JOHN GEIGER (deceased); was born at Arb, near Frankfort, Aug. 20, 1814; he lost his parents when he was 7 years of age; at the age of 18, he was oversser of the prison at Frankfort; while there, he assisted six political prisoners to escape, he fleeing to France and then to New York; one of the prisoners was Dr. Wislisce, now of St. Louis, a noted physician; the father of Dr. Bunsen, of Freeport, Ill., was also one of the six; from New York he went to Philadelphia, Penn.; worked at the cigar business; then to Bellview, Ill., as clerk in a country store, and by his steady habits he soon engaged for himself, but failed in 1848; he then came to Cassville; the same year paid his creditors and engaged in business at this place with Raffanf, which he continued until the time of his death, Dec. 5, 1873; Mr. R. sold out to Geiger in 1860 and went to Germany. Mr. Geiger was Postmaster many years ago, also on the Town Board several years and on School Board. By birth he was a Catholic; in politics, Democratic. He was a steady, honest man, respected by all who knew him; by strict business integrity, he accumulated property, so the family can live independent; they own about 1,200 acres of land and a beautiful town property. His first wife was Christina Nickolas, born in Germany in 1831, married in 1854 and died in 1859, leaving three children - Gustav, born Aug. 19, 1855, died Jan. 31, 1880; Mary, born in 1856, now Mrs. Hufsehnnett, in Lansing, Iowa; Otto, born April 3, 1858, now of the firm of Klindt, Geiger & Co.; his second wife was Josephine Schalz, born Nov. 26, 1832; came to America in 1853, to St. Louis; married to Mr. Carlin, who died in 1859; then married to Mr. Geiger in 1862, by whom there were six children - Minnie, born in 1863; John, born in 1865; Josie, born in 1866; Ferdinand, born in 1867; Henry, born in 1869; and Pauline, born in 1870.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.