There he studied medicine for a short time, until 1850, but adopted the life of a farmer and stock raiser.

Between 1863 and 1867, he was register of the United States Land Office for the Colorado district.

In 1866, he was again elected, and served a term as a Republican Delegate to the Fortieth Congress.

On April 11, 1882, was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Henry M. Teller, thus becoming part of the Forty-seventh Congress as a Republican.

The term expired in 1883, and after serving the short year he retired from public service.