This family was founded in America by the great-great-grandfather of the present generation, who came from France with his two brothers and settled in Quebec, Canada. The two brothers did not long survive the rigors of the northern climate. The founder, Louis Tessier, who was a tea broker and importer in Quebec, married and reared a family.
(II) Louis (2), son of Louis (1) Tessier, the founder, was born at Verchères, province of Quebec, Canada. He married and had issue.
(III) Jean, son of Louis (2) Tessier, was born in Verchères, Canada. He married Louise Cabana and had issue.
(IV) Pierre, son of Jean and Louise (Cabana) Tessier, was born at Verchères, Canada, in 1808, died at Cohoes, New York, October 1, 1869. He came to the United States in 1856, located in Cohoes, and became a contractor and builder. He married, in 1837, Louise Dansereau, born in 1820, died March 19, 1893, daughter of Louis and Louise (Hebeet) Dansereau. Pierre and Louise (Dansereau) Tessier had eight children, three sons and five daughters.
(V) Frank, son of Pierre and Louise (Dansereau) Tessier, was born in Verchères, province of Quebec, Canada, February 29, 1848. He was eight years of age when his parents removed from Canada to Cohoes, New York, where he received his education in the public schools. On arriving at a suitable age he was apprenticed to John Valley, a baker of the city, with whom he remained thirteen years. With a complete knowledge of the baking business and a small capital, he embarked in business for himself in Cohoes, commencing October 11, 1871. He conducted this business successfully until 1890, when he sold out. In 1882 he established a livery business in the city which he retained until 1905. He was successful in both ventures and acquired a competence. He is trustee in the Mechanics' Savings Bank. He has given much of his time to the public service. Republican in politics, he served one term as county supervisor. In September, 1893, he was appointed superintendent of streets by the Cohoes common council and has since served the city continuously in that capacity through succeeding yearly appointment. His administration of that department has proved his fitness and given general satisfaction. He is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church of Cohoes; member of the Society of St. Jean Baptiste, of which he is honorary president, director and present treasurer; president of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, and member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Tessier married, February 5, 1877, Rachel E. Michaud, born December 25, 1854, daughter of Onesime and Marguerite (Depelteau) Michaud, the former of whom was born in 1826, died October 6, 1883, at Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and the latter was born at St. Johns, Canada, March 28, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Tessier had seventeen children, nine of whom died in infancy. The living children are:
- Evelyn, a graduate of the Convent of Sisters of the Presentation, Quebec, Canada; married Dr. B. E. Amyot, of Cohoes; children: Rudolph F. and La Salle E. Amyot.
- Francis M., born April 24, 1879; graduate of Troy Business College; married Hermoine Blais; children:
- Charles H., a bank clerk of Cohoes, and
- Marie Rachel, born April 15, 1910.
- Charles P., born April 24, 1880, died September 3, 1895.
- Rudolph F., born July 8, 1881; graduate of St. Bernard's Academy, Cohoes, and of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, degree of Civil Engineer, class of 1905; now a member of the faculty of that famed institution, professor of mathematics and surveying; he is a member of Rensselaer Society of Engineers, Society of Engineers of New York, Tau Beta Pi, an engineers' fraternity, Society of St. Jean Baptiste and the Knights of Columbus.
- Louis A., born July 30, 1886; graduate of Albany Business College, now employed as bank clerk.
- Edith J., graduate of St. Bernard's Academy, 1906, and Cohoes Training School, 1907; now a teacher in the Cohoes public school.
- Homer C., born January 16, 1895.
- Corinne A., born November 23, 1896.