He pursued that profession and worked for five years as foreman of a paper mill in Greene County, New York.

He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1853 running on the Democratic ticket, but resigned during the 1854 session.

His principle business interest was in lumber, which he carried on for nearly 30 years in partnership with his son, Emory.

[5] In 1875, in the midst of the Long Depression, he used his lumber interests to purchase a run-down hotel in downtown Kenosha and refurbish it into a landmark.

Frances was a daughter of Nathaniel Etheridge, a farmer in Greene County, New York, who died serving in the War of 1812.

Their son, Emory Levi Grant, also became a prominent businessman in Kenosha and served on the city council.

After his father's retirement, he continued the family lumber business in partnership with George D. Head.