He learned the printer's trade at the Northampton Gazette, and then worked for the Salem Landmark. In 1837, he co-published the Quincy Patriot. From 1837 to 1853, he published the Danbury Times. In 1853, he bought the Poughkeepsie American and renamed it the Dutchess Democrat. In 1856, he merged his paper with the Poughkeepsie Telegraph, and published it until 1883, when he retired.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Dutchess Co., 2nd D.) in 1884 and 1885; Clerk of Dutchess County from 1886 to 1888; again a member of the State Assembly in 1891; and a member of the New York State Senate (15th D.) in 1892 and 1893.
He was found dead in his bed on the morning of July 20, 1893, at his lodgings in Clinton Avenue, in Albany.
