He later moved to Guelph, where he built mills on the Speed River, operated a tannery and produced shoes.

In 1874, he was elected as the first president of the Ontario Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

[1] In 1867, he was elected to represent Wellington South in the 1st Parliament of Ontario as a Liberal member; he was re-elected in 1871 and 1875.

During that time, the Mowat government made the decision to locate the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph.

[2] In 1876, he resigned for health reasons and was appointed sheriff for Wellington County, continuing to serve until his death in Guelph in 1886.