My Genealogy Hound

PROF. HEZEKIAH R. GEIGER is distinguished in the educational annals of Ohio as one of the founders of Wittenberg College, whose erudition and earnest labors in its behalf, while holding one of its professorships, contributed largely to raise it to the highest eminence among the literary institutions of its class in our land. He severed his connection with the college after many years service within its walls, only to accept a position with the United States Geological Survey, remaining with it several years until his resignation in 1890.

The Professor is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Greencastle, Franklin County, January 10, 1820, a son of Henry Geiger, who was born in Schuylkill County, the same State. His grandfather, Charles Geiger, was born of German parentage and at the tine of the Revolution was living near Philadelphia, and bore an honorable part in the struggle for freedom between the Colonists and the mother country. He was a miller by trade, and so far as known, spent his entire life in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was reared and married in his native State, and resided there until 1832, and then, animated by the same spirit that led some of his ancestry to cross the waters from the German fatherland, he emigrated to a more newly settled country, coming to Ohio with his wife and seven children. He located first in Columbiana County, but later removed to Champaign County and cast in his lot with its pioneers. He bought property in Urbana, and lived retired in his last years, spending the latter part of his life with his children, but died in Dayton at the house of his eldest son, Dr. Geiger. He was a man of good mental calibre, and sober, earnest convictions, a good citizen, and, true to the blood of the Revolutionary grandsire coursing through his veins, he was intensely loyal in his patriotic devotion to his country, and at the breaking out of the war, eagerly offered his services to defend the honor of the old flag, but to his sorrow he was rejected on account of his advanced age. In the time of the war of 1812 he was an ardent Democrat and served as a soldier in that war and participated in several of the important and hard fought battles along the lakes under Gen. Scott. He was a man of brave and sterling qualities as a soldier and a patriot, but afterward joined the Whigs, and when the Republican party was organized he fell into its ranks. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Lutheran Church, showing by the rectitude of their lives the reality of their religious professions. His wife died some years before he did in their home in Urbana. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter.

The son of whom we write was the third in order of birth. His early life was passed in his native State, where he was given every advantage to gain a liberal education, and he was graduated from Pennsylvania College in the class of 1846, with a high rank in scholarship. After leaving college he came to Springfield and became identified with its best educational interests as one of the founders of Wittenberg College, and to his devoted work in its behalf it owes much of its success. When the college opened he accepted a professorship and became instructor of natural sciences and mathematics, and during his connection with the institution he was one of its most earnest and cultured teachers; his thorough familiarity with the subjects taught, his easy and clear method of instruction, combined with his ever courteous and kindly considerations for, and sincere interest in the welfare of the students who were so fortunate to sit under his teachings made him a general favorite with all, and he still holds a warm place in the hearts of many who have since gone forth in the world and have risen to places of prominence in various walks of life. As the school grew in numbers, the Professor’s duties grew more arduous and he had to resign the chair of mathematics, and devote himself exclusively to teaching the natural sciences. He was thus engaged for many years till his resignation in 1882, much to the regret of the college authorities, and all connected with the institution. The same year, 1882, he accepted a position as a member of the United States Geological Survey, for which his well-trained mind amply qualified him. He remained with the Survey until 1890 when he resigned his position.

Prof. Geiger was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Melvina Hartford, December 14, 1854. She is a lady of fine mind, which has been broadened and deepened by thorough culture, rendering her a fitting companion for the man by whose side she has walked life’s journey for more than thirty years. She is a native of West Virginia but received her education in Steubenville, this State, and met her future husband here in Springfield where she had come to accept a position as teacher in the Presbyterian Seminary. The happiness of their felicitous wedded life has been increased by the seven children born to them as follows: Alice C., Albert, Elizabeth, the wife of Arthur D. Hosterman, of whom see sketch; Anna, the wife of John N. Garver; Harry M., Ella T., and Frank.

As a teacher, our subject was an ornament to the profession; as a scientist, a man of exceptional talent and fine mentality, his acute and accurate powers of observation, and keen analytical mind made his services invaluable both to the college, with which his name will ever be associated, and to the Government while in its employ. The Professor is as active in the religious as in the educational cause of that denomination for whose interests he has so long been a worker, and he, his wife and five of his children are members of the First Lutheran Church of this city.