he returned to abingdon first becoming principal of the schools from 1865 to 1873, being elected councilman six times and mayor twice. he moved to plattsmouth, nebraska and studied law passing the bar in and set up practice there in 1879. he was a district attorney from 1882 to 1888, moving to lincoln, nebraska in 1887. he was a district court judge in 1892. he was elected to the fifty-fourth united states congress and reelected to the fifty-fifth united states congress as a representative for the 1st district of nebraska. he did not run for reelection in 1898, returning to nebraska to become prosecuting attorney for the third district of nebraska. he then became department commander of the grand army of the republic in 1919 and 1920. he died in lincoln on november 10, 1924, and is buried in wyuka cemetery.