In the province or principality of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, the Deiseroth family lived for centuries and maintained an honorable reputation as good and substantial citizens. The old home, built of stone, yet stands on a homestead estate of the family, a most wonderful relic of four hundred years ago. Generation after generation has first seen the light under its old gray roof and passed out its heavy double door to the world beyond, making room in the old home for generations to follow and laying the foundation for homes of coming generations in lands often far distant from the land of their birth. The family has always been a progressive one, never taking a step backward but always forward in the path of progress. In the United States they have possessed the same characteristics that distinguished the family in the Fatherland.
(I) The first of the name to settle in Albany, New York, was George Deiseroth, Jr., and Henry his brother, who came to the United States in 1870, sons of George and grandsons of John Deiseroth, born in Hesse-Cassel, later Hessen-Nassau, Germany. The native town of George Deiseroth, Sr., was Friedewald, where he lived and died. He was the owner of a large farm many years owned in the family, which he tilled and cultivated all his life. He was a well-to-do farmer and lived to a good old age. He married Helen ————, also a descendant of a good old Teutonic family, who also lived to a ripe old age. Children:
- Henry, a well-known contractor of paving and kindred operations; married and reared a family of five sons and three daughters.
- Elizabeth, married Christopher Schuman, also a contractor; they reared a family.
- Gertrude, married, lived and died in Friedewald.
- George, see forward.
A leading characteristic of this family of children was their decided musical talent, all being musicians of recognized merit.
(II) George (2), youngest son of George(i) and Margaret (Schuman) Deiseroth, was born in Friedewald, Hessen-Nassau, Germany, 1818, died in his native city, where his, useful life was passed, 1873. He was associated with his brother Henry and brotherin-law, Christopher Schuman, in the contracting business, street paving and similar constructive enterprises. He was a prosperous business man and gave his family good educational advantages. He married Margaret Schuman, daughter of a good German family, her father being the proprietor of the village inn. She was born in 1813, died November 1, 1869. Children:
- Elizabeth, born April 23, 1844, still (1910) a resident of her native town in Hessen-Nassau, married Adam Rothamel, accidentally killed in 1907, leaving children, Catherine and Anna.
- Andrew, born December 25, 1846; came to the United States, settling on a farm in Rensselaer county, New York; he married (first) Mary Radz, and had children: Catherine, Emma and Helen; by a second marriage there was no issue.
- Peter, born July 13, 1848, died November 21, 1908, in Albany, New York, where he settled in 1872 and engaged in the grocery business; married Elizabeth Koch; children: William, Elizabeth, Edward and George.
- Henry, born December 5, 1850; came to the United States in 1870; engaged in merchant tailoring and is now living retired in the city of Rensselaer, New York; married (first) Elizabeth Reinmuller; children: Catherine, Sophia, Theodore, Henry and Lida; married (second) Mrs. Catherine (Kahnle) Starkey.
- George, see forward.
(III) George (3), youngest child of George (2) and Margaret (Schuman) Deiseroth, was born in Friedewald, Hessen-Nassau, Germany, July 17, 1855. He received a good education in the best German schools and in that respect was well equipped for life's battle. He was ambitious, and knowing the advantages the United States possessed for young men of energy and worth, came with his brother Henry to this country. They landed at Castle Garden, New York City, March 23, 1870, which he considers a red letter day in his life. They continued northward to Albany, where as stated, Henry engaged in merchant tailoring and George established himself after a time as a baker and caterer. His business became prosperous and for several years he continued both branches, but finally retired from catering, devoting himself entirely to the bakery business. Previous to his engaging in business for his own account in 1887, he thoroughly learned the baker's trade under capable instruction and became a thorough master of the trade and art of baking. Since 1887 he has been one of the prosperous, substantial and well-known business men of the South End, Albany. He is a strong Republican in politics, and a member of the Reformed church. In the Masonic order he is affiliated with Guttenburg Lodge, No. 737, Free and Accepted Masons; Temple Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and De Witt Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He married, in Albany, New York, November 24, 1879, Helen Hartman, born in Hessen-Nassau, Germany, October 13, 1856, daughter of Conrad and Martha (Tripp) Hartman, both natives of the same German province, who late in life came to the United States and settled in Albany. Conrad Hartman died in October, 1907, aged seventy-six years. Martha, his wife, died in 1897, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Deiseroth is a member of the Reformed church, and prominent in the social life of her community.