After graduating from the public schools, he studied law in Wheeling law offices. In 1913, he was admitted to the bar and entered legal practice in Wheeling. He served as a bankruptcy referee for the northern district of West Virginia from 1918 to 1922.
He was Ohio County Republican Committee Chairman from 1936 to 1938.
Congress
He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1938. His candidacy for re-election in 1940 was unsuccessful. He returned to the House after winning the 1942 election.
Later career and death
After his unsuccessful re-election attempt in 1944, he returned to his law practice. He remained an active attorney until his death in Wheeling on March 27, 1970. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery.