Thomas Marley was a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a man of small means, but of good character and standing. He married, 1787, Maria E. Uhle, born December 17, 1765, died 1828. She was a daughter of Christian Uhle, who was killed during the uprising in Paris during the earlier career of Napoleon. They had two sons, Richard and Joseph.
(II) Richard, son of Thomas Marley, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1791. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in 1820 removed to Baltimore, Maryland, where he opened a shop and continued in business until his death May 7, 1869. In 1823 he joined Franklin Lodge No. 2, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and rose to the highest rank in that order. He was a member of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and was very active in both lodge and encampment. In 1841 he was installed Grand Master of Maryland. He was known in his order all over the United States. He sat for thirty-three sessions in the Grand Lodge of the United States, and was an Odd Fellow forty-six years. On May 13, 1869, the Grand Lodge of Maryland passed a resolution ordering his portrait painted and "placed in the gallery of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the United States." He married, but had no issue.
(II) Joseph, son of Thomas Marley, was born in Philadelphia, October 14, 1797, and died June 3, 1866. He married, April 12, 1818, Eliza Ann Hopper, born June 3, 1798, died July 12, 1832, and had children, John, Christian, and Eliza. He left his home and did not return, leaving wife and children to the care of strangers. Eliza after a hard childhood, married Malcolm Craig and removed to Battle Creek, Michigan. She had children: John Henry, Rachel and Josephine.
(III) John Christian, son of Joseph and Eliza Ann (Hopper) Marley, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1821. When his father deserted him he was placed in a drug store, as an apprentice, and his sister Eliza was taken by a family to rear and educate. When the lad was but ten years of age he visited her and not being pleased with her surroundings took her away, and found her a new home. After he had been in the drug store a few years he ran away and went to New York City, where he learned cigar making. He lived on Christian street and passed the typical life of a homeless New York orphan. He became enamored with the drama as then found in the cheaper resorts; and for one hundred successive nights he was at the "Old Bowery Theatre." But the lad was made of good material and New York life developed rather than stunted him. He traveled about New England a good deal, working at his trade, spending in this way perhaps five years. He then obtained a clue of the whereabouts of his father and wrote to David Getman, then postmaster at Mayfield, Fulton county. He got closely upon him by correspondence and finally they met in the railroad station at Amsterdam, while each was waiting for a train. He now settled in Mayfield, where for two years he was engaged in making and selling cigars. In 1857 he settled in Gloversville where he branched out into a larger tobacco manufacturing business. He was very successful and purchasing a lot on Main street, built the Marley Block which he occupied for factory and store. He later bought the property on Spring street that he now occupies. He has passed with credit through a long and active life. With a crushing handicap as a start he bravely made his way and has made for himself an honored name among the successful men of Gloversville. Now at the age of ninety he is stout, hearty, and as little afraid of the future as he was eighty years ago. Until five years ago, he gave little heed to religious subjects except perhaps to deny, but in 1905 he seriously considered and experienced a sound conversion.
He married, January 1, 1844, at Warehouse Point, Massachusetts, Nancy Gary, born April 4, 1824, died June 10, 1896. Children:
- Eliza, born October 1, 1844, died April 5, 1888, married Peter Edwards.
- George W., born January 9, 1846, married Nellie McDonald; child:
- John Nelson, married Ella G. Munson.
- Edna Frances, born October 17, 1848.
- Jennie C., born December 22, 1863, married George S. Hogle; children:
- Lila M., married Sidney A. Lyke and had two children, Elizabeth and Kenneth;
- Clarence B.;
- Edna M., married Professor Charles F. Dolan, and has Kathleen Edna.