After leaving school, he began the life of a hustling western farmer, breaking prairie and getting the land subdued and ready for the crops that were to come later. In 1857 he removed to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres of land on the Crow river, but in the fall of 1858 returned to Beloit, and in 1859 bought 120 acres of land in section 28, Beloit township, which constitutes part of the old homestead now owned by our subject and his sister Nellie. He was keenly alive to the best interests of the commonwealth and was ever ready to devote his time and talents to his fellow men.