Was appointed to the Committee of Public Safety during the Pittsburgh Rail Road Riots in 1877. Married his first wife Miss Mary Frances Howe and there were six children in this union. Three died in infancy. Marie (Charles) McEnulty, Bella Jane (James A.) Wilson, and Mary Frances. Mary Frances Howe died in 1839 after her death in 1854 he married his second wife Miss Emily Wilson in 1855–1879. They had 3 children together; Harriett (F.O.) Van Gorder, Carrie Blanche Hill and Effie. He died in his home at 835 S. Negley Avenue, on February 5, 1902, of pneumonia; and was buried at the Homewood Cemetery.