He was engaged in many of the hardest fought battles, among which were those occurring at Island No. 10, New Madrid, Corinth, and Iuka, where he was severely wounded. After a year in the hospital he again entered the thick of the fight and participated in battles around Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hills, and Black River. He still carries a rebel bullet received during the charge on Vicksburg. He took part in something like twenty other engagements of more or less importance, and was honorably discharged. Soon after the war Mr. Butler located at Omaha and engaged in the building business, continuing until 1874, In March of that year he was married to Miss Mary E. Van Dyke at Fredonia, Iowa. He was elected street commissioner for the city of Omaha, and afterwards became chief of police. At

the expiration of his term of office he again engaged in the building business. He has held many important positions of public trust and was the special agent of the legal department of the city. He has a happy family and is very popular among his associates and political acquaintances. While in the legislature he served on the committees on militia, and fees and salaries.

ON. HENRY D. BYRAM, representative from the twelfth district, was born in Janesville, Iowa, October 1, 1858. His early youth was divided unequally between the farm and the school. In 1864 his family removed to Newark, New Jersey, but returned the same year to Janesville, where the elder Byram settled on a farm. In 1876 the young man started west to seek his fortune. He had a varied career in Nevada, Arizona, California, and other states for several years, ranching, mining, teaming, contracting, and roaming over the western mountains and deserts. He was married August 10, 1881, to Miss Hattie Arnold at Humboldt, Nevada, while he was one of the managers of the Humboldt House, referred to by travelers as "the oasis in the desert." This same year Mr. Byram accepted a position as locomotive fireman on the