He was born in Pittsfield, Illinois, but moved with his father to Le Sueur County, Minnesota, in 1854, where he attended the public schools and was also instructed by private tutor. He graduated from a business college in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later he studied law and was admitted to the bar on March 6, 1872, and began his law practice in St. Peter, Minnesota. He was elected city attorney and city clerk of St. Peter (1878 – 1898); served as prosecuting attorney of Nicollet County (1879 – 1889 and 1901 – 1903).