Born in Norway on June 8, 1859, and came to the United States at the age of seven. He settled on a farm near Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he received his schooling. In 1887 he married Anna Bergeson and a few months later the couple moved to a farm north west of Wallingford. Four years later he was elected a member of the Iowa House of Representatives and served one term. He was one of the organizers of the Wallingford town corporation and of the Emmet county mutual insurance company. An ordained minister, he served as pastor of the Wallingford church. He served as a member of the Wallingford town council for many years and owned a foundry and hardware business in the town as well as his insurance business. He was a member of Camp 47 of the MWA which he had served as president.