He returned to Abingdon first becoming principal of the schools from 1865 to 1873, being elected councilman six times and mayor twice. He moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska and studied law passing the bar in and set up practice there in 1879. He was a district attorney from 1882 to 1888, moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1887.
He returned to Abingdon first becoming principal of the schools from 1865 to 1873, being elected councilman six times and mayor twice. He then relocated to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, where he studied law, passed the bar in, and established a legal practice there in 1879. From 1882 to 1888, he served as district attorney before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1887.