Representative from the forty-fifth district, Clinton county, Iowa, was born January 21, 1855, in Schleswig, Germany. He came to this country with his parents in 1865 and settled on a farm in Deep Creek township, Clinton county, Iowa, receiving his education in the public schools and graduating from the eighth grade. He lived with his parents until the year 1881 when he married Miss Margaret Seymour who is also a native of Germany. She also came with her parents to this country in 1865 and settled on a farm in Center township. To this union were born nine children, six boys and three girls, all of whom are living. He owns three hundred acres of very valuable land in Clinton county. He was one of the heaviest cattle feeders in the county and also raised good horses and thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He retired from active farming in 1917. He served ten years as township clerk and twelve years as trustee. He is a democrat in politics. At the present time he lives in Clinton, Iowa.