 He attended Master Jackson's School until 1844, and then Lynn Academy until 1848.He began work in the Boston law offices of Rufus Choate, but ill health forced a return to Portland, where he worked in a dry goods importing business with William G Davis, pioneering a canning and packing business (Portland Packing Company) that became important to the state's economy.He used the wealth engendered by his successful business for many philanthropic purposes.