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From: "Diane Anderson" <>
Subject: Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 09:25:15 -0500


Diane Anderson


I have received more information about William Geiss (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) whom I have been researching. Does anyone have further information about this man - more about his career would be of interest to me. I have attached the obituary & Canadian Census data - note: I do not know if the paper began his name spelt incorrectly in his obituary or the person sending it to me made a typing error. Ernest Geiss, son of William, was living in Elgin, Illinois, U.S.A. at the time of his father's death and his family may never have returned to Canada.

William Geiss



Tombstone Inscription: William Geiss. Born Gerstungen, Thuringen, Saxe Weimar Germany March 25, 1840. died May 6, 1893. wife Helen Geiss July 5, 1837 - April 22, 1916.



Obituary: "Weiss: Died in this city, on the 6th instant, William Geiss, in his 54th year. Funeral from his late residence, 130 Bay street north, on Tuesday afternoon, at 3 o'clock. Friends will kindly accept this notice.

William Geiss, one of the best known of Hamilton's German residents, died on Saturday evening. Though he had been ailing for over a year from the effects of la grippe, he was only confined to bed for a few days, and the new of his death came as a shock to many of his friends. The deceased came to Hamilton in 1858 to work for the Wanzer sewing machine company and ten years later went into business for himself continuing ever since. He had long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the cleverest machinists in Hamilton. He was one of the oldest members of the Germania society. He leaves a widow, one son, Ernest Geiss, now with the Elgin watch company, Elgin, Illinois, and two daughters. Two brothers survive him, Henry of this city, and Adolph of Chicago. The funeral takes place to-morrow afternoon, IN the death of Mr. Geiss Hamilton loses a good citizen who by industry, honesty, and ability, had built up a business well and favourably known all over the Dominion."

Spectator, May 8, 1893





1871 Canadian Census (C-9927 - Hamilton, St. Andrew's Ward, Div. 1, pg. 44)

Name Gender Ages Birthplace Religion Ethnic Occupation Marital

origin Status

Geiss, William M 31 Germany Lutheran German Machinist M

Geiss, Ellen F 32 Scotland Lutheran Scottish M

Geiss, Frances F 9 United States Lutheran German

Geiss, Ernest M 8 United States Lutheran German

Geiss, Emmaline F 7 Ontario Lutheran German

Carey, Bridget F 26 Ireland R. Catholic Irish Servant




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