Matthias Geisler (1889 - 1972)

Born 6 Aug 1889 in Pittsburgh PA

Ancestors

Husband of Thekla Julia (Kopczynski) Geisler — married 2 May 1911 in Pittsburgh, PA

Descendants

Died 3 Aug 1972 at age 82 in Pittsburgh PA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Barbara Geisler [send private message]

Biography

Matthias was the son of Joseph Geisler and MaryAnn Ramer. He was born in Allegheny City, presently known as the North Side of Pittsburgh. He was baptized on 25 Aug, 1889 in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Church. ^[1] He grew up in the family home located on Middle Street. ^[2]

Iin 1910, he was still living at home with his parents, and was employed as a billing clerk for a local dry goods store. ^[3]In April of 1911, he and Thelka Woelk went to the county court house where they applied for a marriage license. ^[4] By 1920, Matthias was living on Linden Street and owned his own transfer company. They had four children, and his mother-in-law was in residence with them. ^[5]

Ten years later, he owned his home on Linden Street, and the couple had seven more children living in the household: ^[6]

In 1933, he submitted an application to the Public Service Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in regards to the Geisler Transfer Company, based at his home address at 1207 Middle Street. He was seeking requisite approval of the beginning of the exercise of the right and privilege of operating motor vehicles as a common carrier for the transportation of household furniture in use, freight, merchandise and other personal property on call and demand, within a radius of 35 miles of the City of Pittsburgh. A public hearing was held on July 7, 1933 in respect to the appeal.^[7]

By 1940, the eldest child, Thecla, had married and left the household, and a twelfth child, Patricia had been born six years earlier. The eldest sons, Francis and Thomas, worked with him as drivers for the family transfer company. ^[8]

In 1956, he and his wife, Thekla, were present at the graduation ceremonies held at the University School of Engineering, when three of their children received degrees: Charles, Martin and Dolores, affectionately known as Pat.^[9]

Matthias is buried in Section A, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Mt. Troy,^[10] Pittsburgh, PA. ^[11]

Obituary

Matthias "Matt" Geisler, founder of the Geisler Transport Co., North Side, died today after a long illness.

Mr. Geisler, 83, of 1206 Linden Place, North Side had 68 living descendants. Surviving are his widow, Thecla; six daughters, Mrs. Thecla Collins, Mrs. Maryann Duffy, Mrs. Rita Andrews, Mrs. Martha Hester, Lt. Col. Theresa Goldner and Patricia, and five sons, Francis Thomas Charles, Martin and Regis, all of Pittsburgh.

He also had 46 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Friends will be received tomorrow and Sunday at the Brady Funeral Home, Cedar Avenue and Tripoli Street, North Side. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Presley Street, North Side. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Mount Troy.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: Diocese of Pittsburgh Archives and Research Center; Matthiam Henricum; Most Holy Name of Jesus (Troy Hill).
2. ↑ Census: "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1D-H3F : 13 January 2022), Martews Geisler in entry for Joseph Geisler, 1900.

   Joseph Geisler,Head,M, 51, Austria

   Anna Geisler,Wife, F,41,Pennsylvania

   Louise Geisler,Daughter,F, 20, Pennsylvania

   Jacob Geisler, Son, M, 17, Pennsylvania

   William Geisler, Son,M,13, Pennsylvania

   Martews Geisler, Son,M,11, Pennsylvania

   Abert Geisler, Boarder,M,20, Pennsylvania

3. ↑ Census: "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGQD-3GR : accessed 17 February 2023), Matthias H Geisler in household of Joseph Geisler, Pittsburgh Ward 23, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 596, sheet 7A, family 148, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1306; FHL microfilm 1,375,319.

   Joseph Geisler, Head,M,61 Austria

   Anna Geisler,Wife,F,55,Pennsylvania

   Jacob Geisler, Son,M,28,Pennsylvania

   William Geisler,Son,M, 24,Pennsylvania

   Matthias H Geisler,Son,M,20Pennsylvania

4. ↑ Marriage: The Pittsburgh Press, 27 Apr 1911, pg. 20.
5. ↑ Census: "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFBW-WP9 : 3 February 2021), Matt H Geisler, 1920.

   Matt H Geisler, Head, M, 30, PA

   Thecla Geisler, Wife, F, 30, PA

   Thomas Geisler, Son, M, 3, PA

   Francis Geisler, Son, M, 6, PA

   Theckla Geisler, D, F, 7, PA

   Mariona Geisler, F, 1, PA

   Johanna Woelk, Head, F, 62, Germany

   Leo Woelk, Son, M, 35, PA

   Martin Woelk, Son, 25, PA

6. ↑ Census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCCP-37G?from=lynx1UIV8&treeref=L5RH-2LN

   Matthias H Geisler,Head, M, 40, Pennsylvania

   Thecla J Geisler, Wife, F, 40, Pennsylvania

   Thecla L Geisler, Daughter, F, 18, Pennsylvania

   Francis M Geisler, Son, M, 16, Pennsylvania

   Thomas R Geisler,Son, M,13, Pennsylvania

   Mary A Geisler,Daughter, F, 11, Pennsylvania

   Rita M Geisler, Daughter, F, 9, Pennsylvania

   Martha C Geisler,Daughter, F, 7, Pennsylvania

   Teresa M Geisler,Daughter, F, 6 ,Pennsylvania

   Louis J Geisler, Son, M, 4, Pennsylvania

   Charles Geisler, Son, M, 3, Pennsylvania

   Martin J Geisler, Son, M, 1 11/12 Pennsylvania

   Regis P Geisler, Son, M, 2/12 Pennsylvania

7. ↑ The Pittsburgh Press, 22 Jun 1933, pg. 33.
8. ↑ Census: "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQ62-WMZ : 18 December 2019), Matheis H Geisler, Ward 23, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 69-671, sheet 12B, line 54, family 304, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 3672

   Matthias H Geisler,Head, M, 50, Pennsylvania

   Thecla J Geisler, Wife, F, 50, Pennsylvania

   Francis M Geisler, Son, M, 26, Pennsylvania

   Thomas R Geisler,Son, M, 23, Pennsylvania

   Mary A Geisler,Daughter, F, 21, Pennsylvania

   Rita M Geisler, Daughter, F, 19, Pennsylvania

   Martha C Geisler,Daughter, F, 17, Pennsylvania

   Teresa M Geisler,Daughter, F, 16 ,Pennsylvania

   Louis J Geisler, Son, M, 14, Pennsylvania

   Charles Geisler, Son, M, 13, Pennsylvania

   Martin J Geisler, Son, M, 11, Pennsylvania

   Regis P Geisler, Son, M, 10, Pennsylvania

   Dolores P Geisler, Daughter, F, 6, Pennsylvania

9. ↑ Newspaper article: The Pittsburgh Press, 10 Jun 1956, pg5: "ENGINEERS ALL OVER THE HOUSE: Mr. And Mrs Matthias Geisler will be in the audience when the University of Pittsburgh starts handing out degrees June 13. Three of their children, inclding a daughter, Dolores, will receive engineering degrees. The two boys, standing left to right, are Charles and Martin." (refers to photo)

   Sister, 2 Brothers Engineer Payoff with College Degrees:

   The Geislers, an engineering minded family, will hit pay dirt on June 13. "Pat," and don't the the name fool you, will get a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. And her two brothers will get engineering degrees in the same graduation ceremony. Yep, Dolores Patricia Geisler, despite her pretty frocks and feminine hairdo, can swap shop talk with any of the bright young lads out at Sigma Tau, the engineers' honorary fraternity at Pitt.

   First in Chapter Incidentally, the 22 year old Dolores was the first girl ever to be taken into the local chapter. Her brother, Martin J. 27, will get his sheepskin as an electrical engineer and Charles A., 29, will receive a master's degree in civil engineering.

   There are jobs waiting for all three. Dolores accepted Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co.'s bid to enter their research and development department. Martin is going with Duquesne Light Co and Charles will contine as manager of Bethel Borough, a job he has had for the past three months.

   And, if June is the time for graduation, it is also the time for getting married. Anyway, that's what the two brothers think. Martin was married last Tuesday night and Charles expects to tie the knot June 30.

   She's Too Busy. Not Dolores, hoever. She's too busy for any serious romance. Dolores ( who is Pat when she's home at 1206 Linden Pl., North Side) has a couple other things she wants to take care of, too, before she gets married.

   Martin and Charles didn't have too rough a time financially getting through college because they're both veterans and could get Uncle Sam to help pick up the tuition tab through the GI Bill. It was different for Dolores. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Geisler, not only loaned encouragement to a daughter who wanted to be an engineer, but also dug up some cash.

   Mr. and Mrs. Geisler - he operates the Geisler Transfer Co.- don't know what it is going to be like without somebody studying around the house now. But they have plenty of other things to occupy their time. They have six boys and six girls. ten of them are married and that accounts for 29 grandchildren to date.

10. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110700283/matthias-harry-geisler
11. ↑ St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery; Mt. Troy & Spring Garden Roads, Pittsburgh, PA Gravestone
12. ↑ Obituary: Pittsburgh Press Aug 11, 1972 , pg. 28.