Carey attended college and graduated from Yale University in 1900, after which he moved to Converse County, Wyoming.

Once back in Wyoming, Carey entered the livestock and agricultural businesses and took an interest in banking.

Carey was elected to represent Wyoming as a Republican in the United States Senate on November 4, 1930, to fill a vacancy created by the death of Francis E. Warren and was also elected in his own right to the term commencing in March 1931.

Upon the expiration of his term in the United States Senate, Carey returned to Wyoming to reenter the agricultural business.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress