Born in Orange County, New York, May 26, 1827, and died at Strawberry Point, Iowa, September 22, 1917. He came with his parents to Loraine County, Ohio, in 1829. He attended common school and Norwalk Academy. In 1855 he removed to a farm in Clayton County, four miles southeast of Strawberry Point and continued to own it until his death. He taught school during winters for several years both before he left Ohio and after he came to Iowa. In 1846 he removed to Strawberry Point and for several years followed local newspaper business, and was also secretary of the Farmers' Creamery Company of that place. He was a successful farmer and dairyman. In 1867 he was elected representative and served in the Twelfth General Assembly. He also served his county as a member of the board of supervisors for several years. He married Hannah Westfall in 1852.