He was a farmer and lived within a few miles of St. George ever since he was 16 years old. He was the first Justice of the Peace of Tucker County after its formation. In 1865, he held the office of supervisor, and in 1882 was elected county commissioner. In the war he leaned toward the South. He was taken prisoner and carried to Belington, and held a few days. He was carried to Philippi and again released. He was a Captain of the Confederate Home Guards. He lost a son, James W., in the Confederate service, who was taken sick of a fever brought about by overwork as a carrier of dispatches, and died near Monterey, on the Huttonsville Road. His farm of 150 acres was 6 miles west of St. George, in Clover District.
