He was a Democrat in politics, and an active worker for his party. His death occurred January 15, 18()2. He was then barely thirty years old. He was buried in the church-yard at Sleepy Hollow. Mr. Coles was not regarded as a brilliant lawyer, but he was pushing and energetic and was considered honest and reliable. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Palmer, of White Plains, and had two daughters and one son.

Elijah Yerks was a lawyer of considerable prominence in Westchester Counly for many years. He was, in 1805 or 180G, born near Unionville, in Mt. Pleasant, and in early manhood was proprietor of a country store. He subsequently began the study of law in the office of Minott Mitchell, at White Plains, and on being admitted to the bar, in 1833, located in

1 The above biography was kindly communicated by Mr. Fred. E. Lockwood.

Peekskill. In 1840 he removed to Carmel, Putnam County, where he and Owen T. Coffin, the present surrogate of Westchester County, were the only representatives of the legal profession. After four or five years he returned to Peekskill, and later removed to Tarrytown, where he died in 1864. He was unmarried. Mr. Yerks was one of the most systematic and painstaking of men. He was not quick nor brilliant, and was not considered as more than a fair orator, but he was a reliable adviser. He was economical and accumulated property to the amount of twenty or thirty thousand dollars.