Howard Alfred De Graff, banker, occupies a prominent place among the progressive citizens of Montgomery County, New York, for he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought into contact and ever discharges his duties with ability and fidelity. He was born at Danascara place, the home of Colonel Frederick Visscher of Revolutionary fame, in the town of Mohawk, New York, his parents being Alfred and Anna (Phillips) De Graff, the former of whom was the son of Judge Jesse and Gazena Catherine (Visscher) De Graff. Jesse De Graff was born in Schenectady, New York, January 9, 1801, and died on August 4, 1868. He was a graduate of Union College and practiced law in Albany, New York.

On August 10, 1830, he was united in marriage to Gazena Catherine, only child of Frederick Herman Visscher, who was the son of Colonel Frederick Visscher. Jesse De Graff was the son of Judge Isaac and Susanna (Van Epps) De Graff. Isaac De Graff was born in Schenectady, New York, November 16, 1767, and died on December 21, 1844. He was a devoted patriot and served in the Revolutionary army holding the rank of major, and was a friend of Lafayette. He was judge of the court of common pleas. His wife, Susanna (Van Epps) De Graff, was the daughter of Jan Baptist Van Epps. She died on March 14, 1829, aged sixty-eight years. Judge Isaac De Graff was the son of Daniel and Gazena (Swits) De Graff. Daniel De Graff was baptized on May 26, 1708,. and died on March 12, 1790. His wife was the daughter of Simon Swits and was born June 26, 1735, and died on January 22, 1801. Daniel De Graff was the son of Jesse and Aaltje (Hennions) De Graff. Jesse De Graff was born in Glenville, New York, and it is said that he was carried away captive to Canada by the French and Indians but afterward returned. He was the son of Claas Andriese and Elizabeth (Brouwer) De Graff. Claus Andriose De Graff was an early settler of Schenectady, New York, and lived in Glenville at the "Hoek". He died about 1697. His wife was the daughter of William Brouwer of Albany, New York She died in 1723.

Claas Andriose De Graff was the son of Andriese De Graff who lived in New Amsterdam in 1661 and was the founder of the family in the Mohawk Valley. Anna (Phillips) De Graff, mother of the subject of this sketch, was the only daughter of Cornelius Phillips of the town of Florida, New York. Cornelius Phillips died in 1865. He was the son of William Phillips and William was the son of Cornelius Phillips who was killed at the battle of Oriskany.

Howard Alfred De Graff received his early education in the public schools and prepared for college at the Union Classical Institute, afterward entering Union University, where he was graduated in the class of 1899. His college fraternity is Alpha Delta Phi. After leaving college Mr. De Graff engaged in the banking business in Fonda, New York. He is vice president of the Fultonville National Bank and director in the Glen Telephone Company.

On October 30, 1907, in Johnstown, Howard Alfred De Graff was united in marriage to Elizabeth Knox Northrup, who was born on September 15. 1884, and is the daughter of James L. and Anna S. (Knox) Northrup. James L. Northrup was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, October 19, 1859. He was the son of William Spier and Elizabeth P. (Young) Northrup. His wife was born May 14, 1859, and died on August 31, 1902. William Spier Northrup was born in the town of Galway, New York, on February 18, 1822, and died in Jamestown, New York, on April 26, 1910. His wife died on December 23, 1868.

William Spier Northrup was the son of Major D. and Nancy Agnes (Spier) Northrup. Major D. Northrup was born in Saratoga County New York, on June 20, 1793, and died in Broadalbin, Fulton County, New York, on July 1, 1883. His wife died on September 19, 1863. Major D. Northrup was the son of Lewis and Robab (Smith) Northrup. Lewis Northrup was born in Saratoga County, New York, on January 25, 1769, and died in Galway, New York, on May 9, 1833. His wife was the daughter of Jabez Smith of Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York. She died in May, 1853. Lewis was the son of Daniel and Sarah (Jones) Northrup.

Joseph Northrup came from England to America in 1637 on the ship "Hector and Martin" .He landed in Boston in 1637 and settled in New Haven, in 1638. Anna Sarah (Knox) Northrup, mother of Mrs. De Graff, was the daughter of Charles Mitchell and Mary E (Briggs) Knox. Charles Mitchell Knox was born in the town of Canajoharie, on October 16, 1827, and died in Johnstown, New York. He was the son of William and ( Jane Ann Mitchell) Knox. His wife was born on July 19, 1803, and died in November, 1890. William Knox was the son of James and Nancy (Ehle) Knox, and was born in Schenectady, New York, on December 26, 1766, and died in Canajoharie, New York, in 1825. The progenitor of the family was John Knox, who was born in Ireland in 1730 and came to America in 1760, settling in Connecticut. He was of Scotch descent.

To Mr. and Mrs. De Graff were born three children, while living in Fonda, New York: Alfred, Anna and Howard. Mr. De Graff is a member of Fultonville Lodge No.531, A. F. & A. M., and of the Montgomery County Historical Society. He is also a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Fonda. Mr. De Graff is fortunate in having an ancestry back of him that is honorable and distinguished, and he may be said to be a worthy scion of his race.