In 1874 he was elected to the office of district attorney, and in 1875 was elected supervisor of White Plains, over Elisha Horton, Jr., the then Republican incumbent. In all these positions Judge Cochran discharged the duties confided to him with marked ability, and no one ever questioned his integrity. In the practice of his profession ha was remarkably successful, and was regarded by his associates at the bar as a learned and brilliant lawyer. He is reputed to have been one of the ablest judges who ever sat upon the county bench. He was learned in the law, con-

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

scientious and painstaking in his opinions and eminently courteous and dignified.

About 1877 Judge Cochran was compelled by failing health to retire from the active practice of his profession. He died December 14, 1880, in Brooklyn, whither he had removed. The cause of his death was consumption, brought on by malaria. He left a widow and several children by a former wife.

Silas D. Gifford," then of Morrisania, was chosen in 1871 to succeed Judge Cochran. He was born at Canaan, Columbia County, New York, January 31, 1826. His grandfather, Amaziah Gifford, was a soldier in the Revolution, and was said to have run away from home at the early age of fourteen, joined the armj' and served four years. He then went to Columbia County, where he lived for some years, when he was accidentally recognized by an acquaintance, which led to his restoration to his friends and relatives in Dutchess County. He married Sarah Whitman, and they were the parents of four children, -- David, who died in Rensselaer County ; Samuel, who moved to the West ; Mary, wife of Silas Devol ; and Isaac S. The latter was a Baptist clergyman, and was settled in Caanan, Columbia County, at the time when his son, the present judge, was born.