 He served as a member of the State house of representatives from 1881 to 1883.He was a principal examiner in the General Land Office at Washington, D.C., from 1889 to 1892; promoted to chief of the contest division February 1, 1892, but resigned August 7, 1892.He was made chief of the General Land Office, and served from November 23, 1892, until April 11, 1893. returned to Newport, Cocke County, in 1893 and resumed the practice of law.