Aaron Hotaling, a descendant of the early Hooghteeling, (Hooghtelling or Houghtaling) emigrant, was born in Berne, Albany county, New York, January 14, 1797. He was a successful farmer owning two farms in New Scotland which he gave to his sons. These are still in the family name. With his younger son Aaron he settled in the city of Albany, in 1855, and engaged in the ice business, being the second dealer to so engage in that city. He was very successful and continued in Albany until his death, September 16, 1866. He is buried in the old family burying ground in New Scotland. He married Polly, daughter of Captain Thomas and Polly Rogers, of Berne, New York. Captain Thomas Rogers was born in 1770, died August 2, 1861. Polly, his wife, was born in 1772, died July 26, 1861. Polly, their daughter, was born in 1800, died August 3, 1865. Thomas, brother of Polly, and son of Captain Thomas Rogers, was born in 1802, died December 4, 1864. He was a farmer of New Scotland. He married Sarah White, born 1802, died July 25, 1870. Children of Aaron and Polly (Rogers) Hotaling:
- Solomon, died young.
- Oscar, see forward.
- Aaron (2), died young.
- Hiram, of Albany, succeeded his father in the Albany ice business and is now living, retired; he married Louisa Gardner, of Albany county, who died at the age of seventy; children:
- Anna, widow of William G. Saxton;
- Mary, married Curtis Parks who survives her, a resident of Washington.
- Louisa, married William Conger, whom she survives; children: Emerett, Amelia and William.
- Chauncey, died at age of sixty years; he married Eleanor Moore of Albany; there is no living issue.
(II) Oscar, second child of Aaron and Polly (Rogers) Hotaling, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, New York, January 8, 1832. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of eighteen was of such unusual mental and physical development that his father gave him one of his farms in New Scotland and started him out in the world. Oscar removed to the farm at once and continued its cultivation until his death, March 29, 1904. He was a remarkably active man and one of many fine qualities. He was prosperous in business; an excellent farmer; a prominent local politician; influential in the Presbyterian church, which he served as elder for twenty-two years. He was frank and generous by nature and upright in all his dealings. He had many friends who often enjoyed his hospitality. He married, January 25, 1854, Leah Loucks, born August 23, 1835, in New Scotland, where she was educated and has always lived, eldest daughter of James Harris Loucks, and granddaughter of John Albert Loucks, who for many years kept a hotel in Albany, where he died aged seventy years.
John Albert Loucks was born in Sharon, Schoharie county, New York, a descendant of the old Dutch family. He had children:
- James Harris, of later mention.
- Andrew, associated with his father in the hotel business, married and had one daughter.
- Maria, married Stephen Mesick; children: John, Stephen, Peter, Jane and Elizabeth, all married.
- Sarah, married Peter Van Wormer, a prominent merchant of Albany.
James Harris, son of John Albert Loucks, was born in New Scotland, Albany county, March 9, 1809, died at the farm in the same town, March 5, 1884. He was a well-known member of the Reformed church and a Republican. He married Hester Slingerland, daughter of John A. and Leah (Britt) Slingerland, of the old Bethlehem town family. Children of James H. and Hester Loucks:
- Leah, married Oscar Hotaling, whom she survives. She lives near the home farm with her daughter, in the village of New Scotland, where she is surrounded by grandchildren and all earthly comforts. She was a true helpmeet and her husband's best adviser. She has always been active in the church and social life of the town and retains much of her active, helpful spirit.
- Elizabeth, married Van Alen Whitbeck, a farmer of Coeymans, Albany county, who survived her; child, Bertha.
- James Harrison, died in boyhood.
- John Albert, born July 19, 1841, married Susan Slingerland, born March 2, 1850, daughter of Peter and Rachel (Mosher) Slingerland; children:
- De Ette, died aged three;
- Elizabeth, born November 9, 1870, married Ambrose J. Wiltsie;
- Anna, born April 12, 1872, married J. V. D. Bradt;
- James Harris, born November 13, 1877, graduate of Albany Law School, class of 1907, now a practicing attorney of Albany, married Sarah Creble, and has Frances Elizabeth, born April 5, 1909;
- Agnes Estelle, born December 13, 1887, educated at Albany Girls' Academy, resides at home;
- John A., born July 23, 1894.
- William, born in New Scotland, graduate of Union University and Albany Law School, practicing attorney of Albany, married De Ette Brimmer, and has a son William Dewey Loucks.
Children of Oscar and Leah (Loucks) Hotaling:
- Harris Aaron, born November 15, 1857; educated in the public schools and Fulsom Albany Business College. He has been a successful farmer all his life and is now living retired in the village of New Scotland. He married, in the town of Coeymans, October 28, 1886, Ida W. Lamereaux, born in Coeymans, August 25, 1861, daughter of George C., born 1827, died 1898, farmer of Coeymans, and Emily A. (Shear) Lamereaux. George C. was a son of James and a grandson of George Lamereaux, who came from France to America prior to the revolution, with three others of the name, supposed to have been his brothers. They settled in Hudson, New York.
- Mari Etta, born August 2, 1860, attended the public schools of New Scotland, the Model School of Albany, and completed her studies at St. Agnes School, Albany. She married Augustus Mickel, D.D.S., born in New York City, May 30, 1854; graduate of the Boston School of Dentistry, and is now practicing his profession in Albany. He is a son of Emmanuel Mickel, born in Germany, a decorative artist of the highest reputation. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Mickel:
- Harris Augustus, born June 26, 1900;
- Austen Hotaling, September 17, 1902,