The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-03
C. E. GEISENDORFF DEAD
ONE OF THE OLDEST MANUFACTURE
ERs IN INDIANAPOLIS.
Identified with WooIIen Business
DIR. Parvin's FuneraI-Death of
Mrs. Robert Il. oliver.

Christian L. Geisendorff, one Of the Oldest
manufacturers and most respected citizens
of indianapolis, died at $3.50 O'Clock yester-
day morning at his home, No. 32S West New
York street. He had suffered for a long
time with infammatory rheumatism, and
for five years had been confined to the
house. He Was about eighty-four years of
age.
Mr.. Geisendorff was born May il, 1874. in
Frederick City, Md. At an early age he
went to Martinsbgrg Va, where he learned
the wooden manufacturing business. He
was married in Baltimore in 1886 to Miss
Elizabeth Williams Mr.. Geisendorff To-
Gated at Dayton, O.. shortly after his mar
riage. There he engaged in the manufac-
ture Of ingram carpets He came to In
dianapolis in 1912. but for two years prior
to this he had lived in Cincinnati After
coming here he engaged in the manufacture
Of wooden goods. For some time he was
CONNECTED with the firm of Scudder &
Hannaman, but afterward rented their es-
Enlistment and carried on the business for
himself. The first power looms and spin
dies used in central Indiana were intro
duced by Mr.. Geisendorff.
In 1916 he took the steam mill then located
ON the east bank of White river north of
the old Washington-street bridge. He built
on the present site in 1857. His business
grew to extensive proportions, and he final
ly took into partnership his two brothers,
George w. and Jacob c. Geisendorff, both
Of whom were practical manufacturers.
The firm soon embarked in other pursuits.
They started wholesale and retail dry
goods establishment erected flour and cot
ton mills and a large ice plant. AT this
time the Geisendorffs owned and operated
large wooden and flour mills at Rome City.
Ind In 1870 the partnership was dissolved,
the brothers retiring from the wooden mills.
Mr.. Geisendorff continued in this line OF the
business, taking into partnership isaac
Thalman, his son-in-law. He continued I'M
til 1880 to be actively engaged IN manuIac,
turing and the purchase ana SAFE OF WOOL
until "GeisendOrff' goods became known
all over the country for excellence ana
durability. In 1880, on account OF ms al
vanced age and failing health, Mr.. Gelsen-
dorff was compelled TO retire from pusl-
ness. He was widely known. Inc nunureds
of farmers who had dealt with MN had
learned to look upon him as a man OF nonor
and integrity. He possessed great KINDNESS
of heart. He was somewhat retiring IN MS
disposition, enjoying the privacy OF ms
home and the companionShip or his 1amlly
above all else. One of the streets IN the
west part of the city bears his name. lie
was loved by his employees, who always
looked upon him not simply as an employer,
but as counselor and friend. Many men
who now occupy high positions in the
wooden mills of the country spent their
early wears under Mr.. Geisendorff'S super
vision. He was skilled in every part of the
business in which he was engaged lie
could perform any part of the work about
the mill and it is said of him that ne could
listen to the roar and rattle of his ma
chinery and could detect by sound a defect
in the mechanism of loom. lie was al
WAYS kind and thoughtful when dealing
with mis- employees. One of those now in the
mill was employed for thirty-fve years UNI
der Mr.. Geisendorff. Others are there VINO
worked for him many years.
During the five years Mr.. Geisendorn was
confined to his home he was cheerful ana
was always a patient sufferer. 1t was his
custom to sit at the window and look out
upon the world. His face, was familiar 10
many who passed through Military PARK
on their way to and from work His wife
died in 1856 and of his family one daughter
and three sons. remain They are aH,! MISS s.
and Louis r. Geisendorff. Mrs. Thalman,
the other daughter, died four years ago.