Born in Huntington, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of July, 1820. He made a trip to Iowa as early as November, 1839, and was greatly pleased with the beauty and fertility of its vast unsettled prairies but preferred to remain in the East until the then new Territory became better settled. In April, 1856, he returned with his family and became a resident of Vinton and for two years was editor of the Vinton Eagle. For many years he gave his chief attention to farming. In 1861 he was elected to the State Senate as a Republican to represent the Benton and Tama District. In 1869 he was again chosen from the same district to a full term of four years in the Senate. In 1873 he received the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor on the Republican ticket and was elected, serving one term. In 1884 he was elected one of the trustees of the State Agricultural College, having long been a helpful friend of that institution. The town of Dysart, in Tama County, was named for him and was for many years his home, where he died on the 8th of September, 1893.

Born in Huntington, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of July, 1820. He made a trip to Iowa as early as November, 1839, and was greatly pleased with the beauty and fertility of its vast unsettled prairies but preferred to remain in the East until the then new Territory became better settled. In April, 1856, he returned with his family and became a resident of Vinton and for two years was editor of the Vinton Eagle. For many years he gave his chief attention to farming. In 1861 he was elected to the State Senate as a Republican to represent the Benton and Tama District. In 1869 he was again chosen from the same district to a full term of four years in the Senate. In 1873 he received the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor on the Republican ticket and was elected, serving one term. In 1884 he was elected one of the trustees of the State Agricultural College, having long been a helpful friend of that institution. The town of Dysart, in Tama County, was named for him and was for many years his home, where he died on the 8th of September, 1893.

Born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of July, 1820. He made a trip to Iowa as early as November, 1839, and was greatly pleased with the beauty and fertility of its vast unsettled prairies but preferred to remain in the East until the then new Territory became better settled. In April, 1856, he returned with his family and became a resident of Vinton and for two years was editor of the Vinton Eagle. For many years he gave his chief attention to farming. In 1861 he was elected to the State Senate as a Republican to represent the Benton and Tama District. In 1869 he was again chosen from the same district to a full term of four years in the Senate. In 1873 he received the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor on the Republican ticket and was elected, serving one term. In 1884 he was elected one of the trustees of the State Agricultural College, having long been a helpful friend of that institution. The town of Dysart, in Tama County, was named for him and was for many years his home, where he died on the 8th of September, 1893.