My Genealogy Hound

HON. MARTIN J. SUNDERLIN, attorney-at-law at Watkins, has been a familiar figure to the people of this community for more than twenty years, and they have shown their appreciation of the man in many different ways, not only by giving him a full share of the legal business that originates in their midst, but also by selecting him for responsible public positions, such as County Judge and Postmaster of the village. It hardly need be said that he is a man of candor, energy, perseverance and integrity — that fact needs only to be mentioned here in the interest of a candid history.

Judge Sunderlin was born in the town of Barrington, Yates County, N. Y., April 11, 1833, and is the son of Dellazon Sunderlin, who was born in Putnam County, this state, in February, 1809. For some years before his death, which occurred September 8, 1871, the latter acted as District Attorney, and proved himself an honorable and capable lawyer. He was also a stanch Democrat. His father, Dennis Sunderlin, was also born in Putnam County, and was of English and French extraction. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Swarthout, was a daughter of James A. Swarthout, and belonged to a noted central New York family. She finished her earthly life in the year 1887, after seventy-six years of lights and shadows, such as come to all the children of humanity. Martin J. was her eldest son, and was the third of seven children. He had three sisters and three brothers, of whom only one sister is now living.

Martin was given the public-school privileges that belonged to the boys of his time and neighborhood, and besides attending the district school at Barrington, was given two terms at Dundee Academy. After his return home he read law with his father, and was admitted to the Bar at Auburn in May, 1856, at the General Term of the Supreme Court held there. He began his professional life in Yates County, where he continued practicing law until 1864. That year he took possession of a farm, and blended farming with legal life. In 1872 he came to Watkins, where he has resided up to the present time. In 1882 he was elected County Judge and Surrogate of Schuyler County, and held the position six years.

Politically Mr. Sunderlin has acted with the Democratic party for the last forty years, and his fidelity to party lines, along with his manifest legal and executive ability, has made him a man of recognized prominence in his party in this portion of the state, and especially in this county. In 1856 he was married to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Stephen C. and Susan A. Sharp, of Starkey, Yates County.