(I) Oliver Dufresne, grandfather of the present Cohoes family, was born in Canada in 1813, died in 1907. He was a prominent business man, engaged in the grain trade and brokerage. He married Marceline Lamoureux, born in and still residing in Canada. They had one son, Joseph, see forward, and four daughters, three of whom reside in Canada, the fourth, Clara Dufresne, married James Latimer, a wholesale produce merchant of Cohoes, her home.
(II) Joseph, only son of Oliver and Marceline (Lamoureux) Dufresne, was born in Canada, February 8, 1849. He remained in that country until about the year 1860, when he came to the United States, settling in Cohoes, New York. He entered the mills and passed through various and many grades of service, receiving constant promotion, until he reached his present position, charge of department of the Hope Knitting Mills. He is Republican in politics, a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, and especially interested in the Society of St. Jean Baptiste. He married Julia Themineur, born in Canada, February 14, 1849, of an old Canadian family. Children:
- Joseph, married Laura Lequier, and has a son Joseph, who is a boss knitter; holds a responsible position in the knitting mills.
- Henry, married Mary Cooney; children: Mary and Willis; Henry is superintendent of the warehouse and a prominent Democrat.
- Arthur, see forward.
(III) Arthur, son of Joseph and Julia (Themineur) Dufresne, was born in Cohoes, New York, November 15, 1886. He was educated at St. Joseph's parochial school, Cohoes, after which he entered Assumption College, Assumption, province of Quebec, Canada, where he was graduated, class of 1905. After leaving college he decided to prepare himself for the undertaking business and entered Renouard's Training School for Embalmers in New York City, and received a diploma from that justly celebrated school in 1907. He first entered the employ of Henry Andrews, funeral director and embalmer, and later was with L. L. Brockway, the leading undertaker of Richfield Springs, New York, remaining until 1909, when he returned to Cohoes and began business for himself at No. 91 Main street as funeral director. He is a thorough master of the art of embalming, and is becoming firmly established in public favor. He is a member of the New York State Embalmers' Association. He gives political allegiance to the Republican party, and in religious faith is a Catholic, a member of St. Joseph's parish, Cohoes, treasurer of the Circle of the League of the Sacred Heart, and member of the League of the Sacred Heart, organizations of St. Joseph's Church. He is unmarried. He is secretary and treasurer of Joliet Camp, No. 11009, Modern Woodmen of America, of Cohoes, and of the Ga-ha-oose Tribe, No. 422, Improved Order of Red Men.