Born in Massachusetts, he attended Holyoke High School.

[2][3][4] His education was interrupted during World War I with service in the United States Army.

[6] He studied law at the University of Detroit, worked for a time as a probation officer, and served as a Wayne County Circuit Court Commissioner for several years.

[5] In 1943, he ran for Mayor of Detroit, receiving more votes in the primary than the incumbent Mayor Edward Jeffries, but then losing to Jeffries in the general election.

[5] He was elected as a judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court in 1947 and served in that capacity until his death in July 1961.