Tombstone Tuesday–Nicholas Geisler

Nicholas Geisler, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Nicholas Geisler, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

GEISLER
Nicholas
Geisler
June 27, 1832
Feb. 16, 1912

Johann “Nicholas“ Geisler was born 27 June 1832 in Gruengraben, Bavaria, according to Zion Lutheran Schumm’s records. He immigrated to America in about 1849. [1] Zion Schumm’s records indicate he had a sister Anna Geisler, who married Conrad Baals.

Their father was likely Michael Geisler. The Michael Geisler family in 1850: Michael, 50; Anna, 21; Nicholas, 18; George, 21; Barbara, 15; and Margaret, 11. Michael Geisler was a farmer and all were born in Germany. [2]

In 1860 Nicholas was living with his sister Anna (Geisler) Baals and her family in Willshire Township. The Conrad Baals family in 1860: Conrad, 40; Anna, 32; George, 6; Augusta, 4; Mary, 2; and Nicholas Geisler, 27. Conrad, Anna, and Nicholas were all born in Bavaria, while the rest were born in Ohio. [3]  

Nicholas Geisler married widow Elisabeth (Coffitz) Stemler/Stemlin 3 July 1862 in Van Wert County.

The Nicholas Geisler family in 1870, living on a farm in Willshire Township: Nicholas, 38; Elisabeth, 41; George, 6; and John 4. [1] Their daughter Anna was born in the fall of 1870, so was not enumerated in this census. [4]

The family remained on the farm in Willshire Township for the next several decades. The Nicholas Geisler household in 1880: Nicholas, 49; Elisabeth, 50; George, 16; John, 13; and Anna J, 9. [5]

The Nicholas Geisler family in 1900: 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 none of their 3 children were married. It also indicates that Nicholas immigrated in 1849 and Elisabeth in 1853. [1]  

Nicholas’ wife Elisabeth died of old age in Willshire Township on 12 May 1905, at the age of 76 years. [6]

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. [7]

Johann Nicholas Geisler died in Willshire Township of a bladder infection and senility on 16 February 1912. He was 79 years, 7 months, and 19 days old and was buried on the 18th. [8] He was survived by 3 children, George, John, and Anna; a sister, Mrs. Anna [Conrad] Baals; and a niece, Mrs. August Heim. [9]

Nicholas and Elisabeth (Coffitz) Geisler had the following children:

George Johann Conrad (1864-1943)
Johann George Conrad (1866-1916)
Christoph (1869-1869)
Anna Johanna (1870-1934)

Nicholas Geilser is buried next to his wife Elizabeth.

[1] 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).

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, dwelling 108, family 124, Michael Geshler; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ : viewed 14 Mar 2020).

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.424 [stamped], p.147 [penned], dwelling 1051, family 1045, Conrad Baltz; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ : viewed 14 Mar 2020).

[4] 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).

[5] 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).

[6] “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).

[7] 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).

[8] “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).

[9] Note from kmb: From the documents researched it appears that Nicholas Geisler and Anna (Geisler) Baals were brother and sister. Anna (Geisler) was married to Conrad Baals and their daughter Margaret (Baals) Heim was Nicholas’ niece, as mentioned in his obituary. Margaret was the wife of August Heim.  

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