The branches of the Amsterdam branch of the Howgate family were founded by Joseph Howgate, who was born in England. The family in that country is a large one, and is found all over the kingdom. They are farmers, manufacturers, business and professional men of standing in these localities.
(I) Joseph Howgate came to Florida, Montgomery county, from England, early in the nineteenth century. When a young man he married Ann, daughter of David Brown, one of the old-time school masters of the county. Joseph and his wife settled on a farm in Saratoga county, where she died. After her death Joseph removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he died at an advanced age. He was a man of prominence in both communities. He had one son and four daughters, all now deceased.
(II) John A., son of Joseph and Ann (Brown) Howgate, was born in Florida, Montgomery county, New York, February 7, 1849, died at his home in Rockton, a suburb of Amsterdam, New York, November 17, 1893. He received his education in the town schools, and at the age of seventeen entered the employ of Stephen Sanford in the carpet mills. He became an expert in rug manufacture, and after twenty years of faithful service with the Sanfords, left their employ to become the head of his own company, Howgate & McCleary, rug manufacturers. Toward the successful development of this business he devoted all his wonderful skill and enterprise. He brought to the company a lifelong experience and a determination to succeed. He was successful in his efforts, and the company is today one of Amsterdam's solid and prosperous concerns. Under the strain of excessive effort, both mental and physical, his health broke and caused his death at the early age of forty-four, just at the time when the business was firmly established on a sure and profitable footing. His loss was a severe one to both the company and his family. He was a man of devout religious principles, being an elder in the church and superintendent of the Sabbath school. In politics he was a Republican, but beyond exercising his right as a citizen, took little part in public affairs. He married, in Troy, New York, October 18, 1872, Josephine Shadbolt (see forward). She bore him four children, one of whom, Jessie, died in infancy.
- Fred, born May 30, 1876; was educated in the public schools, attended Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vermont, and Albany Business College; engaged in the automobile business; married Jessie Wilkes, born at Sylvan Beach, Oneida county, New York, March 14, 1877, of an old Mohawk Valley family.
- Effie May, August 14, 1878; married Rev. Putnam Cady, D.D., F. R. G. S., pastor of Emanuel Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam, New York.
- Archer, May 9, 1883; was educated in Amsterdam common and high schools and at Union College, Schenectady, New York; he is with his brother Fred in the automobile business; unmarried.
Mrs. Josephine (Shadbolt) Howgate survives her husband and resides in Amsterdam. She is a member of the Presbyterian church.
(The Shadbolt Line)
Israel Shadbolt, grandfather of Mrs. Howgate, was of Welsh parentage. He was probably born in the city of New York. He settled in Troy, New York, where he became prominent in the public life of that city. He was an educated, well-read man, dignified and manly in appearance, a gentleman of the old school. He represented Troy in the state legislature and was a justice of the peace. He died in 1858, at the age of sixty-four. He married Marilla Stevenson, who died in Troy about 1869, aged eighty. She was active in the Baptist church of Troy. Their children were: Charles, Maria, Martha Jane, LaFayette and James.
(II) James, father of Mrs. Howgate, youngest son of Israel and Marilla (Stevenson) Shadbolt, was born in 1816, while his parents were residents of Dutchess county, New York, and died in Troy in 1889. He was known for his honest, upright character. He married, at Clinton Hollow, Effie Eighma, of an old Dutchess county family; she died in Troy, in 1895, aged eighty-three years. She was a member of the Christian Church, and mother of Mrs. Josephine Howgate, her only daughter.