The paternal line of the Laughlins of Cohoes begins in Ireland and extends into the mountains of Scotland, from whence the family came. They settled in the north of Ireland, leaving Scotland during the troublous times of the two King Jameses of England, when no man's life was safe. Of this Scotch-Irish blood was Hough Laughlin, born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1807, died at Cohoes, New York. He came to the United States in 1850 and settled at Wappinger's Falls, New York, where he worked at his trade of weaver. In 1865 he located his home in Cohoes, New York, where he was in charge of Harmony Mills No. 3. He married, in Ireland, Mary Kenney, born in Belfast, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage. Hough Laughlin and wife were members of the Presbyterian church.
(II) Edwin Bower, son of Hough and Mary (Kenney) Laughlin, was born in Wappinger's Falls, New York, July 12, 1858. He was eight years of age when his parents moved to Cohoes and in the public schools of that city he obtained his education. After the death of his father he was for four years in charge of and lived upon a farm, which was part of the estate. He acquired an interest in the Ten Eyck & Laughlin Manufacturing Company, and for two years that company was successfully engaged in the manufacture of axes. A fire, however, destroyed the plant, and they did not resume business. Mr. Laughlin entered the employ of H. B. Silliman, dealer in mill supplies (turnings for knit underwear) and continued with him for four years. He then formed a copartnership with George W. Kavanaugh as jobbers of trimmings and continued four years. In 1892 he joined with his brother John and as Laughlin Brothers continued the same lines. Later Edwin B. Laughlin purchased his brother's interest, and since 1896 has continued in business under his own name only. In 1902 he began the manufacture of trimmings, continuing the jobbing house as before. He has been successful in his undertakings and is one of the substantial men of his city, residing on the beautiful "Burton Homestead" at 114 Saratoga avenue, Waterford, which he purchased in 1906. He is a Republican, but does not take an active part in politics. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Cohoes and a member of the vestry; is also member of Blue Lodge, No. 116, of Cohoes, and the Cohoes Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He married, October 28, 1885, Mary Elizabeth Taber, who died April 14, 1909, daughter of Nathan and Mary Ann (Groesbeck) Taber, of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, New York. Mary A. (Groesbeck) Taber was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Knickerbacker) Groesbeck. This marriage connects the Laughlins with the old Dutch blood of the Hudson River Valley (see forward). Children of Edwin Bower and Mary E. (Taber) Laughlin:
- Marion E., born at Cohoes, March 9, 1890; graduate of the Emma Willard school, Troy, New York, class of 1908; resides at home.
- Edwin T., born May 7, 1894; attends Troy Academy.
(The Knickerbacker Line)
This name is variously spelled, but the family originated in Holland and descendants are to be found from New York City northward along the Hudson. Harmen Janse Knickerbacker was the son of Johannes Van Berghen Knickerbacker, and his wife, Juliana, daughter of Rutger Van Marnix, Lord of Bosselaer. He served in the navy of the Netherlands and was severely wounded at the battle of Solebay, July 25, 1665. Upon his recovery he came to America and settled at Albany, New York, where he married Lysbeth, daughter of Myndert Van de Bogart. In 1690 he moved to Schaghticoke and later to Dutchess county, New York. The name is supposed to mean "Marble baker" and to have been assumed by Harmen Janse Berghen after his arrival in America.
One of the first settlers in the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, New York, was James Knickbacker [Knickerbacker?], born in Holland in the year 1679, died in the town which he founded, at Knickerbacker mansion, in the year 1749. There have been many famous men in the Schaghticoke family. Colonel William Knickerbacker, born in 1779, married Eva Viele and died in 1865, aged eighty-six years. Colonel John Knickerbacker died in his seventy-ninth year, November 10, 1827. Herman Knickerbacker, born July 27, 1779, died January 30, 1855. He was first elected a member of the eleventh congress and was an eloquent representative of the people for many years. He was judge of Rensselaer county a number of years. Joseph Knickerbacker, who died in 1882, was a lawyer by profession, also of literary ability and prominence. There is an old Dutch clock in the Knickerbacker mansion that was made in Holland in 1632. The front room of the mansion is as it was when in use a hundred years ago.
(The Groesbeck Line)
John Groesbeck, who married Elizabeth Knickerbacker, was a descendant of Claas Nicholas Groesbeck, born in Holland in 1624, son of Jacob Groesbeck, of Rotterdam, Holland. On the tenth day of October, 1696, Claas Groesbeck deposed that he was seventy-two years old. He had a house and lot on the west side of Pearl street, north of Maiden Lane. His will was proved March 20, 1713. It devised property to his wife Elizabeth and seven children. The Groesbeck and Bogardus families both intermarried with the Knickerbackers, and this pure Dutch stock still prevails in Albany county and the Mohawk Valley.