He was County treasurer in 1821-'33, first judge of the court of common pleas of St. Lawrence County in 1824-'37, and again from 1844 till the abolition of the court in 1847, having in the mean time been elected to congress as a Democrat, and served one term in 1839'41.

He was state senator in 1848, and after that time occupied several local offices of trust, till age and failing eyesight prevented his taking an active part in public affairs. Judge Fine was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a prominent delegate to its general assembly. He published a volume of "Lectures on Law" (1852).

The Town of Fine in southern St. Lawrence County is named in his honor.

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM

FINE, John, jurist, born in New York City, 26 August 1794; died in Ogdensburg, New York, 4 January 1867. He was graduated at Columbia in 1809, studied in the Litchfield, Connecticut, Law School, and began practice in Ogdensburg, N. ¥., in 1815. He was County treasurer in 1821'33, first judge of the court of common pleas of St. Lawrence County in 1824'37, and again from 1844 till the abolition of the court in 1847, having in the mean time been elected to congress as a Democrat, and served one term in 1839'41. He was state senator in 1848, and after that time occupied several local offices of trust, till age and failing eyesight prevented his taking an active part in public affairs. Judge Fine was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a prominent delegate to its general assembly. He published a volume of "Lectures on Law" (1852).