In 1852, he and his family immigrated to the United States, first landing at New Orleans, then settling in Davenport, Iowa.

As a teenager, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, and fought at the battles of Paducah, Shiloh and Fort Donelson.

He soon began selling to most states in the nation, becoming a major component of the lime industry in Iowa.

He was a member of the Appropriations, Commerce, Enrolled Bills, Labor, Mines and Mining, Public Health, Agriculture, Federal Relations, Charitable Institutions, Congressional and Judicial Districts, Highways, Military, Pharmacy, Printing, Public Buildings, Railways, Retrenchment, Senatorial and Representative Districts, and Ways and Means committees.

[1][4] A. Hurst & Co. began declining in the early 20th century as the popularity of portland cement increased, and effectively shut down by 1920.