Born in St. Stephens, New Brunswick. His youth was spent at Calais, Maine, where he received a good common school education, or rather, educating himself, for he was in every respect a self-made man. He read law at Calais, Maine. Seeking his fortune in the western world, he tried his luck with indifferent success in various places, and finally came to this State and settled at Cedar Rapids, where he remained a few years, and then went to Independence, Iowa, where he remained until 1853. There he married Alzlina E., a daughter of Manassah Reeves, Esq., and immediately removed to Waverly. He was the proprietor of the town, and it was mainly though his energies and perseverance that it owes its present prosperity. In every enterprise of a philanthropic or patriotic nature he was ever foremost, and his private charities were almost without number. He devoted his energies entirely to his business, and never would accept a public office, except when convinced the public good and his duty required it. He held the office of prosecuting attorney for county when that office was one of the most important in the county. He also represented his district in the State Legislature in 1858. He labored long and ardently to give Waverly the benefits of railroad communication. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity.