he graduated from ohio wesleyan university in 1858 and entered the ministry in that same year. in the american civil war, he served as chaplain of the first michigan infantry until after the battle of gettysburg. he participated in 18 battles all together and was offered a brevet rank of colonel. however, he resigned from the army and in 1864, he became assistant editor of the "northwestern christian advocate" of chicago, illinois. from 1872 until his death, he was the editor.