He became a prominent member of the Iowa House, and at the close of his term was elected to the Iowa Senate for the Forty-fifth District, composed of fifteen counties in the northwestern part of the State, serving from 1865 to 1867. He was then chosen as circuit judge, and was twice re-elected, serving from 1868 to 1875.
He rose to prominence in the Iowa House and was subsequently elected to the Iowa Senate for the Forty-fifth District, covering fifteen counties in the state's northwestern region, from 1865 to 1867. He then took on the role of circuit judge and was twice re-elected, serving from 1868 to 1875.