Born April 6, 1848 in Rosendale, Ulster County, N.Y. He received most of his education in the schools of Louisville, Ky., and New York City. He took a homestead in Monona county, which he sold in 1879, and then bought the hotel which has been known as the Castle house ever since. In November, 1871, he married Almira Smith. He is a member of the Methodist Church and a man of liberal mind. He was formerly a republican, but is now a democrat, on account of the tariff issue. When a candidate on the democratic ticket for county recorder, he was defeated by only thirty-four votes. He has served twice as mayor of Danbury. He represented Woodbury County in the twenty-fourth Iowa general assembly, 1842. He is scribe of the Masonic chapter at Mapleton, and an active member of his home lodge.