Born at Cheadle Mill, Staffordshire, England, February 27, 1814. With his father's family he came to America in the year 1824, settling in Monroe County, Ohio, on a farm, but soon afterwards removing to the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. At-the early age of seventeen he was left an orphan with a younger sister to support, and he successfully took up and carried on his late father's occupation of pump making and contracting, which business he carried on for nearly thirty years at Wheeling. In the year 1856 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, and being pleased with the Oneota valley, purchased the Mt. hope farm to which he soon afterwards removed and became a successful and progressive farmer. Being among the early settlers in the Upper Iowa River Valley, he underwent many hardships incident to the early settlement thereof. In June, 1858, he became a charter member in the Mt. Hope Presbyterian church and was elected a Ruling Elder, which office he held, and ever gave it, a helping hand and loved to promote its Interests. In 1878 "Uncle Benny" as he was familiarly known, served as representative in the 17th General Assembly of the State of Iowa with credit to himself and his constituents. He was also Postmaster at Clear Creek post-office for nearly 30 years. In 1843 he was married to Miss Charlotte Gilchrist of Wheeling, West, Va.