BIO: Luther Sangree GEISSINGER, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 73-74. 
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  LUTHER SANGREE GEISSINGER, Huntingdon, Pa., was born February 15, 1851, on 
a farm in Juniata township, Huntingdon county, Pa.  He is a son of William 
and Eliza (Johnston) Geissinger, springing from one of the oldest families 
of eastern Pennsylvania.  His grandfather, John Geissinger, was born in 
Saucon township, Northampton county, Pa., in 1770.  At the age of thirteen 
he served, with his father, John Geissinger, Jr., in the Revolutionary war.  
In 1800 he married Hannah Sellers, of the same township, of Northampton 
county.  She was the daughter of Philip Sellers, was born in 1783, and died 
in Juniata township, Huntingdon county, in 1878, at the age of ninety-five 
years, six months and eighteen days.  Her husband died in 1846, at the same 
place.  William Geissinger, the father of Luther S., was born near 
Patterson, Juniata county, in 1812.  With his parents he removed to 
McConnellstown, Huntingdon county, and in 1819, to the farm in Juniata 
township, where he remained until his death, in 1889.  His widow, Eliza 
Geissinger, who was the daughter of James and Hannah (Kennedy) Johnston, 
still survive him.  She was born in 1814, near McConnellstown.
  Luther S. Geissinger was educated in the public schools of Juniata 
township, at Rainsburg Academy, Bedford county; Millersville State Normal 
School, Lancaster county, and at Mercerburg College, Franklin county.  
January 1, 1872, he entered the law office of Messrs. Scott, Brown & Bailey 
as a student, and was admitted to the Huntingdon bar January 13, 1873.  
After his admission to practice, Mr. Geissinger remained with said firm for 
a period of one year, the senior member being at that time a United States 
Senator, and the junior a member of the State Constitutional Convention.  In 
1874, Mr. Geissinger opened an office for himself, and has continued in 
active practice ever since in Huntingdon, with the exception of the years 
1891-2 and '93, which he spent in Chicago, Ill., returning to his native 
town in November, 1893, and resuming the practice of law.  In connection 
with this business, he is somewhat interested in farming.  He was associated 
with and had charge of the practice of the late Mr. Speer during the last 
year of that gentleman's life.  Mr. Geissinger has always been recognized as 
a safe counselor and a successful practitioner.  Mr. Geissinger is a 
Republican, and has figured conspicuously in the politics of Huntingdon 
county for many years.  He never held an elective office, and on but two 
occasions sought that honor.  In 1875, he was defeated by Judge Orlady for 
the nomination for district attorney, and in 1876, when nominated for 
Assembly, was defeated by reason of dissensions in the party.  In 1876 
Governor Hartranft appointed him notary public, and in January of the same 
year he was elected county solicitor for a term of three years.  In 1879 he 
was again appointed notary public by Governor Hoyt.  For many years he has 
been United States District Commissioner for the western district of 
Pennsylvania.
  On April 19, 1886, Luther Sangree Geissinger was married to Henrietta 
Clement, only daughter of the late Francis B. Wallace, of Huntingdon, Pa.  
They have four children:  Amelia; William; Wallace; and Charles Francis.