He arrived in New York City at the age of 12, living and working with an Uncle. He studied law and was admitted to The Bar in 1850. He served shortly thereafter as President of the New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad. He removed to Brooklyn soon after retirement and was one of the founders of The Academy of Music and The Brooklyn Art Association. In 1869 he was appointed United States Collector of Internal Revenue. Through his many ventures he amassed a great fortune.
He md. Amherst, Ma. 16 Dec. 1853, Emily Ellsworth, dau. of William Chauncey & Harriet (Webster) Fowler, a grand-daughter of Noah Webster. She was b. Greenfield, Ma. 26 Aug. 1826 & d. Brooklyn, NY. 23 Nov. 1893.