Born at Marysville, Union County, Ohio. A resident of St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota when he enlisted at age 18 as a substitute soldier in the 6th Minnesota Infantry for one year's service. Mustered in the same day as his enlistment, 1 Aug 1863, at St. Paul, Minnesota. Although military pension records report his company as "unassigned", the Minnesota Adjutant's Report indicates he was assigned to Company I. He mustered out with the regiment at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. After his service he remained at St. Paul, Minnesota where he worked as a railroad conductor. He married Jennie Marie Nixon, 7 Dec 1869 at St. Cloud, Benton County, Minnesota. By 1890 he relocated to Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington where he was engaged in real estate and a member of the Tacoma City Council in 1896. Up until shortly before his death he served as a bailiff for eight years at the Pierce County Superior Court. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Washington. Served the Post as Senior Vice Commander in 1913, becoming Commander on 8 Mar 1913, Adjutant in 1917 and Junior Vice Commander in 1918. After a series of strokes, he took his own life at Tacoma, Washington in 1931. His remains were cremated at Oakwood Hill Crematorium at Tacoma, Washington and are interred next to his wife and parents at St. Paul, Minnesota.