"Old Black Hawk," as he was called by his colleagues in the Iowa House of Representatives was one of the best known members of the Legislature during the sessions of 1858 and 1860. He was born in Granville, Washington County, New York, February 7, 1801. He came to Iowa in 1852, settling on a piece of Government land which he entered that year near Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, where he built a log house in which he lived for nearly thirty years. He was one of the typical pioneer farmers of early days in Iowa, industrious, economical, hospitable, jovial, and a man of sterling integrity. He was well informed, an independent thinker, always acting upon his own convictions of right. He was highly esteemed by his neighbors, and had hosts of warm friends throughout Black Hawk County. As a member of the Legislature he was not the originator of many bills or laws, as he held the opinion that the highest duty of a member was to closely examine every proposition presented to the Legislature. It is probable that no member of the Iowa Legislature ever defeated so many visionary, vicious or useless bills as "Old Black Hawk." Few people outside of his colleagues have ever known how valuable were the services rendered the State during the four years' service in the House of Representatives. In 1862 he was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, and in 1864 was one of the Commissioners appointed by Governor Kirkwood to take the vote of the Iowa soldiers in the field.

"Old Black Hawk," as he was called by his colleagues in the Iowa House of Representatives was one of the best known members of the Legislature during the sessions of 1858 and 1860. He was born in Granville, Washington County, New York, February 7, 1801. He came to Iowa in 1852, settling on a piece of Government land which he entered that year near Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, where he built a log house in which he lived for nearly thirty years. He was one of the typical pioneer farmers of early days in Iowa, industrious, economical, hospitable, jovial, and a man of sterling integrity. He was well informed, an independent thinker, always acting upon his own convictions of right. He was highly esteemed by his neighbors, and had hosts of warm friends throughout Black Hawk County. As a member of the Legislature he was not the originator of many bills or laws, as he held the opinion that the highest duty of a member was to closely examine every proposition presented to the Legislature. It is probable that no member of the Iowa Legislature ever defeated so many visionary, vicious or useless bills as "Old Black Hawk." Few people outside of his colleagues have ever known how valuable were the services rendered the State during the four years' service in the House of Representatives. In 1862 he was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, and in 1864 was one of the Commissioners appointed by Governor Kirkwood to take the vote of the Iowa soldiers in the field.