In 1807 he was in a store at Springfield, and later at a store in Putnam, OH. Before he was 21 yrs old he was a director in a bank at Zanesville. In 1817 and 1818 he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Muskingum County. In the fall of 1822 he removed to Gallipolis, OH, where he remained for about a year and then returned to Marietta and resided there the remainder of his life. He was a Cashier and President of the Bank of Marietta and a trustee of Marietta College. He served as Representative in 1827, 1828 and 1840, and as State Senator in 1831 and 1832.

He served as Prosecuting Attorney in the County from 10/30/1829 to 8/17/1840. In 1847 he was chosen Presiding Judge of the district comprising Washington, Morgan, Athens, Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence counties. By reason of the arduous labors connected with the position, his health failed and he resigned in 1850, continuing the practice of law thereafter.