Born March 22, 1842, at Stapleton, Staten Island, of English parents. He was educated in a private school in Hull, England, and at Bryant and Stratton's Business College. At the age of 19 he enlisted in the Ninety-first New York regiment, and continued therein four years, when he was mustered out at the close of the war with the rank of captain. Returning to Albany, he engaged in the business of painting and decorating which he had formerly learned. He also became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he was steadily advanced, until he was elected Commander-in-Chief of the National Commandery of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1891. He was elected to his present office in 1893.

Born March S, 1847, in Waterboro, York County, Maine. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the Seventh Maine battery, and served in the Ninth Army corps before Petersburg, and against Lee until his surrender at Appomattox. He graduated from Edward Little Institute, Auburn, Maine, in 1866, and from Bowdoin College in 1870. Removing to Buffalo in 1871, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and has since continued in the practice of his profession. He was Member of Assembly from Erie county in 1879-80, but declined a nomination for a third term. He is a member of the Buffalo Board of Park Commissioners, and VicePresident of the Buffalo Loan, Trust and Safe Deposit Company. He was also an officer in several Buffalo corporations until he resigned on being elected Comptroller in 1893. He is senior member of the law firm of Roberts, Becker, Wesser & Orcutt, at Buffalo, where he also resides.