He moved to Prairie City (later Folsom) in 1853, to El Dorado County in 1854 and thence to Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, and to Alameda County. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Oakland in 1856.
In 1853, he made his way to Prairie City (later Folsom), then on to El Dorado County in 1854, and subsequently Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, before settling in Alameda County. He decided to pursue a career in law and was eventually licensed to practice, starting his own law firm in Oakland in 1856.