 For the term of 1874, he was elected as an Independent, defeating the Republican incumbent.He was a member from Onondaga County of the New York State Assembly in 1844, 1858, 1862, 1864, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1882.He was Speaker in 1858, 1864 and 1879.