COLBERTIANS
By R. L. James
SECTION III OBITUARIES AND CEMETERY RECORDS
To the Readers of the Alabama Historical Quarterly: (The Alabama Historical Quarterly, Vol. 07, No. 03, Fall Issue 1945)
I am releasing another section. No. 3, of my article “Colbertians.” I hope it will be possible for me to add one more section but I am sure there will still be many interesting people whom I cannot include. In addition to those to .whom I expressed thanks in the preface (See No. 2 Vol. 7) I wish to acknowledge my appreciation to Mr. James Carloss of Elkmont; Mrs. J. F. Craig, Jasper; Mrs. William Malone and Mrs. W. D. Brotherton, Cherokee; Mrs. Emma Scruggs and Miss Mattie Guy, Tuscumbia; and there are probably others who deserve to be mentioned in this connection whom I cannot at this moment recall. Mr. Woodruff Delony gave me quite a bit of information. I was at his house on August 6, 1946, which incidentally, was his eighty-sixth birthday, and had a long conversation with him. Since then this venerable citizen of Leighton, has passed away. He was a son of Dr. Edward B, Delony. I hope to write more about the Delony family in some future issue of the Quarterly. Sept 4, 1946 R. L. JAMES
GEORGE GEISE
BIOGRAPHY and GENEALOGY
(March 27, 1810 – September 14, 1892)
Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Colbert County, Alabama
OBITUARY – Bro. George Geise was born in Lancaster County, Pa. March 27th, 1810 and died September 14, 1892, at his home near Dickson, Ala. He moved from Pennsylvania to Tuscumbia, Ala. in 1839 and was married in this place in 1839 to Miss Martha Ann Steger. It was a congenial, happy union of hearts and hands. In 1859 he moved to Mississippi, and returned to Colbert County in 1868?
After a protracted illness brought on by a stroke of paralysis, Uncle George submissively yielded his sanctified spirit unto the beneficent hands of his Lord and Master, surrounded by loved and loving ones, together with kind friends who appreciated his true moral worth, his uncompromising integrity. He was one of God’s noblemen. His fond, trusted and cherished companion, Martha Ann, was a good woman, a true friend, an exceptionable Christian. She passed away in November, 1889 in the blessed hope of the Redeemed. Both husband and wife were devoted acceptable and honored members of the M. E. Church, South. They had born to them six children—five sons and one daughter—all now living except Henry who died at his parents home in February in 1890. Those who knew Uncle George best, loved him best. He was ever true to his trust as the needle to the Pole. His moral character was above suspicion as guileless as a child. His hospitality, benevolence and charity scarcely knew any bounds. His household was one of industry, harmony and peace. He was true to his God, family, friends and country. He was called from his happy earthly home to join the mother and loved ones, gone before to the saint’s eternal rest in Heaven. May the irreparable loss prove to the dear children a present and eternal blessing. “Farewell, Bro. George, for a short season. F. A. Ross.
To obituary of Mr. Geise is in the North Alabamian for Sept. 30,1892.
There is an article in the North Alabamian for Oct. 3, 1890, telling about Mr. Geise being in Tuscumbia “today”. From this we learn that he was the oldest surviving engineer who ran a locomotive on the Tuscumbia and Decatur Railroad, except Capt. Jack Lawson of Paducah, Kentucky. Mr. Geise, according to this account, made the first trip in June, 1837, using pineknots for fuel. He was later transferred to the shops where he worked several years. He then went into business for himself and made a fortune. He was very active in October, 1890. Mr. Ross stated he came to Alabama in 1839 (if not the printer’s mistake) but this account states he was on the Tuscumbia-Decatur Railroad in 1837. Another well-known citizen of Tuscumbia was Reuben Geise also from Pennsylvania. I have not been able to ascertain whether he and George Geise were brothers or not, but most likely they were. Reuben Geise was in the milling business at Tuscumbia for many years and once had Gov. Lewis associated with him, so stated a local historian. The mill was long known as “Geise’s Mill.” Later Mr. Hindttnan, another Pennsylvania, became owner of the mill, and it was “Hindman’s Mill” for many years.
