Born in Hebron, New Hampshire, he pursued an academic course, studied law, and was admitted to the bar of Merrimack County in 1845.

He was a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1850 to 1852 and in 1865–1866, and served as speaker during the last two years.

[1] He was a member of the New Hampshire Senate in 1857–1858, serving as president the last year.

While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Claims (Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses).

[3] His daughter Helen married Frank Nesmith Parsons, Pike's law partner from 1879 until his death; Parsons was later Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court (1902–1924).