Stephen Mortimer Coon

Died April 9th, 1913 at his home in Oswego; aged about 68 years. He was a native of the Town of Hastings, Oswego County and his home was in that County all of his life. During the earlier years of his business career as a lawyer, his office was in the Village of Central Square, but in the year 1876, he removed to the City of Oswego and there resided and had his office until the time of his death.

His education was begun in the district school at Palermo and was continued at the academy in Mexico and later at Falley Seminary, in Fulton. At the latter institution, he completed his preparation for college and then entered Rochester University. He graduated in 1870 with a degree of A. B. and in 1873 his Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of A. M. In the mean time, he had taken the course in the Hamilton College Law School and there on graduating in 1873 he received the degree of L.L.B.

With this thorough preparation for his professional career he soon took, as was to be expected, a prominent position at the bar of his native County and this he held till his life's end. In 1878, he was elected District Attorney and held that office for the statutory term - three years - and during the later years of that term, for a year or two afterwards, he was City Attorney for the City of Oswego. In 1880, he was appointed United States District Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

Mr. Coon's life was a busy one from this time on. In addition for the demands on his time made by his own professional business, his services were sought in connection with numerous matters of public interest or of a charitable character. Thus it was that he became from time to time, connected with the management of Oswego State Normal and Training School, a member of the State Board of Visitation of the St. Lawrence State Hospital at Ogdensburg, and President of the Board for several years; a member of the faculty at Syracuse University and lecturer on International Law in that Institution; a member of the Board of Trustees of Cazenovia Seminary and of the Board of Trustees of the Old Ladies' Home. It is plain to be seen that during all these years, his life was crowded full of work for the public welfare. He was also active and useful in his Church (the Methodist Episcopal) and several times was a member of its General Conference. In addition to all the foregoing, it may be added the Mr. Coon was a member of Assembly in 1888-89, a member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science; of the Fortnightly Club; the University Club of Syracuse, the Oswego Historical Society; the Oswego County Bar Association, and of the New York State Historical Association.

This is the brief record of a busy, useful and honorable career - one of which his family friends may well be proud. His immediate family surviving him consist of his widow and a daughter and a son, - the latter being his partner in business for some twelve or fifteen years prior to his death.

Proceedings NYS Historical Association 1914 Necrology p. 406-407