The Von Behren family Glenville, Schenectady county, New York, descends from Christian Von Behren, who lived and died in the kingdom of Westphalia, Germany, where his family had been seated for many generations. Christian Von Behren was a farmer in Westphalia, served his term in the German army, and died at the age of sixty-five years. He married Mary Pepper, a daughter of one of the old families of the kingdom. She died in her native land at the age of eighty-five years. Christian and his wife were both members of the Lutheran church. Children:
- Christian, born and died in Westphalia; served in the German army, in the cavalry, and during his term of service was stricken with almost complete blindness from which he never recovered; he married Elizabeth Fink and had sons, some of whom came to the United States and settled there.
- Mary, lived and died in her native land; married Christian Vesa, who also died in Westphalia, leaving a family.
- Frederick, died in Westphalia; married Mary Fabre and left issue.
- Henry, lived on the old homestead which he cultivated; married Mary Venderer and left issue.
- Louis, came to the United States when young; returned to his native land to obtain title to property bequeathed him; this was not alone refused him but the German government compelled him to enter the army, as he had not served his required years before coming to the United States; while in the service he contracted a fever from which he died at the age of twenty-three years.
- Corte, see forward.
(II) Corte, youngest child of Christian and Mary (Pepper) Von Behren, was born in a small village in Westphalia, Germany, April 9, 1829. He was educated in the church and state schools, and at the age of eighteen years came to the United States. He sailed from Bremen on the ship "Rhine" and landed in New York thirty-eight days later. He joined others of his countrymen in Schenectady county, New York, where he learned the trade of broom making. After a few years spent in this way at Schenectady, having always received good wages and been careful of his earnings, he was possessed of sufficient capital to make the trip to California. He was bent on both business and pleasure. He journeyed by way of Panama, and finding a suitable opening in California remained there seven years in successful business. He then returned to New York state and purchased a farm in the town of Glenville, Schenectady county. In 1862 he returned to Germany, where he married Mary Meyer, whom he had known in his youth. She was born in the same village, daughter of Christian Meyer, a well-to-do resident. He returned at once to the United States after his marriage, settled on the Glenville farm, where they have since resided. Mr. Von Behren is an energetic, capable man, of business ability, and has prospered. He and his wife are members of the German Methodist church, and he is a Republican on party principle. Children:
- Henry, a farmer of Glenville; married Agnes Cregiel and has a daughter, Muriel.
- Emma, married Henry Yarling; children: Elsie, Albert, Sarah and Francis.
- Louis, a farmer of Glenville; married Nellie Stocker.
- Harriet, unmarried.
- Frederick, unmarried; resides at home and is his father's assistant in farming.
- Mary, a trained nurse.
- Louise, died, married, aged twenty-eight years.
- Elizabeth, died, aged six years.