History of the Great Lakes

Vol. 2 by J.B. Mansfield Published Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co. 1899

WILLIAM GEISLER

William Geisler, a young engineer of good report who has passed the greater part of his marine life on southern rivers and bayous, came to the lakes in 1897, with Capt. C. W. Moore, of Saugatuck, Mich. He is the son of William A. and Matilda Geisler, and was born October 16, 1871, in the city of Berwick, La., where he acquired his public school education. In the spring of 1887 he shipped as fireman on the steamer Louisa Storm, plying between Berwick and Morgan City, on Vermilion Bay, holding that berth two years. After passing a year before the mast on the schooner Lydia, trading to Galveston, Texas, he returned to steamboat life, serving on the stern-wheel steamers Lone Star, Bernie Holmes and Oscar G., until 1894, when he took out marine engineer's license at New Orleans and was appointed to the Millie L., a former lake craft, then plying on the Atchafalia river between Morgan City and Catawaba, La. He retained that berth two years, and in 1896 became engineer of the tug Leah, which he ran until she foundered, the following season. In June, 1898, Mr. Geisler came to Saugatuck, Mich., and was made second engineer of the new steamer J. S. Crouse, plying in the fruit trade between Saugatuck, Douglas and Milwaukee. He has four issues of marine engineer's license.

Mr. Geisler makes his home with his mother, who is still living in Berwick, La. His father died when he was seven years of age.