The family name in Germany was Wüster and in this country of comparatively recent origin. Philip Wooster was born in Würtemberg, Germany, in 1831, died in Schenectady, New York, September 14, 1817. His parents lived and died in Würtemberg, as had previous generations of the family. They were farmers, and members of the Lutheran church. On arriving at man's estate Philip determined to emigrate to the United States, and accompanied by an elder brother embarked on a sailing vessel bound for New York, where they arrived safely after a tedious voyage. The brothers separated there and never afterward met. Philip settled in Schenectady, New York, where he resided until death. He married (first) a young German girl, who died in middle life, leaving five children:
- Anna, born in 1855; married William Luno, of German birth; she survives him with children: Augustus, Clara, Carl, Albert and Esther.
- William, see forward.
- Minnie, born in 1859; married Jacob Bever, a German (deceased); she resides in Schenectady, with children: Frederick and Catherine.
- Charles, a resident of Denver, Colorado; married Mary ———— and has a daughter Grace.
- Henry, died in Schenectady, New York, after a life spent in railroad employ; he married Laura Pollack, who survives him with children: Harold and Ada.
Philip Wooster married (second) Elizabeth Cupp, a native of Westphalia, Germany, which land she left when a young woman; she survives her husband and resides in Schenectady, New York; she bore him children:
- Sophia, born in 1862; married Simon Vedder, of Schenectady, and has three children.
- Philip (2), born in 1869; unmarried; resides with his mother.
- John, born in 1871; resides at home.
- Henrietta and
- Frederick, died in childhood.
(II) William, eldest son of Philip Wooster, by his first wife, was born July 12, 1857. He was educated in the city schools, but at the age of twelve was obliged to begin earning his own living. He learned the trade of broom making and for forty years that was his business. He was a skillful worker and after his forty years was able to purchase a well-improved farm of about one hundred acres in Amsterdam, which he operates, making a specialty of dairy farming. He is a Republican politically, and with his wife devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, in Schenectady, May 6, 1884, Anna Louise Klingler, born in Burlington, Iowa, January 22, 1861, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Huffmann) Klingler. George Klingler was born in Byron, Germany, while Mrs. Klingler was a native of Baden-Baden. They left the fatherland when young, met in Schenectady, New York, where they were married, and he pursued his trade of shoemaker. Late in life they went west where Mr. Klingler died in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Klingler returned to Schenectady where she now resides, in her seventy-second year. Children:
- Anna Louise (Mrs. William Wooster);
- George, died in early manhood;
- William, born in 1864, married Clara Durler and has a son Vernon;
- Lena, born 1866, unmarried;
- Minnie, died in infancy;
- Emma, born in 1869, unmarried;
- Minnie (2), born in 1871, married Smith Disbrow, a prominent lumber dealer of Schenectady; children: Ruth and Claude Disbrow.
Mr. and Mrs. William Wooster are the parents of six children; all living at home:
- Lena, born October 2, 1885;
- Caroline, March 28, 1887;
- George B., August 18, 1889;
- William B., August 29, 1891;
- Harold, April 20, 1894;
- Earl, June 30, 1897.