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      Rev. Joseph H. Presson, Chaplain of the Senate, was born in Ohio, February 26, 1840. He located in Nebraska in December, 1864. He was the secretary of the first Republican State Convention held in Nebraska, and ever since has taken a lively interest in the political affairs of his adopted state. For thirty-two years he has been a minister of the gospel and connected with the Methodist Episcopal Conference, he was the Chaplain of the House of Representatives during the 27th Session, and was Chaplain of the Nebraska Department, Grand Army of the Republic for one term.

      Chaplain Presson served in the 55th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, from 1861 to 1865, and took part in the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Missionary Ridge and other engagements, during the campaign around Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. Chaplain Presson for four years served as county clerk of Johnson county, Nebraska. He was married October 11, 1866, to Miss M. M. Huff, and has three sons. His home is at Milford, Nebraska.

      Albert Russell Keim, Secretary of the Senate, was born in Pennsylvania, February 22, 1859. He received his early education in the schools of his native state, and in 1871, came to Nebraska with his parents.

      Secretary Keim entered the University of Nebraska, and was graduated from the classical department in 1881, was assistant principal of Falls City High school 1881-1883, and principal of Brownville, Nebraska, high school, 1885; commenced the practice of law at Falls City in 1887, which has since been his home. In 1896 he was county judge of Richardson county, and during the Legislative sessions of 1895, 1899, and 1901, was assistant secretary of the Senate. His appointment to the position of secretary is due to this thorough knowledge of the duties of the office, and the high satisfaction he gave during his services as assistant secretary for the three sessions which he served. Mr. Keim is a bachelor.
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     William M. Wheeler, First Assistant Secretary of the Senate, resides at Fairfield, Nebraska, where he is publisher and proprietor of the News-Herald. He was born on a farm near Watkins, New York, January 8, 1860. He received his early education in the public schools, and finished at Cornell University, class of 1883. He located in Nebraska in the spring of 1881, and for twelve years was engaged in publishing the Republican, at Wakefield. In the 26th and 27th Sessions of the Nebraska Legislature he was one of the officers in the House of Representatives. In December, 1886, he was married to Miss Cora D. House, and has a family consisting of two children, one son and one daughter.

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