[1] He received private instruction from his father and studied law at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, but did not graduate.

[1][2] He was appointed register of the Kentucky land office by Governor J. Proctor Knott and served from 1884 to 1887.

He was appointed secretary of state for Kentucky by Governor Simon B. Buckner and served from 1887 to 1891.

He was appointed United States pension agent at Louisville by President Grover Cleveland and served from 1894 to 1898.

[2] After retirement he resided at Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky, until his death April 6, 1920.