The Pine family were originally early settlers of Connecticut. From there they crossed over to Long Island, New York, and settled at Hempstead, which was the family home for many generations. The family in Troy, New York, descend from James Pine, of Hempstead.
The earliest of the name in the town records of Hempstead is on page 21, volume I — "Jeames Pyne hath forteen gottes;" this was on April 16, 1657. Again in June, 1657, he had at pasture on "the Neck," according to the records, "Jeames pine five" (cows). In a list of the inhabitants of Hempstead who had allotments of meadow we find: "James Pine hath thirty one Akers." November 29, 1658, he was allotted ten acres on condition he should "fence and improve it." February 3, 1659, among "The publick debts and charges of the towne" is this item: "James Pine for drink expended upon the saggamore and for laying out ye towne bounds" £1 5s. February 16, 1660, he was chosen "Townsman for the ensuing year." He had trouble with his neighbors and was hailed to court to answer to a charge of "trespass," together with his son James (2) and two others, Samuel and Nathaniel Pine. In 1682 he subscribed 2 pounds to the minister's salary. In 1694 "Jeames Pine was chosen Constable." The Hempstead records contain constant references to James Pine and family. They possessed much land and seem to have been an energetic, aggressive family. James Pine (1) married Hannah ———— and had large family.
(II) James (2), son of James (1) Hannah Pine, was born most likely in Connecticut, about the year 1650. He is of frequent mention in the records of Hempstead. He had land granted him and acquired more by purchase. He held some of the public offices of the town and was a well-to-do man. He married and had issue.
(III) James (3), son of James (2) Pine, was born in Hempstead, Long Island, about 1690. He married, August 21, 1726, Grace Carman and had issue.
(IV) James (4), son of James (3) Pine, was born 1738; was a farmer and a Quaker. He married Mary Buckhout and had issue.
(V) Joshua, son of James (4) and Mary (Buckout) Pine, was born in 1781, at Hempstead, Long Island, died near Hoosac Corners, Rensselaer county, New York. He was the first of the family to settle in Rensselaer county. He married, in Hempstead, Betsey Cottrell and had issue.
(VI) James (5), son of Joshua and Betsey (Cottrell) Pine, was born in Hoosac, Rensselaer county, New York, February 9, 1815. He grew up in Hoosac, where he was educated, and began his long and active business life, first as clerk in a store, then as a merchant, then insurance agent. He was also in public life at an early age, being inspector of the turnpike and constable when only twenty-one years of age. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, but only practiced for a short time. He was of an inventive, mechanical turn of mind and brought out a number of useful patents of various kinds. For a number of years he was with the Walter A. Wood Company, manufacturers of farming machinery and implements. After leaving that company he located in Troy, where he established a plant for the manufacture of his own patents and applied them to the different implements. He continued in business until his years compelled him to retire. He is now in his ninety-fifth year, and on November 4, 1909, went to the polls and voted in company with his son, grandsons and great-grandsons, four generations voting together. He is still quite active, goes out every fair day unattended, and in possession of all his mental faculties. He is a most wonderfully preserved man, has the appearance and acts more like a man of seventy than of ninety-five years. He is a Republican in politics. He married Sarah Ouderkirk, born February 14, 1815, died May, 1893. Children:
- Alvina Elizabeth, married C. E. Wright, of Chicago, Illinois, and had Stella Elizabeth, Ada Jane, Thurlow, Caroline E., and. Jennie T. Wright.
- J. Le Roy.
- James K. Pope, see forward.
(VII) James K. P., son of James (5) and Sarah (Ouderkirk) Pine, was born in Hoosac, Rensselaer county, New York, November 21, 1841. He was educated in the public school and at Ball's Academy, Hoosac Falls. In 1860 he located in Troy, where he began his business life as a clerk for Coon & Van Valkenburg, collar manufacturers. In 1862 he began business on his own account, later becoming a member of the firm of Cole, Dyer & Pine, collar manufacturers. There were several changes in the firm, but Mr. Pine always retained his interest and was the senior partner of Pine & Hamlin in 1880, when his partner, Myron Hamlin, died. During the succeeding ten years he conducted the entire business alone. In 1884 he erected the present factory in Lansingburg. In 1890 the United Shirt & Collar Company was incorporated that included the entire business. Mr. Pine was chosen first treasurer, in 1893 became vice-president, and on the death of S. B. Sanford became president of the company, August, 1906. He was succeeded as treasurer by his son, Charles L. Pine. Other business and financial enterprises claim a share of his energy and business ability. He has been president of the People's Bank of Lansingburg since its incorporation in 1889; was a director of the Troy City National Bank until succeeded by the Security Trust Company, of which he is a vice-president; trustee of the Troy Savings Bank; stockholder of the Record Publishing Company of Troy; director of Ostrander Fire Brick Company, and was trustee of the Young Woman's Association. He is a thorough man of business and closely identified with the welfare and progress of his city. He is a man of versatile attainments and finds something worth while in all departments of city life. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and for the past twenty-five years has been an elder. In politics he is keenly alive to his responsibility as a citizen, supports the Republican party, but is not an unreasonable partisan. He belongs to the clubs of his city, holding membership in the Troy, Riverside and Republican clubs. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and in the York has all the degrees, of lodge, chapter and commandery. He married, in 1865, Clara M. Adams, of Troy, New York. Children:
- Charles Le Roy, married Grace Kellogg; children: Ruth K. and James P.
- Kate, married John A. Kimberly; child, Alfred K.
- Bessie Hamblin. 4. Clara Louise, married the Rev. A. M. Briggs, of New Jersey. 5. Warren Adams, married Marie Lockwood, of New York; child, Warren Adams, Jr.