This is a slightly abridged version of a published and copyrighted document. This Newsletter appears in abridged form for purposes of brevity and ease of reading on the internet. Please see the Geesaman Newsletter Homepage concerning changes. Audrey Shields Hancock
The bicentennial year of 1976 has passed into history. It will live long in the memories of many of us! In this new year of 1977, your editors wish each and every one of our readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
In the January issue of 1976 a suggestion was made to have as a bicentennial project, the search for information on the activities of our ancestors in the American Revolution. We have printed several articles about those who were in the Civil War. We would like to repeat the request to send this type of information. If anyone has an item on this subject, please send to either of your editors for printing in a future issue.
We have found that by filing the copies of the newsletters in a loose-leaf binder, it is easier to refer to articles in back issues. This has been helpful to us in our search. By studying the baptismal records, the soundex findings, the immigrant lists and other records that have been printed, we have been able to fill in many gaps in our records. An item that may seem of little interest may be just what another cousin needs for their records.
Please send the membership form, if you have not already done so. If your dues ARE paid, perhaps another member of your family would like to become a member of the Geesaman Family Association.
Among the new books inspired by our bicentennial observance during the year of 1976 is �Kettle River Country� by Ruth Lakin of Orient, Washington. It is a history of the lower Kettle River area of northern Washington, beginning with the original Indian inhabitants and recounting the coming of the early day white settlers. In its 260, 8�x10� pages are 500 pictures of the early day scenes and of literally thousands of pioneer settlers and their families. One picture used was reproduced from our newsletter of July 1975, page 31, which shows George W. and Lenora Geesaman standing in front of their pioneer log cabin home. The Geesaman homestead was along Deadman Creek, a tributary of Kettle River.
In the April Issue we would like to print notices of upcoming reunions. Please send your information as to dates, locations, time and any other information you would like to have printed concerning reunions of all Geesaman or related family groups. Possibly some of our vacationing or retired �Cousins� would like to attend a reunion in a location other than their own and in that way get acquainted with some relatives they have never met.
You�ll never believe this, but here I am again, trying to think what I can write in my Christmas letter, and as I take a look in retrospect, I think this has been the best year of all. So many wonderful happy things have happened to make life worthwhile at 96 it is almost unbelievable. This has been a real Bi-Centennial for me and celebrated in a big way.
On March 31, a contingent of the Wagon Train from Oregon passed through our town, on the way to meet other sections, enroute to Valley Forge for July 4th celebration, and when I heard that, I was like an old fire horse when the fire alarm sounded! My pioneer blood boiled up, I donned cape and sunbonnet and met them at the station where they were watering their horses, and tried to join them. I even told them I was experienced having crossed Coast Range Mountains in a covered wagon in 1897, but the wagon-master said I was too old. A great disappointment, but a good try, and a memorable way to celebrate my birthday!
In June I had the fulfillment of my life�s desire to have Class Instruction in Christian Science from an authorized teacher; spent two happy weeks in Topeka, Kansas, in study there and gained great good for which I am very grateful.
During the summer months, we had open house for visitors from 12 different states ranging from coast to coast. What wonderful times we all had!
Then in September and October, with daughter Edith, Betty and Bev., and our dear friend Mabel Littlefair from Phoenix, we had our yearly pilgrimage, this year majoring in larger cities which included Chicago, New York, Boston, St. Louis, Little Rock, Lincoln and Omaha. We again covered a distance of over 3000 miles; am getting to be a real seasoned traveler. If plans can be completed, we think it will the moon next year. Anyway you can dream, can�t you?
My sincerest wish for you all is a most Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Love you all,
Again we are indebted to Miss Anna Geesaman, 41 E. Areba Ave., Hershey, PA 17033, and her sister Miss Sara who furnishes the transportation to the sources, for the information she has been sending us. Below is a letter to Richard Kirkpatrick, dated Sept. 1, 1976 . . .
I have been to the new Lebanon Historical Society several times lately but have not found much to send. They have a nice place now and a girl there who is paid by the State.
She got our more church records and cemetery records than I had when there was only volunteer ladies in charge.
There is a GEORGE and a WILLIAM GIASEMAN in the 1745 Census also other places we find those same names. I think there must have been two brothers.
Bernadine and John E. had a good visit with you. I hope to hear more about you folks if I get to go to the reunion.
Keep well and best wishes to you and Bonnie.
Sincerely,
Anna Geesaman
P.S.: Anna and Sara both made it to the reunion in Waynesboro, and we had a wonderful time. Our only regret was that the time sped by too fast and that all of our cousins from all over could not make it. And we may add here, if we keep our health and God�s willing we expect to register at the 76th reunion of the Samuel and Elizabeth (GEESEMAN) Skinner, held at Monroe, Michigan. (B.G.)
P.S.: Miss Anna continues: (A new name for the marriage list.)
July 4, 1819, Daniel Batteicher and ANNA MARIE GEESAMAN were married in Christ Lutheran Church, Strouchburg, Berks County, PA. �Geesaman Cousins� (Same as Christ Lutheran Tulpenhocken.)
Peter Geesaman, born 1856 is the son of William (my great grandfather Geesaman Cousins, page 4 of Jan. 76 and page 32 of July 76 issue). I am so glad to see in July Geesaman Cousins that they have found a place for William 1815 in the family. What was Heinrich�s occupation? Some of this history is a puzzle to me. I am trying to get William�s children in line as to birth and deaths, don�t seem to be able to find anyone with an old Bible, with the family.
Mary P. who they think is Mary Pannebacker on page 4 Vol. 11 April 76 of Geesaman Cousins is in fact a small child who died of small pox when great grandfather William died. Buried at Shellsville. Mary Pannebacker married Enos Pannebacker, was a half-sister to my grandmother Sara Keefer Geesaman (b. 1848). Their mother was Margaret Beughtold or Bechtold Keefer but Mary was christened Mary Hummel in 1846.
The above picture of a small logging operation in the �Kettle River Country� of Washington was taken in 1906. Homesteaders along Deadman Creek, a tributary of the Kettle River, supplemented their income by logging for the sawmills, cutting railroad ties and cedar poles. Driver of this wagon load of logs was John H. Geesaman, father-in-law of Mrs. Oscar H. (Edith) Geesaman, writer of the following article.
After reading the homestead advertisement circulated in Oklahoma, Granddad John Geesaman, father of my husband Oscar, the George Mayers, their son Ed and his wife Jessie (Oscar�s half-sister), and their bachelor son George Mayer, chartered a railroad car and shipped their farm animals, farm implements and household goods to Spokane, Washington in the fall of 1903. Oscar�s youngest sister, Grace was born December 3, 1903 in Spokane.
The following spring they headed farther west for Chesaw, but stopped off at Boyds, Washington, where a boxcar served as the post office. Also there were a few scattered shacks, one of which was occupied by Charley Boyd who operated a ferry across Kettle River in 1898. The ferry ceased to operate in 1901 when the railroad moved in and built a bridge. The little town was later called Boyds after Charley Boyd.
The families moved into some very primitive Indian cabins out on the Kettle River bank, close to the water, while the men scouted around, located and filed on their homestead claims about seven miles west of Boyds, in a very rugged timber country.
They immediately started cutting logs for cabins, the men helping each other. The Geesaman�s cabin was the first to be completed as Grace was a baby and winter was fast approaching. They also started clearing farm ground which was the beginning of a very hard life for the families. Their only means of transportation was by horses and Grandma Geesaman said her first cabin had a dirt floor and her broom was made of branches of pine tied together.
Soon they had fields ready to farm, with all the large stumps left in to farm around. They had a big garden patch and all the hearty vegetables really thrived. It was too high on the mountain and cold for the more tender plants.
By the time the settlers had comfortable cabins and barns for their livestock, fields large enough to raise hay, more settlers had moved in, and they were faced with the problem of a school. The Geesamans, Mayers and Raul Davis donated their work and built their first one-room log school in 1906. Mrs. Davis was a daughter of the George Mayers and they had followed the other families out the next year. The school was first called Sherwood School but was later called Deadman Creek School.
The families would drive their teams to the Columbia River and walk across the railroad bridge to the small town of Marcus, where there was a doctor and a drug store. When they needed a big supply of groceries, flour, etc. to store for winter, clothes and hardware, they crossed by ferry.
Oscar and his mother used to drive the mules and wagon to a big mill at Godfrey and take vegetables, eggs and butter to the company cookhouse to supplement the family income. The men worked in the timber making mostly railroad ties and cedar poles. At one time Granddad had a small flock of sheep.
For recreation they used to dance in the upstairs of the home of Mildred Hartsoc�s mother. Mildred was the wife of Granddad�s stepson, William Hartsoc. They also walked through the woods in the snow to a pole camp and danced all night in the cookhouse and then walked home, tired but happy.
Granddad went to the coast two summers to harvest Uncle Will Geesaman�s crop. I think, Uncle Will�s health was very poor. We visited Aunt �Annie (Will�s wife) one fall and couldn�t believe the crop of oats she had.
Granddad broke his hip and crushed his leg when Oscar was twelve years old and Oscar had to take over much of the workload and be the man of the family. But despite all the hard work and hardships of the cold winters they were a happy, health family. In the winter they had to use a sled for traveling, with hot rocks at their feet and covered with blankets to keep warm.
I never tired of hearing Oscar tell about a big longhorn steer putting his head in a barrel. The horns stuck and the steer was running around bawling with his head in the barrel. It was a frightening sound.
May the year 1977 be a happy, healthy one for all the Geesaman Cousins.
Edith Geesaman,Samuel Joseph Geesaman - born 3 August 1867, son of Josiah E. Geesaman and Anna Elizabeth Pentz. Married to Cora Elizabeth Pryor on 21 Jan. 1890 in Hagerstown, MD, died 5 May 1939 in Waynesboro, PA Buried at Burn�s Hill .
Cora Elizabeth Pryor - born 4 July 1866, died 20 Nov. 1944.
Samuel Joseph Geesaman was the son of Josiah E. Geesaman and Anna Elizabeth Pentz . Most of his life was spent near Rouzerville and Waynesboro, PA. He served as school secretary and treasurer and was active in politics. He had various occupations such as road supervisor, carpenter and delivering milk for a creamery. One place on his route was the Blue Mountain House, a famous hotel that was later destroyed by fire. His daughter Ruth describes him as being a general handyman.
He married Cora Elizabeth Pryor and their children were:
Helen M. married Orville Eugene Speak on 21 June 1939 at Hagerstown, MD. Orville was born 29 May 1915. Their children are:
Ronald Eugene b 24 April 1941, m Carole Rae Provard, no children;
Barbara Ann b 27 Aug, 1943, m. 2 Sept 1961 to Clarence Samuel Cool and their children are Susan Marie Cool, Samuel Eugene and Michael Shawn Cool.
Mearle Leon, Jr., b 3 July 1923 was married at Hagerstown on 20 March 1953 to Gloria Irene Hoffman b 3 Jan. 1934. They had four children, Jeffrey Jonathan, Jerry Dennis, Michael Terry and Patricia Sue.
Richard Charles b 27 Jan 1927 was married in Hagerstown, MD on 19 June 1948 to Rosalie Martha Smith b 18 March 1930. Their five children are: Richard Charles II, Larry Gene, Merle Glenn, Roger Lee and Kelly Victor.
Joyce Evelyn b 27 Aug 1931 was married at Hagerstown, MD on 8 April 1950 to Joseph Leo Bock b 27 Nov., 1928. They have seven children, Laura Jane , Nancy Jane, Joseph Leo, Huber Daniel, Elizabeth Susan, Thomas Milton and Michael William.
Jacqueline is unmarried and lives with her mother in Waynesboro.
Herbert Samuel, Jr., b 19 July 1922 was married on 30 Dec. 1949 to Rosalie Jane Foulke b 15 April 1925.
Thelma Naomi b 4 May 1924 was married in Hampstead, MD on 17 Feb. 1945 to Ernest Harold Hess b 30 April 1924. Their children are: Patricia Ann and Robert James.
Robert James Geesaman was born 8 Nov 1929.
There has been some confusion in the records of some of our cousins due to the fact there were two ancestors named John George Gieseman, as mentioned in various records. One was born in 1736 and one was born in 1754.
The one born in 1736 had 10 children of which 8 lived. This line was printed in the July 1976 issue, page 32 and 33 of Geesaman Cousins. Since this was printed we have found that another daughter named Barbara should be on this list. Her name was found in the records of Christ Lutheran Church, Tulpehocken listed on page 16 of the April 1975 issue of Geesaman Cousins.
Information on this line came from the records of Amos F. Geesaman, Ada M. Geesaman, Anna and Sara Geesaman of Hershey, PA. A detailed record of the line of John George Gieseman, born 1754, has been given to us by Ira R. Barr, 321 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, OH. We are indebted to all of these people for their efforts to record this information. We have attempted to sort the facts of both sets of information and to record it in a way that will be of help to our readers. The line of John George Gieseman, born 1754 is printed in this issue. (BNG)
In the July 1976 of Geesaman Cousins, page 32, please fill in this information under John George Gusseman, born about 1736 of Lebanon Co., PA, died 1800. Married Maria Barbara Klein daughter of Henrich Klein, she was born 6 April 1740 christened at Zear Lutheran Church at Lebanon, Lebanon County, PA. Children 10 - 8 living. (Source: Christenings of children at Salem Lutheran Church, Lebanon. )
This record was translated by Louser of Lebanon and was at Franklin and Marshall College among the Reformed Records there. (microfilmed by our Library) FOR REFERENCE, it is interesting to study the birth and baptism records of Salem Lutheran Church of Lebanon, PA that were researched by Miss Anna Geesaman, East Areba Ave., Hershey, PA, page 8 and 9 of the January 1975 (Geesaman Cousins). Then refer to the April issue of (Geesaman Cousins) 1975 on page 16 for the births and baptism records of an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation down at the Tulpehocken nearby the Northkill. You will see that Ira Ray Barr�s Family Tree sketched on page 4, of the January 1975 Geesaman Cousins. That his John George born 1754 (parents, Geo. Wm. Guseman and wife, sponsor JOHN GEORGE GUSEMAN) see page 16 of the April 1975 Geesaman Cousins.
I, John E. Geesaman of Quincy, PA, have come to the conclusion that in 1741 when Yerigh William Gieseman came on the Snow Molly at the age of 23 yrs. that the John George of Lebanon who married Barbara Klein was 5 yrs. old at the time Yerigh William was 23 Yrs.
They could have been father and son or brothers, but they were related, note the children under 16 yrs were not listed on the ships list. Then there is a Nancy mentioned in the records here and there that I haven�t been able to place, could have been another minor at the time.
IF YOU TAKE PAGE 32 and 33 OF THE JULY 1976 (Geesaman Cousins) of the John George married Barbara Klein and this issue of Yerigh William Gieseman married to Anna Catherine Heck and put under page 32 and 33 you will have the family tree as we see it at January, 1977.
We can also provide a similar certificate for Henry Geiseman who was enrolled in the Same Company, 8th Class at the same time.
And that one George Giesemen was enrolled sometime during the period 1780-1783 as a Private, 3rd Class, Captain Baltzer Orth�s 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, Lancaster County Militia, according to the evidence of an undated Class Roll. Residence to all instances is ascribed to Lebanon Township.
Under regulations we cannot combine any of this information onto just one certificate.
And that in a Return of the Election of Officers of the Militia, made by the Brigade Inspector of the County of Cumberland, one George Geesaman was designated as Ensign of the 5th Company, 6th Battalion, and a Commission was issued accordingly, as reported in the Executive Minutes dated February 19, 1793.
If you wish information on any Geeseman who served in the War of 1812 we will be glad to conduct a search for a record upon receipt of the soldiers full name, the county of residence at the time of enlistment and the name of the Captain under whom he served.
IF your certificates have not been received by this time you should receive them in the very near future.
Sincerely,
Residence ascribed:
Tulpehocken Township
This is the way we have figured the ancestor of George Washington Geesaman. Probably born in Lebanon County, Penna., while father was in the Revolutionary War. Born 3 Dec. 1781, Married Mary M.______, Died Sandusky, Ohio, buried Washington Chapel Cemetery near Methodist Church. Stone standing (1844).
Known Children: Catherine married Peter Morton *Samuel � Mary Ann Johnson Elizabeth � Samuel Skinner John � Mary Deal Margaret � Jonathon Overmeier - Wm. Smith Mary � ___________ Mohler Peter (2) � Martha Adam never married, died Dec. 1848 Julia Ann � ________ Overmeier David Franklin m. Anna Maria Black, they had sons George and Delbert. *Samuel was the father of *William Henry, Belinda, Louis Franklin, Esther, Sara Elizabeth, Weltha Jane, Rachel C. and John L.
*William Henry was the father of Louis Franklin, Mary Mahala, *Noah Edward, Isah Eugene, Lydia Ann.
*Noah Edward was the father of Clarence Oliver, Hazel Cordelia, Inez Gwendolyn, Freddie Eldon (Fred), James Lester (Pat), Edith Esther, and Elsie Lucile.
By eliminating:
We find that George Washington Geesaman could not fit into the ancestral chart of John George William and Anna Catherine Heck, given on pages 8, 9, 10, and 11 of this issue.
John George or just George of Lebanon married to Maria Barbara Klein, who ancestral charts are in July, 1976 issue show that he had four sons. Heinrich who had no Georges, John who had no Georges, William who had a George born Feb. 7, 1794 the date which I think matches that of the George that married Elizabeth Ressley. That leaves the George born 1762 and wife Catherine (who served in the Revolutionary War with Capt. Baltzer Orth, 1781-1782, they had a son named George, whom I think was George Washington Geesaman.
Capt. Baltzer Orth married Elizabeth Geesaman, whom I believe was a daughter of George and Catherine.
In researching the Geesaman family, we have found that the names of many of our early ancestors have been repeated down through the following generations. One such name was that of William.
The William we are concerned with in this article was the son of Joseph and Leah Knepper Geesaman, grandson of William and Mary Catherine Miley Geesaman. The family is listed in the chart in the July 1976 issue on page 33. For other references see April 1976 issue, page 20 and the Will in July 1975 issue, page 35. Another reference is made to this family in the Soundex List #10, October 1975 issue, page 52.
William lived in Quincy, PA and was a tailor by trade. He was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Monn; his second wife was Lydia Riddlesberger, born 8 April 1838, died 1 Dec. 1893, buried in the Nunnery Cemetery. The listing of the family born to the second wife Lydia follows:
William and Lydia had one daughter, Elizabeth Ann, b 17 Nov., 1878, d. 1 Feb. 1958. Elizabeth married Jacob Daniel Monn, b. Oct. 1868, d 7 July 1920. Elizabeth and Daniel Monn had ten Children: (1) Roy William, (2) Jennie Viola, (3) Lee C. Monn, (4) Lydia Bell, (5) L. Maye, (6) Percy Daniel, (7) Nellie Elizabeth, (8) Sallie Ann, (9) Nora Grace, (10) Ruth Helen