This family is of German descent, the name being originally Rees. They early settled in New Netherland as Johannes Rees had a child baptized in New York, April 26, 1656. Traces of the family are found along the Hudson Valley and in the time of the ownership of Livingston Manor they were living in Columbia county. Five soldiers served in the war of the revolution from New York state under the name Race, and eighteen under the name Rees, all doubtless of the same family. A well-known son of the Columbia county family was John Race, born at Livingston Manor, married, 1795, Eleanor Cornick. He served as minuteman in the revolution. In 1807 he settled on the shores of Lake Keuka, near Penn Yan, New York; he was a famous hunter. He left five sons and two daughters, all of whom married. There seems no doubt that the family in Hudson herein recorded descend from the early Dutch or German ancestor of early New York mention, Johannes Rees.
(I) Cornelius Race was born at Claverack, New York, his lifelong home and place of death. His homestead farm was near the village and was a large and valuable estate. His religious connection was with the Dutch Reformed church of Claverack. He was a man of influence and good standing in the town, bearing his full share of public responsibility. He married Clarissa Miller, born in Egremont, Massachusetts, died in Hudson, New York. Children, all born at Claverack:
- Richard James, of further mention.
- Henry W., died in Hudson, New York; for several years he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business in New York City and was employed in the county clerk's office of Greene county, New York, for many years; he was a veteran of the civil war and after being discharged from the service was private secretary to a government official located in Washington, D. C.; he was a member of the Baptist church of Hudson, New York; married Maria Louise Longley, who. survives him; their only child, Arlington, died in infancy.
- Mary, deceased.
(II) Richard James, son of Cornelius and Clarissa (Miller) Race, was born in Claverack, Columbia county, New York, November, 1821, died in Hudson, 1902. When quite young he settled in the latter city where he was first a bookkeeper, later a member of the dry goods firm of Hoffman, Race & Saunders. The firm dissolved and Mr. Race removed to New York City where he entered the employ of the Long Island railroad, becoming train conductor. In 1872 he returned to Hudson and engaged as bookkeeper until his death in 1902. He was an active member of the Baptist church and dedicated his deep bass voice to choir service. He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, serving his lodge as secretary until death. Politically a Democrat, though taking little active part in public affairs. He married, at Hillsdale, Michigan, Rebecca Curtis, of that city, died 1907, daughter of Lansing Curtis, whose early home was in western New York. Later he removed to Hillsdale, Michigan, where descendants now reside. Lansing Curtis married Amy Rundell, born in Columbia county, New York, died at Hillsdale, Michigan. Children of Richard James and Rebecca Race:
- De Wilton, born in Hudson, where he died at age of twenty-one years; he learned the trade of cabinetmaking and upholstering and was a young man of great promise.
- George Edward, of further mention.
- Richard Henry, born in Hudson, May 14, 1864, now connected with the Stanley Electric Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; he was an active Democrat and while resident in Hudson held local office; he was an officer of the fire company and a member of the Baptist church; he married Etta Bixby and has a daughter Marion.
(III) George Edward, son of Richard James and Rebecca (Curtis) Race, was born in Hudson, New York, August 17, 1861. After completing his studies he engaged in the insurance business and since the age of nineteen has been continuously connected with underwriting in all its forms, fire, marine, boiler, plate glass and tornado. He was first with Magoun & Thompson, later with Thompson, Smith Thompson, having full charge of the latter's insurance department for ten years. In 1905 he formed a partnership with Morgan A. Jones, and as Race & Jones has the largest business in Hudson, writing all forms of insurance. He is also a notary public and commissioner of deeds. He is an active Democrat, now serving as alderman of the fifth ward, an office for which he was nominated by both parties, Democratic and Republican. For over twenty years he has been connected with the volunteer fire department of Hudson, having been secretary and foreman of the J. W. Hoysradt Company and is now on the honorary exempt list. He served for three years in the National Guard of the state. He is a member of the Episcopal church of Hudson and of the Hudson Club. He married, June 19, 1888, at Hudson, Harriet, daughter of Charles De Bois, a blacksmith of Kingston, New York, who married Catherine Merritt, now residents of Hudson. Children of George E. and Harriet Race:
- Laura De Bois;
- Arlington Earl, born February, 1895.