In 1824, the family removed to Brownville, Jefferson County, New York.
He worked on his fathers farm, and taught school.
From 1834 to 1836, he took part in the federal survey of the shores of Lake Huron between Fort Gratiot and the Straits of Mackinac.
He was Postmaster of Dexter from 1849 to 1853; Supervisor of the Town of Brownville and President of the Village of Dexter in 1856 and 1857; and a member of the New York State Senate (18th D.) from 1860 to 1865, sitting in the 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th, 87th and 88th New York State Legislatures.
He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867–68.