He was District Attorney of Ontario County from 1875 to 1881. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Ontario Co.) in 1883 and 1884; and was Chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections in 1883, and Minority Leader in 1884. From 1885 to 1889, he was Judge of the Ontario County Court. He was Secretary of State of New York from 1890 to 1893, elected at the New York state election, 1889 and the New York state election, 1891. He was a delegate to the 1880, 1892 and 1912 Democratic National Conventions.