Born in Greenville, Texas, he moved with his parents to Oklahoma in April 1902. He attended the public schools of Checotah, Oklahoma. During the First World War, he served as a private in the Infantry, United States Army.
A native of Greenville, Texas, he moved to Oklahoma with his family in April 1902. He attended school in Checotah, Oklahoma. During World War I, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in the infantry.