 Sholl left Perth at the age of 14 to join his parents in Roebourne, a newly founded settlement in what is now referred to as the Pilbara region.He eventually entered the pearling industry with his brother, and with the profits was able to buy a large station on the Yule River.In April 1888, Sholl stood at a Legislative Council by-election for North District (caused by the death of Alexander McRae), and was elected unopposed.