He moved to Wahpeton, Dakota Territory, in 1881 and continued the practice of law; in 1888 he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland as United States attorney for the Territory of Dakota.
In 1881, he moved to Wahpeton, Dakota Territory, where he maintained his law career; two years later, in 1888, he was appointed by President Grover Cleveland as United States attorney for the Territory of Dakota.