US Congressman, Civil War Union Army Officer. After leaving Indiana for Washington DC in late 1861, he was quickly promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the 19th Indiana Infantry. He resigned his commission and joined the 16th Indiana Infantry as a Captain in June of 1862. In the absence and detail of field officers, he took command of the regiment. On March 25, 1864, he was ordered with with the regiment to gain the rear of Munson's Hill, where a large camp of Confederate soldiers was stationed. The regiment surprised the camp, capturing 450 men of the 2d Louisiana Regiment and the 4th Mississippi Battery. On April 8, at Sabine Crossroads, he was ordered to protect the right of the Federal line with the 16th Indiana, 6th Missouri, and a section of artillery. He held the position, repulsing a severe cavalry charge. The following day, at the Battle of Pleasant Hill, he was wounded twice, being shot in the face and left knee. During the battle, his regiment captured the battle flag of the 19th Texas, taking many prisoners. In newspaper accounts of the battle, he was dubbed "the young hero of the Battle of Pleasant Hill." His regiment presented the Confederate flag to him for his gallantry. The recovery period for his wounds was nearly two years, during which he was unable to speak. In 1865, he declined an honorary commission in the regular army from Secretary Stanton. For over 10 years, he engaged in various businesses, including banking, brewery, retail grocery, and heading and stave manufacturing. He then built many buildings in Anderson, Indiana, including the city's Grand Opera House. He was known as one of the most successful business men in the West. He was elected State Senator for Delaware and Madison counties in 1876, serving in 1877. In 1883, he served in the United States House of Representatives, after being elected to represent Indiana's 9th District.

US Congressman, Civil War Union Army Officer. After leaving Indiana for Washington DC in late 1861, he was quickly promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the 19th Indiana Infantry. He resigned his commission and joined the 16th Indiana Infantry as a Captain in June of 1862. In the absence and detail of field officers, he took command of the regiment. On March 25, 1864, he was ordered with with the regiment to gain the rear of Munson's Hill, where a large camp of Confederate soldiers was stationed. The regiment surprised the camp, capturing 450 men of the 2d Louisiana Regiment and the 4th Mississippi Battery. On April 8, at Sabine Crossroads, he was ordered to protect the right of the Federal line with the 16th Indiana, 6th Missouri, and a section of artillery. He held the position, repulsing a severe cavalry charge. The following day, at the Battle of Pleasant Hill, he was wounded twice, being shot in the face and left knee. During the battle, his regiment captured the battle flag of the 19th Texas, taking many prisoners. In newspaper accounts of the battle, he was dubbed "the young hero of the Battle of Pleasant Hill." His regiment presented the Confederate flag to him for his gallantry. The recovery period for his wounds was nearly two years, during which he was unable to speak. In 1865, he declined an honorary commission in the regular army from Secretary Stanton. For over 10 years, he engaged in various businesses, including banking, brewery, retail grocery, and heading and stave manufacturing. He then built many buildings in Anderson, Indiana, including the city's Grand Opera House. He was known as one of the most successful business men in the West. He was elected State Senator for Delaware and Madison counties in 1876, serving in 1877. In 1883, he served in the United States House of Representatives, after being elected to represent Indiana's 9th District.