He attended rural schools in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was graduated from Luther College in Decorah in 1890, from Luther Theological Seminary, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1893 and from the University of Chicago in 1914.
He studied at rural schools in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah in 1890, completed his theological studies at Luther Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1893, and earned a degree from the University of Chicago in 1914.