U.S. Senator. During the War of 1812, he served in the 5th Regiment, New York Militia and after the war, he taught school in Marcellus, New York. Moving to Boonville, Indiana, in 1819, he taught school, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced to practice law in Boonville. He was a member of the Indiana State House of Representatives, in 1821 and lighthouse keeper of the lighthouse at the St. Joseph River, in 1832. He moved to Michigan, was clerk of Berrien County, in 1834, a regent of the University of Michigan, in 1837, appointed bank commissioner in 1838 and served in the Michigan State House of Representatives, in 1839. In 1848, he was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lewis Cass, serving until 1849. After leaving the Senate, he served as probate judge of Berrien County from 1852, until his death at age 58.

U.S. Senator. During the War of 1812, he served in the 5th Regiment, New York Militia and after the war, he taught school in Marcellus, New York. Moving to Boonville, Indiana, in 1819, he taught school, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced to practice law in Boonville. He was a member of the Indiana State House of Representatives, in 1821 and lighthouse keeper of the lighthouse at the St. Joseph River, in 1832. He moved to Michigan, was clerk of Berrien County, in 1834, a regent of the University of Michigan, in 1837, appointed bank commissioner in 1838 and served in the Michigan State House of Representatives, in 1839. In 1848, he was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Lewis Cass, serving until 1849. After leaving the Senate, he served as probate judge of Berrien County from 1852, until his death at age 58.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith