Born in Calais, Massachusetts (now in Maine), Pike attended the common schools and the Washington Academy, East Machias, Maine.

He was graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, in 1837.

He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Calais, Washington County, Maine in 1840.

In 1846 he married future American author Mary Hayden Green, daughter of Elijah Dix Green and Hannah Caflin Hayden.

He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State (Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth Congresses), Committee on Naval Affairs (Fortieth Congress).