The American branch of this family has been resident in Amsterdam, New York, since 1881; consequently but little is to be recorded of them in America, the family being only in its second generation. Yet like all Teutons, when they take root in a strange soil they develop rapidly, promote prosperity, and become good citizens. The founder of the Amsterdam branch is Ernest H., a grandson of Henry Hovemeyer, with whom this record begins.
(I) Henry Hovemeyer was born in Westphalia, Germany. He was of a line of agricultural ancestors of the better class, and of importance in their communities. Henry was given a good education, but reared to work on the farm. He was a teacher in the schools of Westphalia for several years, but never relinquished his farm. That was his principal business all through life. His intellectual attainments made him easily noticeable among his neighbors, and he was chosen to represent them in the law-making body of his district. He married a wife who was his equal in birth and intelligence, who bore him eight children. The Hovemeyers had been active members of the Reformed or Lutheran church for several generations, and in that society, Henry and his wife and children found their religious home.
(II) William, son of Henry Hovemeyer, was born in 1816, on the family homestead in Westphalia, owned by his father, and died in 1883. He succeeded his father on the farm, and was equally prominent. He held several official positions, and was a man of importance in his town. He married Marie Issabien Pohlman, born in 1822 in the village of Nettlestadt, Westphalia. She was married when but fifteen, and died in 1868. She was the daughter of Henry Pohlman, a farmer of the district, father of four daughters and three sons, all of whom became heads of families. William and Marie Hovemeyer were parents of fourteen sons and daughters, ten of whom arrived at maturity and married.
- The oldest child, William, is now aged seventy; he succeeded his father on the homestead farm, not as an inheritance, but to operate for the benefit of the family; he served in the German army, and saw active service in three wars that Germany waged, the most important being the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. He was a non-commissioned officer and saw hard service, but escaped uninjured; his first wife was Marie Aspelmeyer, who bore him five children; his second wife was Dora Grathe, who was mother of two daughters; he lives in Westphalia.
- Frederick, married his kinswoman, Marie Hovemeyer, and has a son, he is now retired from active life in his native land.
- Marie, married Frederick Spelker, has a daughter living in Schenectady, New York; she is deceased.
- Louise, deceased, married Carl Nedderhoff and left a family of five.
- Henry, for many years prior to his death a successful baker, doing business in Bremen, Germany; his wife was Helen Iben, who left one child.
- John, came to the United States and settled in Amsterdam, where he was engaged in the manufacture of brooms; he married in his native land Carie Gretebier; they live in Amsterdam and have twelve children.
- Carl, married in Germany, Louise Doehering; they came to the United States, settling in Amsterdam, where they reside with their children.
- Marie L., married William Frundt in Westphalia, where they reside; they have a family of four.
- Caroline, married Carl Sebe; they came to Amsterdam, New York, where she still lives with her three children.
- Ernest H., see forward.
(III) Ernest H., of the first American generation, was born in Westphalia, where he received a good common school education. He believed that better opportunities existed in the United States for an ambitious young man than in his own land, and he decided to emigrate thither. In 1881 he sailed from Bremen, on the steamship "Nectar," landing in New York City in March of that year. He settled in Amsterdam, New York, where he established a grocery business that prospered under his management. In 1892 he admitted a partner, Ferdinand Marosky, a native of Prussia, but resident of the United States since 1876. The combined efforts and energy of the partners has increased the business as a profitable commercial enterprise. Mr. Hovemeyer and wife are members of the Lutheran church of Amsterdam, where for twenty-one years he has been a member of the church council. He is a member of the German Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the German Christian Benevolent societies. In politics he is a Democrat. Ernest H. Hovemeyer married, in Amsterdam, New York, November 20, 1884, Bertha Buske, born in Germany, 1866. She was a young woman when she came to the United States. She is a fitting helpmeet and a useful factor in her husband's advancement. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hovemeyer:
- Ernest H. (2), born January, 1887, died in sixth year.
- William B., March 11, 1889; educated in the public schools, and is learning to be a machinist.
- Henry B., June 15, 1896.
- Ernest H. (3), July 28, 1907.