The Repp family of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, have long been natives of that province, noted as a family for great strength, good health and long lives. They are Lutherans in religious faith and a much respected family. The family have been in the state of New York since 1852. Their immediate ancestor is Nicholas Repp, who lived and died in the Fatherland.
(I) Nicholas Repp was born in Goetzen, near Schutten, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, about 1810. He was a strong and healthy lad and was early apprenticed to the blacksmith trade, which was his father's occupation also. He worked at his trade all his life; married and had seven sons, two of whom came to the United States, Nicholas (2) and John, who came together in 1852, making the ocean voyage in thirty-nine days, landing in New York and continuing to Albany. Nicholas settled at Sand Lake, New York, remained until 1862, when he went west to the state of Iowa, and to California in 1869. He followed his trade of blacksmith in that state; married, died in 1883, leaving two sons, George and Henry, the latter a resident of Sacramento, California.
(II) John, son of Nicholas Repp, was born in Goetzen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 9, 1840. He was educated in the schools of state and church in Goetzen. He was but a boy when he came to the United States with his elder brother Nicholas (2). After a few years spent in various kinds of work he learned the trade of carriage maker, which he followed continuously for twenty years. Being then in possession of a fair amount of capital accumulated from his earnings, he invested it in the grocery business, establishing a store at No. 225 Central avenue, Albany, New York, operating it successfully for about twelve years. He then sold out his business and entered the government employ in the Albany post office, where he was specially commended for efficient service. He retired from the service during Cleveland's first term. He is a member of Guttenburg Lodge, No. 737, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Oriental Lodge, No. 89, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Republican. He married, in Albany, New York, Elizabeth Helker, born in Bavaria, Germany, came to the United States in 1856, with two brothers; she died in 1900, at the age of sixty-four years. She was her husband's faithful helpmeet. Nine children, three of whom died in infancy, three others in youth, and those who grew to mature years are:
- Elizabeth, married George W. Gallien; first assistant foreman of the New York Central shops at Albany; children: Clara, George.
- Louisa, died in 1903; married E. C. Barbin, and left children, Clovis and Phyllis. Mr. Barbin is a machinist in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company.
- John H., see forward.
(III) John H., son of John and Elizabeth (Helker) Repp, was born in Albany, New York, June 11, 1872. He was educated in the public and high schools, and then served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the New York Central shops, and after mastering that trade worked for the company for eighteen years, up to the time he took up the grocery business, January 1, 1910. He is a successful, methodical and careful man of business, stands well in the trade and gives undivided attention to his business. He stands high in the business community and all his dealings are marked with courtesy and fairness. He is a member of the Masonic Order, affiliated with Guttenburg Lodge, No. 737. He married, in Albany, October 22, 1902, Nellie L. Van Epps, born October 19, 1884, in Albany, where she was educated. She is a daughter of Edward and Eleanor (Geovestein) Van Epps, who were born and died in Albany, New York. Edward Van Epps was for many years a well-known and highly-commended locomotive engineer in the employ of the New York Central Railroad Company. He was a descendant of the emigrant, ———— Van Epps, from Epstein, Holland, who settled in Albany. Eleanor (Geovestein) Repp was a descendant of ———— Geovestein, also an early Dutch settler.