Biography of GEIER, George, Orleans Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller April 1998 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 522-523. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. Geier, George, who is a leading manufacturer, building contractor and principal in the firm of Geier Bros., was born in New Orleans, Nov. 12, 1851, and is the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Haberman) Geier. Charles was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 11, 1824, and came to New Orleans in 1849. In Gemnany he was a miner, but in this country he followed the business of builder until his death in 1891. Elizabeth Haberman was born in Bavaria July 25, 1830 and was married to Mr. Geier before coming to this country. She died in 1906. Five children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Geier are now living in New Orleans viz.: George, the subject of this sketch, Margaret, now Mrs. Ahrends, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Steimle, Bertha, now Mrs. Kerner and Charles G. P. Geier. Mr. George Geier has lived in New Orleans all his life. In his youth he attended public schools and in the evenings pursued a commercial course in Soule' college. At the age of 16, he entered the service of F. Fischer which later became the Fischer Lumber Co.. and remained with them 17 years. This service included everything about lumber from the tree to the building and gave Mr. Geier a thorough training in all branches of the lumber business. At the end of this period he spent 9 years in pine saw mills in Alabama and Mississippi. His younger brother, Charles, accompanied him wherever he went. He then returned to New Orleans and went into the building business. Jan. 1, 1906 the two brothers formed a partnership in the building and contracting business under the firm name of Geier Bros. At that time the firm had in their employ, Clarence and Louis Geier, two sons of George Geier. In 1908 Geier Bros Building & Manufacturing Co. was organized and incorporated under Louisiana laws. The membership in this company consisted of the brothers. Charles G. P. and George Geier, and Charles A. Geier, Clarence Geier and Louis Geier, the latter 3 being sons of George Geier. In 1906, the Geier brothers started in business with a capital of $80 in cash and $350 in lumber, and by strict attention to business, hard work and fair dealing, this has developed into a company whose assets are $125,000. Mr. George Geier is a member of the Contractor's and Dealers' Exchange, and of the Association of Commerce. He is also a 32nd degree Mason and a Mystic Shriner. During the volunteer fire department in the 7th district, Mr. George Geier was chief engineer for 8 years. He is a member of the board of directors of the Reliance Homestead association and a member of St. Matthew's Evangelical church. He has been repeatedly asked to run for some office, but has always refused to do so. June 18, 1872, Mr. Geier married Miss Aurelia Deneke, daughter of Antoine Deneke, a native of Prussia, Germany, who came to Louisiana and was a grower of the famous Perique tobacco. To Mr. and Mrs. George Geier the following children have been born: Henrietta, now Mrs. Arbo; Charles A., Clarence, Elfrieda, now Mrs. A. L. Hisso, and Louis Geier. Mrs. George Geier died Oct. 1, 1913, a little past 68 years of age. For 41 years she had been the faithful wife of Mr. Geier. Friends from far and near and many floral tributes gave evidence of the high esteem in which she was held. The sterling character of his German ancestors has enabled Mr. Geier to take a front rank among the business men of his native city and he is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of New Orleans.