Career
He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1846. He was Inspector-General of the New York State Militia from 1851 to 1852, and from 1855 to 1858. In January 1861, he was elected Canal Commissioner by the New York State Legislature to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel H. Barnes who had been elected in November 1860, but died soon after.
In 1861 he ran for re-election on the Republican ticket, but was defeated by Democrat William West. Wright.
In 1863, he was elected again a Canal Commissioner, this time on the Union ticket, and was in office from 1864 to 1866.