New-York tribune., 1899-07-23

die OF the seventeenth century and settled in Nan
tucket, of which he One-tenth owner. The
father OF Judge Coffin was thrifty farmer. He
for years a magistrate and represented his
county in the Legislature. He had ten children. OF
whom owen Tristram was the seventh. He went
10 school at Sharon. Conn. and at Rinderhook
Academy. He was graduated from Union College
in 1887 and his Alma Matet years after conferred
upon him the degree OF LII .. Young Conn en-
tered the law Office ot Rufus W. Peckham. the
elder, where he became as apt a scholar OF Black
stone as he OF his books in college. In 1A0 he
admitted 20 practice in Carmel. Putnam Coun-
". He settled in Poughkeepse. associated him
self with ex-Congressman Charles L. Johnson and
James Emott. afterward a Justice OF the Supreme
Court, under the firm name OF Johnson. Coffin 81
Emott. Later he became associated with General
Leonard Mason In 1851 he went to Peekskill. form
ing a partnership with William Nelson and his son.
Thomas Nelson. under the name OF Nelson q COT
fin. He was OF the Democrats who opposed the
war and made many enemies. On January 8. 1854
only a few years after he went TO Peekskill Judge
Coffin was elected trustee OF the Peekskill Mil
uary Academy. on January 10. 1859. he made
president OF the Board OF Trustees. For nearly
forty years he held the place and presented di-
plomas 10 the graduates Senator Depew being
among the number.
Judge Coffin would not for a local Office.
although he stood high In the councils OF his party
However In 1870 he was nominated by the Demo-
elected, serving a term Of six years. He was re-
nominated in 1876 IN the Tilden campaign, and ran
ahead OF his ticket, defeating his opponent Eugene
B. Travis by over three thousand votes In 1882 he
was again renominated. and defeated q Mr. Horton.
Republican by the majority OF 3,45l In 1855 he was
pitted against Minot NJ silliman. OF White Plains.
whom he defeated by 1l76 votes. again running
ahead OF his ticket. In 1891. despite the fact that
he was seventy-nine years old and another six
year term would make him eghty-ave the Demo
Gratis placed him upon their ticket Lawyers, with
out regard 10 party. all over the county quietly
worked against him. Theodore H. Silkman, a
Yonkers lawyer and Republican. by the
tremendous majority OF 1910, and the important
office OF Surrogate held by Judge Conn for twenty
four years was won by the Republicans
During his long tenure Judge Coffin had handled
many important estates and cases notably the
Singer estate He had distributed millions OF dollars
I'm real and personal estate TO heirs, usually Civ
ing satisfaction TO ell. The criticism was that
made by lawyers that Judge Coffin was too thought
full OF the interests OF the widows and orphans
trait for which they suffered. After his retirement,
January !, 1895. his familiarity with Surrogate
practice brought him large practice.
Judge Cofin next 10 his profession loved his
home He built the house in which he died. forty
wears ago. in a section OF Peekskill then almost
x-ilderness with hardly house In sight but whch
to-day Is the centre OF the growing village The
grounds front on Seuth-st. overlooking the river,
re ,Vater and mountain scenery extending from
the Highlands az the north TO Stony Point Light
house on the south. His first wife died in 1855. one
child by her Mrs. Taylor. OF Poughkeepsie Is lv-
ing and was at his deathbed. In 1855 he married
Usrriet BARLOW daughter Of Samuel Bancroft Har-
~ Tuo children by her Madge who Is al home,
and Samuel Barlow Coffin. OF Hudson with the
Judge Cofin early united with the Episcopal
churen and since the spring OF lsl2 he had been
the senior warden OF 81. Peters Protestant Episeo
nal Church, in PeekskllL He was reaoy writer
md a fluent speaker He possessed charming per,
annaIity even 70 the day OF his death lie was iuil
,f reminiscence and TO listen TO MS recoieeuons %
y ssventy wears from his remarkable memory was
q pleasure and source OF pront; There was no man
who frequented White Plains, ts courts a.s So'hv ~,
o,ices rs hotels or It's Democratic conventions nul
Inew judgs Coffin. lie had kind word and