Born in 1837,[Birth 1] in Trenton, New Jersey, Green graduated from Princeton University in 1854 and read law to enter the bar in 1858.
He was in private practice in Trenton from 1858 to 1889, interrupted by service as a Sergeant in the United States Army during the American Civil War.
[1] Green received a recess appointment from President Benjamin Harrison on October 24, 1889, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Judge John T. Nixon.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 27, 1890, and received his commission the same day.
His service terminated on October 10, 1896, due to his death in Trenton.