Born in Northport, Canada West, he was a lawyer and teacher before being elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the Ontario riding of Elgin West in the 1908 federal election. A Conservative, he was re-elected in 1911 and as a Unionist in 1917.
A lawyer and educator from Northport, Canada West, he was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1908 as a Conservative representing Elgin West. He was re-elected in 1911 and again in 1917 as a Unionist.