Francis P. GEISDORFF

Sources:

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
Hamburg Passenger List, 16 Apr 1858
U.S. IRS Tax Assessment List (1864, Virginia)
U.S. Returns from Military Posts, Jul 1866-Jul 1868
The Crow and the Eagle, by Keith Algier
New.familysearch.org, Apr 2011

Notes:

                   NOTES:
1. Francis akak Franz
2. Franza Geisdorf arrived in Port of New York 20 May May 1858 on the ship "Doctor Barth."
3. Francis was in Yellowstone Valley by 1866.


As told to me by my Aunt Pat (Wilma) Boggio that Francis had come from Germany to practice medicine in the Bozman area of Montana.

Dr. Geisdorff, pioneer of the Silver State, was a native of Germany.  He came to the Yellowstone valley as early as 1866.  At that period the Crow Agency was on Mission Creek near Livingston, Montana and he was the physician at the post for many years.  Later he moved onto the ranch sixteen miles above Livingston on the Yellowstone River, redisidng there fifteen years.  Thence he went to Boaeman, where he reamined until his death.  For a long period, he was the only phsician in the country, being quite often called forty or fifty miles to attend those who were ill.
Children--FRED- married Mary Bebee in 1894 (daughter of Horace R. Beebe, born in Cattaraicgus County, New York.  Her mother, Orphenia Wilson Bebee was born in Lincoln County, Missouri.  They have six children--Florence, Francis, Fredrick, Mattie, Hazel and Annie.  Louise--married James M. Burnett in 1902.  they had four children Margaret, James, Baby (not named & Billy.  Charlotte-never married--worked with Indian children and schools.


LIVINGSTON ENTERPRISE   12/22/1888

Owing to the lateness with which the news was received we were unable to more than make mention last week of the deaht of Dr. Geisdorf.  Owing ot the large number of friends, he had in this county and the remarkable character of the man himself we publish the following from the Bozeman Chronicle:  Some two weeks ago Dr. Francis Geisdorf was taken ill with pheumonia, which at once proved to be a very aggravated case.  About nine o'clock Wednesday he peacefully expired.  Having expressed a wish to be kept three days his body was not interred until Friday afternoon.  The doctor always had a frail constitution, and having undergone considerable exposure during his early life, this together with his advanced age prevented him from surviving the attack.  Dr.  Geisdorf cam from German parentage.  He was in the army as surgeon, afterwards became contract physician at a Montana post.  Marrying a Crow Indian woman he went to the upper Yellowstone and for many years lived a secluded, studious  life.  Three years ago he came to Bozeman, purchased a home and began schooling his children, two girls and a boy.  About one year ago his faithful wife died, leaving the children in their fathers sole care.  He has endeavored to give them a good education, paying considerable attention to the music, being himself a performer on several instruments.  He leaves some property, justhow much is not known.  Neither is it known whether he has relatives living or not as he was always very reticent about hsi own affairs.  Just what will become of his children is not known, but it is hoped that they will fall into good hands.

BOZEMAN WEEKLY AVANT COURIER 12/20/1888

In Bozeman, Mont. Wednesday,Dec 12, 1888 Dr Francis Geisdorff.  The Doctor was an old-time resident of Montana, and he lost his wife the past year.  He made his home on the Upper Yellowstone for a number of years, living the life of a recluse.  He was delicately organized, a man with naturally fine sensibilities.  His wife was an Indian woman and very devoted to her husband.  Three children, offspring of the union survive and will inherit some cattle and other property left by the Doctor and until recently in charge of Jacob Fleischman at Fridleys.