Born in Huntington, West Virginia, he moved to Pittsburgh in 1873. After graduating from Amherst College in 1895, he studied law at Columbia University and began practicing in New York City. He was then a banker and corporate director, and during World War I was director of the National War Savings Committee for the State of New Jersey. He was appointed Ambassador to Mexico by PresidentCalvin Coolidge form 1927 to 1930.
He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1931, caused by the resignation of Walter E. Edge, and at the same time was elected for the term commencing March 4, 1931, and served from December 3, 1930, until his death in Englewood, New Jersey, on October 5, 1931.