active in the affairs of his alma mater, he was elected president of the new york association of cornell alumni in 1882 and was twice the candidate of new york and other alumni for trustee of cornell in 1882 and 1883, during the alumni agitation for new methods in university management. he was elected a member of the aldine and cornell clubs in new york. he lectured on early american history and made addresses before the new york historical society, the new york library club and the wyoming, pennsylvania commemorative association.