Born in Auburn, New York. Moved to California in 1852. Married Mary Louise Powell December 1, 1870. They had four sons. Started Vallejo Evening Chronicle in 1867; sold out in 1886. Established the Oakland Evening Enquirer which he managed until 1897.

He served on the Assay Commission for 1891. Appointed Superintendent of the U. S. Mint in San Francisco and served August 1, 1897, to September 19, 1907. He was superintendent at the time of the San Francisco earthquake. Appointed Director of the Mint in Washington and served September 19, 1907, to July 1, 1909. He resigned to take the position of president of the People's Water Company of Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California. Author of Recollections of a Newspaperman in 1917, reprinted as Recollections of a Mint Director.

bio: NCAB 14; WWWA-4 photo: NUM 21 Jan 1908 page 5