After being admitted to the bar, he began practicing law in
South Bend, Indiana. In 1834 he was elected
prosecuting attorney and subsequently elected
judge of the ninth judicial circuit in 1836. He served as judge until he resigned in 1843. He also served as the first president of the First National Bank of South Bend.
Political career He was elected to the
28th United States Congress as a
Whig where he served from 1843 to 1845, the first representative from
Indiana's 9th congressional district. He was defeated for reelection in 1844 by
Charles W. Cathcart.
Later career After his defeat from Congress, he returned to South Bend, where he resumed practicing law until his death. ==Personal life==