Abigail A. Geisinger |
MRS. ABIGAIL A. GEISINGER, nee CORNELISON, who resides in a handsome residence
on Center street, is the relict of George F. Geisinger and a descendant of an
early and prominent family of the borough of Danville, Montour County, Pa. When
her grandfather, Joseph Cornelison, first located there, Danville was but a
small settlement and presented an appearance in striking contrast with the now
thriving business center which is widely known throughout the state. This sturdy
old ancestor and his family became identified with many of its first industrial
enterprises, and to such of her early residents as these does Danville owe its
present standing. With wonderful foresight and pride did they predict the
success which she would attain, and none who have had the good fortune to see
Danville in recent years can doubt the correctness of their predictions.
Joseph Cornelison was born in Holland and upon coming to this country settled
in the state of New Jersey, but soon after moved to Danville, Montour County,
Pa., where he established the first blacksmith shop and followed that line of
business the remainder of his life. He died in that town and was laid to rest in
Grove Cemetery. His wife's maiden name was Martin, and she was also buried in
Grove Cemetery. Their marriage resulted in the following issue: Joseph, who was
the first male white child born in Danville; William; Jacob; Isaac, the father
of our subject; Cornelius; James; Massey; Mary (Yorks); and Anna (Best).
Isaac Cornelison was born in Danville, and at an early day learned the trade
of a wagon-maker, carrying on his business on Mill street. There he followed
that line of work until his death, nt the age of forty-three years. He married
Abigail Pancoast, a daughter of Mordecai and Mary (Mears) Pancoast, who were
strict adherents of the Quaker faith. Mrs. Cornelison died at the age of
twenty-four years and six months, leaving two children: Mary E., the wife of D.
Rice, both now deceased; and Abigail A., the subject of this personal history.
Our subject was first united in marriage with Jacob Cornelison, who was for
some years proprietor of the hotel known as the White Swan. He was a son of
Joseph Cornelison, who, in 1820, purchased the ground on which the City Hotel is
now situated, and ten years later erected a building in which he conducted a
fine hotel. This establishment became well-known throughout that section as the
White Swan; a very appropriate sign was hung over the door, being an
artistically-painted white swan. He continued at the head of this establishment
until 1852, when his son, Jacob, succeeded him as proprietor. The latter
conducted the business with success until his death, in 1865, at the age of
thirty-five years. The building was large and substantial. In 1872 it was
purchased by Adam Geringer and he erected the present structure known as the
City Hotel.
Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with George F. Geisinger, who was born in Hingham,
Mass., in 1821. They were married May 17, 1866 in Mahoning Presbyterian Church. He was a son of
Commodore David Geisinger.
At the age of sixteen years he was sent to Boston for the completion of his
education, and upon leaving college he went to Baltimore, Md., and accepted a
position in a mercantile business. He remained there until 1844, when he
accompanied his father on a pleasure trip abroad, returning to Baltimore two
years later. In 1847 he went to South America and spent two years in
prospecting, and upon returning, in 1849, he went to California. Subsequently he
went to Philadelphia, where he acted as his father's secretary at the Naval
Asylum until 1854. In June, 1855, he accepted the position of bookkeeper for
Grove & Bro., a prominent iron manufacturing firm of Danville. This firm was
succeeded by Thomas Beaver & Co., but Mr. Geisinger still retained the position
of head bookkeeper, acting in that capacity for a period of twenty-four years,
when he became a member of the firm. He possessed unexcelled business
propensities and proved a valuable man to have at the head of this industry.
However, he later disposed of his interest in order that he might spend the
remainder of an unusually active life in quiet retirement, his only business for
the remainder of his life being an interest which he acquired with Daniel
Edwards in mining and dealing in coal at Kingston, Pa. After his death, in 1883,
his worthy wife assumed his interest in the business and has continued as a
member of the firm up to the present time, conducting her affairs with
characteristic ability and good judgment.
Mrs. Geisinger purchased the old Shelhart residence on Center street,
remodeled it, and greatly improved the lawn by the addition of shrubs and trees,
making it a model home, and one of the finest residences in the county.
Religiously she is a liberal supporter of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, of
which her husband was also a faithful member. She is a woman possessing many
excellent qualities and occupies a high place in the estimation of her many
friends.
Mrs. Geisinger bought the Grand Piano that remains in use today, in the sanctuary of Mahoning
Presbyterian Church. She, along with Mr. Thomas Beaver were responsible were for many interior
renovations to the sanctuary in their day.
on Center street, is the relict of George F. Geisinger and a descendant of an
early and prominent family of the borough of Danville, Montour County, Pa. When
her grandfather, Joseph Cornelison, first located there, Danville was but a
small settlement and presented an appearance in striking contrast with the now
thriving business center which is widely known throughout the state. This sturdy
old ancestor and his family became identified with many of its first industrial
enterprises, and to such of her early residents as these does Danville owe its
present standing. With wonderful foresight and pride did they predict the
success which she would attain, and none who have had the good fortune to see
Danville in recent years can doubt the correctness of their predictions.
Joseph Cornelison was born in Holland and upon coming to this country settled
in the state of New Jersey, but soon after moved to Danville, Montour County,
Pa., where he established the first blacksmith shop and followed that line of
business the remainder of his life. He died in that town and was laid to rest in
Grove Cemetery. His wife's maiden name was Martin, and she was also buried in
Grove Cemetery. Their marriage resulted in the following issue: Joseph, who was
the first male white child born in Danville; William; Jacob; Isaac, the father
of our subject; Cornelius; James; Massey; Mary (Yorks); and Anna (Best).
Isaac Cornelison was born in Danville, and at an early day learned the trade
of a wagon-maker, carrying on his business on Mill street. There he followed
that line of work until his death, nt the age of forty-three years. He married
Abigail Pancoast, a daughter of Mordecai and Mary (Mears) Pancoast, who were
strict adherents of the Quaker faith. Mrs. Cornelison died at the age of
twenty-four years and six months, leaving two children: Mary E., the wife of D.
Rice, both now deceased; and Abigail A., the subject of this personal history.
Our subject was first united in marriage with Jacob Cornelison, who was for
some years proprietor of the hotel known as the White Swan. He was a son of
Joseph Cornelison, who, in 1820, purchased the ground on which the City Hotel is
now situated, and ten years later erected a building in which he conducted a
fine hotel. This establishment became well-known throughout that section as the
White Swan; a very appropriate sign was hung over the door, being an
artistically-painted white swan. He continued at the head of this establishment
until 1852, when his son, Jacob, succeeded him as proprietor. The latter
conducted the business with success until his death, in 1865, at the age of
thirty-five years. The building was large and substantial. In 1872 it was
purchased by Adam Geringer and he erected the present structure known as the
City Hotel.
Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with George F. Geisinger, who was born in Hingham,
Mass., in 1821. They were married May 17, 1866 in Mahoning Presbyterian Church. He was a son of
Commodore David Geisinger.
At the age of sixteen years he was sent to Boston for the completion of his
education, and upon leaving college he went to Baltimore, Md., and accepted a
position in a mercantile business. He remained there until 1844, when he
accompanied his father on a pleasure trip abroad, returning to Baltimore two
years later. In 1847 he went to South America and spent two years in
prospecting, and upon returning, in 1849, he went to California. Subsequently he
went to Philadelphia, where he acted as his father's secretary at the Naval
Asylum until 1854. In June, 1855, he accepted the position of bookkeeper for
Grove & Bro., a prominent iron manufacturing firm of Danville. This firm was
succeeded by Thomas Beaver & Co., but Mr. Geisinger still retained the position
of head bookkeeper, acting in that capacity for a period of twenty-four years,
when he became a member of the firm. He possessed unexcelled business
propensities and proved a valuable man to have at the head of this industry.
However, he later disposed of his interest in order that he might spend the
remainder of an unusually active life in quiet retirement, his only business for
the remainder of his life being an interest which he acquired with Daniel
Edwards in mining and dealing in coal at Kingston, Pa. After his death, in 1883,
his worthy wife assumed his interest in the business and has continued as a
member of the firm up to the present time, conducting her affairs with
characteristic ability and good judgment.
Mrs. Geisinger purchased the old Shelhart residence on Center street,
remodeled it, and greatly improved the lawn by the addition of shrubs and trees,
making it a model home, and one of the finest residences in the county.
Religiously she is a liberal supporter of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church, of
which her husband was also a faithful member. She is a woman possessing many
excellent qualities and occupies a high place in the estimation of her many
friends.
Mrs. Geisinger bought the Grand Piano that remains in use today, in the sanctuary of Mahoning
Presbyterian Church. She, along with Mr. Thomas Beaver were responsible were for many interior
renovations to the sanctuary in their day.
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| The Steinway Miniature Grand Piano from 1906 donated to Mahoning Presbyterian Church by Mrs. Abigail Geisinger. It was recently placed on wheels to enable maneuverability about the sanctuary. |
Mahoning Presbyterian Church
Danville, PA