 He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from the Fourth District in 1892, with 5,215 votes to 4,824 for Republican ex-Congressman Isaac W. Van Schaick, 98 for Prohibitionist William Bendile, and 86 for Meschaff, Populist.In September 1893 he was appointed the United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the First (eastern) District of Wisconsin.He resigned his Senate seat, and was succeeded by Republican James C. Officer.