Born near Chester, Pennsylvania. Instructor of mathematics at Haverford College. Graduate of Jefferson Medical College in 1856. Married Eleanor Wood October 14, 1857. They had four children. Married Rachel Scattergood June 5, 1873. He is known as "The Quaker Physician" by copper collectors. He was a member of the Society of Friends and wore the customary conservative clothes and broad brimmed hat.

Author of Varieties of the Copper Issues of the United States Mint in the Year 1794 in 1869. He gave colorful names for the various obverses of 1794 that are still used occasionally. Author of A Historical Sketch of the Coins of New Jersey in 1881.

In 1883 a reunion was held to commemorate 200 years since George Maris settled in America. Dr. Maris commissioned a medal (Julian CM-27) to be distributed to those attending.

He conducted one auction November 27, 1893. Part of his collection was sold at auction by the Chapman Brothers November 16-17, 1900.

obit: AJN 35 Jul 1900 page 29; NUM 13 Jun 1900 page 160