Soon after, he began showing interest in farm land development. In 1900, together with J. L. Washburn and John G. Williams, they purchased over 200,000 acres (800 km²) of land  from the Northern Pacific Railway Company in Carlton and St. Louis county.
He began to explore opportunities in agricultural property development soon after. In 1900, he partnered with J. L. Washburn and John G. Williams to acquire over 200,000 acres (800 km²) of land from the Northern Pacific Railway Company in Carlton and St. Louis county.