Born in Bernville, Pennsylvania. Married Laura Turner December 10, 1891. She died four years later. They had one son. Taught school for a year. Graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1884. He practiced medicine in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, until 1926 when he retired and turned over the practice to his son. He served on the local school board, the draft board and was elected a burgess in his borough.

He had an extensive general collection but specialized in Civil War tokens. He also collected Hard Times Tokens and numismatics of Pennsylvania. He purchased proof sets from the Philadelphia Mint until 1900. One choice item from his collection was an 1895 dollar, graded at the time of sale in 1982 as proof 67.

Author with Julius Guttag of Civil War Tokens and Tradesmen's Store Cards in 1924. The book was reprinted in 1968. In 2002 he was inducted into the CWTS Hall of Fame.

He was a member of the Masons and the Shrine. He died at home in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. Parts of his collection were sold at auction by Bowers and Ruddy January 28-30, 1982.

obit: NUM 41 Oct 1928 page 618

bio: CAT Bowers and Ruddy