He was born in Øksendal. After working on a farm from 1915 to 1916, he took a smith's education from 1917 to 1920. He worked as a smith from 1920; at Follafoss Tresliperi from 1925. He was involved in the local trade unions, and was active in politics. He was a member of Verran municipal council from 1925 to 1928, chaired the local party chapter from 1931 to 1934 and later served as mayor from 1934. He was also a member of the local school board, the forestry board and various committees. He lost all his positions following the Nazi German invasion of Norway in 1940, only returning as mayor for some months in 1945. He was even imprisoned, in Falstad concentration camp from November 1943 to September 1944, then in Vollan concentration camp for three days, then in Grini concentration camp until the end of World War II.