Mr. Staples was educated at Dwight and Holbrook's School in Clinton, N. Y., and at Poughkeepsie (New York) Military Institute. Afterward he spent one year as draughtsman with J. A. Wood, a prominent architect in Poughkeepsie, and three years as draughtsman and rodman in the Croton Aqueduct Department, New York City. For fourteen months he was brakeman and baggagemaster of the Iowa division of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and for twenty-seven years he has been associated with the Erie Railroad as conductor, yardmaster, station master, superintendent of floating equipment and lighterage, and general agent of the New York terminal, which responsible position lie now holds. In all these capacities Mr. Staples has displayed untiring energy and devotion to duty, great executive ability. and all those qualities which win both respect and approval.

In public life lie has also achieved distinction. He has been an Inspector of the New Jersey State Prison for eight years and President of the Board of Inspectors for five years, and has four years more to serve. He was appointed to this office by Governor Abbett and was re-appointed by Governors Werts and Voorhees, and has discharged its duties with universal satisfaction and approval. Mr. Staples is a prominent member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Jersey City, of the D. McLaughlin and Robert Davis Associations, and of the Carteret Club, all of Jersey City, and of the Commercial and Railroad Clubs of New York City. He is a life member of Jersey City Lodge, 211, B. P. O. E., and Vice-President of the National Board of Steam Navigators.