I was born in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania in York County. I was educated as a school teacher. In 1857, I moved to the Huntingdon area and began teaching school in McConnellstown.

I began studying law in 1859 and in 1862 I was admitted to the Bar. I was admitted to practice law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1865.

In 1872, I was a member of the convention to revise the state constitution. I was a member of the Huntingdon Town Council and president of the Huntingdon County Bar Association. My final position was as President Judge of the 20th Judicial District.