orn March 10, 1856 into slavery in Reisterstown, Maryland, this African American spent his time in slavery until the end of the civil war in 1865. From 1865 to November 26, 1878 he worked as a laborer in the Reisterstown area. On November 26, 1878 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 9th Cavalry Regiment of the Buffalo Soldiers as a private with Troop I. He served with this regiment until his discharge on November 25, 1883.