KONRAD GEIBEL

Konrad GEIBEL, the parental head of the family of whom this sketch relates, was born in Wachenheim, Bavaria, on the 8th day of Sep 1815. His father, Peter GEIBEL, with whom he lived until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years, was a shoemaker by education and profession, and under his guidance, our subject, at the age of fourteen years, became of the most expert workman in his native town. Under the rules of that country social, if not governmental, every child was required to attend Sabbath School up to his or her eighteenth year, and at the age of fourteen to be examined in church studies and, if upon examination, the child was found proficient, he or she was then taken to the church for confirmation and given the first Sacrament. It was made the duty for every one to attend church service in the forenoon, and of all children to attend Sunday School in the afternoon. The services and mode of teaching was the same as that adopted by the Presbyterian Church of the country. Mr. GEIBEL went through all of the required forms and graduated in the church with credit to himself.

In the year 1838, he married Miss Annie M. KELLER, of his native place, and with her and his eldest son, Konrad, who was born in Bavaria, he set sail for America in the year 1840. The family embarked in a two-masted vessel at Harvard, and was thirty-two days to the day, upon the ocean, when the vessel landed at the port of New York. His object was to join some friends then living in the neighborhood of Evansville, Indiana, and, after having recruited fully from his sea voyage, he started on his Westward journey, going by canal boat from New York to Buffalo, thence by lake to Cleveland, thence by canal to Portsmouth, Ohio, on the Ohio River, and thence by steamboat to Evansville, landing there in precisely thirty-two days after leaving New York, and the identical number of days spent in crossing the ocean.

Mr. GEIBEL remained in Evansville only fourteen days, owing to the low price of wages, and it is not necessary to say that he was homesick and disappointed. About that time he hired to come to Henderson, and he did so, entering the shoe shop of John BOLLER, then established in a miserable old log shanty on the southeast corner of Main and Second Streets. This house was known as the old Henderson Bank, and in the garret was a box of old and worthless bank notes. The building was twenty-five or thirty feet long, with a clabboard roof. At that time Evansville was a larger place than Henderson, but better inducements were offered mechanics here. Upon the arrival of our subject at Henderson, great difficulty was experienced in getting a house in which to shelter his family. Governor DIXON at the time occupied two rooms in the brick on Main Street, recently torn down by MANN Brothers; the front room he used for his office, the rear room for consultation. He had taken quite a fancy to the newcomer, and, in the goodness of his heart, offered him the use of the rear room until better provision could be made. This kind offer was accepted, and into this room the little family lived for some time afterward.

In the year 1841, our subject formed a co-partnership with John DELKER, under the name of DELKER & GEIBEL, and purchased the stock of John BURKE, then carrying on the shoe making trade in a little frame building that stood near where the Planters Bank is now sitting. This firm was one year in business, and paid five dollars for the rent of the house. At the end of this time Mr. GEIBEL embarked in the shoe making business on his own account, and, by energy, industry, and honest effort, soon built up a large and paying trade. He was very popular with all classes, particularly those persons best able to pay him well for his work. So well did he keep his promises, so honest was he in all his dealings, that this large patronage stood by him up to the time of his retirement due to ill health. Economy and prudent management brought him a handsome competency to comfort him and his faithful life partner in their old age. They had five sons to reach maturity — Konrad; George; Peter; John W. and Frederick.

Starling’s History of Henderson County, Kentucky, 1887.

KONRAD GEIBEL REFERENCES

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1806 - 1858

Helena Geibel - Konrad Wening, 06 Apr 1857, Book 003, Page 299
Louisa Geibel - Frederick Kleiderer, 10 Jul 1856, Book 003, Page 129

MARRIAGES IN HENDERSON COUNTY, 1858 - 1900

Fred P. Geibel - Carrie Best, 19 May 1880, Book 016, Page 212
Jacob Geibel - Mary Held, 08 Nov 1871, Book 011, Page 282
John W. Geibel - Lizzie Schlamp, 19 Jan 1888, Book 020, Page 589
Konrad Geibel, Jr. - Rosalee Webber, 03 Nov 1864, Book 006, Page 239
Peter Geibel - Pauline Oberdorfer, 27 Nov 1878, Book 015, Page 294
Emma Geibel - Joseph Reeder, 20 Jul 1886, Book 019, Page 635
Lizzie H. Geibel - William S. Kleiderer, 06 Sep 1888, Book 021, Page 129
Rosalie J. Geibel - Elmer M. Orr, 18 Oct 1893, Book 024, Page 513
Margaret Geible - Henry Fenn, 07 Nov 1865, Book 007, Page 047

1850 HENDERSON COUNTY CENSUS

Conrad Geibel age 33, Page 14, House No. 112; Anna M. age 32; Conrad age 11; George A. age 6; Philip A. age 3; Mary M. age 1 ALSO LISTED WITH THE FAMILY: Joseph Backer age 26; Charles F. Long age 35; Barak Moffatt age 50; Frederick Brehub age 23

1860 HENDERSON COUNTY CENSUS

Conrad GIBLE age 44, Page 14, House No. 125; M. A. (f) age 42; Conrad age 21; George age 16; Peter age 9; John age 7; Fred age 4 ALSO LISTED WITH THE FAMILY: John Delker age 46; Frank Bush age 22; Henry Manning age 24; Sophia Vogle age 19; Christ Vogel age 25; John Paul age 30; Joseph Contav age 44; John Kluckner age 23; Henry Glass age 32; Christina Glass age 25; William Glass age 4; Mary Glass age 2; Charles Singhart age 29; Albert Knochn age 32; Henry King age 30; Henretta Vogle age 22; Kate Vogle age 1; Peter Gill age 15

1870 HENDERSON COUNTY CENSUS

Conrad Geibel [Jr.] age 31, Page 171, House No. 19; Sally age 24; Lizzy age 3; Catherine Bitner age 12

Konrad Geibel age 55, Page 174, House 43; A. M. (f) age 54; Fred age 14; Peter age 19; John age 17; ALSO LISTED WITH THE FAMILY: Margaret Daniel age 15; Thercea Keller age 19; Anthon Heidephole age 25; Joseph Feiderling age 35; Charley Hefelin age 20; Edward Beeck age 68; Michael Dreyfoors age 30; Charley Greeks age 32; Jacob Zimbree age 25; Alves Seogler age 22; William Casparee age 32

Joseph Geibel age 14 is listed with Henry Fenn age 37, Page 264, House No. 213 and family