Biography

Born in Cayuga County and studied law in Auburn after pursuing classical studies. He moved to Ohio in 1829 and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He commenced his practice in Norwalk, Huron County. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Huron County in 1837. He was a member of the Ohio State Senate in 1840 and 1841. He was then elected as a Whig to the 29th and 30th Congresses and as a Free-Soil candidate to the 31st Congress (1845-1851). He was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1860. He was appointed U.S. attorney for northern district of Ohio in 1861. He was elected as member of the State Senate in 1869 and he was Democratic delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1873. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for probate judge of Erie County in 1875.