Originally Bähler, the progenitor of the Amsterdam family of Baehler, was born in Holland. The maternal line includes the Bronck, Broonk or Bronx family of early New York, who are remembered there by the borough of the Bronx and Bronx Park. The maternal line also includes a French Huguenot family who were minister and missionaries through many generations. The ministry claimed many of the Bahler family also, the father and grandfather being of that holy calling. Through intermarriage the Baehlers are related to the Coeymans family, ancient Dutch and founders of the town of Coeymans, New York. The Coeymans and the Broncks were related by marriage, which fact furnishes the present family with a long line of pure Dutch ancestry. The Baehlers have been in this country, college bred and members of the professions almost entirely.
(I) Rev. Pierre Benjamin Bähler was born in Holland and came to the United States in 1865. He was a minister of the Dutch Reformed church, and held pastorates in Albany, New York, Paterson, New Jersey, and from 1868 to 1873 was pastor at Rochester, New York, and pastor emeritus. His wife was a member of a French Huguenot family of ministers and missionaries. Children:
- Louis Henri, see forward.
- Martin, a teacher of East Orange, New Jersey, where he yet resides.
- Ivan, deceased.
- Pierre Maximillian, a minister of the Dutch Reformed church; until 1907 he preached and conducted his church services in the Dutch language; he resides in Ontario Centre, New York.
All of these four sons were graduates of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
(II) Rev. Louis Henri Baehler, eldest son of Rev. Pierre Benjamin Bähler, was born in Amsterdam, Holland, September 10, 1839. He came to the United States when a young man. He entered Rutgers College, from which he was graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1861, the same college conferring the degree of Master of Arts in 1867. He entered and graduated from the New Brunswick, New Jersey, Theological Seminary, B.D., class of 1867. He took holy orders and became pastor of the Reformed (Dutch) church at Coeymans, Albany county, New York, and successively held pastorates over churches of that denomination and of the Presbyterian church at Preble, West Hurley, Manheim, Mariaville, and West-Milton, New York. He now has retired from the ministry and resides in Schenectady, New York, after a useful life spent in his Master's service. He married Agnes Bronck, born in Coeymans, Albany county, New York, March 17, 1845, died January 17, 1902, daughter of John Bronck, a lineal descendant of the early New York family of that name and of Peter Coeyman, the Dutch emigrant and ancestor who came from Holland in 1636, and built the "old stone house," bringing some of the brick and tiles from Holland. His daughter, Theodosia, married a Bronck, probably John, but perhaps James. Children of Rev. Louis Henri and Agnes (Bronck) Baehler:
- Eugene, born October 25, 1876, in Belleville, New Jersey, now a resident of Schenectady, New York.
- Henry S., see forward.
- Mary B.
(III) Henry Sames, son of Rev. Louis Henri and Agnes (Bronck) Baehler, was born in Belleville, New Jersey, February 22, 1879. He was educated in the schools of the different localities in which his father was pastor, and finally in 1897 entered Union College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, class of 1901. Deciding upon the law as his profession, he entered the Albany Law School and in 1904 was graduated with the degree of LL.B. In the same year he was admitted to the New York bar. He at once commenced practice in Albany, where he remained about six months, then removed to Schenectady, where he has since continued in the general practice of law. He is an attendant of the Presbyterian church in that city, is a member of the Republican Club and of the Schenectady Boat Club.