H.A. Geise

GEISE, WAGNER, SHIRK, DIEHL, HAGER, DALBAMEIER

Posted By: volunteer transcriber
Date: 3/3/2004 at 01:31:47

H.A. Geise

Reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm, H. A. Geise, of Independence Township, Jasper County, during the mature years of his life has not wavered in his allegiance to the great basic art of agriculture. To the public schools he is indebted for the early educational privileges that were afforded him and he duly availed himself of the same, while he has effectually broadened his knowledge through active association with men and affairs in practical business. Mr. Geise was born in Malaka Township, Jasper County, Iowa, March 30, 1860, and there he grew to manhood and has always been identified with the agricultural interests of the County as above intimated. Henry Geise, his father, was born in Germany in 1832, and died in Baxter, Iowa, in January 1907. He married Louisa Wagner, also a native of Germany, born in 1833, and who died in Baxter, Iowa, in 1903, at the age of seventy years. They grew up in Germany and immigrated to America, locating in Jasper County, Iowa, in an early day, residing in Newton the first two years. They were very poor when they came, but, being hard workers, they soon had a good home and the entire family secured a competency from Jasper County soil in later years. There were six children in the family, as follows: Etta Shirk, of Iowa City; H. A., of this review; Fred, of Baxter; Adolph lives on the home farm in Malaka Township; Minnie Diehl, of Baxter; Edward, of Newton.

The parents of these children found truly a new country when they arrived in this section of Iowa, but they could foresee a great future for it, and were willing to endure the privations of life in an undeveloped country. Mr. Geise hauled his grain to Iowa City and the next crop to Oskaloosa. There were no railroads here in those days. H. A. Geise, of this review, was married on May 26, 1886, to Lizzie Hager, who was born near Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, December 13, 1859. Her father, Simon Hager, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, in 1825, and died in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa, in 1876. He married Minnie Dalbameier, who was also born in the locality last mentioned, in the fatherland, on August 18, 1827, and she died in Jasper County, Iowa, on September 21, 1895. There were seven children in their family as follows: William, born January 23, 1857, is living in Baxter, Iowa; Lizzie, wife of Mr. Geise, of this review; George T., born September 11, 1860, of Baxter; L. A., born December 4, 1864, died in Santa Barbara, California, September 20, 1909; G. A., born April 14, 1866, lives in Baxter; Helen died in infancy; Lydia, born in Jasper County, December 2, 1875, lives in Santa Barbara, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Geise two sons have been born: Robert O., whose birth occurred on August 18, 1890, is assistant cashier in the State Savings Bank at Baxter; he graduated from the high school at Baxter in the class of 1909, after which he attended Drake University at Des Moines. The other son, George R., was born May 29, 1893, is also a graduate of the high school at Baxter and he intends to complete the course in pharmacy at Highland Park College in Des Moines.
Politically, Mr. Geise is a Republican. He has been a member of the school board of Malaka Township and has served in the same capacity since moving to Baxter. He was treasurer of Malaka Township for a number of terms and was assessor for four years. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church of Independence Township.

Mr. Geise has been very successful as a businessman. He is the owner of a very productive and well-improved farm of one hundred and thirty acres in Independence Township. He is also vice-president of the State Savings Bank at Baxter, and much of the success of this popular, sound and conservative institution during the past few years has been due in no small measure to his influence and judicious counsel. He has a commodious, modern and well-furnished home. Like his father and the other members of this worthy family, Mr. Geise is a broad-minded, enterprising, liberal and hospitable gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.

- source: Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa; Gen. James B. Weaver, editor-in-chief, B.F. Bowden & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1912; pg. 1176.
- transcribed by Ernie Braida