He was employed as a billing clerk and later engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a member of the city council of St. Paul from 1910 to 1914, city commissioner from 1914 to 1919, and commissioner of public utilities from 1914 to 1919.[citation needed]
He was elected as an Independent Republican to the 66th congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Carl Van Dyke. He was reelected as a Republican to the 67th, 68th, and 69th congresses and served from July 1, 1919, to March 3, 1927. He was chairman of the Committee on Railways and Canals (68th and 69th Congresses). He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1926.