Laws was elected as the Richland County Clerk in 1862 and reelected twice.[1] While serving as county clerk, he also published the Republican newspaper, "Richland County Observer".[4] After selling his share of the newspaper in 1864,[5] he manufactured lumber, wagon materials and bedsteads. He was a member of the Richland Center, Wisconsincity council in 1868 and 1869, and the city's mayor in 1869. In 1869 and 1870, he was the chairman of the county board of supervisors and from 1866 to 1876 the postmaster. He resigned his posts in 1876 and moved to Orleans, Nebraska.
Elected as a Republican candidate to the 51st United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Laird, Laws served as a United States Representative for the second district of Nebraska from December 2, 1889, to March 3, 1891.[1][6]
He did not run for reelection, instead moving to Enid, Oklahoma, where he sold real estate. He returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1895, and became secretary of the State board of transportation from 1896 to 1900.
Death
Laws died on April 25, 1907 (age 69 years, 45 days), in Lincoln, Nebraska.[1][7] He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln.
Personal life
Laws married Josephine Lawrence on October 25, 1868. They had three daughters, Gertrude H. Laws, Theodosia C. Laws and Helen Lucile Laws.[2]