The Germans of Albany and Albany county have contributed in no small degree to the development and prosperity of city and county in whatever section they have settled. They form an important element of this particular section and have risen from small beginnings to conditions of comfort and ease. The Klapp family of Albany was founded by Matthias Klapp, born at Rhinefalz, Byron, Germany, February 21, 1828. He sprang from a race of strong, hard, athletic people, agricultural in vocation, many of them serving with credit in the German army. Matthias Klapp was a skilled gardener and tiller of the soil. In 1854 he married and with his bride sailed from Hamburg for the United States. Their vessel, the "Sarasetta," was an old and unseaworthy craft, then on her last voyage. The weather was of the most stormy and tempestuous variety, but though hard beset the old craft safely weathered the trip, reaching New York City in safety after a voyage of forty days. On her return trip, however, the stormy Atlantic claimed her and she sank in mid-ocean. Matthias Klapp and his wife arrived in Albany, April 21, 1854, and began a life of successful endeavor. They obtained employment with a farmer in Rensselaer Island, near Albany, where they remained thirteen years. They were careful and economical and purchased a farm in the town of Bethlehem, on Whitehall road. Matthias was a phenomenally successful farmer, and at the age of sixty-two was able to retire from active labor with a competence. He had moreover started his sons in life with a farm of their own. His lifework was now completed, and with his faithful wife and partner he purchased a home in Albany, where their latter years were quietly and comfortably passed in ease. Matthias Klapp died September 26, 1895, aged sixty-six years and eight months. His wife, Barbara (Anding) Klapp, born in Rhinefalz, Germany, about 1839, survived him until October 29, 1901. She was a most capable wife and mother and was a great help to her husband in his undertakings. They were the parents of eleven children, the first three —
- George,
- Charles, and
- Barbara, dying young.
- John P., born October 28, 1854; a prosperous farmer of Bethlehem; he has the homestead farm to which he has added adjoining acres; married (first) Catherine Bender, who bore him Annie E., John P. and Ida C., the latter deceased; he married (second) Lizetta (Market) Raffold, who bore him George, Clara A., and William.
- Annie Elizabeth, see forward.
- Nicholas, born March 1, 1861; a prosperous farmer of Bethlehem; married Mrs. Barbara (Siegler) Noll; children: Barbara, John, Anna, Emma, Carl, Henry and Laura.
- Matthias (2), born April 22, 1865; a successful farmer of Bethlehem; married (first) Rose Seigler, who died leaving Matthias (3), Annie E., and Fred J.; married (second) Annie E. Klapp, a kinswoman, and has a son Louis.
- Julia, born December 29, 1867; married Frederick Hurter and resides in Albany; children: Anna E., and Frederick, twins, Louise, Barbara, Henrietta S., Julia, Carl, George, Lizetta, George and Frederick, deceased.
- Anna M., born March 11, 1870; married Otto Friebel, a farmer of Hurstville, New York; children: Bertha A., Julia A., Anna B. and George Friebel.
- Louise, born October 28, 1873; married Charles Heyer, a brewer of Albany.
- Barbara, born December 26, 1875; married Frederick Baldes, of Albany.; children: Barbara M., Annie E., Julia and Frederick J. Baldes.
(II) Annie Elizabeth, daughter of Matthias and Barbara (Anding) Klapp, was born August 6, 1858. She remained at home until arriving at youthful womanhood. She developed the large physique of her ancestors and with it energy and business ability. The patrimony left her by her father she has added to by her own efforts and has accumulated a substantial property, maintaining a home in Albany, where she resides. With her is the only daughter born of her marriage, Annie Elizabeth, born March 21, 1885; educated in the public schools of Albany; married Charles H. Zeilfeld, born in Frankfort, Germany, January 28, 1880, son of Henry C. and Philipine (Weil) Zeilfeld, who came to the United States in 1882, and are residents of Albany. Charles H. and Annie E. Zeilfeld have a daughter, Elizabeth H., born August 6, 1897.