The Van Hoosens were early Dutch settlers in the upper Hudson Valley. The first of the name (which is variously spelled) to settle in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, New York, was Albert Van Heusen, of Columbia county, New York, who settled in Guilderland, where he died an old man. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church and a Whig. He married in Columbia county, and with his wife is buried in the family plot on the farm in Guilderland.
(II) John, son of Albert Van Heusen, was born in Columbia county, New York, about 1810, died aged eighty years, buried in Prospect Hill cemetery. He came to Guilderland, where he settled on his own farm, cultivated it all his days and became a prosperous and well-known man. He adhered to the family religion and politics, the Dutch Reformed and Republican. He married Rachel Spore, born in Guilderland, where she died at the age of eighty. Children:
- Albert, married Catharine Barkoff, of Noahsville, an early settler in what is now Altamont;
- Abraham, a farmer married Catharine Mann, who survives him, a resident of Guilderland Center; children: Richard, Chester, Catharine and Mary Alida;
- Lucretia, married Myndeise [Mynderse?] Blessing, who survives her, a resident of New York City;
- Richard, a farmer, married Augusta Cheseboro, who survives him, a resident of Altamont;
- Jacob, of whom further;
- James, died in New Scotland, unmarried;
- Daniel, a farmer, married Elizabeth Van Schaick, both deceased.
(III) Jacob, son of John and Rachel (Spore) Van Heusen, was born on the family homestead, July 25, 1834, died there July 12, 1902. He was educated in the public schools, and later learned the trade of carpenter. He followed this trade in connection with farming, owning a well-improved farm in the town. He attended the Dutch Reformed church, and was a Republican. He married, June 5, 1858, Harriet C. Houck, born in New Scotland, January 19, 1836, educated in Guilderland, where she grew to womanhood; daughter of John G. Houck, and granddaughter of Jacob and Catherine (Long) Houck.
(The Houck Line)
Jacob Houck and wife lived and died in New Scotland. They were members of the Reformed church, and he was a prosperous farmer. Children:
- John G., of whom further;
- Peter, married Lucy Van Dyke;
- Louis, married Hannah Van Dyke and had a son, Reuben;
- Lena, married Richard Henderson;
- Christiana, married Jacob Houck, a kinsman, they are both deceased and left two sons,
- John L., who died, after his marriage, and
- James, died in young manhood.
John G., eldest son of Jacob and Catherine (Long) Houck, was born in New Scotland, October 2, 1812, died December 31, 1897, in the town of Bethlehem. He married Mary A. Simmons, born February 28, 1815, in New Scotland, died in Bethlehem, September 20, 1896, daughter of Peter Simmons, of an old Albany county family. John G. Houck was a prosperous farmer, a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and a Republican. Children:
- Catherine, born 1834, married Joseph Wormer, whom she survives, a resident of Guilderland Center; children:
- John G., a merchant, unmarried;
- Mary, married Andrew Becker, of Delmar, and has a son Harrison;
- Frederick, associated in business with his brother John G. at Guilderland Center; he married Georgia Sitterly and has a son, Leon.
- Harriet C., married Jacob Van Heusen, whom she survives without issue, a resident of Guilderland Center.
- Emmeline, born October 15, 1838; married William James Relyea, whom she survives, a resident of Guilderland Center, where she shares her home with her widowed sister, Harriet C. Van Heusen. William James Relyea was born in Guilderland, July 1, 1839, died May 4, 1901, son of Peter A. and Jane Ann (Winne) Relyea, old settlers of Albany county. William J. Relyea was a farmer, an occupation he followed until his death. Children:
- Peter E., born May 3, 1862, now employed in the General Electric Works at Schenectady, married Anna Livingston;
- Anna C., born June 3, 1863, married and has two children: Catherine, born March 3, 1888, married John A. Wilkes, of Albany, and has John A. and Christopher, born April 7, 1889, resides at Fort Plain, New York, unmarried;
- Elizabeth M., born July 3, 1866, died May 10, 1892, married John Hotaling, of Bethlehem;
- Alida J., born February 28, 1868, married Frederick H. White, born at Albany, November 3, 1871, a clerk in the Delaware and Hudson railroad offices at Albany, resides in Altamont;
- Jacob H., born March 3, 1882, died in infancy.
- Jacob L., born in New Scotland, in 1840; a farmer of Guilderland; married Hester, daughter of Abram Legrange; children: Hattie, John, Charles and Irene.