OVERNOR HOLCOMB'S private secretary, Benton Maret, was born in Clay county, Missouri, May 29, 1868. His father, Daniel H. Maret, in an early day removed from Madison county, Kentucky, and settled

in Missouri. Benton was educated at William Jewell College, at Liberty, Missouri, and afterward engaged in newspaper work in St. Joseph and Kansas City. He was city editor of the Wichita Daily Beacon (democrat) during the Lewelling campaign in Kansas, and took a prominent part in that fight. Formerly a democrat,

now a populist, he has all along been an aggressive champion of fusion between these parties. During the Nebraska campaign of 1894 he was placed in charge of Holcomb headquarters at Omaha, and his ability as an alert, aggressive politician and successful campaigner were sufficiently demonstrated by the result in Omaha that year. His appointment as private secretary to the governor, in 1895, was regarded with approval by the supporters of Governor Holcomb throughout the state, and has since proven to be a remarkably wise and happy selection. Always affable and courteous, his treatment of visitors to the executive chamber has brought the people at large more thoroughly in touch with the administration than during the term of any other governor of Nebraska. Upon Governor Holcomb's re-election in 1896, it followed naturally that Mr. Maret should retain the station he had so acceptably filled. In 1891 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Stuckey, at Lathrop, Missouri, and in the spring of 1893 removed to Eddyville, Dawson county, Nebraska, where he assisted in organizing the Eddyville Bank, with Capt. John S. Stuckey, his father-in-law. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Maret is brightened by the presence of little Miss Norma, their only child.

well known figure in the executive office is Frank L. Mary, chief clerk to Governor Holcomb, who has held that position ever since the inauguration of his excellency in 1895. Mr. Mary was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865, came to Nebraska in 1887, and took a prominent part in the organization of the county of

Hooker. He was appointed by Governor Thayer as one of the organizing commissioners, and was the first county surveyor in the new county. He was also interested in important mercantile enterprises. He cast his first vote for the greenback ticket, was a populist from the organization of the party in Nebraska, and edited the Western Farmers' Alliance during the memorable campaign of 1890. Prier to that he published

the Mullen Enquirer, an aggressive newspaper. He took a commercial course in the Lincoln Business College, and afterwards served as principal of the commercial department of the Douglas academy. Mr. Mary is a tireless campaign worker, a most agreeable gentleman, peculiarly fitted for his present station, and enjoys the confidence of a wide circle of political acquaintances. He was married in 1896 to Miss Margaret Conway, of Lincoln.

AMUEL PATTERSON, deputy state treasurer, is a resident of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and was born October 3, 1867, in Rock Bluffs, Cass county, this state. He is a son of James M. and Ellen H. Patterson, of the city of his residence. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native city, with the addition of a course in Bellevue (Nebraska) College. In politics Mr. Patterson has always been a democrat, but has never been active, and has not sought office, This is his first official position. He is a competent, energetic young man and expeditiously discharges the duties imposed upon him. He was married October 3, 1891, to Miss Rose B. McCauley, of their home city.