In 1821 he settled in Springfield, Illinois where he became a pioneer attorney of Sangamon County. He was elected justice of the peace in 1823. He served in the Winnebago War in 1827, as well as the Black Hawk War in 1831-1832.
In 1821, he settled in Springfield, Illinois and became a prominent lawyer for Sangamon County. He was elected justice of the peace in 1823. He participated in both the Winnebago War in 1827 and the Black Hawk War in 1831-1832.