The Morange family of Albany derives descent from French ancestry whose residence in France was in and around the city of Bordeaux. The first of the family to come to the United States was James Morange, who was born in Bordeaux and came to this country about the time of the revolutionary war. He died in New York in 1850. He married and had issue.
(II) Pierre L., son of James Morange, was born in France, and was eight years of age when the family came to America. He became a resident of Albany, where his after life was spent. He married Jane Cecelia Duffy, of New York City, who bore him eight children:
- James W., see forward;
- William, deceased;
- Jane Cecelia, deceased;
- Justina, a resident of New York City;
- Pierre, a resident of Albany.
Three others died young.
(III) James W., son of Pierre L. and Jane Cecelia (Duffy) Morange, was born in Albany, New York, August 3, 1824. His early education was obtained in the city public schools, after which he entered and was graduated from the Boys' Academy. He was regularly indentured and learned the upholstering trade, at which he engaged until 1880. In that year he became actively interested in undertaking, which business he continued until his retirement from active business in 1905. He has lived a long, active and useful life in the city of his birth, where he is well known and honored. He has been for many years a member of the Masonic order, and has enjoyed many of the honors of that order. He has taken all the degrees of the Scottish Rite, and is past high priest of Temple Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and member of lodge, council, commandery and all Scottish Rite bodies. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Morange was a member and an officer in the Albany Burgesses Corps, a noted military company of Albany, and one of the charter members of the Aurania Club of Albany. He and his wife were members of the Reformed church, later of St. Peter's and now of St. Paul's.
He married Jane Hamilton, born in Dover, England, died February 11, 1908, in Albany; came to the United States in early life, lived in New York City, and after her marriage passed her life in Albany. Children:
- William V. H., born in Albany, September 7, 1853, died January 10, 1883; he was a young man of great promise, and died universally regretted; married Adelaide Scarborough, born in West Troy, New York, March 22, 1858; he left a daughter Isabella, born in West Troy, August 21, 1881, who married, December 4, 1907, J. Harmon Conde.
- Edward, born July 5, 1855, died August 10, 1867.