Born at Wettenhall near Sorell in Van Diemen's Land to Commander Robert Wettenhall[1] and Mary Burgess Bussell, he moved to Victoria in 1859.
He worked as an overseer in the Wimmera in 1861 and a manager in 1863 before leasing his own property.
He served as a Stawell Shire Councillor and mayor.
In 1883 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council for Nelson Province, serving until 1886.
[2] His son Marcus was also a state MP.