The grandfather of William H. Fursman, of Rome, New York, is William Fursman, who died in Dutchess county, New York. He married Letitia Van Aylst, whose ancestors came from England to America about 1700. The family is first found at White Plains, New York, where two brothers of the name settled. During the revolution the family remained loyal to their King and in consequence suffered loss of property.
(II) Jesse Budd, son of William and Letitia (Van Aylst or Van Aylstine) Fursman, was born in Dutchess county, New York, April 24, 1810, died in Washington county, New York, August 5, 1875, and is buried in Greenwich cemetery. He was a farmer of Easton, Washington county, where he removed in youthful manhood. He was active in the Democratic party, and represented Easton on the Washington county board of supervisors. He was a member of the Greenwich Methodist Episcopal church and active in its affairs. He married Barbara Ann Hulst, November 25, 1831. Children:
- William Henry, of whom further;
- Louise, died in infancy;
- Edgar Luyster.
(III) William Henry, son of Jesse Budd and Barbara Ann (Hulst) Fursman, was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, New York, April 26, 1833, died in Rome, New York, July 19, 1877. He was educated in the Schuylerville and Greenwich academies. He was engaged in business until the breaking out of the civil war. December 9, 1862, he was commanding first lieutenant of Company "K" Seventy-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. This company was recruited by John R. Rockwell, Cyrus F. Rich and William H. Fursman, and was organized with William Rickwell, captain, William Rich, second lieutenant and Mr. Fursman, first lieutenant, afterward being assigned to the Seventy-seventh Regiment. His rank dated from August 27, 1862; was promoted adjutant, June 8, 1863, with rank from May 3, 1863. He saw active service with his regiment, which was a part of the famous "Fighting Sixth" Army Corps. Ill health compelled him to return home. He was assigned in February, 1864, to the provost marshal's office under Colonel William B. French, and later to the adjutant general's office in Albany, serving until the war was ended. He located in Rome, New York, after the war, and was elected captain of the company there, belonging to the New York National Guard. He was in the employ of the canal commissioner with office at Rome, which was his home until death. He was a member of Seward Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Auburn, New York, where he is remembered by a fine memorial, being also similarly honored by the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Rome. He was a man of high integrity, especially honored in military circles. He was buried at Schuylerville with military honors befitting his rank and service. Politically he was a Republican, and a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, in Schuylerville, September 12, 1864, Elizabeth Rastall, born in Worcestershire, England, May 10, 1842, came early in life to Schuylerville, New York, where she was educated, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Myles) Rastall, both born in Worcestershire, England, (see genealogy in Encylopedia Britannica) emigrated to the United States, 1847, landing in New York and settling in Brooklyn, latter settling in Schuylerville, Saratoga county, New York, where they died, he in 1886, aged seventy-six years, she at the age of seventy-two years. Children:
- Walter, removed to Colorado, where he died, married, in Schuylerville, Anna Taylor, who survives him in Madison, Wisconsin;
- George, of Indianapolis, Indiana;
- Professor Benjamin, instructor at Wisconsin University;
- Jane, deceased, married Loren Brown, now of Binghamton, New York, he again married, no issue by either wife;
- Elizabeth, married William H. Fursman;
- Martha, married John Hemstreet, of Schuylerville; children: Edwin, Charles, Anna, Grover.
Children of William H. and Elizabeth (Rastall) Fursman:
- Jesse, born December 5, 1865; educated in Rome, New York, resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and runs a typewriter supply house; he married Catherine Dwyer, of Herkimer, New York; children: Edgar, Marion, James and Harry.
- Jane, born September 10, 1872; married Henry Gallien, employed in the State Capitol at Albany; children: Harry and Roger.
Mrs. Fursman is a member of the Dutch Reformed church; she survives her husband, a resident of Albany, New York.