Nelson had great natural vigor of character ; was painstaking and unwearied in every duty to which he addressed himself. He was wise in counsel, and eminently sagacious and practical, genial in nature, courteous in manner, simjile in his mode of life, and, above all, possessed a rare singleness of purpose and integrity of nature. These qualities, in addition to a piety that was devout, but unobtrusive, enabled him to sway a large influence over his friends and neighbors, and all other ]iersons with whom he came in contact. His whole life illustrated the true republican simplicity and integrity which characterized the earlier days of the State."

Joseph Warren Tompkins, for many years a leading lawyer in the county, was a native of White Plains and a nephew of the late Governor Daniel D. Tompkins. He graduated at Union College in 1822, and immediately thereafter began to study law in the otfice of Minott Mitchell. He was admitted to practice in 1825, opened an office in White Plains a'nd commenced the practice of his profession under the most favorable auspices. He soon commanded a large and lucrative professional business, which he retained to the end of his busy life. Up to within a few years of his death he had been employed in nearly every case of magnitude in this and the adjoining counties of Putnam and Rockland. Mr. Tompkins died at his residence in White Plains, August 23, 1872, in the seventy-first year of his age. He left a widow and two children. He was a strong advocate before a jury, and in the trial of a good case had few equals.