Born in Newington, County, May 14, 1821. His opportunities for education were limited to the first eighteen years of his life. When but seventeen he met with the loss of his mother and his father died the year following. He entered at once upon the activities of a business career which continued during the many years of his life. In an early days he saw the great opportunities which the then new West offered to the pioneer, and with large faith in Iowa, laid the foundation for his financial success by investing in the land which he knew was sure to become more valuable from year to year. He located first in Ohio and on November 27, 1848, was married at Montville to Miss Sarah Underwood. He took an active interest in the first railroad built in the county and the village of Wellsburg named for him. He represented Grundy county in the 17th General Assembly, 1878.