He then entered Victoria College in Cobourg before becoming a merchant in the wholesale and retail grocery and crockery business.

He enlisted in the Cobourg Rifle Company and was promoted to ensign and lieutenant.

In 1873, he was promoted to captain and then quartermaster of the 40th battalion with a rank of major.

In provincial election of 1879, he ran for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the riding of Northumberland but was defeated.

He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the electoral district of Northumberland West in an 1881 by-election held after the resignation of James Cockburn.