During the Civil War enlisted in the Union Army and served as a sergeant in Company K, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

After the war, he served as colonel of the Sixth Regiment of the Iowa National Guard for four years and brigadier and inspector general of the State.

He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Osage, Iowa.

He was twice elected to the Iowa Senate, serving as president pro tempore in 1886.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress