The purpose of the book was to provide mathematics teachers a text utilizing a systematic method of problem solving, "The Step Method," representing a chain of reasoning, in logical order, to arrive at the correct result.[1] The first edition was postponed until 1893, due to financial problems of the original publisher.[2] The book's preface stated that the work was based upon eight years of teaching in the public schools. This was followed by following editions in 1897, 1899 and 1902.[3] In 1895 he became professor of mathematics and physics at Drury College. He was a University Scholar in Mathematics at the University of Chicago from 1895-1896.[3] In 1906 he was awarded a doctorate from the University of Penssylvania, where he had earlier earned an additional master's degree in 1904 and a Harrison fellow appointment in 1905.[2] He was a member of the American Mathematical Society, 1891; the London Mathematical Society, 1898; and Circolo Mathematico di Palermo, 1902.[3] He retained his professorship at Drury College until his death in 1947.