Circuit Judge of the Fifth district, is a native of Claremont, New Hampshire, and was born on the 28th day of February, 1830. He was fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden. He entered Dartmouth College and at the end of his sophomore year was compelled, on account of impaired health, to relinquish his studies and seek a change of climate. He traveled west and in 1856 located at Des Moines, and finished reading law with Finch and Crocker and was admitted to the bar in August, 1856. In 1857 he commenced the practice of his profession on his own account. On the 17th day of July, 1861, he was commissioned captain of a company of cavalry in the State service and served against the Indians for three months on the northwestern border of Iowa and southern border of Minnesota. In the fall of the same year he was elected a member of the Legislature of Iowa from Polk County and served two years during the exciting times of 1861-2. After this he continued the practice of his chosen profession, serving as a member of the city council and Board of Supervisors and its first chairman, and filling various offices of trust in the city and county until May 30, 1867, when he was appointed Register in Bankruptcy in the Fifth congressional district. In November, 1868, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth judicial circuit of Iowa for four years from January 4, 1869. Since then twice elected without opposition, all parties supporting him. Entered on third term January 1, 1877, making twelve years for which he has been elected. His honesty as a man and his ability as a jurist are of the highest order, and in the various positions of trust and honor to which he has been called he has discharged his official duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He was married December 29, 1858, to Rebecca Anshutz, daughter of C. P. Anahutz, at Moundsville, West Virginia. Their family consists of one daughter.