He was one of the leading democrats of the state of Nebraska, serving four terms as state representative and one term as state senator from Butler county. He was a member of the board of control of the Soldiers and Sailors Home at Grand Island and Milford for three years.

In 1898 he was appointed secretary of the Nebraska Commission of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition held at Omaha, Nebraska, serving during 1898 and 1899. In 1904 he was a delegate from Nebraska to the Democratic National Convention at St. Louis, Missouri, and at one time was chairman of the Democratic State Convention.

In 1906 he removed to Bayard. He took a government homestead about ten miles northeast of Bayard, meanwhile working on the Bayard Transcript, the Bridgeport Blade and the Bridgeport News. When Morrill county was formed he was most instrumental in assisting and was rewarded by being elected the first county clerk of Morrill county, holding that office for two terms.

In 1912 he established the "Northport

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

Herald," but in 1913, removed to Bridgeport and continued it until his death. He was an editor of more than ordinary ability and his editorials and newspaper articles were the subjects of comment by newspapers throughout the state.

He became a member of the Masonic order years ago, in Iowa, later affiliating at David City. When Camp Clarke lodge No. 285, A. F. & A. M., was organized at Bridgeport in 1913, he became one of the charter members, and has been active in the work of this lodge since that time. He has been patron of the Eastern Star since its organization in 1914. He was also commander of the Morrill county post of the Grand army of the Republic.