Born in Gibson County, Indiana, on February 22, 1842. In 1850 his parents returned to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, working on a farm. On August 2, 1862, he enlisted at Mercersburg, PA., in Company C., 126th Reg. Pennsylvania, Volunteers, one of the nine months regiments. He was discharged with the regiment May 20, 1863. He reenlisted in Company H., 204th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, September 5, 1864, and was discharged as orderly sergeant at the close of the war. In 1867, he made his home with his eldest brother in Andes, New York, and began a journalistic career in that state which lasted 10 years, three of which he was, managing editor of the Binghamton Daily Republican. In 1867 he moved with his family to Mediapolis, Des Moines county, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business as a managing clerk. In 1880, he moved to Garden Grove, where be edited and published the Express for eight years. In the-spring of 1896, he moved to Leon. He was married in Andes, N. Y., on June 14, 1870, to Mary A. Liddle. To them were born eleven children. Politically he was a republican, and as such was elected and represented this county in the 24th General Assembly. He was always a strong advocate of the principle of prohibition, and as such was made chairman of the committee on the suppression of intemperance. He was nominated and elected to the office of county recorder in 1896. He was long a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and took a deep interest in all its affairs.