My Genealogy Hound

HON. CHARLES GEUMALLEY, ex-Associate Judge of Perry County, who is now engaged in the jewelry business in Pinckneyville, is one of the worthy citizens which Germany has furnished to this community. He was born in Bavaria, April 24, 1838, and is a son of Jacob Geumalley, who was a farmer, and who in 1844 emigrated to the New World. He took up his residence in Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1866. He married Marguerite Ring, who was also a native of Bavaria. She departed this life in Pinckneyville in 1870. In their family were fifteen children, seven sons and eight daughters, but our subject is the only one of the brothers now living, and only two of the sisters still survive: Mary, the wife of a jeweler of Chicago; and Madelina, who is married to a farmer of Stewardson, Ill.

Charles Geumalley was a lad of only twelve summers when he began to learn the jeweler’s trade in Pottsville, Pa. In 1857, with the hope of bettering his financial condition, he came to the west, locating in Chicago, where he worked at his trade for a little more than a year. In 1858 he came to Pinckneyville, where he embarked in business on his own account on a small scale. From the beginning he prospered, his trade constantly increasing, while he continually increased his stock to meet the growing demand. His well directed efforts and good business ability have brought to him a handsome competency.

In 1863 Mr. Geumalley was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Mann, daughter of John Mann, one of the pioneer settlers of Monroe County, Ill. They now have five children: Gertrude, wife of Charles Bishof, of Decatur, Ill.; Mary, Laura, Fannie and Charles W., who are still with their parents. Their home is one of the finest residences in the city.

In connection with his jewelry business, Mr. Geumalley is interested in other enterprises. He is a stockholder and Vice-President of the Pinckneyville Milling Company; was for seven years President of the creamery company, and owns considerable real estate. In religious belief he is a Catholic, and in politics he has ever been a stalwart Democrat. He has served as County Commissioner, and for three years was one of the Associate Judges of the county. For the past twenty-eight years he has been City Treasurer of Pinckneyville, an honor which is well merited by prompt service and fidelity to duty. His frequent reelections also indicate his popularity and the high regard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. There is probably no one in Perry County who is held in higher esteem than the gentleman whose name heads this record, and it therefore gives us great pleasure to present to our readers this sketch of his life, knowing that it will be received with interest by many of his friends.