History of Amagansett, (Suffolk County) New York United States of America

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Alfred Conkling, jurist, was born at Amagansett, N.Y., Oct. 12, 1789; son of Benjamin and Esther (Hand) Conkling. His ancestors emigrated from England early in the seventeenth century. He was graduated at Union college in 1810, pursued his legal studies under Daniel Cady, justice of the supreme court, and in 1812 was admitted to the bar of that court, and of the court of chancery. In this year he was married to Eliza Cockburn, a granddaughter of General Frey of Revolutionary fame, and removed to Canajoharie, N.Y., where for several years he successfully practised his profession. In 1818 he was elected district attorney of Montgomery county; and was a representative in the 17th congress, 1821-23. In 1825 President Adams appointed him to the office of U.S. judge of the northern district of New York and he remained on the bench for twenty-seven years. In 1852 he resigned his judgeship to accept the appointment of U.S. minister to Mexico, made by President Fillmore. On his return to the United States in 1854 he removed to Omaha, Neb., where he practised his profession. In 1861 he returned to his native state, where he passed the remaining years of his life, chiefly occupied in literary work. He resided successively in Rochester, Geneseo and Utica, N.Y. Union college conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. in 1847. He published: The Young Citizen's Manual (1836); a Treatise on the Organization and Jurisdiction of the Supreme, Circuit and District Courts of the United States (1842); Jurisdiction, Law and Practice in Admiralty and Maritime Causes (1848); Powers of the Executive Department of the United States (1866). He died at Utica, N.Y., Feb. 5, 1874.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Amagansett, (Suffolk County) New York

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