He went to state colleges: Central College (then known as the Central University of Iowa) in Pella, Iowa from 1870 to 1873; Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa from 1873 to 1875; and graduated from Central College in 1877.
He pursued higher education at several institutions: Central University of Iowa (now known as Central College) in Pella, Iowa for a period of three years, then attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa for another two years; he completed his studies with a degree from Central University of Iowa in 1877.