He served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Green Lake County during the 1875 session.

[1] He attended public and private schools and finished his education at the Poughkeepsie Academy.

When he was 17 years old, he went to live with his brother-in-law, and then sailed to South America, visiting several countries.

After making some additional travel to gather livestock and provisions, he set to work clearing and sowing his farm.

[1] He was originally a supporter of the Democratic Party, but became a Republican after the American Civil War.