The Great Gatsby, to stand high

Could you please tell me if "to stand high" in the chapter 8 of The Great Gatsby means "to rise high", "to make one's way up the ladder", or "to be held in high esteem"?

raised him up out of nothing, right out of the gutter. I saw right away he was a fine appearing gentlemanly young man and when he told me he was an Oggsford I knew I could use him good. I got him to join up in the American Legion and he used to stand high there. Right off he did some work for a client of mine up to Albany. We were so thick like that in everything—" He held up two bulbous fingers" —always together."

Thank you.