LEGAL AND JUDICIAL

ment of cases, but none had such wondrous powers of language, none
had such control over the feelings of an audience. No matter whether
in the court room or on the political platform, whether in city hall or on
the backwoods stump, his name never failed to draw an enormous audi¬
ence, and his voice never failed to charm those whom his name had
drawn.'"

Seth E. Sill, who was admitted to practice In 1836, was
elected a judge of the supreme court of the state in 1847. ^^
continued on the bench until his death in September, 1851, at the
early age of forty-two years. Throughout the state he had be¬
come known and distinguished as a learned and able jurist, and
he left a lasting Impression upon the judicial history of the state.

Joseph G. Masten came to Buffalo in 1836, from Bath, In
Steuben county. He was recorder of the city from 1848 to 1856,
being elected a judge of the superior court in the last mentioned
year, and holding that position until his death in April, 1871. As
a lawyer and a judge he occupied high rank, and was recognized
as a sound and enlightened jurist.

James G. Hoyt attained prominence in the practice of his.
profession In Genesee county before he was elected a judge of
the supreme court in 1847. He continued to serve as a judge of
the supreme court for several years before his death in October,.

1863.

YATES   COUNTY

Organized from Ontario county in 1823, Yates county at
once proceeded to complete its civic organization and to erect
the various county buildings and organize the courts and other
branches of the government. John Sutton, George H. Feeter
and Joseph B. Walton were appointed commissioners to determ-
 

7.   "Centennial History of Erie County," by Crisfield Johnson, page
433.

382