He came to Minnesota on August 6, 1881.
He was an advocate of ethics in government and limiting corporate financial influence. "In 1895 his refusal to accept passes from the railroad companies while a member of the legislature, and his subsequent position on this and kindred matters, was the beginning of the anti-pass legislation, state and national, which has since been enacted." (History of Goodhue County, Minnesota. Chicago: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., 1909, p. 659.)
Religion provided by Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897.