He was born in Ireland and came to Quebec City with his brother George sometime before 1807.
They were originally in the business of importing goods but later became involved in the timber trade.
In 1811, they took over the operation of a sawmill near the current location of Hawkesbury when the original owners were unable to repay funds paid in advance for lumber.
He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada in 1820, but was unseated in the following year when it became evident that the electoral officer, an associate of his brother, had tampered with the results.
This article about an Upper Canada politician is a stub.