He graduated from Princeton College in 1812, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1816, and commenced practice in Trenton, New Jersey.

He served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Elections in the Twenty-seventh Congress.

After leaving Congress, he was appointed by President Zachary Taylor as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and served from 1849 to 1853.

He raised the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry during the American Civil War and served as its colonel until February 18, 1862.

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