 In 1890, he was elected superintendent of schools, but resigned on January 1, 1892, to accept the offer of judge of the county court.He was elected by the Virginia General Assembly in 1902, to the position of judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, beginning his term on February 1, 1904.On February 1, 1922, he was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals and served there until his death at his home in Waverly, Virginia.