[1][3] Ives worked as a local school teacher before marrying Marta née Andrews in 1823.

[1][3] Ives political career started when he was elected the treasurer of Tioga County for a single term from 1825 to 1826.

[1][3] Ives moved to Coudersport in Potter County where he worked as a cloth and dry good's salesmen, and was eventually appointed the justice of the peace, and in 1832 he was named the postmaster of the borough.

[1] At that time of his arrival in Coudersport the settlement consisted of a single dwelling house and Commissioners’ Office.

[1] Ives was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for three one year terms in 1846, 1847 and 1848 as a Democrat.