Harold Robert Soden , New York (1908-1998) by Bruce Soden , Syracuse , New York
Harold Robert Soden (11/17/08 - 3/23/98) was the only child of Emma Yetto and
John Henry Joseph Soden (son of John and Anne Soden of County Letrim) was
born in Cohoes, New York. Harold was educated at Cohoes High School; The
Manlius School; Colgate University and Albany Law School. In 1936, he and
his wife, Eunice E. Gilbert Soden, moved to Lake Placid, New York. His son,
Bruce G. Soden, and daughter Marcia E. Soden Kola, were born there. Two
of his grandsons, Matthew and Mark, are attending the Soden Family Reunion.
Harold R. Soden became a pre-eminent trial attorney in Northern New York.
At the urging of local friends, he entered politics. He served as District
Attorney for Essex County then as Supervisor for the Town of North Elba
(Village of Lake Placid is encompassed by the Town) and was elected to two
14-year terms as New York State Supreme Court Justice starting in 1960.
He served as Justice with distinction becoming the Administrative Judge
for his district while discharging his duties as Trial Judge on the circuit, which
extended from Saratoga Springs and historic Johnstown, New York on the
south to Plattsburgh and St. Lawrence, New York on the north. Harold served
as the head of Law Enforcement for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid,
New York and was active in many civic affairs.
Upon his retirement from the Bench, Harold resumed trial practice and was
an active trial practitioner once again. He ended his days as a respected senior
in Lake Placid where everyone continued to call him "Judge" Soden.
Copyright Felix Soden 2023
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