He graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1840 and resided in Washington, DC during his father's tenure as Postmaster General in the Tyler Administration. He studied law under United States Attorney General Hugh Lagare and was admitted to the Kentucky bar.
A graduate of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1840, he lived in Washington, DC while his father held the position of Postmaster General during the Tyler administration. Under the guidance of United States Attorney General Hugh Lagare, he pursued a career in law and was eventually licensed to practice in Kentucky.