Born July 1, 1803, in Virginia. He removed, when quite a boy, with his parents, to Georgia, and thence to Kentucky. In 1831 he was united in marriage in Kentucky to Miss Montgomery, and about the year 1849 he removed with his family to Missouri, where he received the title of judge. In 1852 he took up his residence in Council Bluffs and made this city his home. Soon after his arrival here he was elected a member of the Iowa legislature from western Iowa, and served his constituents well and faithfully. During his long residence here he acquired large landed interests.