He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 6, 1854, and handed over office on December 31, 1863. He was affiliated with the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland.

During his office time he held the following departments:

• Department of Justice and Police (1855)
• Political Department (1856)
• Department of Finance (1857 - 1858)
• Political Department (1859)
• Department of Defence; Military Department (1860 - 1861)
• Political Department (1862)
• Department of Defence; Military Department (1863)

Preceded by Ulrich Ochsenbein

Member of the Swiss Federal Council 1854-1863

Succeeded by Karl Schenk