 He opened a blacksmith shop and his family moved into the town in 1875, where, on April 1, 1881, he turned the business over to his son, P. F. Spath, and then moved back to his farm.On the organization of the town in 1867, Frederick was appointed one of the town supervisors, and the following year as chairman of the board.He was also one of the first village trustees and held that office for three years consecutively.