William was a son of Ester Haydon (Richards) & Achille J. Rousseau. He had 6 siblings: Mary Catharine, Sarah Elizabeth, Margaret Esther, Lewis Alexander, Helen Francis & Achille John.

He was living in Troy, New York when he died from "Arterios capillary fibrosis", according to cemetery records.

William was married to Jeanette "Nettie" Parker. According to the 1875 census, they had 2 children: Harry Harwood & William White, Jr.. There was a servant living with them at that time, "Ellen".

From the Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: "He was educated in the city schools and for two years was a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He engaged in the insurance and real-estate business in Troy and represented for over twenty-five years a prominent New York brokerage house. He was for many years closely identified in the management of the estate of N. B. Warren & Brothers, later heirs of N. P. Warren, and the estate of George Henry Warren. He was a capable business man, and large interests were committed to his care with the utmost security. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States navy and served until the close of the civil war. He was prominent in musical circles, and the composer of a large amount of sacred music, the greater part of it in use in the services of the Episcopal church. Rev. Dr. John Ireland Tucker, rector of the Church of the Holy Cross......and Mr. Rousseau collaborated in the composition of Episcopal hymnals that are extensively used throughout the United States. These works were "Parish Hymnals," "The Church Hymnal" and "Hymnals for Sunday Schools." Mr. Rousseau also published (alone) "The Twenty Selections," set to Gregorian tunes, and "The Service Book." He was organist of the Church of the Holy Cross for thirty years, and with Dr. Tucker was instrumental in furthering the introduction of choral music as part of the church service, one of the objects which induced Mrs. Warren to establish the church. The experiment met with a large amount of opposition, but is now firmly established in all Episcopal churches. Mr. Rousseau was a member of the Masonic order, and for many years served as organist of Mt. Zion and Apollo lodges of that order. His political preference was for the Republican party, but he took no active part in political affairs. He was a member and past commander of Griswold Post, No. 338, Grand Army of the Republic."

William was a son of Ester Haydon (Richards) & Achille J. Rousseau. He had 6 siblings: Mary Catharine, Sarah Elizabeth, Margaret Esther, Lewis Alexander, Helen Francis & Achille John.

He was living in Troy, New York when he died from "Arterios capillary fibrosis", according to cemetery records.

William was married to Jeanette "Nettie" Parker. According to the 1875 census, they had 2 children: Harry Harwood & William White, Jr.. There was a servant living with them at that time, "Ellen".

From the Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs: "He was educated in the city schools and for two years was a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He engaged in the insurance and real-estate business in Troy and represented for over twenty-five years a prominent New York brokerage house. He was for many years closely identified in the management of the estate of N. B. Warren & Brothers, later heirs of N. P. Warren, and the estate of George Henry Warren. He was a capable business man, and large interests were committed to his care with the utmost security. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States navy and served until the close of the civil war. He was prominent in musical circles, and the composer of a large amount of sacred music, the greater part of it in use in the services of the Episcopal church. Rev. Dr. John Ireland Tucker, rector of the Church of the Holy Cross......and Mr. Rousseau collaborated in the composition of Episcopal hymnals that are extensively used throughout the United States. These works were "Parish Hymnals," "The Church Hymnal" and "Hymnals for Sunday Schools." Mr. Rousseau also published (alone) "The Twenty Selections," set to Gregorian tunes, and "The Service Book." He was organist of the Church of the Holy Cross for thirty years, and with Dr. Tucker was instrumental in furthering the introduction of choral music as part of the church service, one of the objects which induced Mrs. Warren to establish the church. The experiment met with a large amount of opposition, but is now firmly established in all Episcopal churches. Mr. Rousseau was a member of the Masonic order, and for many years served as organist of Mt. Zion and Apollo lodges of that order. His political preference was for the Republican party, but he took no active part in political affairs. He was a member and past commander of Griswold Post, No. 338, Grand Army of the Republic."