The branch of the Myers family located in Schenectady, New York, descend from a German ancestor, John Myers, born and educated in Germany. When a young man he came to the United States, and settled in Schenectady, early in the nineteenth century. Later his parents came and made their home with him until they died. They were members of the German Methodist church and lived to a good old age. When John Myers landed at Castle Garden, New York City, his early wealth was represented by one five-dollar bill, and a small stock of clothing. But he was rich in energy and did not fear to face the problem of life in a strange land. He secured employment and soon was working on a farm in Schenectady county. He had a knowledge of the culture of broom corn and soon was engaged in growing corn and making brooms. Success came rapidly and ere long he was an employer and handling trades that involved nerve and a wise business head. He bought, manufactured and sold, increasing his plant and the scope of his operations as profits came to him. He became an adherent of the broom corn market and at one time ran a most profitable corner in that commodity. He became wealthy, but possessed of a speculative disposition he lost fortunes as well as made them. But his successes outnumbered his failures, and he died a wealthy man. He was well known in the trade and among the farmers as a clear-headed, energetic business man. He possessed great executive ability and managed his business wisely. He married (first) Mary Lampe, of Schenectady, of German parents and ancestry. She died in early life, leaving three children:
- Garret, superintendent of streets, Schenectady.
- Catherine, married Henry Furman, of Schenectady.
- Louise, died young, unmarried. John Myers married (second) Louise, daughter of Rev. John Sauter, a leading minister of the German Methodist Episcopal church. She survived him and now (1910) is a resident of Sea Cliff, Long Island. She was the mother of four children.
- Hon. John C., of Schenectady.
- William H., died unmarried.
- Nicholas I., see forward.
- Charles H., deceased; married Catherine, daughter of Judge Frazier; she lives in Johnstown, and has a daughter Portia.
(II) Nicholas I., son of John and Louise (Sauter) Myers, was born in Rotterdam, Schenectady county, New York, June, 1860. He was educated in the public schools, reared to farm labor, and has all his life been interested and devoted to agriculture. He has a large estate in Rotterdam, which he personally superintends, but has his residence in Schenectady. He lives the life of the well-to-do American farmer and ably manages his business interests and estates. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married, in 1884, Minnie E., born in Princetown, Schenectady county, daughter of John W. Shannon and granddaughter of William Shannon, born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, an early settler in the Mohawk Valley. John W. Shannon, born in Schenectady, 1800, died October 12, 1876, was a well-known farmer of Princetown. He spent several years in Michigan at an early day and gained such fame as a trapper and shipper of wild pigeons that he was known as "Pigeon John," a name that followed him east and always clung to him. He was a farmer of Princetown, stock trader, bee raiser, horse dealer and a man well known and respected. He was a Republican and supervisor of the town. He married (first) Elizabeth Bradshaw, of Schenectady, daughter of an old Mohawk Valley family; died at the age of fifty, leaving a daughter Catherine, died 1909, who married Robert Van Valkenburg, of Schenectady. He married (second), Mrs. Esther (Bacon) Hegeman, widow of Hezekiah Hegeman, and daughter of George and Esther Bacon, of Connecticut, members of the Society of Friends. She was born in 1828, died 1902. By her first marriage she had two sons:
- H. Roger Hegeman, married and has a daughter Minnette H.;
- George B. Hegeman married and has a daughter Maude H.
By his second wife John W. Shannon had Minnie E., married Nicholas I. Myers; children, all born in Schenectady, New York:
- Minnie, educated at Northfield Seminary; married William B. Snyder, of Schenectady, and has Helen Snyder, born 1904.
- Walter W., being educated in New York City schools.
- Florence, educated in Schenectady high school.
- John W. S.
The family are members of the Second Reformed Church, Schenectady.