He taught school at Post Oak Springs and studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1859, and commenced practice in Athens, Tennessee. At the beginning of the war, he married Mary E. C. Brown, daughter of Franklin Brown.
At Post Oak Springs, he taught school and studied law; in 1859, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing in Athens, Tennessee. Before the conflict started, he married Mary E. C. Brown, daughter of Franklin Brown.