Born in Berks County, Pa., on May 13, 1809. He was about five years old when he went to Ohio with the family, and, considering his limited advantages in an educational way and in other ways as well, his success in life was truly remarkable. Until 1838 he carried on a tannery at Fredericksburg, Ohio, and was then appointed clerk of the court of common pleas, a position he retained for fifteen years. When the probate court was established in Ohio he was the first probate judge elected for his own, Wayne County, and well did he meet the responsibilities of the office during the next three years. In 1855 he located in Cass County, Iowa, and engaged in farming near Atlantic. He was a member of the Iowa legislature from Cass County for one term; was county judge of Cass County two terms, and in 1858, though defeated, was a candidate for the office of state treasurer. He was prominent as a Knight Templar Mason. His wife, who had died in Iowa in 1879, was Rachel, daughter of John and Jane (Carson) Wilson, of Scotch and Irish descent and Presbyterians in faith.