In 1863 he was elected to his first of five terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican, serving from 1864 to 1866, 1876–1878, 1885–1887 and 1895–1897. He also twice served as speaker, in 1877 and 1885.
He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican in 1863 and went on to serve four more terms from 1864 to 1866, 1876-78, 1885-87, and 1895-97. He also held the position of speaker twice, in 1877 and 1885.