HENRY AND EDE GEIST FAMILY

Henry (1871-1957) and Ede (18771967) Overhuls Geist and their children are all products of Henry County, in fact, really Malinta, for Henry was reared less than a mile from town and Ede, at the edge of town.

Henry, the eldest of eight children was only seventeen years old when his father died. Then he assumed the responsibility as a father to help his mother to provide for the family. Even though they needed to work together, their mother only spoke German; she would not answer the children if they spoke English to her. It was tough through the years, especially the winters receiving only five cents to husk a shock of corn. Splitting wood for fuel was a hard daily job, as well as feeding and caring for the chickens, cows and horses. To get a few staples from town or pay taxes, traveling was on foot or going in the buggy. A half mile west, Henry attended the Bickford School. His education didn't end there, as later he studied banking at Valparaiso, Indiana. Other memories are found in Henry's diary.

Ede had a twenty year older sister and two older brothers besides eight half sisters and brothers. At the time of her sister's death, Ede was only two years of age. Her father, Samuel Overhuls, a Civil War veteran, was much older than her mother. She spent many hours with her father in the orchard helping him to prune and identify the fruit trees; also, she cared for the hives of bees which were kept for pollination and honey. She really 'enjoyed his companionship. Ede received her early education at the Bickford School. She either walked or drove a horse and buggy to give organ lessons to students between Malinta and Grelton. For any occasion or any denomination Ede would play or sing wherever music was part of the program.

In 1900 Henry was united in marriage with Ede who lived only a quarter of a mile east of him. They lived with her mother for several years until the house burned. After a few weeks with his mother, Henry and Ede bought a small house in Malinta. Before 1910 Henry worked at odd jobs and then became the cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Malinta, Ohio, until 1933 when many banks were forced to close after the crash in 1929. By paying double indemnity the stockholders were able to return every cent to the depositors, but it was a trying time for the families.

One fall the family was quarantined eight weeks and three days when Myra had scarlet fever. November 11, 1918, was a great day for our country and the Henry Geist family - after fumigating the house and each member bathing, the quarantine was lifted.

Ede was in bed from September 1923 until the last of January with typhoid fever, having suffered three relapses.

Often on a Sunday evening Ede played the piano while the children stood by singing dozens of hymns and folk songs from memory.

Since Henry had no vacation, on a few Sundays each year the family traveled in the Ford to Catawba Island stopping for a swim at Gem Beach on Lake Erie and then buying bushels of peaches and apples to take home. When the first vacation did come, Henry and the family visited Geist relatives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

To help provide food, Henry and Ede had large gardens including strawberries and raspberries. They had cows for milk, cottage cheese and butter. Later Henry added more chores by raising chickens. Then he delivered milk and eggs and sold any extra produce.

They were hard working people whether it was for earning a living or for the welfare of the community. They were pleased when all five of their children chose careers that carried on the same spirit that they had.

Donald (1905- ) lived most of his younger life with his Grandmother Overhuls at the west edge of Malinta. After graduation from three years at Malinta High School, he completed the fourth at Napoleon, then, four eventful years studying and taking advantage of every opportunity at Ohio Northern University.

For 36 years Donald taught biology at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and has actively participated in Boy Scouts of America since 1939 and Masonic Lodge since 1949. He has been American Red Cross Blood Chairman of Logan County for the last eight years and continues in that capacity. He is serving as Chairman of the Bellefontaine City Tree Commission.

"Donald Geist, A.B., Bellefontaine, Ohio, was the recipient of the 1973 Rockwell Manufacturing Company Community recognition award for his church work, as a retired school teacher, chairman of the Red Cross blood program and long-time leader in the Boy Scout movement. He was presented a plaque and a check for $460.

He was also honored recently at the Jaycee Appreciation Banquet, receiving the Distinguished Service Award for his work in the community . . ." (Class Notes, Ohio Northern Alumnus, May 1973, page 12.)

Donald is married to Geraldine Park, a retired teacher and a native of Logan County, Ohio. Jean, their older daughter is married to Peter Spang, a speech therapist in Maumee, Ohio. They are the parents of Janna and Mark. She catalogs and indexes all material at the Owens-Illinois Technical Center Library, Toledo, Ohio. Joanna, their second child, is married to Roger Commisso, a pharmacist in Rocky River, Ohio. They are the parents of Jerry and Catherine.

Myra (1909- ) taught English, biology and home economics at MalintaGrelton High School for sixteen years after having attended Ohio Wesleyan, Ohio Northern, and Ohio State Universities.

Besides all of the many activities at school in early years, she enjoyed four years of 4-H in sewing, attended camp and earned an award which was honored with other winners at Ohio State University.

At church she fulfilled any vacancy on a Sunday morning and taught a class for twelve years. In 1931 she was a charter member of a large Luther League which had members from the churches of the community.

In 1945 she was also a charter member of the Malinta Garden Club. There were many exciting moments when a blue ribbon was tied to an arrangement at the Henry County Fair.

Myra and her husband, Walter Orthwein, a native of Henry County, mechanic, electrician, builder of lawn mowers, and a retired farmer, live on the property on which the home of Malinta's founder stood.

One hobby of Myra and her husband is to restore heirlooms and other treasures. The most complicated piece they renovated was an organ over 100 years old that had belonged to Myra's Aunt Florence (Pet), a sister of her mother. (Florence used money from teaching to buy the organ; she was crippled and happened to be the first school teacher of Myra's father.) Myra and Walter took the organ apart piece by piece, key by key, cleaned the parts and repaired the bellows. When it was together again it played beautifully for a short time. Then Walter assembled twenty-seven kits, installed them into the organ case and they have a nice two key-board electronic organ which has pleasing music to the listeners when played.

Henry and Ede Geist Family - Golden Wedding Anniversary, Oct. 4, 1950. Back row: Geraldine Park Geist, Peter Spang, Jean Geist Spang, Henry, Earl Mayer, Julian Aderman; middle row: Joanna Geist Commisso, Donald Geist, Myra Geist Orthwein, Ede, Mary Geist Mayer, Isabel Geist Aderman, Alice Ecenbarger Geist, William Geist; front row: Sam Geist, Roger Aderman, Frank Geist, Richard Geist, Carl Geist.

William (1911- ) became an electrical engineer graduating from Indiana Technical College and has worked at General Electric in Fort Wayne, Indiana, since 1938. During his teen years he won many prizes with his Jersey cows and calves. Beauty and Rosebay won championships for him. What a line up of rosettes and ribbons he displayed! He also enjoyed playing on winning teams of basketball and in 1930 played second baseman on the Malinta-Grelton team that won the County and Northwestern District Class B Championships.

William married Alice Ecenbarger, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and they are the parents of four sons. The boys were graduated from North Side High School and their wives are natives of Fort Wayne.

Samuel, the eldest, is a carpenter, has his own business in Fort Wayne, and married to Eva Tomlinson, a secretary, who are the parents of Katharine, Gary and Holly.

Franklin, a track team member, a graduate of Michigan State University, with a Master's degree, now teaches in a private school, Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, Vermont, married Roberta Guingrich, a secretary, and are the parents of Flavia and Jamie.

Richard played high school and college football, was graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, has his Master's degree, and is the husband of the former Susan Knight, a teacher. They are the parents of Wendy and Marlin. Richard is working for the Washington Department of Fisheries and living in Olympia, Washington.

Carl has been a machinist since high school in 1964. His wife is the former Bonita Coolman and they are the parents of little Karla.

Mary (1914- ) as well as her sisters played basketball in those days of "big" bloomers, but never-the-less they had lots of fun and weren't always on the end of the low score. After 4-H, band and high school, Mary followed in her sister's and brother's footsteps attending Ohio Northern University. Final work for her degree was finished at Bowling Green State University. Mary taught elementary school for twelve years. She did volunteer teaching in two kindergarten classes before kindergarten became a part of the Malinta-Grelton curriculum, and she helped organize the Malinta-Grelton Branch of the Patrick Henry School District Public Library. She has been just as active in church, Garden Club, and Child Conservation League.

Mary is married to Earl Mayer and they are the parents of Donald and Susan. Donald received his degree from Ohio Northern University in 1974. His wife is the former Cheryl Ritz, and he is a supervisor at Biotox Research Laboratories in Spencerville, Ohio. Susan is attending Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Isabel (1918-) was the live wire who used to turn cart wheels in her very early years. In the summer her cousin, a neighbor, and she liked to make peanut butter sandwiches, wander across Turkey Foot Creek to the old cemetery for a picnic. Then came the practice sessions with her clarinet, the fun at 4H camp and the winning of blue ribbons in 4-H. Of all the activities in high school, the highlight had to be the time she made a foul shot in tournament - she played guard - the score was tied - each player was given a chance to make a foul shot - hers went through the hoop - their team was champ.

Her father's dream of one of his daughters becoming a nurse was fulfilled. In the fall following her graduation from high school, she entered St. Vincent School of Nursing, Toledo, Ohio. The impressive Capping Service was a big incentive to continue until the day of graduation, and then State Boards at Columbus, Ohio. As a Registered Nurse, except for a very few years, she has served as a nurse since her graduation in 1939, sixteen years of which were in Napoleon, Ohio. At present she is a nurse at Pan American Airway, Miami, Florida. Her husband, Julian Aderman, was a native of this area and was a cabinet maker. He died in 1973.

Their son, Roger, finished high school at Napoleon Public School. He graduated from Emery Riddle Technical College, Miami, Florida, and he works in the Research Department at Piper Aviation Corporation, Vero Beach, Florida. He is married to Sharon Baker, a native of Eustis, Florida, who is a Registered Nurse and works at the hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. Their children are Victoria and Charles.

All of the Geist children worked at various jobs to offset the cost of their education following high school. From Donald down to the last, Isabel, all delivered the Toledo Blade for a total of fifteen years.

The children having many interests of their parents and the parents supporting the activities of the children made happy years for all. Henry and Ede's interest in community affairs have reached far beyond Malinta.