The History of Orange County New York

by Unknown

Rosslyn M. Cox, who was for many years the partner of Mr. Dill and who recently has entered into partnership with Mr. Watts, is one of the most successful lawyers in Middletown. He is an expert in accountings before the surrogate and before the bankruptcy courts, but he is equally at home in a trial or in an argument before the court. The esteem in which he is held is shown by his nomination in 1906 for the office of county judge.

Associated with Mr. Cox is Elmer N. Oakes, whose abilities in the preparation of a case for trial are unique and remarkable. He is a natural mechanic, understanding with ease the most difficult adjustments, functions and forms of complicated machinery. The knowledge displayed by him in respect to the construction and operation of a locomotive boiler was an important element in the success of several actions growing out of an explosion.

After preparing the case for trial Mr. Oakes is entirely competent to try it. He has often examined and cross examined the witnesses but distrusts his own powers when it comes to summing up the case to the jury. When his modesty shall be replaced by greater assurance he will be better known for his really solid attainments and fine abilities.

Abram F. Servin will probably never overcome his timidity at the sound of his own voice in the presence of a jury, though he can furnish enough law to other lawyers to keep them busy expounding it to the courts. He has argued and won cases in the Court of Appeals but his chief victories are carried off by other lawyers who argue from the learned and exhaustive briefs prepared by him. He is an expert in the preparation of a brief for the appellate courts. He can take the printed record of a case of which he never heard and construct from it a perfectly convincing brief upon either side.

Allen W. Corwin, who occupies the position of recorder of Middletown, has displayed in the performance of his duties firmness tempered by forbearance, judgment informed by conscience, justice controlled by wisdom. His broad and humane policy in dealing with minor offenses, united to his stern and rigid enforcement of the law in serious cases, largely accounts for the almost entire freedom of Middletown from crimes of pillage and violence.

Recorder William H. Hyndman, of Newburgh, has also succeeded during the last few years in greatly reducing the number of crimes committed in and about a city which was at one time infested by bold and desperate criminals. A river town is always subject to greater danger, through its opportunities for access and escape, but Recorder Hyndman has earned the gratitude of the public for an administration of the criminal law which has resulted in a marked improvement of the conditions once prevalent in his jurisdiction.

Of course the discouragement of crime rests largely in the vigilance of the district attorney of the county. Thomas C. Rogers, of Middletown, the son of William H. Rogers, who himself could easily have attained eminence at the bar if he had so chosen, was elected to this office in 1906. He has already shown that in his hands the wise, faithful and efficient enforcement of the criminal law may be confidently depended upon. His previous administration for three years of the office of assistant district attorney was distinguished for unusual ability. He is amply qualified to uphold the traditions of an office always ably filled by such men as Fullerton and Carr, Brown and Hirschberg, Anthony and Headley, Powelson and Seeger.

J. D. Wilson, Jr., of Newburgh, who received the appointment as assistant district attorney, to serve with Mr. Rogers, is well qualified to sustain the burdens of the position, which are necessarily very considerable when it is considered that he is expected to exercise special vigilance in the entire eastern part of the county, including Newburgh itself.

Wickham T. Shaw was one of the most alert assistant district attorneys that Orange County ever had. He served in that capacity under Judge Fullerton from 1868 to 1871, trying many of the cases. His career at the bar of Middletown has afforded many opportunities for the display of his knowledge of the criminal law, gained in that association with one of the foremost lawyers of his time.

Abram V. N. Powelson never satisfied the expectations of his friends until he came to the office of district attorney in 1897, a position which he filled for seven years. They always knew that he had ability and they always regretted that his retention of the office of justice of the peace, for many years, prevented that recognition of his abilities to which they were entitled. But the opportunity to show his solid worth both as a lawyer and as a law officer came with his entrance into a wider field of county administration in which he acquitted himself with credit and distinction.