Born at Shohola, Pike County, Penn., Dec 18, 1833; received a common school education; was a telegraph operator’ came to Wisconsin in 1861 and to Madison in 1862 as manager of the Northwestern Telegraph Company’s office; was appointed agent of the Merchants Union Express Company in 1865, and was agent for the American and United States Express Companies; has been connected with the daily press of Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul in the capacity of legislative reporter; was elected chief clerk of the Wisconsin senate during the session of 1878, to succeed Hon. A. J. Turner, who was appointed railroad commissioner; was re-elected chief clerk in 1879 and 1880; is Republican in politics.