He was Minister of Defence of Latvia in 1926 and 1928 and was recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lāčplēsis, 2nd and 3rd class,[1] and the Estonian Cross of Liberty.

Born in Plātere Parish (now Ogre Municipality), Kreis Riga, in the Governorate of Livonia of the Russian Empire in a farmer's family.

He participated in the Russo-Japanese War and served at the Port Arthur naval base.

In February he was appointed as the North Latvian Brigade's artillery commander.

From July 18, 1919, to October 18, 1919, he was transferred to post of commander of main army's artillery department.