Police Commissioner Charles J. Karbach is strictly an Omaha product. He was born here on December 1, 1869, and has lived. here ever since. When he became old enough he learned the machinist's trade and later became a plumber, after which he joined hands with his father, whose name he bore, in caring for the family properties which were, and still are, very numerous.

     He was appointed by Governor Shallenberger on January 12, 1909, to fill the unexpired term of Robert Cowell as Fire and Police Commissioner of Omaha, in which capacity he served until election time, when, under the new law by which the Commission was appointed by ballot, he was re-elected.

     Mr. Karbach is a very prominent Omaha business man, and is one of the most active workers in Ak-Sar-Ben. He lives at 924 South Twenty-fifth street.

     William F. Wappich, a present member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, was born at Keokuk, Ia., on February 19, 1860, and was educated there, being admitted to the bar. He came to Omaha in 1887 on a visit and took a temporary position as abstracter in a local real estate firm. He had no idea of staying, but he seemed to make a hit, and was governed thereby. Before leaving Keokuk he had served as councilman there and knew something of politics, and so it was not a year after he reached Omaha until he was Secretary of the Board of Public Works.

     Thereafter he practiced law steadily in the local courts and built up a large business. He was elected Police Commissioner on May 5, 1909, and is still in that office. He has proven a most efficient and painstaking official.

     Mr. Wappich has an enviable reputation as an Omaha Booster, and is one of the most prominent actors and workers in Ak-Sar-Ben. He is living at present in his new home at Forty-first and Davenport streets, and has no children.

     For forty years a resident of Omaha, Fred H. Hoye is regarded as a man well suited to the office of Police Commissioner. He was born in London, England, and was brought to America when but four years old, coming directly to Omaha.

     Ever industrious, he went to work when very young and many years ago engaged in the business of contractor and builder. The firm of which he is a part is now well known as that of Bridges & Hoye. His partner, Lee Bridges, is a councilman at present.

     It was but a few years ago that Mr. Hoye engaged in politics, and now his ward, the Second, swears by him. His popularity in the city is evinced by the fact that he was a councilman from 1900 to 1906, and that last spring he was elected to the Fire and Police Commission by a generous vote.

     Mr. Hoye lives at 2010 Oak street and his record is absolutely clean. As a Fire and Police Commissioner he has proven all that could be desired.

     William J. Hunter, one of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, was born at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, now South Dakota, on March 28, 1865. It was troublous times in that country then, and his parents soon came to Omaha, he being about five years old.

     They stayed here for a while, and then moved into the southern part of the state, engaging in the grocery business. Mr. Hunter learned this business in the meantime, and in 1885 came back to Omaha and opened up a store of his own at Twenty-fourth and Binney streets, where he has been ever since.

     Mr. Hunter has always been active in politics but never held office until May, 1909, when he was elected Commissioner on the Republican ticket.

     He lives at 2936 North Twenty-fourth street and has a wife and two children.