He was born in East Machias, Maine, the son of Peter Talbot and Eliza Chaloner.
His family had been in the lumber business for generations, and some of their papers are held by the University of Maine.
[1] In 1849, he travelled to San Francisco to form a business with Andrew J. Pope, whom he had known from childhood.
[2] After his departure from California, he was in business in New York City and in Providence, Rhode Island.
He was a member of Central Congregational Church in Providence and the Rhode Island Historical Society.