Representative from Jefferson county, was born in Jefferson county, February 7, 1869, on the farm now owned by him and occupied by a tenant. He attended rural school and later Parsons College, from which he graduated in 1894, a Phi Kappa Phi. He taught in rural schools, high school and as principal in a village school. He worked for a time in a law office. For fourteen years he was secretary of the Fairfield school board. He was postmaster at Fairfield, Iowa, 1916 to 1921. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Fairfield free public library and secretary thereof. His hobby is nature study, especially of plant life and birds. A member of the Iowa Ornithologists Union, the Iowa Academy of Science, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He served for many years both as democratic county chairman and as congressional committeeman. A member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic orders. Serving first term in the legislature. A democrat.