Born in New York. He enlisted in the 86th New York Infantry for three years at Almond, Allegany County, New York. He mustered in as a Private in Company D on 13 Sep 1861. Wounded, captured in action and paroled, 3 May 1863, at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Discharged for wounds at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Died in Tacoma, Washington. His military and pension records spell his last name as "Prior".