[7][8] He was educated at the South African College, and became a lawyer in Cape Colony, joining the bar in 1875.

[9] In 1873 he married Ana Robertson (1851-1927), the daughter of Scottish immigrants to the Free State.

[9] He became vice-president of the Volksraad in 1893, a member of the executive council in 1896, and took part in many colonial and interstate conferences.

[9] He headed a joint deputation from Transvaal and Orange Free State to Europe and America during the Boer War[10] to solicit support for the Boers, returning in 1903 to practice law in the newly formed Orange River Colony.

[9] On 27 November, he was chosen as Prime Minister, and stayed in that position until it ceased to exist with the union of 31 May 1910.