Representative from Delaware county, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., September 29, 1853, of American parentage. He received a common school education in the public schools of Delaware county. Taught eight terms in the public schools of the county after which he attended the Epworth Seminary at Epworth, Iowa, and also Lennox College at Hopkinton, Iowa. Was married February 2, 1881, to Elma D. Baker of Greeley, Iowa, the family consisting of four sons and two daughters. In 1879 he engaged in the business of buying and shipping work horses to Minnesota for sale. In 1884 he commenced importing pure bred stallions from Europe; this business has grown until he is now the largest importer of stallions in the U.S. He owns and operates several large farms in Delaware county, Iowa, besides owning large tracts of land in other states and Canada. He has been president of the German Hanovarian Oldenburg Coach Horse Association of America ever since its organization. Elected representative in 1914. Has always been a republican in politics.