Born at Xenia, Greene County, Ohio. A printer by trade and resident of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas when he enlisted 14 May 1861 for three months' service as a Private in Company A of the 2nd Kansas Infantry. He mustered out with the regiment 31 Oct 1861. He enlisted in the 11th Kansas Cavalry at Topeka, Kansas, 19 Aug 1862. Mustered in and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Company E, 11th Kansas Cavalry, 13 Sep 1862. Promoted to Captain of Company M, 11th Kansas Cavalry, 19 Apr 1864. He mustered out with the company, 26 Sep 1865. After his service he remained in Kansas, residing at Paola, Miami County, where he worked as a hardware merchant. He married Margaret W. Duncan about 1870. He relocated to Washington Territory after 1880, eventually settling at Eastsound, San Juan County. He died at Eastsound, Washington in 1908. His headstone reports his death as 1907, contradicting his death certificate and military pension records. He is the namesake of Post No. 127 at Hillyard, Spokane County, Washington.