Lived a great part of his youth in Germany, but on the death of his grandfather returned to Dillsborough, where he had been left various properties. Among them was Hoppet Hall, where he lived. On the death of his cousin John, he inherited Bragton Hall and married Mary Masters.

"...a young-looking handsome man, with fair hair, cut short, and a light beard, which was always clipped. Though his mother had been an innkeeper's daughter in Montreal he had the Morton blue eyes and the handsome well-cut Morton nose. He was nearly six feet high, and strongly made" - The American Senator.