US Congressman. He was born in Goderich (some sources say Lakelet), Ontario, Canada, and moved with his family to St. Charles, Michigan, while still a child. He was educated in local public schools and eventually attended college at the distinguished University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he graduated from the school's law department with his Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1894. He was admitted to the bar that same year and commenced to practicing law after moving to Valley City, North Dakota. He entered politics a few years later and served as a Member of the Board of Aldermen for Valley City, North Dakota, in 1898 and again in 1899. He also served as a Member of the North Dakota State House of Representatives from 1900 to 1902 and as a Member of the North Dakota State Senate (mainly in the role of president pro tempore, a high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the United States Senate in the absence of the vice president) from 1904 to 1908. A Republican, he then served North Dakota's 2nd District in the United States House of Representatives from 1913 to 1924. After his term in office expired he resigned to accept a judicial position. He was appointed personally by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, to serve as a Member of the Board of General Appraisers for the United States Customs Court in New York City to fill the seat that was left empty by the departure of former member Eugene Gano Hay. He was later reassigned by operation of law and served as an Associate Judge of the United States Custom Courts beginning on May 28, 1926, and a Judge beginning June 17, 1930. He lastly served as a Presiding Judge of the United States Customs Court until his service was terminated because of his death in New York City on May 27, 1932, at the age of 61. He was succeeded by Judge William John Keefe.