Born in Sofala, New South Wales, he grew up in Wattle Flat, received a primary education and held various jobs including a miner, farmhand, teacher and shopkeeper.

[1] He was re-elected to a second term at the 1910 election, defeating Commonwealth Liberal candidate William Fleming.

He held the seat until his defeat by Commonwealth Liberal candidate Percy Abbott at the 1913 election.

[5] He made two attempts for the NSW Legislative Assembly, at the 1913 election for Darlinghurst and at the 1917 Macquarie by-election.

This article about an Australian Labor Party member of the House of Representatives is a stub.