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Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs:
Selmser

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[This information is from Vol. III, pp. 1272-1273 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]

The first Selmser to settle at Albany Bush, town of Johnstown, Fulton county, New York, was Henry Selmser, who came there a lad of ten years. He grew up in the town, married and reared a family.

(II) David, son of Henry Selmser, was born at Albany Bush, Fulton county, New York, in 1781. He was educated in the public school and became one of the early farmers of the town. In 1809 he married Catherine Lingenfelter, of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county; children: Catherine, Mary, Michael, of whom further; Elizabeth, Magdelene, Margaret, Henry D., David D.

(III) Michael, son of David and Catherine (Lingenfelter) Selmser, was born at Albany Bush, Fulton county, New York, September 22, 1811. He was educated in the public school, and grew up on the homestead farm. He adopted agriculture as his business and followed it all his days. He was a Democrat in politics, and a man of high standing in his town. He married, February 7, 1838, Sarah E., born October 2, 1818, daughter of John and Anna Hanson, of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, New York. Children:

  1. Catherine, born February 15, 1840, married Donald Fraser, March 1, 1857;
  2. John, November 7, 1842, died in infancy;
  3. David, September 19, 1844, married Cynthia Case, September, 1869;
  4. James H., August 23, 1847, married Johanna Sammons, March 13, 1878;
  5. Willard, April 25, 1850, married Nettie Devendorf, February 9, 1876;
  6. Henry, August 13, 1852, married, March 24, 1880, Anna Martin;
  7. John T., of whom further;
  8. Samuel Maxwell, January 26, 1859, married, March 20, 1884, Edna McLain;
  9. Anna M., August 24, 1861, married Raymond Lefler, October 18, 1883;
  10. Carrie S., December 8, 1864, married Charles Veghte, December 17, 1885.

(IV) John T., son of Michael and Sarah E. (Hanson) Selmser, was born in the town of Johnstown, Fulton county, New York, June 25, 1855. He was educated in the public school of Johnstown. During the winters of 1875-76 he taught in the public schools, working during the summers in the glove factories. In 1878 he entered the employ of Argersinger & Fraser, grocers of Johnstown, remaining until July, 1879. He then formed a partnership with J. L. Lum under the firm name of Selmser & Lum, grocers. In March, 1881, he purchased his partner's interest and continued the business alone until 1886, in which year he was elected clerk of Fulton county, serving for six years, until July, 1893. In 1887 he associated with J. P. Callahan as Callahan & Selmser, hardware merchants, continuing until 1891. From 1891 until 1899 he was engaged in the hardware business alone. In 1900 he purchased the grocery business at 1 East Main street, Johnstown, and has since continued in successful operation. He is a lifelong Republican and served as the representative of that party as the county clerk. He was a member of the Johnstown board of health two years, and board of education three years. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, served as trustee 1890 to 1906, secretary of the Sunday school, 1885, superintendent four years, 1886-90. He was a trustee of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1896-1903; in 1901 he was elected superintendent of St. Mark's Sunday school and served three years. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to both Lodge and Chapter, holding the important offices of principal sojourner and king. Is past commander of the Order of the Golden Seal, and vice-commander of the National Protective Legion. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and was elected chancellor commander, but did not accept the honor. He married, June 9, 1881, Lilla B., born in Mayfield, Fulton county, July 21, 1858, daughter of Abram and Sarah Jane (Howland) Vosburg, who had children: Myndert, Elizabeth and Lilla. Children of John T. and Lilla B. Selmser:

  1. Charles H., born April 10, 1882, died August 15, 1902;
  2. James Guy, August 12, 1883, married Rena Brostrum, of Gloversville, December, 1904; he is a glove manufacturer of the firm of Selmser & Ham, and has a son,
    1. John E., born September 6, 1905;
  3. Ralph, February 9, 1886, died June 6, 1886.

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