FRED WILLIAM “BILL” AND MAUDE MYRTLE HODGES GEIGER

Fred William “Bill” Geiger was born September 14, 1887 in Hart, Oceana County, Michigan. His parents were George and Mary Flagler/Marie M. Fleigler Geiger. Fred was raised in Marion Springs Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. He married Maude Myrtle Hodges on December 27, 1916 in Marion Springs Township, Saginaw County, Michigan. Maude's parents were Albert W. and Eliza J. Knowles Hodges. Maude taught in the Marion Springs Township's Schools from 1911 through 1916.

Bill and Maude had the following children:

1. Ellen Geiger was born December 6, 1917 in Lakefield Township. She died on March 23, 2011 and is buried at the Roselawn Mausoleum, Saginaw, Michigan.

2. Fred Edward Geiger was born September 21, 1919 in Lakefield Township. He served during WWII in the Military Police. Fred married Mary Ann Novak on August 5, 1944. Fred died on October 4, 2002 in Gratiot County, Michigan. Mary Ann died on December 1, 2006. They are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

 In 1920, Bill and Maude owned and operated two 40 acre sections of land. One of the 40 acres was in Section 26 and the other was directly across the road in Section 27. They were both located on Merrill Road between Nelson and Grabowski Roads.   Fred and Maude had lived in Lakefield Township their entire married life. Bill and Maude were farmers.

The book "Lest We Forget" by Myron F. Gulick  states,"William Geiger, or Billy, as we knew him, lived on what is now Merrill Road.  He and his wife, Maude, bought 40 acres from a man named Tolfree.  Perhaps he purchased his land about the time of World War I.  Billy was a short man, worked hard, and was a good farmer.  He took pride in his home and his work.    Billy kept a few chickens, some cows and had a good team of horses.  He helped other farmers thrash whenever they asked.  Many times when he exchanged thrashing with other farmers, he put in many more hours of work than he had received in exchange.  Some farmers paid him for the extra hours he worked.  He would feed the bean separator and he was good at this task.  It was hard work to shake up the beans and get them into the machine in an even stream.  I know he was so tired some nights that he would almost drop from exhaustion.  Bill held Township offices most of his life.  He took a great interest in Township affairs and made friends with many folks.  He had one son and one daughter.  His son served in the Armed Forces at one time.  Bill believed in good, honest government and he didn't put up with a lot of nonsense."

Maude died on January 8, 1956 and Bill died on November 23, 1971; they are both buried in the Lakefield Township Cemetery.

SOURCES: United States Census; Bill's birth record; Bill and Maude's marriage record; Bill's WWII draft registration; Della Miller McKay's collection of obituaries; The book "Lest We Forget" by Myron F. Gulick.