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Thurston, John Mellen

lawyer, state legislator, United States senator, was born Aug. 21, 1847, in Montpelier, Vt.

He was elected member of the Omaha city council in 1872; city attorney of Omaha in 1874, and a member of the Nebraska legislature in 1875. He was president of the Republican league of the United States in 1889 to 1891. In 1877 he became assistant attorney of the Union Pacific Railway company, and in 1888 was appointed general solicitor of the Union Pacific system, and held that position at the time of his election to the senate. In 1895 he was tendered in writing the unanimous vote of the entire republican membership in the legislature, and was elected for the term commencing March 4, 1895. His term of office will expire March 3, 1901. He was permanent chairman of the republican national convention of 1896 which nominated President McKinley. He is a constant contributor to current publications; and an able orator.