Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

H. V. Geisinger, who follows farming and stock-raising on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated on section 34, Storm Lake township, is one of the progressive and prosperous citizens of this part of Buena Vista county.  He was born near Mendota in Lee county, Illinois, July 31, 1861, a son of David and Sarah G. (Barrett) Geisinger, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1829.  Mr. Geisinger went to Illinois as a young man and there worked at the carpenter's trade in early life, while later he engaged in farming.  In 1900 he removed to Iowa and spent his last years in Storm Lake, passing away November 8, 1904.  His widow is still living and yet makes her home in Storm Lake, and four sons and two daughters of the family also survive.

H. V. Geisinger; acquired his education in the schools of his native county and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty years.  At that time he became imbued with a desire to see something of the newer west and to make a place in the world for himself.  Accordingly he went to Clay county, Iowa, and sought and secured employment as a farm hand by the month.  He carefully saved his earnings in the hope that he might eventually become a landholder and in a few years his anticipations were realized when he became the owner through purchase of two hundred and eighty acres of land in Clay county.  He cultivated this tract for a time but eventually disposed of it and purchased a second tract.  He later invested in three hundred and twenty acres there, which he rented.  He engaged in farming near Sioux Rapids for twenty-two years, when, in 1902, he purchased his present farm property of two hundred and forty acres, later adding eighty acres on section 54, Storm Lake township, within a mile of the city of Storm Lake.  He still owns a half section of land near Sioux Rapids in Clay county. He is engaged in general farming, raises and feeds stock and also gives some time to the dairy business.  He ships from two to three hundred head of cattle and from one hundred and fifty to three hundred head of hogs annually.  Mr. Geisinger displays excellent business judgment in carrying on his affairs and his labors are resulting in a gratifying success.

Mr. Geisinger was married in Lee county, Illinois, on the 5th of February, 1885, to Miss Kate Pierce, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cole) Pierce.  Her father was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and from that state removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming for several years.  About 1882 he became a resident of Bedford, Taylor county, Iowa, where he died seventeen years ago, but his wife is still living.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geisinger were born seven children, of whom one, Carroll E., died in infancy, the survivors being:  Forest, who is now pursuing a musical course in Chicago; Glen H., at home; Crystal G.; Lawrence G.; Charlotte Irene; and Arlo Wayne.

Politically Mr. Geisinger is a republican but has never sought nor desired public office.  He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church at Storm Lake.  He is well known both in Clay and Buena Vista counties as a progressive, public-spirted [sic] man, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further the best interests of his home locality.  His success has come to him through hard work and through judicious investment and today he stands as one of the prosperous men of Buena Vista county.