Born in Binghamton, New York, on November 21, 1842. His boyhood was spent there, on a farm and in employment as a clerk until the outbreak of the Civil war. He was not yet 20 years old when he offered his serviced to the government and became a member of Co. H., 168th New York Volunteers. He was with that command until the expiration of the term of his enlistment. Soon after the close of the war he was married in New York state to Miss Lucy Fairchild, and in 1867 they moved to Iowa and to Dallas county. His life was more or less of a public nature and an open book. For a time he was engaged in farming northwest of Adel, but after a few years his interest in government affairs brought him to the attention of the leaders of the republican party. He was elected clerk of the courts and served in that capacity for six years, moving to Adel at the time of his election. When his term of office expired he became associated with the Dallas County News as editor. He served as postmaster under President Harrison and again under Theodore Roosevelt. He represented this senatorial district in the state senate during the 26th and 27th general assemblies and for many years was one of the most prominent republican speakers of the state. He was a member of the Christian Church.

Born in Binghamton, New York, on November 21, 1842. His boyhood was spent there, on a farm and in employment as a clerk until the outbreak of the Civil war. He was not yet 20 years old when he offered his serviced to the government and became a member of Co. H., 168th New York Volunteers. He was with that command until the expiration of the term of his enlistment. Soon after the close of the war he was married in New York state to Miss Lucy Fairchild, and in 1867 they moved to Iowa and to Dallas county. His life was more or less of a public nature and an open book. For a time he was engaged in farming northwest of Adel, but after a few years his interest in government affairs brought him to the attention of the leaders of the republican party. He was elected clerk of the courts and served in that capacity for six years, moving to Adel at the time of his election. When his term of office expired he became associated with the Dallas County News as editor. He served as postmaster under President Harrison and again under Theodore Roosevelt. He represented this senatorial district in the state senate during the 26th and 27th general assemblies and for many years was one of the most prominent republican speakers of the state. He was a member of the Christian Church.