Born in Brattleborough, Vt., February 20, 1810. During his boyhood days his parents moved to Onondaga county, N. Y. He learned the trade of millwright and, with the exception of two years in Canada, he lived in the state of New York and worked at his trade until 1856, when he came to Iowa and built several mills, among them the one at Chickasaw. He has been one of the leading citizens of this community and county ever since he came to the state. In the fall of 1869 the republicans of Chickasaw county nominated him for the state legislature. He was elected and served his constituents faithfully in the thirteenth general assembly. He was justice of the peace for a number of years in this township. Whether a servant of the people or a private citizen he performed his duty as he conscientiously believed was right. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and stood high with that fraternity.