The Illinois native served on Oregon’s highest court for the longest time of any judge in the court's history, from 1927 to 1965. Previously he had worked as a judge for the city of Portland, Oregon and for Multnomah County, Oregon.
A native of Illinois, he occupied a seat on Oregon's supreme court for an extended period, surpassing any other judge in the court's history from 1927 to 1965. He had also served as a judge for the city of Portland and Multnomah County prior to this appointment.