As the first Leader of the Opposition in Alberta, he led the Conservatives in the Legislative Assembly from 1905 until 1909. He advocated for public ownership of the telephone system and railways.
He was a farmer and managed a lumber company, Nanton Grain & Lumber, before entering politics. He beat Liberal Richard Alfred Wallace, although the results were tallied for over a month.
He was defeated in the 1909 election, after which he became a lawyer and practiced in Three Hills.
He was seen as a newcomer when he ran in the 1905 Alberta provincial election, even though he had been a resident of Nanton in the High River district for years.
He defeated Conservative leader R.B. Bennett in the primary election.
