He began working in his father's blacksmith shop in 1881 and was engaged as a farrier until 1915. In 1896 he was nominated and elected to the Philadelphia Common Council and served in councils for sixteen years, resigning as president of the select council in 1911.
From 1881 to 1915, he worked in his father's blacksmith shop and served as a farrier. In 1896, he was elected to the Philadelphia Common Council and continued serving on councils for sixteen years until resigning as president of the select council in 1911.