He was educated under private tutors and attended Oxford Academy at Floyd, Virginia and Washington and Lee University School of Law.

He was admitted to the bar in 1893 and began practicing law at Williamson, West Virginia in 1894.

He chaired the central legal advisory board for West Virginia during the First World War.

He returned to his law practice and banking interests in Williamson as well as becoming a writer.

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