 At Hamilton, he was noted for his skills in oratory and debate.After his 1878 graduation, he remained at Hamilton for a for a year to study law, then continued his studies at the Utica office of Beardsley, Cookingham and Burdick, which included his brother in law Henry J. Cookingham as a partner.He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and practiced with Cookingham in the firm of Cookingham & Martin.