He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1866, but prior to this time had organized and commanded a company in the Civil War. As a member of the banking firm of Barker Bros. & Co., he was appointed in 1878 as special financial agent of the Russian government.
He received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1866, but before that, he had led a company during the Civil War. He later became a special financial agent for the Russian government while working at Barker Bros. & Co.