Born in Baden, Germany, March 19, 1840. He came to America with his parents in 1850, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1854 removed to Dubuque County, Iowa. In August, 1861. he enlisted in Company E. of Fremont's Hussars, and afterward in Company E. Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He was honorably discharged August 10, 1865. He located in Dakota City in 1867, when the entire vote of Humboldt was seventy-five, and was engaged in business the first year at Dakota City. The following year he took a homestead in Wacousta township. In 1882 he was a member of the board of supervisors of which board he was chairman. He assisted in organizing the G. A. R. post at Livermore. He served the state as a member of the legislature from Humboldt county in 1886 having been elected on the republican ticket. On January 8, 1871, he was married to Miss Lavina Robertson of Dakota City. He is a member of the Catholic Church.