He immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Pekin, Illinois, about 1850.

During the Civil War he served in the Union Army as lieutenant in Company I, Eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

He left the service as captain of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

He engaged in banking and manufacturing and also in the construction and management of railroads in Illinois.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress