In early youth he went to ilontpelier, and served iis clerk in a store for a year or two, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile business, until failing health induced him to take a sea voyage, returning from which he went to Winchendon, Mass. There he purchased a store and stock of goods, and engaged in a general mercantile business, and also in the manufacture of palm leaf hats, becnniing the largest producer of these articles in the State. A few years later he went to Middlebury, Vt., and engaged in the lumber and wood-ware manufacture. While he was thus employed, the marble business in that section of Vermont was attracting much attention. He became interested and bought a very extensive quarry in Piltsford, Vt., and began with great energy and industry to develop and utilize it, so that he soon competed with older and larger companies, furnishing stone for New York and Boston markets. Two of Boston's large hotels were built of marble sold by him. He made a number of improvements in cutting and (juarrying the marble, which are in use to this day.

In 1867 he became connected with the gold mining interests of the State of Georgia, locating his operations in and around Dahlonega, which is regarded as the very centre of the auriferous region of that State. At the time he began his operations there was hardly a successful mining enter()rise in that section. The methods for obtaining gold were almost entirely primitive, the mills and machinery being crude and imperfect. Under his thorough business knowledge and energy, and by backing his judgment with his means, he has, more than all others, brought the mining industry of northern Georgia to its present j)r()sperous condition. A large tract of comparatively worthless territory has become one of the most valuable mining properties in the State.