Born in Delaware, February 21, 1828, moved with his parents to Michigan in 1S32, was married in 1855 to Elizabeth J Wilson, came to Iowa and settled in Jasper county in 1857. He taught school in the early days and was a carpenter by trade. When the civil war came he enlisted in company K, Twenty-eighth Iowa volunteer infantry. He was a well-read man, always keeping himself posted on the current events of the party and. church. He was most loyal to the interests of the G A. R. He was elected sergeant when his company was organized and was promoted to orderly sergeant, which rank he held when mustered out with, his regiment in, 1865. Early in life he united with the Church of Christ and remained a member all his life He was elected as representative of Jasper county to the legislature of Iowa in the Twenty-first general assembly and was instrumental in getting the bill passed establishing a soldier's home for Iowa soldiers.