Born in Ohio he was ordained there to the ministry in the Mennonite Church in 1857.
He moved to Elkhart County, Indiana, in 1864, where he lived until his death.
The first revival meetings known to be held in the Mennonite Church were conducted by him and by John F. Funk in 1872.
He compiled a hymnbook, The Balm of Gilead, and 1878 he began publishing the Gospel Banner, the official organ of his new church.
Later he edited and published a monthly newsletter titled Youth's Monitor.