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 made a canvass of the county, and although the combined force of the opposition was directed against him personally, he was elected, and has thus far taken an active part in the proceedings of the Senate. He is rather a fine-looking gentleman, of average height and weight, neat and trim in personal appearance, with heavy auburn beard and a kind, beaming eye. He is an easy man to approach and has the faculty of making friends. He is a strong Republican and has been such ever since he was entitled to a vote. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, having united with it in 1864. He was married in March, 1868, to Miss Anna M. Rice, of Rock Hill, Missouri, and they have a family of four children.

Among the silent majority in the Senate, the subject of our sketch is an honored member, and represents Benton county. He is a pleasant, wellappearing gentleman, now in the prime of life. He has a full face, cleanly shaven, with the exception of chin whiskers. His voice is rarely heard in debate, but his vote is always cast, after a careful review of the situation, and his mind once made up it is not easy to change. He guards with zealous care the interests of the State, and proves an honest, conscientious public servant. He was born in Andraiw county, Missouri, in 1849, his younger days being spent in a store. With his parents he moved to Oregon in 1865, and settled at Corvallis. He went to Yakima valley in 1872, where he spent about three years in the stock business. Returning to Corvallis in 1875 he entered into partnership with his father in the general merchandise business, which he is still engaged in, and the firm to-day stands second to none in that city for enterprise and general business integrity. His parents are still living and stand high among the citizens of Benton county, and "Tom" is considered a chip off the old block, possessing the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He was married December 21, 1870, to Miss Sarah L. Jeffreys, of Corvallis, and with his accomplished wife occupy prominent positions in the social life of that city. He made his bebut in the political arena at the last general election, when he was elected Senator. Politically speaking, he is a Democrat, but is not considered a strict partisan, although he sustains a good political standing in his party. He is also an honored member of the Masonic fraternity.

Who is serving the last session of his four years' term as State Senator for Polk county, is, without doubt, one of the most popular men in that county, possessing the esteem and confidence of its citizens, both as a business man and a legislator. He is an Oregon boy, having been born and raised in the county he represents on the 27th day of July, 1848, his father, Nicholas Lee, having come to Oregon in 1847, and died at Dallas July 11, 1879, his mother surviving the husband's death just eighteen months. The subject of our sketch received a partial academic education in the La Creole Academy at Dallas. The greater portion of his boyhood, however, was spent on