Hon. Simon J. Schermerhorn, an ex-member of Congress, one of the most prominent men of Rotterdam, N.Y., was born in this town, September 26, 1827, son of Jacob I. and Maria (Vedder) Schermerhorn. His father was born in Rotterdam in 1789, and his mother was born here in 1788. Mr. Schermerhorn is a descendant in the eighth generation of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, who arrived from Holland about the year 1650, and founded the family which since that date has been prominently identified with Rotterdam and vicinity. The majority of its representatives have been extensive farmers. Jacob I. Schermerhorn, the father above named, was a leading spirit in local public affairs, and served with ability as Supervisor.
Simon J. Schermerhorn acquired the usual district-school education provided for the children of his day, and he certainly made good use of his meagre opportunities. Reared a farmer, like most of his neighbors, he has followed farming with unusual success, and he still has large agricultural interests. He has also dealt extensively in broom corn, and for thirty years he was engaged in the manufacture of brooms. He has business interests in other directions, and is vice-president of the Mohawk National Bank of Schenectady.
On February 4, 1857, Mr. Schermerhorn was joined in marriage with Helen Veeder, who was born in Woestina, March 29, 1837, daughter of Harman and Eleanor (Truax) Veeder. Her father was born in Rotterdam, and her mother was a native of Schenectady. Mr. and Mrs. Schermerhorn have five children living; namely, Mary V., Sarah, Alice A., Andrew T., and Simon.
Mr. Schermerhorn's public record, which is familiar to the readers of the Review, deserves more space than can consistently be allotted to a brief sketch. His efforts in behalf of improvements during his several terms as Supervisor, as well as the advance made in educational facilities while he was Commissioner of that department for this county, fully merited the hearty commendation which they received. He ably represented this district in the Assembly during the session of 1862, was a Presidential Elector on the Cleveland ticket in 1888, and as a member of the Fifty-third Congress he supported such measures as were in his estimation calculated to bestow the most benefit on the nation as a whole. Mr. and Mrs. Schermerhorn are members of the Dutch Reformed church.