Born in Scotland on the 9th day of June, 1822, and lived there until seven years of age when he emigrated with his parents to the United States and settled in Washington County, Ohio, where he was raised on a farm. He lived there following his chosen occupation until 1852, when he settled in Marion County, Iowa. His farm consists of 275 acres, and he devoted his attention to stock-raising and feeding. Although no political aspirant, he was elected to represent the Marion County in the State Legislature of the Fifteenth General Assembly, and served with credit to himself and with honor to his constituents. He has been the architect of his own fortune and stands prominent among the self-made men of the county. He was married on the 6th day of March, 1851, to Miss Sarah M. Dunlevy, a native of West Virginia.