This particular branch of the Granger family of Cohoes, New York, was planted in the United States by David Granger, born in Acadie, Canada, in 1829, died February 8, 1878, in Cohoes, New York. He came to the United States in 1862, where he engaged in work in an axe factory. David was a son of Claude Granger, who was born and died at St. Alexander, Canada. David Granger married Rose Hughron, born in the same town as her husband, in 1828; died in 1896, in Cohoes, New York. The Granger and Hughron families are mentioned at length in L' Abbe Tanguay, a French standard work on genealogy.
(II) Moise Arthur, son of David and Rose (Hughron) Granger, was born in St. Alexander, Canada, March 11, 1858. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and in the night schools of Cohoes. He early began his business career, first working in the mills of Cohoes, later in a printing office for four years, clerk in a shoe store eight years, after which he bought out the business and for thirteen years was the proprietor of a retail shoe store on Remsen street, Cohoes. In 1900 he formed a partnership with William T. Ford in the insurance business; in 1909 they dissolved, and the firm name of M. A. Granger & Son, fire insurance and real estate, was adopted. The firm is active and does a fair share of the business of their city. Mr. Granger is an active Republican, was member of the board of supervisors from the sixth ward for four years, represented his district in party convention, and was a delegate to the state convention that first placed Governor Hughes before the party as their candidate for governor. In 1909 he was elected coroner of Albany county, and is now treasurer of the Cohoes Republican city committee. He is very prominent among the French Canadians of Cohoes, was chosen several times to represent them in the annual conventions or meetings that were formerly held in different cities. When the "Canadian Athenaeum," a social club composed of French Canadians, was organized largely through his efforts, he was president for two years and secretary for seven. This society flourished for several years, but changing conditions operated against its existence and it disbanded. It exerted a great influence among the French people during its twenty years of existence, being literary and social, and attracting those interested in amateur theatricals as well as in weightier matters. Mr. Granger was possessed of dramatic talent, and obtained quite a local reputation as an amateur actor in his younger days. He came under the notice of one of the leading theatrical managers, who offered him a position with his Madison Square company. His prominence as an amateur actor and his four years connection with the French paper, La Patrie Nouvelle, gained him an extensive acquaintance in the city. He is held in high esteem in this city and sought by his countrymen for counsel and advice in business matters and all affairs of importance. In the days when he was struggling for an education he studied privately under Father Alphonse Villeneuve, who had been to Rome to write a history of the French clergy. This was a most valuable education for the young man, and the influence of the wise father's teachings has advantageously affected all his life and contributed largely to his success. He is a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church; was vice-president of the Society of St. Jean Baptiste and trustee of Sacred Heart Academy, serving several years since the school came under control of the board of state regents.
He married, May 8, 1866, Elizabeth Bourgeois, born in Canada, at St. Jacques Le Mineur, daughter of Leon Bourgeois, born in Canada, died at Cohoes, New York, in 1888. He was a farmer in Canada many years, returning there after twelve years' residence in Albany county, New York. He died at St. Jacques Le Mineur. Children of Moise A. and Elizabeth (Bourgeois) Granger:
- Arthur Joseph, born in Cohoes, March 10, 1887; graduated from La Salle Institute, Troy, November, 1900; student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he is taking the course of civil engineering.
- Aurore Alice, graduate of Egbert high school and Holy Name Academy, Albany; graduated from the training school for teachers in 1910.
- Eva Marguerite, junior in Egbert high school.
- Bertha May, sophomore in Egbert high school.
- Albert Joseph, died in infancy.
- Armand Gabriel, student at Academy of the Sacred Heart.
- Alma Angeline, student at Sacred Heart Academy.