Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

GEHRKE, WILLIAM L.

p. 1319

Surnames: GEHRKE, NIMMER, STOUDT, FRANCKE, MELLERT, HEISTER

William L. Gehrke, a highly esteemed, retired citizen of the
Twelfth ward, Reading, who lives in his own residence at No. 746
North Tenth street, was born Dec. 18, 1847, in Prussia, Germany,
and is a member of a prominent and influential German family.

Christopher Gehrke, the father of William L.,
was born in Prussia, Aug. 11, 1812, and came to America in the
spring of 1862, settling at Reading, where he was a successful
contractor. He was also a railroad builder in Virginia and New
York, and constructed furnaces in the former State and in Illinois.
He died July 4, 1897, and is buried at the German Lutheran cemetery
at Reading. His residence was at No. 240 Reed street. Mr. Gehrke
married Anna Nimmer, who was born May 4, 1814, and died at the home
of her son, William L., May, 1898, and to this union there were
born three children: Loretta, who married Godfried Stoudt;
Reinhold, a molder of Reading; and William L.

The Nimmers were prominent in the war history of
Germany. In 1851, when the grandparents celebrated their Golden
Wedding, the King and Queen of their province in Germany presented
them with a Bible in which appeared a steel portrait of the
sovereigns and their monograms. This Bible is now the treasured
property of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Gehrke.

William L. Gehrke was educated under the German
Lutheran Sectarian school laws, and in the spring of 1862 came to
America with his parents, locating at Reading, where he learned the
trade of molder at Mellert’s foundry, working thus at different
periods six years. He left Reading in 1868, and traveled all over
the West and Southwest, being employed at different occupations,
principally contracting, in which he has been very successful. He
returned to Reading in 1871, and has made his home here ever since.
In addition to his home on North Tenth street, Mr. Gehrke owns
several other valuable properties in the city. He is an independent
voter. In religious belief the family are members of St. John’s
German Lutheran Church.

In 1873, Mr. Gehrke was married to Philippine
Francke, and to this union were born the following children:
Reinhold; William, who died aged five years; Harry; Herbert W. S.;
and May.

Herbert W. S. Gehrke was born at Reading, Nov.
3, 1880, and after graduating from the Reading high school with the
class of 1899, he attended a course at the Reading Classical
School. He has been connected with the Reading Trust Company since
1899, entering their employ as a clerk and now being head
bookkeeper; and since December, 1904, he has been a registered law
student in the offices of Isaac Hiester, Esq. Socially he is
connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 227, F. & A. M.: Excelsior
Chapter, No. 237, and Reading Commandery, No. 42.

GEIGER
FAMILY

p. 685

Surnames; GEIGER, STICHTER, MATHIAS, MOYER, HARNER, FRITZ, De TURK,
GOODHART, THORPE, SASSAMAN, WEYANT, LORAH, LUDWIG, SCHAFFER,
RHOADS/RHOADES, BODY, BROWN

The Geiger family is an old one in the eastern part of
Pennsylvania, being located here before the erection of Berks
county, in 1752. Philip Geiger, the great-grandfather of Wellington
D. and Ezra D. Geiger, of Amity township, was born Nov. 20, 1765,
and died Aug. 13, 1831. His wife, Anna Maria Stichter, was born
Jan. 18, 1769, and died Nov. 1, 1791. They are both buried in the
east side of the old cemetery at Amityville church. With them is
buried Maria Geiger (1793-1823), probably a daughter, and wife of
Philip Mathias. Another daughter married a Moyer. The number of the
children of this old pioneer couple cannot be definitely stated.
There was a son, Jacob, mentioned below; and tradition tells of
another son. Philip Geiger lived in Amity township before 1806, as
in that year his name appears on the tax list.

Jacob Geiger, son of Philip, was born August 20,
1795, and died in Amity, Sept. 6, 1868. He was a farmer and owned a
tract of 160 acres about three-quarters of a mile south of
Amityville. He married Elizabeth Harner, born Aug. 21, 1798, died
Sept. 17, 1870, and their children were: Jacob H.; Mary Ann; John;
Mahlon; Elizabeth m. Alfred Fritz; and Leah Ann.

Jacob H. Geiger, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, was
born Nov. 16, 1825, and died on the farm now the property of his
son, Ezra D., Sept. 15, 1864. He was a farmer. Although in his
youth he learned the tailor’s trade he never followed it. He
married Mary Ann De Turk, daughter of Jacob and Esther (Goodhart)
De Turk, who lived in Exeter township. She was born April 19, 1828,
and died April 25, 1908. Their children were: Ezra D.; Wellington
D.; Jacob, of Philadelphia, who has children -Lawrence, Mary,
Martha, Amy, and Jacob; Lizzie, deceased, m. to William H. Thorpe,
of Clayton, N. Y.; and Miss Hettie.

Wellington D. Geiger, now a farmer in Amity
township, was born one mile east of Yellow House, October 4, 1865.
He attended the township schools and was reared as a farmer’s boy,
working for his parents until he attained his majority. In 1866 he
began farming as a tenant farmer in that township, with the
exception of three years-1889, 1890, and 1891-when he lived in
Douglas township. He has been quite successful and his farm is kept
in good condition, and his stock and farm machinery are of the
best.

On Feb. 13, 1885, Mr. Geiger married Amelia
Sassaman, daughter of George M. and Mary (Weyant) Sassaman, now of
Pottstown. Their only child, a son, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Geiger are Reformed members of Amityville Church, in which he has
served as deacon. Fraternally he is a member of Wohlink Tribe, No.
179, I. O. R. M., at Yellow House.

Ezra D. Geiger, a farmer at Weaverstown, in
Amity township, was born Aug. 6, 1853, in Exeter township, coming
to Amity in the second year of his earthly career with his parents.
He worked for his mother until he was of age. He began farming at
the age of twenty on his present place. This was the Augustus K.
Lorah farm before it became the property of Jacob H. Geiger. It was
originally owned by the Ludwigs, then by Jacob Schaffer, then by
the Lorahs. Jacob H. Geiger bought it in 1864, and in 1878 it was
transferred to the present owner. The farm consists of ninety-five
acres, also forty-eight acres of pasture land. The present large
stone house was built in 1834. There is a smaller house on the
premises, located about thirty feet from the large one, that must
be a relic of the days long before the Revolution.

In 1876 Mr. Geiger married Delilah Rhoades,
daughter of Jonas and Rachel Rhoads, and their children are (1)
Chester, graduated from Keystone State Normal School in the class
of 1902, and is now engaged in teaching in Amity township. He m.
Dora Body, and they have two children: Evelyn and Esther. (2)
Wayne, graduated from the Keystone State Normal School in 1904, and
from Lehigh University in 1908, is an electrician, holding a
responsible position at Hackensack, N. J., with the Telephone
Company.

He m. Elsie Brown, and has a daughter, Alice.
(3) Victor is still at home. In politics Mr. Geiger is a Democrat,
and is at present serving as supervisor of Amity township; for
three years he was auditor. He is a member of Wohlink Tribe, I. O.
R. M., at Yellow House. Mr. Geiger and his family are members of
the Reformed Church at Amityville, in which he has been very
active, and has served as deacon. The early Geigers were Lutherans.

GEIGER,
GEORGE H.

p. 993

Surnames: GEIGER, SPONAGLE

George H. Geiger, a leading agriculturist and influential citizen
of Union township, Berks Co., Pa., who is engaged in cultivating
his fine tract of 110 acres of land, was born in 1859, in Robeson
township, Berks county, only son of Jacob and Anna(Sponagle)
Geiger.

Jacob Geiger, grandfather of George H., was born
in 1800 and died in 1876, and his wife Susan Geiger was born in
1801, and passed away in 1880. In 1861 this worthy couple erected
the barn which stands on Mr. Geigers farm, and on a marble slab in
the wall thereof may be found their names and the date of the
building. The house is a large stone structure, erected many years
ago. The farm consists of 110 acres of excellent land, and the
buildings thereon are in a good state of repair.

Jacob Geiger, father of George H., was born in
1838, and his wife Anna Sponagle, Sept. 17, 1838.

George H. Geiger married Dec. 24, 1884, Miss
Elizabeth Geiger, born in Robeson township, July 21, 1855, and to
this union there was born in 1895, a daughter, Anna Margaret.

Mr. Geiger is a stanch Democrat in politics, and
his influence in the community is shown by his election to various
township offices, including that of judge of election, in a
district strongly Republican.

GEIGER,
LEWIS J.

p. 1333

Surnames: GEIGER, BYAR, STEINROOK, LEISTER, WENDLING, HAYTER,
WHITING, PIERCE, STICHTER, YERKEY, BAER, HATFIELD, QUINN, SHUTTER,
WAGNER, CONFER, BYAR, RIEGEL, LENGEL, HARRIS, RESCH

Lewis J. Geiger, who is well known among the hotel men of Berks
county, Pa., is proprietor of the popular “Schuylkill Avenue Hotel”
in Reading. Mr. Geiger was born Sept. 21, 1867, at Hamburg, son of
David Q. and Mary (Byar) Geiger. Jacob Geiger, the
great-great-grandfather of Lewis J., lived at a place now known as
Fruitville. Concerning this Jacob Geiger, the following is taken
from the Reading Eagle of Dec. 8, 1907: “Heirs of Conrad Geiger,
who left Pottstown in 1841 and went to Cuba, held a meeting this
afternoon at the home of Mrs. Sallie Steinrook, 24 King street, and
organized for the purpose of inquiring into a claim for a sugar
plantation said to have been left by their ancestor in Cuba. These
officers were elected: President, Mrs. Sallie Steinrook, of
Pottstown; Albert Leister, 249 Maple street, Reading, Recording
Secretary; Mrs. Hannah Wendling, 446 Chestnut street, Pottstown,
Treasurer. J. T. Hayter, 1837 South Chadwick street, Philadelphia,
was selected to visit Cuba and investigate the claim.

“Conrad Geiger, the ancestor, was a son of Jacob
Geiger, of the place now known as Fruitville, in Limerick township.
Upon the settlement of his father’s estate he is said to have had
from $20,000 to $40,000, and with this he went to Cuba. He had a
sugar plantation at Santa Zable, on the north coast of Cuba, east
of Cardenas. Conrad died in 1868 or 1869. The London Times or News
printed an advertisement for English papers to copy, calling for
the heirs of Conrad Geiger to appear and claim the Cuban property.
The advertisement would have appeared, according to legal periods
in 1873 or 1874, 1878 or 1879, 1883 or 1884. A record of this
advertisement in a local paper is being sought. In 1894 a movement
was started to look into this same claim but it was not pushed to a
finish. A man named Chester M. Whiting of Franklin, Mass., has now
been located, who worked for Mr. Conrad on his Cuban plantation in
1864 and 1865.”

Jacob Geiger, brother of the Conrad mentioned,
and great-grandfather of Lewis J., lived below Pottstown several
miles, where he owned a twelve-acre tract of land, and also
followed the trade of shoemaker for many years. He is buried at
Pottstown. Mr. Geiger had twelve children: Charles, of Pottstown;
John, of Ringing Rocks; Joseph, of Allentown; Henry, of Norristown;
David, of Schuylkill Haven; Jacob, of Hamburg; Samuel, of
Montgomery county; Katie, who married a Mr. Pierce of Pottstown;
Tina, who married a Mr. Stichter of Tamaqua; Becky, who married a
Mr. Yerkey, of Pottstown; Sallie, who married Henry Baer; and
Polly, who married a Mr. Hatfield of Pottstown.

Jacob Geiger, grandfather of Lewis J., was born
in August, 1810, and died April 14, 1885, aged seventy-four years,
at Hamburg, Pa., where he was buried. He was the owner of six
dwellings and a flourmill at Hamburg, was a director of the Hamburg
Savings Bank, and had various other business interests. He was
married (first) to Rachel Quinn, and they had these children: David
Q.; John Q., of Reading; Mary Ellen, who married Harry Shutter; and
James Q., of Reading. His second marriage was to Mary Wagner, and
they had two children: Emma C., who married Nathan Confer, of
Hamburg; and Freelove I. who is unmarried and lives at Hamburg.

David Q. Geiger was born at Hamburg, May 10,
1839, and died at Pottstown, Aug. 20, 1877. He was buried at
Pottstown, where he was a printer and proprietor of the Advertiser,
one of the first papers of the borough. He was a leading member of
the Baptist Church, in which he was an official. Mr. Geiger was
married to Mary Byar, who died June 14, 1878, and they had these
children: Lewis J.; Edward F., of Reading; William H., who died in
infancy; and George H., of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.

Lewis J. Geiger was but one year old when he
accompanied his parents to Pottstown, and there he lived until his
thirteenth year, attending the public schools. His parents having
died he went to live with his grandfather Jacob Geiger at Hamburg,
at which place he attended the public schools until nineteen years
old. On reaching his twentieth year he came to Reading and found
employment at Sternbergh’s nut and bolt works, where he continued
for a period of eighteen years, thirteen years of which he was a
foreman in the nut department. In the spring of 1904 he engaged in
the saloon business. Mr. Geiger is an active Republican in
politics, and for several years was register assessor of the
Fifteenth Ward. He and his family are members of St. Mark’s
Reformed Church at Reading, where Mr. Geiger owns a nice dwelling.
He is a member of the Knights of Malta, No. 47, of Reading, the
Junior Mechanics. No. 27, Grand Fraternity of Philadelphia, and
Schuylkill Fire Company. With the last named organization Mr.
Geiger has been identified since its organization in 1892. He was
financial secretary for two years and for eight years he has been
recording secretary. He is also a member of the following
organizations: the Philharmonic Band: the Cadet Band; the Harmony
Volunteer Beneficial Relief Association; the Nursery Literary
Association, and the Uniform Rank of the Schuylkill Fire Company.

On May 11, 1889, Mr. Geiger was married to Agnes
M. Lengel, daughter of Paul and Emma (Riegel) Lengel. Four sons
have been born to this union, as follows: Paul, David, Leon and
Lewis J. Jr.

Among the interesting features of Mr. Geiger’s
life was an election bet he made with Robert B. Harris that if Taft
was elected, Mr. Geiger would have to collect the pennies and Mr.
Harris would have to play the grind organ, and if Bryan should be
elected Mr. Harris would have to do the collecting and Mr. Geiger
play the grind organ. The route that was originally agreed upon was
out Schuylkill avenue from Washington to Gus Resch’s Hotel across
the Schuylkill avenue bridge, both wearing masks and fixed up for
the occasion. The proceeds were given to the Home for Friendless
Children. The above program was carried out to the letter Nov. 14,
1908.

GEIGLEY,
GEORGE

p. 828

Surnames: GEIGLEY, WEAVER, LANDIS, CAMPBELL, BARTON

George Geigley, a venerable resident of Birdsboro, Berks, Co., Pa.,
where he is managing the well known E. and E. Brooke farm, was born
one mile from Fountz’s Mill, in Lancaster county, in 1819, son of
John and Barbara (Weaver) Geigley.

William Geigley, grandfather of George, came
from Germany and settled in Lancaster county, where he followed
farming the remainder of his life. He married Mary Landis, and they
became the parents of two children: John; and Christina, who died
unmarried. Like his father, John Geigley carried on agricultural
operations in Lancaster county all his life, and there his death
occurred as did that of his wife. They were the parents of six
children: Eliza, Barbara, Mary, Anna, Amos and George. In religious
belief the family were Mennonites.

George Geigley was reared and educated in
Lancaster county, and as a youth did much traveling. When but
nineteen years of age he made a trip to Baltimore to get groceries,
and also traveled from Philadelphia to Pittsburg in an
old-fashioned Conestoga wagon. In all he made twenty-five of more
trips to Philadelphia from the Conestoga mills. At the age of
thirty- five years Mr. Geigley removed to Chester county, and in
1875 he located in Birdsboro, where he has since had charge of the
E. and G. Brooke farm.

Mr. Geigley married Sarah Campbell, who died
March 4, 1900, aged seventy-seven years, and to this union were
born children as follows: John, Charles, Katie, George, Elizabeth
and Samuel (m. Sarah Barton and has two children- Hunter and
George). Formerly Mr. Geigley belonged to the Knights of Pythias.
In political matters he is a Republican, but he has never aspired
to public office.

GEISEWITE,
H. F.

p. 1415

Surnames: GEISEWITE, FAUST, TOBIAS, VAN REED, HEPLER, ESTERLY,
GEHMAN, MOYER

H. F. Geisewite, engaged in the grocery business in Reading. Pa.,
for some years, was born in Bern township, Berks county, Jan. 27,
1850, son of Daniel and Rebecca (Faust) Geisewite.

H. F. Geisewite remained on the home farm until
twenty-five years of age, receiving for his first year’s work $1.50
per month, $3.00 for the second year, and $5.00 per month for the
third year, then hiring out at $10.00 per month for one year. Mr.
Geisewite then spent three years with Henry R. Tobias at $10.00 per
month, leaving to engage in work on the Union Canal, and later on
the Schuylkill Canal, his boating operations including in all two
years. He then spent one year at the Henry Van Reed paper mill, was
for five years with John C. Hepler in his greenhouse, was one year
at Bushong’s furnace, a like period in the Reading paper mills, and
then operated the Bushong farm for three years. He then commenced
work in his brother’s grocery store on Canal street, but later
engaged at Sternbergh’s rolling mill, where he continued one year.
After spending one year in the wholesale grocery of Daniel S.
Esterly, he engaged with George Gehman, No. 34 North Eighth street,
a wholesale produce merchant. In 1889 he entered the grocery
business on his own account at Tenth and Washington streets, where
he remained three years. In 1891 Mr. Geisewite came to his present
store, where he has since continued with much success.

Mr. Geisewite married Emma Moyer, daughter of
Israel Moyer, a native of Spring township. They have no children.
They attend Epler’s Reformed Church. He is a member of several
fraternal organizations, and in political matters is a Democrat.

GEISEWITE, PERCIVAL F.

p. 1130

Surnames: GEISEWITE, FAUST, STITZEL, SHEETZ, BREINICH, HARTMAN,
FREDERICK, JACOBS, KNOLL, SEIDEL, RHEINHART, PUTT, HOFFMAN, DOBSON,
HEISTER, YOE, HOLLENBACH, WEBER, REBER, GOODWIN, VAN REED

Percival F. Geisewite, a grocery merchant at Reading, whose place
of business is conveniently located at West Buttonwood street and
Schuylkill avenue, was born June 15, 1858, in Bern township, Berks
county, son of Daniel and Margaretta (Faust) Geisewite, and
grandson of John Geisewite, an early settler.

The great-grandparents of our subject both died
on the ocean, while on their voyage from Germany to America. At
that time, John Geisewite, grandfather of P. F., was an infant and
when it was discovered that his parents were dead, a passenger by
the name of Stitzel, took the orphan babe as his own. John
Geisewite married Elizabeth Sheetz, and they had the following
children: John m. Mary Breinich, and had eleven children: Charles
lived in Schuylkill county; Sally m. Harry Hartman; Amelia m. Jacob
Frederick; Elizabeth m. Christopher Jacobs; Caroline m. William
Knoll; Amanda m. James Seidel; Emma m. Solomon Rheinhart; Louisa
died young; Ellen m. John Putt; Adeline died young; Ellinda m.
William Hoffman; Daniel(father of our subject); Jacob lived in
Ohio; Betsey m. Reuben Dobson; and Benjamin died at Temple,
Pennsylvania.

Daniel Geisewite, father of P. F., was born in
Berks county. He grew to manhood with but meager educational
opportunities and learned the trade of paper making, which he
followed up to the time of his death, in 1863, when he was
fifty-two years old. He married Margaretta Faust, and their
children were: Priscilla m. Adam R. Heister, of Penn township;
Elizabeth m. Joel Yoe; John; Daniel F.; Henry; Amanda, deceased, m.
Isaac Hollenbach; Otilda m. Howard Weber; and Percival F. The
father took only a voting interest in politics, casting his ballot
in support of the Democratic party. As far back as the family can
be traced it has been connected with the Reformed Church.

Percival F. Geisewite obtained his education in
the schools of Bern township. His first work was as a day laborer
when he was thirteen years of age. He then found employment with H.
C. Van Reed, who operated a paper mill, with whom he remained until
Mr. Van Reed’s death and then continued with his successor, Charles
L. Van Reed, until 1884, when he came to Reading. In April of that
year he was engaged by his brother to operate a grocery store on
the corner of Hamilton and Jefferson streets and soon after he
purchased the business and continued at that stand until 1897, when
he moved to his present location. He does a thriving grocery and
notion business here, carrying a large stock. He also operates a
huckster wagon which visits the outlying districts, buying eggs and
country produce. By his straightforward business methods, Mr.
Geisewite has gained many firm friends in this city to which he
came as a stranger.

In 1879 Mr. Geisewite was married to Kate Reber,
daughter of Harrison M. Reber, a member of one of the old
representative families of this section. They have four children:
Emily A.; Mary died in 1901; Edwin, who assists his father in his
business, m. Florence Goodwin; and Anna died aged one year and nine
months. Like other members of his family Mr. Geisewite belongs to
the Reformed Church.

GEISS,
MORRIS J.

p. 904

Surnames: GEISS, HAAG, KERSHNER, FAHRENBACH, LENGEL, STOUDT, BEAR,
LASH, SMITH, STIRNER, EAGEN, BEARD, RAUDENBACK, LONG, WAHL, KRICK,
HAIN

Morris J. Geiss, one of West Reading borough’s well known citizens,
who has for a number of years been engaged in the carpenter
business, was born Dec. 16, 1867, at Bernville, Berks county, son
of Harrison and Amelia (Lengel) Geiss.

The first American of the Geiss family was
George Adam Geiss, who was born Jan. 4, 1725, and who emigrated to
this country from his native land. He married Anna Barbara Haag,
born July 31, 1738, and died Aug. 17, 1814. He died Jan. 29, 1784.
There children were: George Adam, born April 11, 1759; Catherine,
June 19, 1760; John Michael, Jan. 12, 1762; Philip Jacob, Sept. 6,
1763; and Barbara, March 7, 1765.

John Geiss, son of George Adam and grandfather
of Morris J., was a successful farmer of Bernville, Penn township,
where he owned 400 acres of land. He died at the age of
seventy-three years, the father of these children: Samuel, Jacob,
Levi, John, Mary (m. Peter Kershner) and Harrison. All of the
foregoing children are deceased with the exception of Jacob, who
lives in Reading.

Harrison Geiss was born in Penn township, where
early in life he followed coopering. At the time of his father’s
death he received seventy-three acres of land as a share of the
latter’s estate, and here he made many improvements, erecting all
the buildings on this farm, which is now owned by ex- sheriff
Fahrenback of Berks county. Here Mr. Geiss died at the age of
seventy years, and was buried at Bernville. Mr. Geiss m. (first)
Amelia Lengel, who died at the age thirty-eight years, leaving
children: Monroe (a sawyer of Reading); Darius (a farmer of
Lancaster county); Violanda (m. Frank Stoudt of North Heidelberg
township); Henry (of Bernville); Rosabella (m. Isaac Bear); Milton
(a farmer of Schaefferstown); Morris J.; and Katie (M. Isaac Lash).
Mr. Geiss m. (second) Sarah Smith, daughter of Isaac Smith, of
Schaefferstown, and to this union there were born four children:
Aaron; Alice (m. Edward Stirner); Harrison (of Bernville, m. Edith
Eagen); and Mary (m. William Long, the historian of this family).

Morris J. Geiss attended the schools of Penn
township until sixteen years of age, and then worked for his father
for a few years, after which he learned the milling trade at
Hiester’s Mills, which he followed for twelve years. He
subsequently learned the carpenter’s trade with George W. Beard
& Co., of Reading, being identified with this company for seven
years. He was with Mr. Fissler for two years, and since June, 1905,
has been foreman for H. J. Raudenbush, the well known contractor.
In 1896 Mr. Geiss located in West Reading, purchasing a home at No.
524 Penn avenue, where he has ever since resided.

On April 20, 1889, Mr. Geiss married Katie A.
Wahl, daughter of James and Rebecca (Krick) Wahl, of Berks county,
and to this union have been born two children: Raymond and
Florence. In politics, Mr. Geiss is a Democrat, and in September,
1907, he was elected to the council of West Reading borough, to
take the place of James N. Hain, whose death occurred in August of
that year. He is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church at West
Reading, has served in the church council, and for six years was a
deacon therein. Fraternally he is connected with the P.O.S. of A.,
the Carpenter’s Union, and the Knights of Malta. He is a skilled
mechanic, and has the full confidence of his employer and the
respect and esteem of his fellow workmen.

GEISSLER, CHRISTIAN
WILLIAM

p. 958

Surnames: GEISSLER, EBEN, WETZEL, MACK, STRENG, KNABB, FRITCH, HAAS

Christian William Geissler, a highly esteemed retired citizen of
Mt. Penn, Berks Co., Pa., is a native of Germany, born June 6,
1844, in Wurtemberg, son of John George and Rosina (Eben) Geissler,
natives of that country.

John G. Geissler was a tin and copper smith and
conducted an extensive business in his native country and after
coming to this country in 1845 located in that business in Reading.
His first location was at the present site of the Reading National
Bank, and he became one of the city’s substantial and highly
respected citizens. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church,
in the faith of which he died in 1880 at the age of seventy-eight
years. Mr. Geissler was twice married, his first wife being a Miss
Wetzel, who bore him nine children, of whom the following came to
America: George, late of Womelsdorf, was engaged in the tin and
stove business; John M. is a resident of Minnesota and an ex-member
of the Legislature; Frederica, widow of Christian Mack, of Reading,
died in February, 1909, aged eighty years and Christianna is the
widow of Martin Streng, of Reading. Mr. Geissler was married
(second) to Rosina Eben, by whom he had these children: Henry C.,
who married Emma Knabb, is a stove dealer; Christian W.; Franklin
P. for the past ten years has been steward of the Almshouse and is
now a resident of Reading. The second Mrs. Geissler died in 1876,
at the age of sixty-six years.

Christian W. Geissler came with his parents to
America and received his education in the public schools of
Reading. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 128th Pa. V.
I., and was honorably discharged and mustered out of service, in
May, 1863, having seen much active service, participating in the
battles of South Mountain and Antietam, at the latter place being
wounded in the left shin by a piece of shell, a wound that has
troubled him to this day After recovering sufficiently to resume
business, he associated himself with his father and brothers in the
tinning and stove business, and in 1881 the firm of Geissler &
Otto was formed. This partnership was continued for sixteen years
with much success, at the end of which time Mr. Geissler withdrew
and purchased a country seat near the Springs in Lower Alsace
township, which property he sold in 1906 to purchase his present
residence. Since that time he has lived a retired life in Mt. Penn.
For some years he has taken an active part in public matters, being
interested in the success of the Democratic party. In 1875-76 he
served as a member of the common council of Reading, and from 1879
to 1880 was president of that body, which was one of the strongest
bodies ever formed in Reading. During this time he signed the
ordinance proposing the construction of Antietam Lake, the filter
beds which filter this water being quite near to his present home
in Mt. Penn. In 1878 he was the Democratic party’s nominee for the
Legislature, and was defeated by but twenty-eight votes, and from
1883 to 1887 he served as a member of the school board. He has been
active in secret organizations, belonging to Teutonia Lodge No.
367, Excelsior Chapter No. 237, Reading Commandery No. 42, K. T.,
and Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Keim Post,
G. A. R., and to many other fraternal bodies.

Mr. Geissler married Miss Alice C. Fritch,
daughter of Henry and Rachel (Haas) Fritch. She was a native of
Longswamp township, but was reared in Reading. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Geissler were confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

GEIST, HENRY
S.

p. 813

Surnames: GEIST, WEBER, GROFF, BROWER, STETLER, ZUBER, MARKLEY,
BECHTEL, WELKER, KUMERER, FINK, WINTERS, YOST, KNODERER

Henry S. Geist, a citizen of Bechtelsville who has lived retired
since 1896, has seen many changes in that place during the thirty
years of his residence there, and has himself been active in
promoting its development and growth. He is a native of New Hanover
township, Montgomery Co., Pa., born Feb. 20, 1834, and belongs to a
branch of the Geist family which has long been settled in
Montgomery county. It is believed they come from the same stock as
the Geists of Longswamp township, Berks county. Mr. Geist recalls
that four sleighs filled with “Geist” relatives came to visit his
parents in the Falkner Swamp from Longswamp township, Berks county,
and he remembers hearing his parents speak of the relationship
existing between the Longswamp and Falkner Swamp Geists. In 1850
one Valentine Giest, Sr., died in Longswamp township, leaving his
wife Catharine and a son Valentine, Jr., a daughter Lydia (Weber),
and other children whose names are not mentioned in the will,
recorded in Book 9, p. 400.

Through his parents Mr. Geist learned that the
emigrant ancestor in this county, Christopher Geist, a German
mineralogist, went from the German Fatherland to England, and from
there was sent to Schwenkville, in Montgomery county, Pa., to
manage or superintend a copper mine which is to this day an old
landmark of that district. It is believed that one of the sons of
the emigrant located in Longswamp township, Berks county. We find
that one Christopher Geist came to America in 1740 on the ship
“Lydia”; Fried. William Geist came on the ship “Ranier” to America
in 1749; and Hans Jacob Geist came on the “Brothers” in 1754.

Matthias Geist, believed to be the
great-grandfather of Henry S. Geist, lived on the west bank of the
Schuylkill river, in Chester county, Pa. It is thought he was
buried at a Mennonite meeting-house in that county.

Conrad Geist, grandfather of Henry S. Geist,
hailed from Chester county, near the Schuylkill river, and settled
in New Hanover township, Montgomery county, on the Swamp creek,
where he farmed and had a gristmill. He died at the age of
fifty-two years, and is buried at the Swamp Church. His wife, whose
maiden name was Mary Groff, survived him. They had children as
follows: Daniel lived near Limerick, Pa.; Henry lived at Pottstown,
Pa.; Samuel; Matthias lived at Pottstown; Maria m. Amos Brower;
Elizabeth m. Jacob Stetler; Catherine died young; Conrad lived at
Uniontown, Dauphin Co., Pa.; and Isaac was of Pottstown.

Samuel Geist, son of Conrad, was the father of
Henry S. Geist. He was born in the Falkner Swamp district in
Montgomery county in 1805, and there made his home, following
farming and his trade of wheelwright. He owned a good tract of
about fifty acres, now the property of his son Samuel. Mr. Geist
died about 1882, when seventy-seven years old, and is buried in the
Swamp Church cemetery. His wife Elizabeth Zuber, daughter of
Christopher Zuber, was born in 1804, long survived him, passing
away in her ninety-fifth year, and she, too, is buried in the Swamp
Church cemetery. Their children were: Lucy Ann died at the age of
fifteen years; Esther m. James Markley; Henry S.; Samuel; and
Ephraim died in childhood.

Henry S. Geist was reared upon the home farm,
and began his education in the old pay schools conducted in the
Falkner Swamp during the period of his boyhood. He worked for his
parents at home until seventeen years old, when he commenced to
learn carriage-making at the Swamp, and he followed this trade as a
journeyman for about forty years altogether. In about 1858 he
commenced to work on his own account, at the Swamp, and there he
continued in business for twenty-one years, doing very well. In
1878 he moved to Bechtelsville, a borough of lower Berks county,
and purchased the old Bechtel homestead, comprising sixty-one
acres, from which he has since sold a number of building lots. Mr.
Geist has witnessed many changes in Bechtelsville since his arrival
in the place, and has been instrumental in bringing about many of
the improvements which have added to the value of property and
raised the standing of the borough. He engaged in farming on the
old Bechtel place until his retirement in 1896. Mr. Geist is a
substantial and respected citizen, and besides looking well after
his own affairs has taken part in the life of his community, having
served as school director of Bechtelsville for three years. He has
been very active in church work, and upon the erection of the
Bechtelsville (Reformed and Lutheran), in 1886, he not only donated
the ground but also gave liberally toward the building itself,
served as a member of the building committee and assisted in many
other ways.

In October, 1856, Mr. Geist married Lydia
Welker, daughter of George and Catherine (Kumerer) Welker, of
Pennsburg, Pa., and to this marriage were born four children:
Cevila m. William Fink, of Allentown, Pa.; Dr. James lives at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Annie m. Oscar Winters, of Royer’s Ford,
Montgomery county; and Irwin is a bookkeeper at Royer’s Ford,
employed at the Emmers hosiery manufactory.

During the Civil war Mr. Geist was in the
service for a time in the State defense, belonging to the company
of his cousin, Capt. Jesse Geist, which company was organized by
Daniel Yost, and their colonel was Charles A. Knoderer. They were
sent to Hagerstown at the time of the battle of Antietam. Mr. Geist
is a Democrat in political opinion.

[ A complete history of the Geist family and its
genealogy has been written by George Geist, of Frankford, Pa. who
intends to present it to the Pennsylvania German Society]

GENNER,
ALFRED J.

p. 1364

Surnames: GENNER, REMPPIS, BROCKWAY, WOLCOTT, ROEPER

Alfred J. Genner, president and general manager of The Temple
Ornamental and Structural Iron Works Company, one of the important
and prospering industries of Temple, Pa., has been identified with
the development of this enterprise since its organization, having
been its careful and conservative presiding officer since that
time. He is a man of wide experience in his line of activity and
occupies a position of prominence in the business world. Mr. Genner
is a native of England, where his education was received.

While in his native country Mr. Genner learned
the method of iron making, and in the spring of 1880 he came to
America and settled in Chester county, Pa., where he secured
employment with the Crucible Iron Works. After about ten years with
this company, he accepted a position with Jackson and Sharp, at
Wilmington, Del., and served with them for six years as manager of
the iron department. He then resigned to engage in the ornamental
iron business, but subsequently located in Reading, and for five
years was employed at the W.F. Remppis Iron Works. Mr. Genner then
organized the Temple Ornamental and Structural Iron Works Company,
which was later established on a joint stock basis, the officers
being: Alfred J. Genner, president and general manager; J. D.
Brockway, vice president; and Wilfred Wolcott, secretary, of
Camden, N. J.; and K. B. Genner, treasurer. The above gentlemen
with Herman P. Roeper, compose the board of directors. Mr. Genner
still controls the chief interest in this enterprise, and its
continuous growth and expansion is directly attributable to his
intelligent and well-applied efforts.

Ever since its organization the company has
maintained an office in New York, which is located at No. 207
Broadway, and it has executed many large and important contracts in
that city and vicinity. Lately the company has furnished all the
ornamental iron work used in the construction of the new Bellevue
Hospital, New York, as well as all the ornamental iron work for the
Essex County Hospital buildings for the State of New Jersey: while
another contract includes fire escapes for the Dupont Building,
Wilmington, Del. How extensive has been the work of the company
during recent years will be seen from the fact that it has filled
orders for such representative concerns as the Bell Telephone
Company, Lyric Theater Company, University of Pennsylvania, and
others in Philadelphia; West Chester State Normal School, West
Chester, Pa.; Wilmington Pumping Station, Wilmington, Del.; New
York and New Jersey Telephone Company, Jamaica, L. I.; Monroe
County Bank, East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Schuylkill Trust Company,
Pottsville, Pa.; the new Mishler Theater, Altoona, Pa.; and
numerous contracts throughout the State for the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company.

The business of the Temple Ornamental and
Structural Iron Works Company was never in a stronger or more
prosperous condition than at the present time and it is steadily
increasing in volume from month to month. It was owing to the
growth of the company’s business that a branch office was opened in
April. 1907, at No. 308 Harrison Building, Philadelphia, where its
interests are constantly growing in volume and importance. Mr.
Genner divides his time between the main offices at Temple and the
branches at Philadelphia and New York. The company’s output
embraces a wide and varied line of architectural and ornamental
wrought and cast iron work, plain and artistic iron work of all
kinds, office and bank work, elevator enclosures, iron stairs, fire
escapes, railing, fencing, grilles, etc., and the facilities at its
command are of the most complete and advantageous character.