The ancestor of all the Vedders of Schenectady county, New York, was Harman Albertse Vedder, who settled in Schenectady in 1633. He was a trader in Beverwyck in 1657.
The family in Schenectady, herein recorded, descend from the founder through his second son Arent and his wife Sara Groot, their son Simon and his wife Maria Truax, widow of Simon Groot. Their son Harmanus married Annatjie Vedder, November 10, 1770. He made his will, October 14, 1813, proved May 14, 1816. Their son Simon, born July 11, 1773, died before his father, leaving children: Harmanus, John, Aaron, Philip, Gertrude and Annatjie.
(VI) Philip, son of Simon Vedder. was born in Rotterdam, Schenectady county, New York, at the homestead at German Flats, near the old fort that was built on the original Schermerhorn farm. He died at the age of thirty-eight years. He married Nellie Schermerhorn, born in Rotterdam, on the adjoining farm. Children:
- John D., see forward.
- James V., a farmer of Rotterdam; married Jane Ann Sprigg, of Dutch ancestry, and had sons, Simon and William, both of Rotterdam.
- Mary, married (first) Albert Walker; no issue; married (second) S. A. Wilder.
- Catherine, married Alonzo French; she died in Chicago, Illinois.
- Jane, married Byron Knight; they both died in Amsterdam, New York, leaving Nellie, now the widow of William Chism; children: John, Jeannette and Eva Chism.
(VII) John D., eldest son of Philip and Nellie (Schermerhorn) Vedder, was born in Rotterdam, Schenectady county, New York, in 1832, died there 1906. He was a farmer all his active years, but passed his latter years retired from all business cares. He was a member of the Second Reformed Church, and a Democrat politically. He married Margaret E. Sprigg, sister of Jane A., wife of James V. Vedder. She survives her husband, and resides in Schenectady with her daughter. She is seventy-five years of age. She and her husband were members and co-workers in the same church, the Second Reformed. Children, all born in Rotterdam:
- Daniel, died in childhood.
- Warren W., see forward.
- Albert, died in infancy.
- Mary, married Charles Plumly, of Wolcott, Warren county, New York, and has Maude, who married and has a daughter Mary.
- John D. (2), a grocer of Belle View [also known as Bellevue], a suburb of Schenectady, he married Sarah Ward; children: Charles, Edison and John D. (3).
- Anna, married Charles Russell, of Wolcott, New York; deceased and has no living issue.
- Margaret, for twenty years has been cashier of one of the leading mercantile houses of Schenectady; unmarried.
- Emma, died in girlhood.
(VIII) Warren W., son of John D. and Margaret E. (Sprigg) Vedder, was born on the Rotterdam Vedder homestead, January 22, 1856. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools. In early life he worked on the Erie canal, and was captain of one of the state boats, "Captain Curtis." He spent several years on the canal, and owned his own boat, which he had running as a freighter. In 1880 he settled in Schenectady, where he engaged in the lumber trade; later he conducted a grocery store, and still later was proprietor of a hotel. In 1895 he retired from active business life, having acquired a competency. He was active in city politics, often representing his ward in party conventions and was always a loyal Republican. He was an active member of St. Paul's Lodge, No. 17, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married, in Schenectady, Mary E. Lockwood, born in Rotterdam, New York, in 1860, and was a resident of Schenectady before her marriage. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bond) Lockwood, both born in Rotterdam, but now residents of Schenectady. Children:
- Mary E., married Warren W. Vedder.
- Eliza, married William H. Fogarty, and has a daughter Bessie, who married William Putnam, and has a daughter Leona.
- Caroline, married Harry Dixon, of Schenectady, New York; children: Maude, Sidney, Harry (2) and William.
- Dora, married (first) William Cluett; no issue; married (second) Augustus Westfall, and has a daughter Anna.
- Alonzo, died unmarried.
Children of Warren W. and Mary E. (Lockwood) Vedder:
- Pearl, married George A. Stone, of Sacketts Harbor, New York, and has a son Warren;
- Hattie, unmarried;
- Blanche, unmarried;
- Jacob, unmarried;
- Florence;
- Carlisle, died in infancy.