The Myers family of Amsterdam settled in New York state about the middle of the nineteenth century, coming from Germany, where the family had a recognized standing for many generations previous to the emigration. They were usually farmers and merchants of substance, native to the section near Berlin.
(I) John Myers, the American immigrant, was born near Berlin, Germany, where he was a farmer from the ending of his school days to the date of his emigration to the United States, early in the eighteen-fifties, with his wife and two children. They settled on a farm in West Galway, New York, where two of his children were born; later he located in Glenville, Schenectady county, where he died in 1882 at an advanced age. As a farmer he was very successful. He was noted among his neighbors for his exact, methodical manner of doing everything, and for his intense love and kindness for animals raised on his farm. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and accounted a good Christian. He married, in Germany, Julia Knack. She was a member of the Reformed church, and mother of several children, four of whom are of record here:
- Amelia, born in Germany; married in Glenville, New York, Conrad Kerste, of that town; she survives him and resides in Schenectady, New York; children:
- Agnes, married and resides in the west;
- Ada, married George Bradt, of Schenectady, New York;
- Anna, married and resides near Glenville;
- Dora E., married Rev. Leroy N. Taylor, a minister of the Reformed church, stationed at Schenectady.
- Augustus, see forward.
- Ernest, born in West Galway, New York; is a merchant and manufacturer of Austin, Minnesota; married Dorothy, daughter of William P. Pettingill, of the Montgomery family of that name, so long and favorably known in the Mohawk Valley; she died in 1908; children: William, John and Mabel Myers.
- Anna E., married Charles Schiller, of Cranesville, Montgomery county; children: Julia, Agnes, Carrie and Nellie.
(II) Augustus, eldest son of John and Julia (Knack) Myers, was born in Germany, November, 1845. He followed his father's fortunes until arriving at manhood, when he enlisted in Company E, Thirteenth Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery Volunteers, serving until the close of the war and seeing active service. After the close of the war he located in Amsterdam, New York, becoming a contractor and builder. He is now living in that city, retired from active life. He is a member of E. S. Young Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He married, in Florida, Montgomery county, 1867, Dorothy E. McCann, born in Schenectady, New York, July 9, 1848. For thirty years they resided in Amsterdam, when death removed the devoted wife and mother. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, and an active, consistent Christian. She is buried in Pine Grove cemetery. She was a daughter of Alexander and Hester J. (Akin) McCann, the latter a daughter of John Akin, of Fall River, Massachusetts, of an old New England family, and his wife a Schermerhorn, of Rotterdam, New York, of Mohawk Valley Dutch ancestry. Children:
- William Fenton, see forward.
- Julia, born March 5, 1870; married Daniel Kirschner, a real estate dealer of Amsterdam, New York; they have no children.
- John Alexander, born July, 1872; married Anna Van Wormer; he is a druggist and pharmacist of Amsterdam.
(III) Hon. William Fenton, eldest child of Augustus and Dorothy E. (McCann) Myers, was born June 7, 1868, in the town of Florida, Montgomery county, New York. He received his primary and academic education in the public schools of Amsterdam and at the academy. He chose the profession of law, entered the office of Judge W. Barlow Dunlap, where he studied until admitted to the bar, September 15, 1892, since which time he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Amsterdam, New York. He also has been admitted to practice in United States courts. Later he matriculated at the Northwestern University of Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of LL.B. Returning to Amsterdam he was associated in legal business with Judge Dunlap until the expiration of the latter's term of office as surrogate of Montgomery county. Mr. Myers has always been a Republican. He served six years as secretary and treasurer of the Republican city committee, and the capability which he manifested in this position resulted in his promotion to the chairmanship of the committee, a post which he occupied three years, including the McKinley and Roosevelt campaign. June 1, 1901, Mr. Myers was appointed by Surrogate Dunlap to be clerk of the surrogate's court, to succeed Abner H. Burtch, who was obliged to resign on account of ill health. Mr. Myers was recognized as one of the best posted lawyers in the county on matters pertaining to surrogate's law and practice, and the practice in surrogate's court, and in 1906 he was the candidate of the Republican party for the office of surrogate, to succeed his partner, Judge Dunlap. He was elected at the ensuing election for the full term of six years, expiring January 1, 1913. He was for a number of years a member of the Forty-sixth Separate Company, and served with the Second Regiment during the Spanish-American war. He is a member of the Episcopal church, is past master of Artisan Lodge, No. 84, Free and Accepted Masons, and also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Board of Trade, the Antlers and the Masonic clubs of Amsterdam, the Northwestern University and Graduates' clubs of New York, and of Sanford Command, Spanish War Veterans, having served in the latter organization for two years as state department judge-advocate. Judge Myers takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his city, and as a lawyer and public official has the confidence and respect of his fellows. He married, in Hudson, New York, Mary Lansing, born in Hudson, 1869, daughter of Henry and Jane (Wheaton) Loudon, of an old Hudson Valley family prominent in Columbia county, connected in the earlier generations with the Schermerhorns. Child: Marjorie W., born November 13, 1898.