(VII) John Van Schaick Lansing, son of Abraham (q. v.) and Dorothy (Van Schaick) Lansing, was born in Cohoes, New York, in 1829, died December 16, 1905. He was educated at the Albany Academy and there prepared for Union College. On account of ill health he was obliged to give up his studies, but after a year or two of rest became connected with the Bailey Manufacturing Company, which was organized in 1832 with mills at Cohoes, Mr. Bailey being the inventor of the knitting frame or machine. In 1852 Mr. Bailey retired and a new company was organized, known as The Troy Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Lansing was one of the principal stockholders and treasurer until 1890, when, he wishing to retire from business, the mills were sold. He was one of the organizers of the Manufacturers' Bank of Cohoes, served as first vice-president for a short period of time, later was elected president, in which capacity he served until his removal in 1892 to Stamford, Connecticut, from whence he removed to New York City in 1897, remaining there until 1902, when he returned to Cohoes, New York, where his death occurred. He was one of the organizers of the first board of fire commissioners in Cohoes, and served as a member of the fire board until his removal from the city. He was active in politics and a leader in the Republican party, serving as alderman of Cohoes two terms and delegate to state convention. He was a member of the Dutch church at Cohoes and a leading spirit in religious matters. He took a great interest in the music of the church, playing the organ for sixteen years, and taking entire charge of the musical part of the service during that time. He was a generous contributor towards the expenses of the church, paying the greater portion of the large organ installed therein. He was one of the organizers of the Cohoes City Club, serving as president of same during his residence in Cohoes. Mr. Lansing was a widely-known and influential citizen of Cohoes, and his mind was ever occupied with projects for its advancement and welfare. This brief history shows that his life was an active one, and that his enterprises were such as added to the general wealth and prosperity of his native city. It is needless to say that he exerted a great influence on the affairs of his city, and that his work was widely extended and appreciated. Mr. Lansing married, 1854, Marie Louise Peake, of Johnstown, New York, a descendant of the Peake family of Roxbury and Woodstock, Massachusetts. Jonathan and Joseph Peake were original proprietors of Woodstock, and the first death in the new settlement was that of Joseph Peake, who died before March 1, 1691. Child: Egbert Peake, see forward. Mrs. Lansing died May 5, 1895.
(VIII) Egbert Peake, only child of John Van Schaick and Marie Louise (Peake) Lansing, was born in Cohoes, New York, January 25, 1857. He was educated in private schools and academies in Troy and Albany, and matriculated at Union College, from which he was graduated with the degree of A.B., class of 1878. Upon the completion of his studies, he became connected with The Troy Manufacturing Company, serving as superintendent of the same until the works were closed in 1890. He then removed to Stamford, Connecticut, where he became a stockholder and secretary of the St. John Wood Working Company, which position he held until 1896, when he moved to New York City and became associated with Frederick A. Braun in the cotton business under the firm name of Braun & Lansing. In 1902 he severed his connection with this firm, retired from active business life, and returned to Cohoes, where he is residing at the present time. In March, 1910, he became the senior member of The Lansing-Morrison Company, dealers in commercial motor cars, manufacturers' agents for the Gramm Motor Car, "The World's Best." Their office is in the Albany Trust Company Building, corner of Broadway and State street, Albany. He also served as trustee of the Mechanics' Savings Bank. Scrupulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, he bears a reputation for public and private integrity, and being of a sociable and genial disposition has a number of friends who estimate him at his true worth. He casts his vote with the Republican party, but takes no active interest in politics, preferring to devote his time to business pursuits. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church of Cohoes and has served as deacon for two terms. He holds membership in the Holland Society of New York, the Fort Orange and University clubs of Albany, the Schenectady Country Club, and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at Union College. Mr. Lansing married, January 20, 1897, Gertrude Orelup, of Cohoes, daughter of John Orelup, who died in 1892, a retired manufacturer, and his wife Eliza (Phaxton) Orelup.