 On leaving school he studied theology and classics for two years, and was then for some years in the offices of W. Duffield and Company of Gawler, and Dunn and Company, Port Adelaide.He took up the study of law and served his articles with J. J. Bonnar in Strathalbyn.He was admitted to the South Australian bar in 1876, but practised for 11 years at Strathalbyn as a solicitor.