Born in Morgan County, Indiana, December 21, 1840, and came to Iowa, Lee County, near West Point, with his parents, in 1842. He enlisted in Co. C, 1st I. V. C., in July, 1861, and served until March, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability, having lost his left arm at Bayou Meto, August 27, 1863. In 1865, he read law with Judge Beck, and was admitted to the bar in December of that year. In the spring of 1866, he commenced practice in Chariton, and, a year later, pursued a course at the Michigan University, graduating in 1868. In 1869, he was elected Representative to the State Legislature, resigned in 1870, and came to Burlington. He was city solicitor in 1873 and 1874, police judge in 1875, 1876 and 1877, and in October, 1878, he was elected Judge of the First Judicial District.