He served as an alderman and later as city attorney of St. Anthony.

He was in the United States Army as a Lieutenant from 1861 to 1863, during the American Civil War.

[1] Lochren was nominated by President Grover Cleveland on May 15, 1896, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota vacated by Judge Rensselaer Nelson.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18, 1896, and received his commission the same day.

Lochren served in that capacity until his retirement on July 11, 1908.