Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, October 14, 1832. His father was the captain of a sailing ship, and when fifteen years of age he went with his father, and made two trips to Europe, and one to San Francisco. In the fall of 1849 he returned home and soon after removed to Hampden, Maine, and engaged in the general merchandise and manufacture of lumber, and in shipping. He was there married to Miss Maria Mayo, October 15, 1854. In 1856 he sold out and came to this county and located on section 21, Deep River Township. His wife died, leaving one son and one daughter: Nathan M. and Sarah Lizzie. He took for his second wife Sarah Dodds, of Washington county. He was elected to the Iowa House and served in the Thirtieth Iowa General Assembly, 1904 representing Poweshiek County.