When quite a young man he distinguished himself by sustaining the will of Henry White, of Yonkers, better known as Van Cortlandt, thereby saving to the Van Cortlandt family of the present day, at King's Bridge (see King's Bridge), the large estate now in the possession of the present proprietor, Augustus Van Cortlandt. He for years stood at the head of the Westchester bar. He resided at White Plains for several years. Cases of great importance, however, compelled him to abandon his Westchester home and take up his residence in the metropolis, where he has ever since enjoyed a lucrative and honorable practice. Though several times offered a judicial position and political honors, Mr. Lyon has preferred the emoluments, honors and retirement of private practice to public positions, and now, in his declining

years, though as vigorous as ever, lie reaps the reward of his ability, industry and integrity. To him our townsmen are indebted for much sound advice and counsel. He served as one of the commissioners for the Morrisania survey ; wiis counselor for the Southern Boulevard commissioners and commissioners of the Central or Macomb's Dam bridge ; is entitled to the credit of having drafted the act for the annexation of West Farms, King's Bridge and Morrisania to the city of New York ; he drew the acts authorizing the improvement of Harlem River by the Federal government, and has recently carried through the courts, to a successful issue, the preliminary work incident to acquiring the right of way for that important undertaking.