At the age of 15, he found work in the Montreal area, but later returned to Perth to complete his schooling.

He also set up mills in the Port Sarnia area, became involved in transporting goods and established a business cutting and selling timber.

[1] He originally opposed Robert Baldwin,[2] he supported his government in 1842 and was given the post of inspector of revenue.

He pressed for the abolition of the clergy reserves and pushed for reciprocity in trade with the United States.

In 1860, he was elected to the Legislative Council for St. Clair division and Hope Mackenzie won the Lambton seat in a by-election.