The Furbecks have been an agricultural family from an early date in the history of Albany county, and are at the present time among the most modern and enterprising farmers of the county. They have been men of forceful character, believers in education and strong supporters of both church and school. The earliest settler of the name in the town of New Scotland, from whom the family herein recorded descend, was John Furbeck.
(I) John Furbeck was born August 21, 1760, died January 5, 1840, on his farm in New Scotland, near the village of same name. He settled there about the year 1775. He married Susanna Coons, who died October 28, 1840, aged seventy years, eight months, twenty-nine days. They had children, among whom was a son Peter.
(II) Peter, son of John and Susanna (Coons) Furbeck, was born on the farm in New Scotland, New York, January 4, 1804, died April 9, 1889. He was an influential farmer of the town, honored and respected by all. He was an active Democrat, and a Presbyterian. He married Mary Ostrander, of Schoharie county, New York, born April 1, 1805, died June 15, 1887. She was an active Presbyterian with her husband, who was an official of the church. They had a large family, of whom the following are living:
- Amanda, married John Slingerland, of New Scotland, whom she survives, now of New Scotland village.
- Ellen, married John Radliff, whom she survives; she was formerly a resident of New Salem, but now resides in Voorheesville; children:
- Amanda, married Albert Van Derpoel, and has a daughter Helen;
- Mary, married Ebenezer Fritch; deceased; left a son Stanley.
- Maria, died November 20, 1863, aged thirty-five years, eight months, sixteen days; married Francis Rosseau, deceased; children:
- Edgar, married and has a son Melville;
- Carroll, has a daughter Amanda who married Albert Van Husen, and has a daughter Ada, a teacher in the public schools.
- Elizabeth, born August 17, 1831, died November 28, 1909; married Robert Boyd Taylor.
- John, see forward.
(III) John (2), son of Peter and Mary (Ostrander) Furbeck, was born October 25, 1836, died March 28, 1910. He came into possession of the home farm which he operated until his retirement in 1904. He was a man of substance and highly respected. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat. He married, in Guilderland, Rachel L. Goodfellow, born in Guilderland, February 8, 1840, died January 6, 1905. She was a Presbyterian, and a descendant of an old family of the county. Children:
- Ada and
- Calvin, died in infancy;
- Rensselaer, an attendant at the State Hospital at Willard, Seneca county, New York; married Mary Wands;
- Eva, married S. A. Hungerford, and had a daughter, Ethel, who died aged two years;
- Jennie, married William E. Long, whom she survives, a resident of Albany; child: Francis;
- John T., mentioned below.
(IV) John T., son of John (2) and Rachel L. (Goodfellow) Furbeck, was born on the home farm in New Salem, Albany county, New York, December 29, 1876. He was educated in the public schools of his town, State Normal school at Albany, and at Albany Business College. He has engaged in farming the home acres ever since leaving school. He is thoroughly imbued with modern ideas on agriculture and has brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. He is an independent Democrat, exercising the right to pass upon the merits of candidates for local office without party bias. He attends the Presbyterian church. He married, in New Scotland, June 6, 1900, Julia M., born November 2, 1878, daughter of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Moak) Taylor, of New Scotland. Her father was born August 18, 1852, died September 12, 1901. He was a son of George and Julia A. (Wayne) Taylor, who were married in New Scotland. George Taylor died May 10, 1880, aged fifty-five years. His wife, Julia A. Wayne (a descendant of Anthony Wayne, the early settler, a cousin of General Anthony Wayne), died 1872. George Taylor was a son of Matthias, the son of Robert Taylor, born in Ireland, 1757. Charles H. Taylor was a merchant of the village of New Scotland all his life except a few years spent in farming. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Republican, serving as town collector and assessor. His wife, Elizabeth Moak, was born October 11, 1857. She was a teacher in the public schools previous to her marriage. She survived her husband and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Julia M. Furbeck. Mrs. Taylor is the daughter of William and Mary (McWilliams) Moak. William Moak was born in New Scotland in 1800, died in 1884. He was a wheelwright, a Presbyterian and a Democrat. His wife, Mary, died in 1892, aged seventy-two years. Charles H. and Elizabeth (Moak) Taylor had children:
- Medford W., born December 24, 1876; a farmer of New Scotland; married Ida Hotaling; children: Floyd and Alice.
- Julia M., married John T. Furbeck.
- Helen W., born November 1, 1880; married Raymond Albright, of Albany; children: Denton, Robert and Alice.
Mr. and Mrs. Furbeck have no children.