The Skinkle family of Schenectady are descendants of forbears that were established in Columbia and Albany counties prior to the war of the revolution. On the rolls of privates of the Eighth Regiment Albany County Militia the names appear of Henry Skinkle, Jr., Henry I. Skinkle and Jacob Skinkle. The family were originally from Holland. In the early days the name was spelled Scheinkle. The line herein recorded begins with Henry, born in the town of Ghent, Columbia county, New York, about the year 1770. He was perhaps the son of one of the revolutionary soldiers that fought under Colonel Robert Van Rensselaer. He was a farmer, married, and died at a good old age, leaving issue.
(II) Peter, son of Henry Skinkle, was born in the town of Ghent at the old homestead farm about the year 1800. He died in the same town at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer, and like his father, a Whig in politics. He married Betsey King, born 1801, died at Hudson, New York, at the age of seventy years.
(III) Fred, son of Peter and Betsey (King) Skinkle, was born in Ghent, Columbia county, New York, June 16, 1831. He was a farmer and followed that occupation all his life. He removed to Schenectady county, New York, in the town of Scotia, where he has ever since resided. He has retired from all active part in life, and with his wife is living a quiet life in the peaceful enjoyment of the fruits of his active years. He is a well-known character in Scotia, where so many years of his life have been spent. He is a member of the Reformed church, and a Republican. He married Elizabeth Davis, born January 27, 1835, daughter of Napoleon and Annie Davis, of English ancestry. Children:
- Harriet, born in 1856; married George H. Van Vorst.
- William F., see forward.
- Herbert, born in Columbia county, New York, in 1861; employed in the General Electric Works; married Mary Kelsey and has a son Leland.
- Newton, born in Scotia, New York, February 14, 1863; employed at the General Electric Works; married Carrie Stover; children, Milton and Clifford.
- Annie, born September, 1870; married Elmer Crippin, a United States mail carrier; children, Charles and Ellen.
- Lottie, born May 4, 1876; married James A. Hoyt, of Scotia, and has a son Harold, born April 24, 1906.
(IV) William F., son of Fred and Elizabeth (Davis) Skinkle, was born in Columbia county, New York, December 19, 1859. He was but a child when his parents removed to Schenectady county, where he was educated in the public schools. While he was reared on the farm, he passed his life in commercial and manufacturing enterprises. For thirteen years he was in the grocery business, junior partner of the firm of Mills & Skinkle. For twelve years he engaged in broom manufacturing, and in both enterprises achieved marked financial success. In 1909 he disposed of most of his manufacturing interests, and retired from active participation in business. Yet he has not wholly given up business, but retains the superintendency of a factory for the manufacture of broom handles. He takes active interest in village affairs, also in the political affairs of his state and country. He votes with the Republican party. He is a member of the Reformed church, and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He married, in Albany, New York, June 24, 1885, Mary Van Huysen, born in Schenectady, February 11, 1860 (see forward). Child:
- Sadie L., born August 11, 1886; married Chester Gallagher, a druggist of Schenectady, and has a daughter
- Helen, born May 12, 1908.
(The Van Huysen Line)
Mary (Van Huysen) Skinkle is a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Van Eps) Van Huysen, and a lineal descendant of Jan Franse Van Hoesen, an early resident of Fort Orange and Beverwyck. In 1662 he bought land at Claverack from the Indians. He died about 1667. He married Volkie Jurriansie. The Van Hoesens were Lutherans, hence but few of their children were registered in the Reformed Dutch Doop Book. They had children, among them Johannes (an old man in 1724), who was of Kinderhook and Claverack in 1720. He married (first) Jannetje Janse De Ryk; (second) Willempie Viele, widow of Livinus Winne. He conveyed land in 1724 to sons Gerrit and Jacob, "who have dutifully assisted and supported me in my old age." Among his children was a son Harmen, who married Gusie ————. She was buried in the Lutheran churchyard, April 11, 1746. Their son Volkert married Alida Marcelis, April 30, 1738. Their son Rienier, born September 2, 1750, married Engeltje Cool. Their son Volkert, born November 6, 1773, married Jane Young and had a son Harmen (Harmanus), born April 30, 1799. He married and had a son Richard, who lived and died in Schenectady, January 23, 1877. He was a member of the Reformed church, and a Republican. He married Sarah Van Eps, who died in 1888, at the age of sixty years. Their children were:
- Helen, died in childhood.
- Charles, now a rancher of Manfort, Oklahoma.
- Cornelius, died in Schenectady, January, 1910; married Mary McCaul, and had sons John, Richard and Charles.
- Helen (2), died in childhood.
- William, died young.
- Mary, married William F. Skinkle. She is of the ninth generation of Van Huysens (as the name is now spelled) in America.
Sarah Van Eps, wife of Richard Van Huysen, was a daughter of Laurence Van Eps, who was the son of Cornelius, born March 4, 1803, son of Lourens, born 1777, son of Jacobus, born 1745, son of Alexander (Sander), born 1706, son of Jan Baptist, born 1673, who was taken prisoner by the Indians at the burning of Schenectady, February 9, 1690, and was held captive three years before making his escape, son of Johannes Van Eps, killed in the Schenectady massacre of 1690 with two of his children, only son of Dirk Van Eps, who married Maritie Damen, who survived him and married Gerrit Bancker, of Albany. The Van Eps and Van Huysens were among the very earliest settlers of Schenectady and Albany, and were families of wealth and influence.