Born at Hamilton, Ont., May 12, 1838; prepared for College, but entered business in Detroit, 1855; established Michigan Car Company, 1863; member and chairman of Republican State Central Committee, 1876, 1886, 1890; President of Detroit Park Commission and Board of Estimates; Republican Presidential Elector, 1884; elected to United States Senate, as Republican, for term beginning March 4, 1889, and reelected in 1895; an industrious, practical member, whose opinions command respect; Chairman of Committee on District of Columbia and member of Committees on Commerce, Naval Affairs and Corporations in D. C.