JOHN EZRA RICKARDS, Lieutenant-Governor of Montana, was born in Delaware City, Delaware, July 23, 1848; is of American parentage; his edu cation was obtained in the common schools of his native State, but Mr. Rickards gives to experience the credit for his knowledge and accomplishments; he has, since leaving his native State, resided in Pennsylvania, Colorado and California, coming from the latter State to Montana, arriving here in October, 1882. He is a merchant by occupation, and is prominent in Butte commercial circles He has taken an active interest in public affairs, first serving as Alderman in the Butte Council, and subsequently as member of the Territorial Council and in the Constitutional Convention. He was nominated by the first Republican State Convention for Lieutenant-Governor, being elected at the election of October 1, 1889. Mr. Rickards is prominent in fraternal and church affairs. He is Supreme Representative for Montana of the order of Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was elected lay delegate to represent Montana in the last General Conference of the world, held in New York City in 1888. Speaking of this last named event, Mr. Rickards says: "This I consider the highest honor ever bestowed upon me." Mr. Rickards is married and has five children living, and three have died and are buried in Butte. Mr. Rickards is an enthusiastic Montanian, and expects to end his days in Montana.

ALBERT L. BABCOCK, of Billings, Yellowstone County, who occupied a seat in the first Senate in session after admission, was born at Albany, N. Y., December 22, 1851; his father moved to Illinois, locating on a farm near Pontiac in 1856, where the now Senator passed his boyhood days; attended district school during the winter months; at the age of sixteen went into a printing office as an apprentice, but abandoned the trade after awhile and secured a situation as a clerk in a country store; continued clerking until he was twentytwo years of age, when with the small amount he had saved he commenced business for himself, meeting with success which has been continuous to the present time; came to Montana in May, 1882; was County Commissioner of Yellowstone County from 1885 to 1889, and was Chairman of the Board from 1888 to 1889; was elected to the State Senate on the Republican ticket at the first State election; was appointed Aide-de-camp on the Governor's staff, with rank of Colonel, by Governor B. Platt Carpenter.

C. W. BAYLIES, of Ubet, Fergus County, was born at Southbridge, Mass., February 6, 1855, of American parentage. He was educated in the common schools of his native State. He came to Montana ten years ago, and for the last six years has been connected with the firm of Stephens & Baylies in the stock-growing business. He was elected to the Senate upon the Republican ticket in 1890, when he had his first experience in public life. He is a mar

ried man..

W. S. BECKER, of Glendive, Dawson County, was born in Salem, Dallas County, Ala., December 15, 1855. His parents left the South after the war and located at Aurora, Ill., where the subject of this sketch received a common school education. At the age of seventeen he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, and has ever since followed railroading, his present occupation; went to Wyoming at the age of twenty-two, and in 1879 was married to Miss K. D. Bosworth, at Sherman, Wyo.; removed to Colorado in 1880 and came to Montana in 1882; was elected to the Senate in 1889 by the Democratic party of Dawson County, and is serving with credit to himself and his constituents.

LAWRENCE A. BROWN, of Dillon, Beaverhead County, was born in Georgia in 1829, of revolutionary parentage. In 1850 he went around the Horn to the Golden Gate, and in 1858 was admitted to practice in the courts of California. From California he went to Nevada, and thence to Utah. He was the first Gentile to fill the office of Probate Judge of Tuele County, being elected, but only obtained the office after a prolonged contest; was afterwards County Attorney of Tuele County. He moved to Montana in 1879, and made his residence in Butte, and served that city as Attorney, but resigned before the expiration of his term. Subsequently he was elected a member of the fifteenth and sixteenth Legislative Assemblies, representing Beaverhead County. In 1889 he was chosen Senator from Beaverhead County, and sat at the memorable first session of the State Senate. He was a member of the Senate during a portion of its second session, but resigned on February 2d. He is a Republican; he is at present mining and farming in Beaverhead County, having been successful in both avocations; he is married.