In presenting to the public this Souvenir Book of the Nebraska Legislature for 1901-2, containing fine portrait engravings of the members and officers of both Houses of the Legislature, the State Officers, etc., with a brief biographical sketch of each, the publisher feels that, although imperfect in many respects, owing to the short time in which the work must be completed, it will yet prove a pleasing memento of one winter's work for the members therein - and a source of valuable information for all in years to come. It was hard at first to interest men busy in public affairs, or gain their ear long enough to obtain the data necessary to make the Souvenir all we could wish; but, as time passes, these memoranda of the personnel of those who have taken part in our public matters become more and more valuable, as a reference historically, and a remembrance of what has been done and by whom in the state's history. Trusting that the difficulties of such a work will be appreciated, and allowance made for all shortcomings, I remain,

Respectfully yours,
D. W. REID.

   CHARLES H. DIETRICH, the first Republican governor of Nebraska in six years, is a self-made man, one of those typical Americans who have fought their way single-handed and alone from obscure poverty to a competence and position of honor and trust. He was born in the year 1853 and baptized In the German Lutheran Church. At the early age of twelve years he was forced to leave school and make his own way in the world. At sixteen years of age he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and for three years worked for the Weyth Hardware Company. He then returned to Chicago and engaged in the same business until 1873, when he went to Arkansas. In 1875, with only $126, his all of this world's goods, he started for the Black Hills, buying his necessary supplies at Cheyenne. He walked to Deadwood. During his stay in the Black Hills he was financially successful and returned to Aurora, Ill. In May, 1878, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Slaker. The following September he located in Hastings, Neb., which has since been his home. In 1887 Mrs. Dietrich died, leaving her husband with one child, a girl six years old. Mr. Dietrich has never married, and has devoted his life to the rearing of his daughter, who is now a student at Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia.

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   EZRA P. SAVAGE, Nebraska's Lieutenant-Governor, the second of five children, was born at Connorsville, Ind., in 1842, and began to make his way in the world at an early age, his mother having been left a widow. Mr. Savage began work on a farm. His recollections of early education consist mostly of a log school house, slab benches with no back or desk, and winter terms of two or three months each, before he was sixteen. At that age he went to Davenport and attended the high school until he graduated, supporting himself by attacking woodpiles armed with saw, sawbuck, and axe, with which he had supplied himself. In the same manner he earned his own way in the Iowa College until it was moved from Davenport to Greenville, but worked on farms during the summer months. In addition to this collegiate education, Mr. Savage has studied law for recreation, and has been admitted to practice in both state and Federal courts. In March, 1879, he came to Nebraska, locating in the northeastern part of Custer county, where now is located the town of Sargent. In those days Grand Island was the market town, and the railroad was ninety miles away. For a time Mr. Savage lived in Lincoln on account of the educational advantages to his children, and later, when the South Omaha stock yards were opened, went there and began commission business with George B. Green. The business was successful, but owing to their generosity in loaning money to shippers they were compelled to go out of that business. In 1893 he returned to the ranch.

   GEORGE W. MARSH, Secretary of State, came of the sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Was born in 1852. Came with his parents to Nebraska in 1859, locating on the farm where his parents still reside. In 1861 his father and oldest brother enlisted in the cause of the Union, leaving the mother and smaller children to manage the farm. He attended school during the winter and worked on the farm during the summer. After completing his education in the common schools, he finished his education with a two years' course at the State Normal at Peru. In 1877 was married to Miss Anna R. Stephens; has four children - Nellie M., aged thirteen; Wayne, aged ten; Benton, aged eight; and Master Arthur, aged three years. Mr. Marsh followed farming, and school teaching during the winter months until 1884, when he sold out and engaged in the drug business. In 1887 he was elected county clerk on the Republican ticket, was re-elected in 1889 by an increased majority. At the expiration of his four years' term as county clerk, was the unanimous choice of the Republicans of the county for county treasurer and was elected. Was re-elected county treasurer, serving eight years as county clerk and treasurer. In 1886 he was elected mayor of Falls City for one year. At the expiration of his term as county treasurer he engaged in business, which he subsequently sold out, and assumed editorial control of the Falls City Journal - one of the ablest county newspapers in the state. Mr. Marsh has served as congressional committeeman for his county and chairman of the county central committee.

   CHARLES WESTON, State Auditor, was born In New York City in 1854. He moved with his parents to Champaign county, Illinois, in 1855, and spent much of his time on the farm until he reached manhood. Mr. Weston is a man of thorough education. He received his elementary education in the public schools of Chicago and Champaign City, Ill. He entered the University of Illinois in 1872 and graduated from the institution in 1876, having completed in a very creditable manner a four years' course in the College of Literature and Science. In 1884, Mr. Weston removed to Washington Territory and was for a time editor of the Lewis County Bee in that territory. He came to Nebraska in 1886 and has since resided in the state, most of the time at Hay Springs, Sheridan county, and has been engaged in the mercantile, banking, and stock business. He is at present chiefly engaged in the stock industry In Sheridan county. Mr. Weston has always been a Republican in politics, and in 1893 was elected regent of the State University, which position he filled with great credit to himself and advantage to the educational interests of the state. He proved himself to be a man of energetic purpose an discriminating judgement, and was much esteemed by University people and by his associates on the board. Mr. Weston has served for many years on the school and village boards at Hay Springs, his counsel being eagerly sought and invariably followed. Mr. Weston has been a widower for many years, and has one daughter, a bright miss of twelve years, who is now being educated in Chicago.