Private practice, Connersville, Indiana, 1828-1843
Editor, Indiana Sentinel, 1832
State representative, Indiana, 1832-1837, 1840-1841
Commissioner to collect assets and adjust debts, Indiana, 1837
U.S. representative from Indiana, 1843-1849
Member, board of commissioners to adjust claims against Mexico, 1849-1851
Private practice, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1851-1859
Secretary of the Interior, 1861-1863