Born in Camden, Carroll County, Indiana. A resident of Wayne County, Indiana when he enlisted in the 19th Indiana Infantry at Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. He was wounded at Gainesville, Virginia on 28 Aug 1862. Discharged on 14 Mar 1863. Enlisted as a substitute in the 34th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered in as a Private in Company H at Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana on 17 Oct 1864. Deserted from the post hospital at Brownsville, Texas on 16 Oct 1865. According to his obituary he arrived in Steilacoom, Pierce County, Washington Territory on 10 Nov 1865. On 30 Nov 1869 he had five blocks platted and recorded as the town of "Tacoma", thus being the first to affix the name "Tacoma" to a legal document, according to his obituary. A charter member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington Territory. Died in Tacoma, Washington.