Malcolm Smith, who was born in New Y'^ork, March 11, 1823, while his parents were residing temporarily in that city, but removed with them to Sing Sing in early infancy. His father was desirous of giving him a collegiate education, and with that view he attended the preparatory school at Middletown, Conn., and subsequently entered the Wesleyan University. Here he continued till he passed the sophomore examination, when he was compelled to leave college on account of ill health, and was principally engaged in outdoor pursuits until pa.st the age of thirty. During

this time he studied law, was admitted to the bar and established his practice at Sing Sing, where he remained till 1868. While a resident Mr. Smith was elected one of the trustees of the village, and was also elected justice of the peace for three successive terms. He was for a number of years one of the loan commissioners for Westchester County, and for five years prior to 1867 clerk of the Board of Supervisors. At the general election in 1867 he was made county clerk of Westchester County and removed to White Plai ns in 1868. Finding the records and business of the important office, to which he had been chosen, in great confusion, as reported by a committee of the Board of Supervisors, he, upon taking possession of the ofiice, at once devoted himself to the task of bringing order out of comparative chaos. So well did he perform his duties that at the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and in 1873 was chosen for a third term without opposition, his election being especially favored by the most prominent lawyers of the county without regard to party ties. Upon his retirement from office the following appeared in one of the leading newspapers of the county, reflecting, in substance, notices which appeared in nearly all the county papers: