In 1816, the family removed to the Western Reserve, and settled in Tallmadge (then Portage), Ohio, whence two sons came to Yale College in 1822.

In 1831, he was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the institution which he had organized, and he continued to be thus engaged until November 1844, when he was advanced to the Presidency of Illinois College.

He resigned the latter office in May 1876, but continued to teach for nine years longer in the department of Mental and Political Science.

Until after his retirement from the Presidency, his engagements were too burdensome to allow of extended authorship, but in 1877 he published Economics, or the Science of Wealth, and in 1880 The Keys of Sect; or the Church of the New Testament.

The eldest son, Julian, an Illinois College graduate, was a clergyman, bearing his father's name.