A native of Brookfield, Massachusetts, Draper clerked for a Boston merchant before moving to New York City to begin his own business career.

He was also appointed as an agent of the federal government responsible to receive, store, and dispose of cotton captured in the Confederate States of America.

The results of a post-war investigation indicated that Draper used this post to recover from financial setbacks he had during the Panic of 1857 by diverting some of the proceeds of the sale of captured cotton to his personal use.

[2] He began his political career in the 1840s when he was appointed a member of the Board of Ten Governors, then in charge of New York City charities.

[10] Draper resigned before the end of his term after complaining that his fellow commissioners were making police department appointments based on political considerations and without consulting him.

[12] In this civilian position, Draper oversaw special provost marshals at the local level who were responsible for arresting deserters, enrolling draftees, and enlisting volunteers.

[12] Draper resigned after passage of a new law reorganizing the Provost Marshal's office and appointing deputies by Congressional district.

[13] According to allegations in a post-war Congressional investigation, Draper, who had been bankrupted by business reverses during the Panic of 1857, did not provide accurate reports on the types and amounts of cotton he sold, enabling him to divert some of the proceeds to his personal use.