His works as such included the copper roof on Christian VI's Christiansborg Palace.
He expanded his business with the acquisition of Brede Works in 1819 and obtained a monopoly on the production of copper and brass goods on the Danish islands.
His properties in Copenhagen and North Zealand were sold at public auction at prices far lower than what they had cost him.
His creditors wanted him imprisoned for his "shameful" bankruptcy which left them with a loss of 60,000 Danish rigsdaler.
He spent his last years in Birkerød with his eldest daughter who was the widow of former pastor at Søllerød Church Andreas Cramer.