The Lefevre family of Cobleskill are of French Canadian ancestry. The first of the line to settle in the United States was Sieroit Lefevre, born in Quebec, Canada. He came to Cobleskill, New York, when a young man, settled on a farm, married and had three children: Roswell T., of whom further; Manning and Angiligne. Parents and children are all deceased.
(II) Roswell T., son of Sieroit Lefevre, was born in the town of Sharon, Schoharie county, New York, November 29, 1847, died December 16, 1903. He was educated in the town schools and at Warnerville Seminary. After leaving school he enlisted for a short term. After his return he engaged in farming until 1871. In that year he went to Cobleskill, New York, where he was a clerk for five years in the hardware store of Charles H. Shaver. He then became private secretary to Charles Courter of the First National Bank, remaining with him until 1878, when he formed a partnership and bought the mercantile business of George D. Ostrom, and under the firm name of Ryder & Lefevre conducted a successful business until 1902, when he retired. He was a man of sterling qualities and highly respected. He was a director of the First National Bank of Cobleskill and served as trustee of the village corporation. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to both lodge and chapter. Politically he was a Republican. He married, August 3, 1885, Frances A., born December 22, 1858, daughter of Peter Shafer Lawyer, granddaughter of Augustus and Catherine (Shafer) Lawyer. Peter S. Lawyer was born November 1, 1831, died January 3, 1878. He was educated in the Cobleskill schools, and followed the ocupation of farming all his life. He was a Democrat in politics and gave much time to public affairs. He was commissioner of highways two years; village trustee; supervisor three terms, and treasurer of the Cobleskill Agricultural Society for twenty years. He was a member of the Masonic order and for six years senior warden of Cobleskill Lodge, and was a Royal Arch Mason of Lewis Chapter, No. 229. He married Sarah A., daughter of Marcus and Harriet (Kellogg) Borst. Children:
- Anna Eliza, married Reed Hogan, child, Angie, married Carl Dillenback;
- Frances A., married Roswell T. Lefevre;
- Harriet, married Nelson Burr Davis; children: J. Donald and Marion;
- Nancy Shafer, married William Simmons, child, Mildred;
- Nettie, married Addison J. Parsons; children: Carl Lawyer, Edgar Burnside and Frances.
- Marcus A., married Dorothy ————;
- Eva, died at age of four.
Children of Roswell T. and Frances A. (Lawyer) Lefevre:
- Blanche A., born January 29, 1883; graduated from Vassar College, class of 1905; married, January 3, 1910, George Slingerland Van Schaick.
- Gertrude Melissa, born October 2, 1889, graduate of class of 1911, Vassar College.