Ernest Kurlbaum was born in Praus Minden, Westphalia, Prussia, May 14, 1839, died in Amsterdam, New York, March 13, 1902, son of an old Westphalian family that had been farmers of the Kingdom for a great many generations. The family are German and have always possessed land, along with the attributes of German character that have given their race a worldwide fame. The parents of Ernest never came to America; his father died from an injury, but his mother lived to a good old age.
Ernest Kurlbaum grew to years of discretion in his native land, was in the civil service, and served three years in the German army, being in active service during the Slechwich-Holstein war of 1861. About the latter date he came to the United States in the steamship "Ems," landing in New York, then went northward, joining a kinsman, Aaron Pepper, at Akin, Montgomery county, New York, who taught him his trade, that of broom-maker. He was ambitious and was not long contented to remain in the country, where he could see few chances for financial success. In 1874 he removed to Amsterdam, where he started a hotel in the old stone house on West Main street. There he remained until 1878, when he removed to a location in Market street. He was successful in his business, and in 1888 built the Central House, which he conducted until his death. He was a popular landlord, and stood high among his fellows. He was prominent in local public affairs, and was for years a member of the board of water commissioners, where his good judgment and sound business principles were of great service. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Fairview Cemetery Association, and a member of the leading fraternal societies, belonging to Welcome Lodge No. 829, Free and Accepted Masons; Amsterdam Chapter No. 81, Royal Arch Masons; Berlina Lodge No. 298, Knights of Pythias, of which he was past chancellor; Kennyetto Tribe No. 110, Improved Order of Red Men; the German Benevolent Society; and major of the German Veterans Association. He married, in Aikin, New York, Louise Krah, born at Patershogen, near Praus Minden, Westphalia, May 7, 1840. She came to the United States in the same ship as her later husband, and joined friends in Aiken. She is a daughter of Ferdinand and Sophia (Graper) Krah, natives of the Westphalian village of Mrs. Kurlbaum's birth, as were their parents and grandparents. They had also three sons:
- Henry, who married in Westphalia, came to the United States in 1885, and settled in Amsterdam, where he now resides, with children:
- Louise, married Fred Miller, and has Lillian, Fred and Henry Miller;
- Henry, unmarried;
- Minnie, married Henry Droege, and has Le Roy, Ruth and Marion Droege.
- Augustus.
- Mary, the two last named are both unmarried.
- Fred, came to the United States, and died in Amsterdam, leaving children:
- William, married May Bradford.
- Annie, married Charles Hojohn, and has a son William.
- Laura.
- William, remained in Germany, where he married and has a family.
Children of Ernest and Louise (Krah) Kurlbaum:
- Ernest H., proprietor of a cafe in Amsterdam; married Emma S. Niles, and has Ernest, Leroy and Ralph.
- Louise C., married W. D. White, a cigar manufacturer of Troy, New York, has Gladys L., Will D., and Ralph E. White.
- William, a machinist, married Clara L. Keenan.
- Anna A., resides at home.
- Frederick R., resides at home.
Mrs. Kurlbaum has for many years been an active member of the Lutheran church of which she is a generous supporter and faithful worker. She has been for many years president of the Ladies' Aid Society of Amsterdam.