Born October 13, 1824, in Miami county, Ohio. In 1838 his parents moved to Pike county, Illinois, which at that time was a frontier county, where he spent his early manhood. An education was the great desire of his life. He succeeded qualifying himself for a teacher and while yet in his teens took up that occupation. Early in 1862 he was instrumental in organizing Co. D. of the 54th Illinois Infantry volunteers and was elected its first lieutenant. In late 1863 at the close of his army service he moved to a farm near Vinton, Iowa. He was a Republican in politics and took an intense interest in pubic and political affairs, He was elected to the legislature from the county and served two terms. He gave the same close attention to legislative matters as he did his other affairs and he was always present at roll call and in committee work. On August 9, 1848, he was married to Harriet Josephine Webb, of Farmingdale, Illinois. He was a member of the Methodist Church.