Born in Washington, D. C., March 2, 1831, and at the age of three years removed with his parents to Terre Haute, Indiana, living there until fourteen years of age, at which time he went to New York City. While there he was engaged in clerking until 1856, when he came to Iowa and settled at Davenport, and for one year followed different lines of business. In 1857 he went to Marengo, Iowa county, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until September, 1862, when he enlisted in company E, Twenty-fourth infantry. May 16, 1863. He was wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, and was discharged in September, 1863. After returning home he again commenced the mercantile business, which he continued until 1870. He then went into the milling business, and continued the same until December, 1879, when he came to Des Moines and bought the mill in company with Mr. Fairbanks. In 1864 he was appointed postmaster at Marengo, which office he held until Andrew Johnson's administration. He was elected to the Eleventh General Assembly of Iowa, from Iowa county, in 1866, and served for one term. He was married, August 18, 1859, to Miss Sophia McConnell, a native of Ohio.