 From 1885–88 he was prosecuting attorney of Lorain County, Ohio.He was a Democratic presidential elector in 1892, a Democratic candidate for Congress in 1900, and a member of the Sixty-first to the Sixty-third Congresses (1909–15), but resigned in 1914 to become Ambassador to France by appointment of President Wilson.He served until April 14, 1919, then returned to Elyria, Ohio, and engaged in literary pursuits.