The Vails of Mayfield, Fulton county, New York, descend from English ancestors. Samuel Vail was the founder of the family in the Mohawk Valley. He had a brother William who settled in the town of Galway, now Saratoga county, New York. Samuel Vail settled at Albany, New York, where he was engaged as a carriage builder. He married and had a son William.
(II) William, son of Samuel Vail, was the first of the Vail family to settle in Fulton county. He settled in the town of Mayfield in 1804, purchased a mill site on Kennetto creek, in the southeast part of the town, and erected mills; he was a miller, also a Quaker. The locality was first known as "Lower Bush" later as "Vail Mills." He married Rhoda Howland. Children:
- Aaron, (see forward);
- William;
- Moses, married Patience Sowle;
- Esther, married Daniel Pardee;
- Rhoda, married John O'Broyn;
- Anna, married Daniel Spike;
- Phoebe, married Hiram Van Arnum.
(III) Aaron, son of William and Rhoda (Howland) Vail, married Lucy Rood. Children:
- William, (see forward);
- Aaron, married Fanny Newman;
- Ann, married Albert Wilkins;
- Rhoda, married Smith Cleveland;
- Augusta, married Michael Williams;
- Malinda, married Samuel Rowley;
- Elizabeth, married Cornelius Rowley.
(IV) William (2), eldest son of Aaron and Lucy (Rood) Vail, was born February 13, 1825, at Vail Mills, Fulton county, New York, died April 28, 1903. At the age of sixteen he began working in his father's mill. His father died soon after and the work of running the mill devolved upon the young man as well as the support of his mother and younger brothers and sisters. He shouldered these heavy responsibilities at an age when it seemed a load too heavy for his youth but he bravely met the situation. He succeeded in business and became a leading man of his town. He was a Republican in politics, served as supervisor and was active in raising and equipping troops during the civil war. He was a member of St. Patrick's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. For many years he was postmaster, running the office in connection with his general store and mill. He was a member and trustee of the Baptist church. He married, October 17, 1844, Mary Elizabeth Bemis, born May 18, 1825, died March 3, 1892. Children:
- Elizabeth, born April 21, 1847; married, December 5, 1866, Peter McDermid.
- George, April 6, 1849; married, December 8, 1869, Antoinette Halliday, born May 30, 1851; children:
- Harriet, died in childhood;
- Mary, wife of Burton H. Morris;
- Alpheus M., deceased.
- William, April 8, 1851; married, October 18, 1868, Charlotte Mary Lee.
- Frances Mary, April 18, 1853; married, January 6, 1870, John Kennedy.
- Aaron, June 18, 1855, (see forward).
- Charlotte Lucy, February 1, 1858; married, March 5, 1878, Peter McGlashan.
- Caroline, January 11, 1861, died October 17, 1863.
- Charles Edwin, July 1, 1863, (see forward).
- Harry Eugene, April 24, 1866, (see forward).
(V) Aaron (2), son of William (2) and Mary Elizabeth (Bemis) Vail, was born June 18, 1855. He was educated in the public schools, and began his business career in 1878 as clerk in the store of James L. Hagadorn, a general merchant. He remained until 1887 when he entered the employ of C. H. Butler, a hardware dealer. Later Mr. Hagadorn purchased Mr. Butler's interest. As Hagadorn & Vail, the firm still continues, although Mr. Hagadorn is deceased. He served as town clerk two years; is a member of the Baptist church; Kennetto Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Republican. He married (first) December, 1875, Lucy J. Cleveland, born October, 1855, died November, 1876. He married (second), March 19, 1879, Ida M. Hagadorn, died April, 1904. Child by second wife,
- Lefler Hagadorn, born January 12, 1882, educated in the public schools and Gloversville Business College. Entered business life with J. E. Larrabee at Amsterdam, New York, a hardware dealer, where he remained two years. He removed to Broadalbin, where until 1906 he was clerk for Hagadorn & Vail. In that year he inherited the Hagadorn interest. He is a Republican and a member of the Baptist church. He married, August 3, 1904, Frances N. Jones.
(V) Charles Edwin, son of William (2) and Mary Elizabeth (Bemis) Vail, was born July 1, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and at Eastman's Business College. He began his business life in his father's store and with his brothers, George and Harry E., constitutes the firm of William Vail Sons, millers and lumber dealers. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Baptist church, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married, February 27, 1884, Margaret Elizabeth Dence. Children:
- Charles Herbert, born February 28, 1885, married, December 28, 1905, Frances Greenslete; child, Charles Edgar;
- Harry, July 3, 1886, married Ethel C. Lasher;
- Clarence, September 12, 1889, died January 28, 1891;
- Mary Edna, August 18, 1892;
- Catherine Mildred, October 1, 1896;
- Margaret Elizabeth, October 6, 1899;
- Helen Charlotte, February 5, 1902.
(V) Harry Eugene, son of William (2) and Mary Elizabeth (Bemis) Vail, was born April 24, 1866. He was educated in the public schools and Albany Business College. After completing his studies he began work in the Vail mills and became expert in grist and saw milling. He is a member of the Baptist church and served on the advisory board. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the board of education. He married (first) November 9, 1887, Carrie Earl, born May 20, 1866, died September 30, 1898; child,
- Earl, born September 18, 1888.
He married (second) October 17, 1900, Lelia Minor, born April 26, 1876. Children:
- Isabella, born January 20, 1902;
- Robert, February 18, 1904;
- Miriam, June 15, 1909.