The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-25
o81ruARx.


O'Clock A. NJ, at his residence OF Underworld Kinder
hook, New York, in the eightieth year OF his age.
This distinguished public at Kindsrhook
Columbia county, In tho State OF New York, the 5th
day Of December, 1881 His father, Abraham Van Blu
rem. direct descendant OF Dutch farmer who
tablshed himself In the early period OF colonial
history In the ancient settlement OF Kmdsrhook His
mother Of pure Dutch that the late
exPresdent their Oldest may be regarded OF
the ow representatives Of the unadulteratsd Kniekcr
booker stock who first brought industry and civilization
to the ancient colony OF "Manhattan."
His father had moderate property and careful to
give Martin tho bsst education his could afford
He sent to school in his native village whore he
CURED the rudments Of English education subse
quenty pursued partial Of classical study at the
Kindsrhook Academy. At the age Of fourteen he
menced the study Of law which profession he had chosen
being most likely to satisfy his honorable anbio
rise to prominence He FIRST studied under Francis syl
yeser Esq, Of Kinderhook, at that time very promi
nent lawyer in Columbia county. After remaining with
Mr. Sylvester till the year 1907 he entered tho Office of
William P. Van Ness, ESQ., Of New York city under
that gsntlemans supervision completed his course of
legal study In November 1903 in the twenty first year
OF his age Mr. Van Buren, admitted attorney
at-law to the bar Of tho State Of New York
daey returned to Kuderhook commence practice
oil his profession In partnership with the Hon James
Van Aleu- half brother his mothers SIDE 1907 no
was. under the old code hen existing admitted
ssor OF the Supreme Court, and thus had opened
to his ambition the highest of professional, comps
tton In 1908, the democratic party having gained
temporary ascendancy in the appointing department OF
the State government, Mr. Van Buren, appointed Sur
rogate Of Columbia county. In 1909 he removed from
Undertook the city Of Hudson consequence
ncree OF his professional business in the hgh,r
He was thus established in the capital OF his native
county with professional reputation which had already
extended far beyond the limits of that county At this
point he may considered having entered upon the
most brilliant period of his professional career He
manned in Hudson seven years, aud his constantly in
creasing practice enabled him succeed in pecuna,y
point OF view beyond even his authorizations. His
principal competitor at the bar here, well in the
political world tho late Elisha Williams OF tho
ablest legal advocates, we'll the most prominent
foderast, then In the State.
In April, 1912, Mr. Van Buren, elected member OF
the State Senate for the then middle district OF New
York. and in the following year BECAME by this election
member Of the Court for the Revision OF Errors His
first sitting in that august body in March, 1873
then delivered very learned and elaborate opinion
the Of Barry Mandel, reported in vol John
sons Reports, page SIS. Tho democratic, or as it
then called the republican" party, having come
power in 1915, Mr.. Van Buren, was February OF that
appointed Attorney General Of the state succeeding
Hon. Abraham Van vechten. In 1916 he removed to Al
bany, his new position requiring his almos. constant
in that city Here he became the associate and
often the antagonist such profound lawyers Thomas
Adds Emlnet, john Wells Aaron Burr, Samuel Jones,
Thomas J. Oakley and J. V. Henry-names familiar to
the American people. The opposing party having
come into poscr in 1919, Mr. Van Buren,
removed from the Office Of Attorney General,
and retired TO the private practice OF his
profession which he continued till tho year 1925 when
he loft altogether in consequence Of his political pro-
motion The last appearance Of Mr.. Van Buren, before
jury in the celebrated Astor case and in tho
the Sailors Snug Harbor In the city Of New York, in
1927 During the trial Of this the iamentod
Thomas Adds Emmett fell in spopecc 1T from which
he recovered Mr. Van Buren's last effort the
bar in the case OF varck Jackson argued before
The Court Of Errors, at Albany in the spring Of 1928
From this year may be rsckoned Nr Van Buren's pure
y political Since he had attained his majority
Gin lso3) no had been ardent adhersnt Of the
democratic party, having supported oil the candi
dates put forward By that party during that timo
commencing with Hon. Morgan Lewis, the candidate
for Governor OF New York. The charter Of the United
States Bank having expired in March, 1911,
powerful effort mado to charter . bank in the
city OF New York, with capital of six millions or dollars
to be known the Bank Of America. Mr.. Van Buren,
with his party at that day, used his sire
efforts against the attempt to found this corpo
ration and delivered powerful speeches against il during
the follow ing Presidential campaign, declaring IL
ton fraugh with danger thu public veal and denounced
it evil and anti.republican scheme The Legsla
passed the act Of incorporation by majority Of three
votes but the then Governor Daniel d. Tompkns vetoed
il, and SO the matter died.
In 1918 Mr. Van Buren, being then State Senator sup
ported Governor Tompkins for reelection, the
platform, having been chairman Of the nominating
mitee which presented that gentleman for reelection
Tie address put forth the people OF New York sup
port vf the then existing with England from Mr.
Van Burens pen, and had great influence in carrying
out that contest to a successful termination.
Tho sessions Of the Legislature OF New York In 1918
and 1914 exhibited OF tho greatest political VIC
ence, tho members being divided into and
parties. The rsderasts had majority the
Representatives: bu, the republicans had control
the Senate Among the most prominent members Of
latter body wore Mr. Van Buren,, Nathan Sanford and
Erastus Root. Differing thus in their views OF public
policy the branches OF the Legislature often
conflict with each other Many public Of patriotic
character which passed by the Senate reject
cd by the House This lod to frequent committees OF
conference from both bodies In these conferences the
measures in dispute publicly discussed, and the
discussion embraced general policy admins
tIson and the sxpedsncy Of the The exciting
ture or the questions involved the solsmnity OF tho
sionhc discussions being conducted In the presence Of
tho two housosand the brilliant talents OF tho parties to
the controversy, drew vast audiences and presented
ed for the display Of eoquenco unsurpassed in digni
iy and interest by the assemblies Of ancient Greece
Mr.. Van Buren, always the leading speaker
the part Of the senate, and by the
vgor Of his logic, his acuteness and dsx.
terity debate and the patriotic spirit Of his senti
mcnts, commanded general applause. speech which
he delivered OF these occasions repletc
with soquence and patriotic views that committee APP
pointed by the republicans OF Albany formally presented
him with the thanks Of the party and requested copy
fer publication. This request could not be complied
with ~ the speech dixie all he deivored) was dc
livered entirely without notes
The bill for raising troops by classification for the
Of the war, in order to equsze the burden OF