This is the tombstone of George Geisler, located in row 3 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
George Geisler
1864-1943
“George” Johann Conrad Geisler was born in Willshire Township on 6 June 1864, the son of Johann “Nicholas” and Elisabeth (Stemling) Geisler. He was baptized 12 June 1864, with George Geisler and Conrad Baals as his sponsors. Both of his parents were German immigrants.
The Nicholas Geisler family in 1870, living on a farm in Willshire Township: Nicholas, 38; Elisabeth, 41; George, 6; and John 4. Some of their neighbors included E. Zimmerman, George Steeger, and Michael Greib. [1] A daughter, Anna, was born into the family in the fall of 1870.
The Nicholas Geisler household in 1880: Nicholas, 49; Elisabeth, 50; George, 16; John, 13; and Anna J, 9. [2]
Twenty years later, the Nicholas Geisler family in 1900, Willshire Township: Nicholas, 66; Elisabeth, 72; George, 34; John, 32; and Anna, 30. This enumeration indicates that Nicholas and Elisabeth had been married 38 years and that Elisabeth had given birth to 3 children, all of whom were still living. Nicholas was a farmer and their 3 children were not married. Nicholas immigrated in 1849 and Elisabeth in 1853. [3]
The mother Elisabeth Geisler died May 12, 1905. [4]
The Nicholas Geisler household in 1910: Nicholas, 77; George, 46; John, 43; and Anna, 41. The two sons were farming the family farm by this time. [5]
The father Nicholas Geisler died in 1912 [6] and George and his sister Anna resided in the family home in 1920. [7]
George’s sister Anne Geisler died in 1934.
George Geisler died at the Van Wert County Hospital on 3 November 1943, at the age of 79 years, 4 months, and 27 days. He was buried on the 5th. He never married.
Nicholas and Elisabeth Geisler had the following children, according to Zion Schumm’s records:
George Johann Conrad (1864-1943)
Johann George Conrad (1866-1916)
Christoph (1869-1869)
Anna Johanna (1870-1934)
[1] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert Ohio, p.436B, dwelling 97, family 98, Nicholas Geisler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[2] 1880 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 154, p.446C, family 56, N. Gaesler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED98, dwelling 198, family 203, Nicklos Giessler; (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[4] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Willshire Township, Van Wert, Deaths, Vol. 3, p.85, Elizabeth Giessler, 12 May 1905; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6L3-N97 : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.3B, dwelling & family 65, Nicholas Geisler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[6] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Willshire Township, Van Wert, Nicholas Geissler, 15 Feb 1912; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZY-T21G?i=88&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CF-L2Y : viewed 17 Feb 2020).
[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.6B, dwelling 128, family 129, George Geisler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 17 Feb 2020).