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Born in 1826, was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1850. In 1857 he became editor of the Hartford Evening Press, which advanced the interests of the Republican party. He was the first Connecticut volunteer in the Civil War, enlisted as a captain, and was mustered out as brevet major-general in 1865. In 1866 he was elected Governor of Connecticut, and in 1868 was president of the National Republican Convention, in that of 1872 secretary of the Committee on Resolutions and its chairman in 1876. He was a U.S. Congressman from 1872 to 1881, when he was chosen Senator, serving until the present time (1894). He is a pleasing speaker and a strong Republican.