US Congressman. He graduated from Lombard University, in 1862 and served as a Captain of Company I, 102nd Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he studied law, graduated from the Albany Law School in 1866, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Galesburg, Illinois. Moving to Dexter, Iowa, in 1868, he engaged in stock growing, banking and agricultural pursuits. He was treasurer of Dallas County, (1877-80) and Iowa State Treasurer, (1880-84). In 1885, he was elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth, Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses, serving until 1890. After his term, he was Minister to Brazil, (1890-93), Minister to China, (1898-1905) and Ambassador to Mexico, serving until his resignation on October 18, 1905. Retiring from the U.S. Diplomat service, he relocated to California, until his death at age 64.

US Congressman. He graduated from Lombard University, in 1862 and served as a Captain of Company I, 102nd Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he studied law, graduated from the Albany Law School in 1866, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Galesburg, Illinois. Moving to Dexter, Iowa, in 1868, he engaged in stock growing, banking and agricultural pursuits. He was treasurer of Dallas County, (1877-80) and Iowa State Treasurer, (1880-84). In 1885, he was elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth, Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses, serving until 1890. After his term, he was Minister to Brazil, (1890-93), Minister to China, (1898-1905) and Ambassador to Mexico, serving until his resignation on October 18, 1905. Retiring from the U.S. Diplomat service, he relocated to California, until his death at age 64.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith