This is an old German name transported to Pennsylvania by those known in the vernacular as "York State Dutch." It is composed of two German words, the first of which is equivalent in meaning to the same word in English, the second syllable a German word meaning a brook, and it is probable that this name was adopted when surnames came into use by one who lived by a brook which abounded in fish. According to the family tradition the family of Fishbeck was founded by three brothers who came from Holland to New York at a very early date. They had been given money by their father to invest in lands on the German Flats, and this money was placed in charge of the commander of the vessel on which they sailed. On their arrival in this country the captain concealed the fact that he had received money for their passage and for investment, and according to the custom of the times hired them out in servitude to pay for their passage. One brother applied his first earnings to the payment of passage back to Holland; another went south, and the third remained in New York.
During the civil war members of this family in the Union army met with persons of the name in Virginia, and as near as could be learned from the tradition preserved they were descendants from the brother who went south.

(I) The first of the family of whom any knowledge can now be procured were Jacob Fishbeck and his wife, Elsie Storrin, who resided in Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania.

(II) Adam, son of Jacob and Elsie Fishbeck, was born Oct. 20, 1805, in Montrose, and moved, when a young man to De Peyster, St. Lawrence county, New York, where he died in 1808. He located in 1825 with several others in what was known as the "Fishbeck settlement." This was the year of the organization of De Peyster as a township. He later removed to Macomb, where he was an industrious and prosperous farmer. He was a quiet citizen, and sought no part in political affairs, acting politically with the Democratic party. He married, 1829, Arathusa, youngest daughter of Amos (1) and Sarah (Harvey) Partridge, born Oct. 30, 1805, in Peacham, Vermont, died March 13, 1891, in Macomb. (See Partridge, VI).
Children:
Almeda, became wife of Julius Bishop, resided in Macomb and Gouverneur, and is now in Holyoke, Mass.
Maria, wife of John Wright, resided successively in Macomb, De Peyster and Wegatchie, and is now (1910) in Gouverneur.
Nancy, married Nathan Ward, a farmer of De Peyster.
Ephraim Freeman, mentioned below.
Hezekiah, killed while serving as a soldier in the civil war.
Simeon, a farmer and hotel proprietor.

(III) Ephraim Freeman, eldest son of Adam and Arathusa (Patridge) Fiskbeck, was born Nov. 14, 1832, in De Peyster, and grew up on the parental homestead, attending the common schools of the town. Before attaining his majority he purchased a tract of fifty acres in Macomb, which he cleared and subsequently extended until he was the possessor of one hundred and fifty acres. This he cultivated and retained until he sold it in 1901 and removed to Gouverneur, where he has since resided. He has been an active and useful citizen, serving as a school officer.
He enlisted in 1861, as a member of Company B, 60th New York Volunteer Infantry, in which he served nearly three years. He participated in numerous battles, and received an injury at Harper's Ferry which caused his discharge before the completion of his term of enlistment.
Mr. Fishbeck is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is a respected citizen. Since 1858 he has been a member of the Masonic order, and is now the last charter member living of De Peyster Lodge, No. 573, A. F. and A. M., in which he has held the office of senior deacon.

He married Margaret Fiddes McLellan, born Oct. 5, 1844, in Ox Bow, N.Y., daughter of Thomas McLellan, who was born Dec. 24, 1818, in Glasgow, Scotland, and died Dec. 24, 1894, at Macomb, St. Lawrence county, N.Y. The last named married Margaret Lockie, born Dec. 20, 1820, in Rossie, N.Y., of Scottish parentage, and died April 27, 1895, in Macomb, N.Y. He settled in Rossie in 1818. Margaret Lockie was descended from George Lockie, a shepherd at Muttonhole, in the village of Maxton, county of Roxburgh, North Britain. His son, George (2) Lockie, was born May 2, 1778, and married, June 22, 1804, Margaret Fiddes. Soon after this he came to the U.S. and settled in the town of Rossie, St. Lawrence county, N.Y. They were the parents of the following children: John, David, Agnes, George, James, Andrew, Mary and Margaret, all recorded in the parish register of Maxton. Margaret, daughter of George (2) and Margaret Lockie, was born Dec. 20, 1820, and became the wife of Thomas McLellan, as above noted. Thomas McLellan was born in Glasgow, Scotland, dec. 24, 1818, and recieved the ordinary education of his time. He learned the trade of cooper, and came to this county before 1843 and engaged in farming in the town of Macomb. He was a soldier of the civil war, serving in Company B, 142nd regiment, New York Infantry. He was a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, and of the Presbyterian church, and was a steadfast Republican in political sentiment. He married, Dec. 21, 1843, in the Scottish settlement, in the town of Rossie, Margaret Lockie, as above mentioned, and they had children: Margaret Fiddes, John, George, William Clark, Alice Jane, Franklin Oliver, and Janett Lockie. All of these are now deceased except the eldest and Franklin Oliver, who is a farmer in Benden, Michigan. Thomas McLellan was a sonof John and Jane (Anderson) McLellan, who were born and married in Glasgow. The father was a weaver of fine underwear and hosiery.

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