SEBASTIAN GEYER BIOGRAPHY, NIAGARA, NEW YORK

Copyright (c) 2001 by Karen Mohr (mohr@buffnet.net).

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Sebastian Geyer Family

Extracts from an article in "Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York" by Samuel Wiley and W. Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892.  


Sebastian Geyer was a prominent grocer of Niagara Falls and for many years was exciseman of the
village.  Sebastian Geyer was born 15 Sep 1832 in Middle Frankovia, Bavaria, the son of Joseph
GEYER and Mary BUCHBINDER.

Sebastian's grandfather was also named Joseph GEYER and he owned a fine farm in Germany where
he was born, lived and died.

Sebastian's father, Joseph GEYER, sold his land in Germany and brought his family to America in
1844.  His wife Mary died within three weeks of landing, when Sebastian was about 12.  His
father remarried.  Joseph lived for a time in Buffalo, NY.  Later he purchased a farm in Erie
County and moved his family there.  He died at his home in 1872.  He was a "strict Catholic."
Joseph GEYER m Mary BUCHBINDER and they had these children:

Children of Joseph GEYER and Mary BUCHBINDER:
1.  Paul GEYER, farmer, lives on old family homestead at West Alden, NY;
2.  Sebastian GEYER, subject of this sketch;
3. Joseph GEYER, deceased abt 1870.
4. Elias GEYER, enlisted NY Volunteers in the Civil War and was wounded at Indianola, Texas;
 now (1892)  resides in Indiana.
5. Margaret GEYER, deceased.

After his mother died (abt 1844), Sebastian had to go to work.  In 1857 he went to Niagara
Falls and worked as a general mechanic in and around the International Hotel, became night
clerk and, in 1867, was promoted to hotel steward.  About 1869 he opened a store on Front
Street in Niagara Falls and embarked on his grocery business.

Sebastian GEYER m Oct 1853 to Mary PERRY, an orphan.  Their children:
1.  Mary GEYER m R.A. FERGUSON, proprietor of Niagara Falls Hotel.  (They had 2 ch:
Ida FERGUSON & Robert FERGUSON);
2.  Frank GEYER m Lily ROMAIN, resided Toronto, Canada.  (They had 3 ch: Frederick
 GEYER, Frank GEYER & Joseph GEYER);
3.  Lucy GEYER m Harry H. HINE, resided Chicago, ILL. (They had son Charles HINE.); 
4.  Frederick GEYER m Sarah B. DENNEY;  in tobacco & cigar business at Niagara Falls, NY;
5.  Annie GEYER m George J. RICE who owned Nia. Falls meat market.  (Their son Roy RICE).
6.  Joseph GEYER, lives w/ parents (1892).
7.  Infant GEYER, died young.

Sebastian GEYER was a strict Roman Catholic and was president of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent
Society of Niagara Falls, NY from 1887 till time of publication of book (maybe longer).  He
served as exciseman for 18 consecutive years and was also president of the village in 1886.