He was born on February 21, 1836, in The Old Manse, Broughton Astley, bordering Sutton-in-the-Elms in Leicestershire, England.

He worked on a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, and attended the common schools.

He studied law at Oberlin College, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in DeWitt, Iowa.

He founded the Arlington, Virginia neighborhood of Glencarlyn with his partner George W. Curtis in 1888.

He travelled to England and stayed at the Old Manse (now 12, Green Rd) Broughton Astley, Leicestershire.