The progenitor of the Shutts family of Gloversville, New York, was Silas Shutts, born in Canada, October 29, 1807, son of Simon Shutts, who emigrated to Canada from Massachusetts. Silas Shutts came to the United States in 1827, settled in Johnstown, New York, and was an expert lumberman. He died April 26, 1902. He married Ann Maria Smith, born June 25, 1811, in Fulton county, New York, died April 1, 1904. Children:
- Ophelia, born October 27, 1832; married, September 30, 1851, Miles Ephraim Wheeler; children: Ida, Arnold, Hamilton, Dewitt, May.
- Emily, born August 27, 1834; married, October 25, 1853, James Holcomb; children: Anabel, Burton James, Carrie M., Edward.
- De Witt, born October 17, 1836, died August 5, 1862.
- Mary Elizabeth, born August 7, 1838; married, October 11, 1863, Rev. Henry Wright; children: Mary E., Joseph A., Anna C., Helen E., Emma L.
- Cordelia, born March 3, 1840; married, February 8, 1865, Dr. John E. Burdick; both deceased; no children.
- Harlan Page, see forward.
- William L., born April 25, 1846; married Altana Fosmire; children:
- Howard, a regular in the United States army; and
- Burton A., married Emily D. Philips.
- Minerva, born February 16, 1848; married, September 14, 1871, James E. Rice, born May 28, 1845.
- Edward D., born May 16, 1850.
- Ella C., born May 26, 1852; married, February 12, 1879, Charles H. Powell, born September 23, 1846; children:
- Roscoe, born November 25, 1879;
- John, born May 1, 1883.
- Howard, born April 6, 1855, died September 28, 1862.
(II) Harlan Page, third child of Silas and Ann Maria (Smith) Shutts, was born in Fulton county, New York, October 2, 1841. He was educated in the public schools, and after completing his studies his father took him to the lumber camps with him, where he remained three years. He then began life on his own account. He obtained employment on the canal, and took the eastern trip as far as Albany, and returned west as far as Orrsville, where he decided he was not fitted for canal life and took sudden leave. He worked as clerk in the general store of William Putnam for two years, then returned to Gloversville, and entered the employ of Jonathan Ricketts, where he learned the trade of glove making. Later in life he formed a partnership with Denton Smith, and as Shutts & Smith manufactured gloves and mittens until 1875, when the firm dissolved. Mr. Shutts then engaged in the sewing machine business, which he carried on with successful results until 1909. Since 1885 he has been a partner of E. S. Parkhurst & Company, and is also interested in western mining lands, the Glen Telephone Company, the Gloversville Knitting Mill and other enterprises of his city. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for forty-two years and is past chancellor and past chancellor commander of the local lodge. Politically he is a Republican.
He married, January, 1888, Sarah Elizabeth, born November 7, 1845, daughter of Cornelius and Sarah Ann (Gonsaulus) Fonda, and granddaughter of Peter Fonda, a descendant of Jillis Fonda, the gunmaker of Schenectady, the grandson of Jillis Douwerse [Douwese?], the founder, of Beverwyck as early as 1654. Sarah Ann (Gonsaulus) Fonda was born July 20, 1820, died January 31, 1893. She married Cornelius Fonda, born February 5, 1820. They had twelve children:
- Mary Jane, born October 4, 1840, died August 31, 1879; married, February 22, 1858, Benjamin Van Buren.
- Catherine, March 16, 1842; married, December 29, 1860, James Bancroft.
- Charles Wesley, December 1, 1843, died October 14, 1909.
- Sarah Elizabeth, married Harlan P. Shutts.
- Henrietta, March 15, 1847; married, February 22, 1864, Henry A. Dopp.
- Gradsir (?), April 26, 1849.
- James M., October 30, 1851; married Elizabeth Sweet.
- Harriet, July 29, 1853.
- William H., March 8, 1855; married Jennie Young.
- Ida F., June 13, 1857, died October 27, 1895; married a Mr. Nellis.
- Edwin L., January 21, 1859; married, September 25, 1890, Jennie Wells.
- Margaret M., April 8, 1862.