Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Geiss, David B 1812 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 5, 2007, 6:33 pm

Author: Portraits & Bio Sketches, 1890

DAVID B. GEISS. In this county are to be found several farmers who have 
reached a high degree of prosperity by the persistent pursuit of a chosen 
calling, and the exercise of prudence and foresight in the conduct of their 
affairs. Among these none deserves the notice of the biographical writer more 
than the gentleman whose cognomen forms the heading of this sketch. He began 
his career in life with but the talents bestowed upon him by nature and the 
knowledge of milling learned from his father; he now ranks among the wealthy 
residents of Wilton Township, where he owns a valuable estate and is enjoying 
merited repose after years of toil and activity. The parents of our subject 
were George A. and Susan (Bright) Geiss, natives of Berks County, Pa., who 
died in Lebanon County, at an advanced age. The father was a hard-working man, 
who made milling and farming the work of his life. The father belonged to the 
Lutheran Church and the mother to the Reformed Church. Their family comprised 
twelve children—Mary, Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth, John, George, David B., Kate, 
Matilda, Peter, Reuben and Susan. Of this large family there survives at this 
date John, George, Matilda, Susan, Kate and David B. The subject of this 
sketch was born April 16, 1812, in Lebanon County, Pa., and reared in that and 
Berks County, his time being spent in the mill and on the farm, of both 
pursuits gaining a knowledge in early life. After learning the trade, he 
carried on the milling business successfully for twenty-five years, both in 
Berks and Center Counties. In the latter he made his home twenty-two years. 
After a quarter of a century devoted to that calling, he discovered that his 
health required him to adopt some occupation that would keep him in the open 
air much of the time. He therefore turned his attention to farming, and in 
1868 came to Will County, Ill., and bought his present farm. It consists of 
one hundred and ninety-six acres on section 6, Wilton Township, and was 
conducted successfully by the owner for several years. He improved it until it 
is ranked among the finest estates in the township, and is a home of which any 
man might well be proud. Owing to his advanced age and feeble health, Mr. 
Giess now rents the farm, living in retirement in the midst of the adornments 
he has put upon the face of Nature. Mr. Geiss has been twice married, his 
first wife having been Sarah Kerlin, of Berks County, Pa., who shared his joys 
and sorrows until December 7, 1859, when death took her. She was the mother of 
eleven children. Of these, William F. lives in Chicago; Alison is deceased; 
David lives in Center, Center County, Pa.; Susan is deceased; Daniel lives in 
Joliet; Sarah is deceased; Jacob, Mary J. and Anna C. complete the circle of 
survivors, and the roll of the dead includes two infants unnamed on earth. For 
his second companion Mr. Geiss chose Katharine, a sister of his first wife, 
with whom he was united October 4, 1860. Prior to this union she had been 
twice married, her first husband having been William Schrefler, by whom she 
had two children—Mary and William. After his death she married William Runkie, 
by whom she also had two children—Sarah and Jacob. Mrs. Geiss is now eighty 
years of age. Her life has been a useful and up right one, and she merits the 
esteem of her acquaintances and the "good report" that follows her. Mr. Geiss 
is one of the most intelligent and wellread men of the community, and in his 
company an hour can ever be spent in a profitable manner. His energy of 
character, the manner in which he carved out a fortune from adverse 
surroundings, and the upright life that has been led by him, alike gain the 
high regard of all who know him, and all rejoice in his prosperity. He is a 
stanch Democrat. Both he and his good wife hold membership in the Lutheran 
Church. Mr. Geiss has twenty-six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 
 


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