He worked in a general store owned by E. Cutler at Ridgeway, becoming owner of the business and expanding into the manufacturing of flour. In 1870, in Fort Erie, Ontario, he married Jeanette Ann Wilson.
He managed a general store owned by E. Cutler at Ridgeway, eventually becoming the proprietor and expanding into grain production. In 1870, in Fort Erie, Ontario, he married Jeanette Ann Wilson.