 He served as justice of the peace 1870 – 1875; chairman of the board of supervisors 1870–1880; township assessor in 1880; town clerk 1880 – 1891 and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives 1886–1888.He was elected as a Populist to the 52nd United States Congress, (March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893).He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892 to the 53rd Congress.