His popularity with his fellow-townsmen was great, and he held many local offices and positions of trust, among others, justice of the peace, president of the village, president of the Board of Education and supervisor.

His health failed him, and for several of his latter years he suffered from consumption, but displayed great resolution in resisting the disease and in attending to his businessu He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a prominent Mason.

On the 30th of April, 1868, he was married to Sarah Wright, of Whitestone, Long Island. She survived him, with three children-- daughters.

John Seymour Bates was born iu Bedford, and a son of Nehemiah Bates, who was for many years a merchant at Bedford village, and once county clerk of the county. The family came to Bedford from Stamford, Conn., and were among the first settlers.

He graduated at Columbia College in the class of 1838, studied law in New York City with George N. Titus, a lawyer of high standing, and was admitted to the bar about 1840. He returned to Bedford village about 1844, and practiced law there until about 1876, when his health fiiiled and he retired from active practice. He removed to Harlem, and there died in 1884. He was district attorney from 1806 to 1868.

As a lawyer, he was quick in perception, sound in judgment, fluent and ornate in speech, and of rare coolness and self-command.

Of the lawyers who have passed away within the last decade, none stood higher in general estimation than Amherst Wight, Jr., of Port Chester. The son of Amherst Wight, who for sixty years was a member of the New York City bar, and in his prime a very prominent lawyer, he may be said to have in-