Born on October 16, 1809, in Bristol Mills, Maine, Drummond graduated from Bowdoin College in 1830 and read law in 1833.

[1] Drummond was nominated by President Zachary Taylor on January 31, 1850, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Illinois vacated by Judge Nathaniel Pope.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 19, 1850, and received his commission the same day.

Drummond was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 13, 1855, to a new seat authorized by 10 Stat.

His service terminated on December 22, 1869, due to his elevation to the Seventh Circuit.