Came to Iowa from Ohio in 1846 and for some time was settled at Overman's Ferry. Associated with Mr. Durant he early laid out the town of Atalissa. His earnest ways and public spirit brought him conspicuously before the people at large and in 1858 he was elected to represent Muscatine and Cedar counties in the General Assembly. He was prominently identified with the Republican party and on the breaking out of the war presented to the First Regiment of Iowa. He was soon in the field himself, taking a captaincy in the 2nd Iowa Cavalry and resigning his commission after an arduous service again went to the front in an infantry regiment, continuing in arms to the close of the war. His subsequent life has been passed at home attending to his farming interests and some special industries in his beloved town.