Biography
a Senator from Nebraska; born in Cadiz, Ohio, August 5, 1817; attended Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa.; pursued classical studies and graduated from Madison College, Pennsylvania, in 1840; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced the practice of law; member, State house of representatives 1845; appointed to a position in the United States Land Office 1849-1852; resumed the practice of law in McConnelsville, Ohio, in 1853; ordained a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856; moved to Brownsville, Nebr., about 1859 and joined the Congregational Church; member of the Nebraska constitutional convention in 1859; member, Territorial council 1860; during the Civil War was appointed chaplain of the First Regiment, Nebraska Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865; assessor of internal revenue for Nebraska in 1865; member of the State constitutional convention in 1867; upon the admission of Nebraska as a State into the Union was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate; reelected in 1869 and served from March 1, 1867, to March 3, 1875; resumed the practice of law; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 1880; died in Washington, D.C., November 26, 1899; interment in Rock Creek Cemetery.
Courtesy of Biographical Directory of the United States Congress