Born Oct. 27, 1797, in Rutland, Vermont. He was married to Mary A. Hitsman October 3, 1824. He emigrated to Iowa in 1859 and since that time has lived in this county. In his earlier years he was an earnest; worker in the cause of education having taught some 80 terms of school and for several years and held the office of school commissioner or superintendent. He cast his first vote for DeWitt Clinton, as Gov. of New York in 1819 and his first Presidential vote for James Monroe in 1820, and has voted at every presidential election since. He was on the Board of Supervisors of Genesee county, N. Y., for several years and assisted in canvasing the votes of that county in 1840. He was chosen to the Lower House of the Iowa Legislature in 1863, and was the oldest member at that body. He was elected Clerk of the District court of this county in 1860 and held that office one term.