The Getman family of Gloversville, New York, are of German ancestry and descend from Frederick Getman, who came to America from Germany in 1720. In 1740 in association with Jonathan Bierman he bought a tract of land in the Stone Arabia Patent, Montgomery county, New York. Later Frederick bought his partner's interest and owned the entire interest, and part of the land is yet in the Getman name. He married ———— Bierman who bore him sons, Frederick George, and Christian, all of whom took part in the war with the French prior to 1757.
(II) George, son of Frederick Getman "the founder," was born in the town of Ephratah, now Fulton county, New York. He succeeded his father in possession of the Ephratah homestead. He married and had five sons, all of whom did service in the revolutionary cause.
(III) George (2), son of George (1) Getman, was born in Ephratah, Fulton county, New York, about the year 1770. He was a captain in the war of 1812, and was a farmer of Ephratah all his life. He married Catherine Cook, and had six sons.
(IV) Robert, son of George (2) and Catherine (Cook) Getman, was born in the town of Ephratah, Fulton county, New York, May 4, 1805. He was a farmer all his life and died in the same town in which he was born. Like all his family he was energetic, industrious and thrifty. He married, June 1, 1828, Lucy Young, who bore him nine children that grew to maturity, namely: Darius, Thomas, of whom further; Mary E., George, Joshua, Elizabeth, Aaron, Lancy A., Nancy C.
(V) Thomas, son of Robert and Lucy (Young) Getman, was born in the town of Ephratah, Fulton county, New York, February 10, 1831. He was educated in the public schools, and on arriving at suitable age was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He then purchased a farm which he operated the remainder of his years of activity. He married, November 26, 1852, Alida, sixth daughter of Volkert and Maria (Smith) Vrooman, of the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, New York, and granddaughter of Barney Vrooman. They were the parents of eight children, a son, Charles, dying at the age of sixteen years. The other children were:
- Robert, born August 14, 1853; married Harriet Wheeler; six children; moved to Chicago, Illinois.
- Martin L., born March 19, 1855; married, December 19, 1885, Elizabeth Sexton.
- Anna Mary, born July 8, 1857; married John H. Dockstader; children:
- Gertrude,
- Lily, married William Van Dusen.
- Henry Harrison, born April 23, 1859, married Annie Rupert; children:
- Katerine, married Leroy White;
- Bertha, married Walter Hart;
- Edward,
- Gladys.
- Volkert Lincoln, of whom further.
- Sydney, married Alma Jackson; children: Harold and Viola.
- Sarah, married John L. Miller.
(VI) Volkert Lincoln, son of Thomas and Alida (Vrooman) Getman, was born in Johnstown, New York, August 11, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and Johnstown Academy, graduating from the latter in 1886. He chose the profession of medicine and in 1900 entered New York Homeopathic Medical College, graduating from there in 1904; this college was connected with Flower Hospital and Metropolitan Hospital. He also took a special course at the New York Lying-in-Hospital. He located at Oneonta, New York, where for three years he engaged in practice. He then took a post-graduate course of a year in Electro Therapeutics, eye, ear, nose and throat, in Chicago. In 1909 he began the practice of his profession in Gloversville, where he is enjoying an extensive patronage. From 1890 to 1900 he was engaged in newspaper work with the Brooklyn Daily Standard Union. He is a member of State Homeopathic Medical Association, New York Homeopathic Alumni, Alpha Sigma, Oneonta Lodge, No. 466, F. and A. M., R. A., F. O. E., F. O. M., K. O. T. M., K. of M. and Exempt Volunteer Firemen.