In 1869, Upson was appointed judge of the Michigan fifteenth circuit court, serving until his resignation on December 31, 1872. He was a member of the commission to revise the State constitution in 1873.
Upson held a judicial position in the Michigan fifteenth circuit court from 1869 until his resignation on December 31, 1872. In 1873, he contributed to the revision of the state's governing document.