John Christopher Wieting was a native of Brandenburg, Germany; came to America in the English army as a soldier, and was taken prisoner by the Colonists at Saratoga in 1777; after the close of the war he settled in Greenbush, Rensselaer county; taught school and later entered the ministry of the Lutheran church, and continued until his death, June 17, 1817. He was twice married; his first wife was a Miss Hainer, and his second a Miss Groff. By the first wife he had eight children, and by the second wife six.
(II) Henry, son of John Christopher Wieting, married Mary Kasler, and removed to the town of Minden, Montgomery county. He was a tanner and merchant.
(III) Seneca, son of Henry and Mary (Kasler) Wieting, was born at Springfield Hollow, Montgomery county, New York, died December 30, 1879. He thirsted for an education and after his early schooling in the public school was an attendant at Fairfield Academy and then pursued a systematic course of study at home. He next entered Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, where he was graduated, class of 1845. He began business life as a teacher in the public and other schools, and was master of many languages. In 1865 he entered as bookkeeper in the Fort Plain Bank, where he was employed for fourteen years. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he served as steward and recording secretary. He was a man of ample means, and at his death left the Fort Plain Methodist Church a bequest of five thousand dollars. He was a man of culture, high ideals and perfect character. He was beloved by all who knew him and was deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. He was a Whig in politics, later Republican. He married Charlotte, daughter of James and Hannah (Cross) Farquharson, of Scotch descent. Children:
- Mary, of whom further;
- Seneca Augustus, died aged ten months.
(IV) Mary, daughter of Seneca and Charlotte (Farquharson) Wieting, was born in Fort Plain, New York, where her life has been passed. She married (first) Charles Tanner, who died March 10, 1890. She married (second) Harvey, son of Adam Fikes. He was born at Primrose Hill, Montgomery county, New York, June 8, 1838, died February 10, 1905. He was educated in the public schools and remained on the farm until after his mother's death, then went to Valley Brook where he kept the Valley Brook Hotel and taught the district school during the fall and winter months. He was elected a justice of the peace and served in that office for twenty years. He was a member of the board of education for many years; steward and member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Masonic order in Fort Plain, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery of Knights Templar. In politics a Democrat. He married (first) Mary Warner and had three children:
- Charles, married Keziah Wilson;
- Eugene, married Nora Keesler, child,
- Harvey, born December 7, 1887;
- Menso Le Roy, married Edith Ream, children:
- Helen May, born March, 1906;
- Mary Alice, January, 1908;
- Charles Eugene, July, 1909.
He married (second) Mary (Wieting) Tanner, who survives him in Fort Plain. She resides in the house in which she was born, and is a lady possessed of many graces of character. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and active in good works.