Smith, James H., History of Livingston County, New York, (D. Mason and Co.: Syracuse, N.Y., 1881):
Page 204
George Zerfass, the subject of this sketch was born in Northampton county, Pa., the 28th of January, 1805. He was a son of Abraham and Hannah (Kanause) Zerfass. The former was born in Northampton county, Pa., the 27th of November, 1772, and the latter was born in the same county January 23, 1783. The parents of Abraham were Adam and Elizabeth Zerfass. They came from Germany when they were quite young. The former was born in 1742, and the latter was born Feb 11, 1746. Adam was a Captain in the Revolutionary army and was in the battle of Germantown and Brandywine, and after the close of the war of Independence he was engaged in fighting the Indians. Adam, and Elizabeth died in Pennsylvania, in the early part of the present century.
Abraham Zerfass and Hannah Kanause, were married the 19th of April, 1802, and came to Steuben county, now Livingston county, and located at Dansville in 1813. Here they followed farming until they died, the former Dec. 17, 1837, and the latter Feb. 4, 1845. They had twelve children – as follows: – Elizabeth (dead,) George, our subject, Hannah, (dead,) Abraham, (dead,) Mary, (living,) Saloma, (dead,) John (living,) Vienna, (living,) Lydia, (dead,) Margaret (living,) Henry (living,) and Anna, (dead.) Six of these children are yet living and residing near Dansville, except Mary now residing in Wisconsin. The children all lived at home until they died or started out in life for themselves. Their education was such as could be obtained in the common schools of their town, and was very limited. George never left the parental roof, but remained at home assisting his father until the latter died, when he bought the old home farm and settled up with the rest of the heirs. He lived in the old house until 1858, at which time he moved into the handsome edifice he finished that year and which he occupies at the present time. Owing to a paralytic shock received the 24th of April, 1878, he has been unable to manage his farm and since that time it has been operated by his brother Henry.
The 12th of April, 1838, George was united in marriage with Polly Kanause, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Driesbach) Kanause of Dansville. She was born in Steuben county the 15th of Jan., 1819, and died February 23d, 1872. In the death of his wife Mr. Zerfass met with a loss almost unbearable. She was a careful, economical helpmeet and loving wife, and was respected by all who knew her. Mr. Zerfass cheerfully concedes that to her he is greatly indebted for much of his success. They had no children that grew up.
Mr. Zerfass has never been an aspirant for public trusts, but has been elected to the office of assessor for two years, and a highway commissioner three years. He is a life-long Democrat, but in home affairs he gives his suffrage to the man or men he deems best qualified for the various offices.
In religious sentiment he is a Lutheran and was a member of the German Lutheran Church of Dansville many years. He was a trustee of that church several years and Deacon of the same six years.
Mr. Zerfass has passed with honor through all the vicissitudes of life, and has lived to see the County of Livingston develop from almost a wilderness into one of the finest agricultural districts in the State. He has been successful in life and is enjoying in his old age a competency, the result of a long life of industry, economy and honorable dealing.

(courtesy of Everlastings)