[1] After graduating from Bethany College, West Virginia (B.A., 1868; M.A.,1873) he studied law in an office in Pittsburgh, where he practiced from 1871 to 1881.

[2] In 1909, he was elected to the U.S. Senate to serve out the term of Philander C. Knox, who had resigned to become Secretary of State under President Taft.

As senator, he focused on tariff matters affecting the iron and steel industry, the chief employer in Pittsburgh.

[3][5] He owned a summer estate named Dungannon Hall in Hamilton Twp, Ontario, just north of Cobourg.

Although Dungannon Hall was lost to fire in the mid 20th century, the gates to the estate still stand at the western end of Oliver's Lane next to Ontario Street.