Educated at Galt Grammar School and Caradoc Academy, he first began the study of law but instead, in 1862, entered the trade of journalism. He first served as city editor of the "London Free Press", later acting as city editor of the "Hamilton Times". He edited the Parkhill "Gazette", and served as managing editor of the Chicago "Journal of Commerce". During his time in Strathroy, Ontario, he was editor and proprietor of the "Strathroy Dispatch". In 1873, he was also elected to the town council of Strathroy, Ontario, at a time when this was apparently not prohibited as a conflict of interest in an era of openly partisan journalism.