Lang, H. O., ed.  "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description 
of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and 
Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal 
Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers."  Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and 
Job Printer, 1885.  p. 599.

WM. GEIGER, M.D.

     Doctor Wm. Geiger, one of the oldest and best known of the pioneers, was
born in 1816 in Alleghany County, New York, but in the year 1833 had settled in
Illinois.  The American Board of Foreign Missions being at that time concerned
for the welfare of the Indians of the Columbia basin, Mr. Geiger offered his
services and was appointed missionary teacher, with instructions to proceed to
the Pacific Coast and engage in the work of proselytizing.  It happened,
however, that the funds of the association ran low, and the new plans were
defeated.  Dr. Geiger, however, did not relinquish his intention of engaging in
missionary work, but set out on his own account to cross the continent in
company with quite a number of kindred spirits, whose names are set forth in
another connection.  The cavalcade came on horseback, paying their own expenses,
and got safely to Oregon in 1839.  In the winter following his arrival, the
doctor taught school at the old mission not far from Wheatland.  The station was
long since deserted and now retains no signs of its former use, the buildings
being completely gone.  The next spring he set out for California with the
design of meeting a party of his friends who were to rendezvous at Sutter's
Fort; but going by sea to Monterey, he was forbidden to travel in the interior
without a passport, which was not procurable short of the Sandwich Islands.
Proceeding there he spent some months, procured the necessary papers and
returning to California went to Sutter's Fort.  The date of his arrival was
1841.  There he stayed a year surveying for the proprietor, and eventually
formed the intention of going East by way of Fort Hall.  Exchanging his property
for mules and horses, he set out , but, arriving at the last mentioned place,
found it impossible to proceed, owing to the hostility of the Indians along the
route.  The result was that he came back to Oregon, and has since remained on
this coast.  In the winter of 1842-43 Dr. Geiger occupied Dr. Whitman's place as
missionary, that individual being on his famous trip to the East, the results of
which are supposed to have proved so momentous to the people of this country.
On Whitman's return, Dr. Geiger came to the Willamette Valley and located,
November, 1843, on a tract of land near the town of Cornelius, in Washington
County, which he has held ever since.  A year or two previous he had begun
practice as a physician, having studied the healing art in the Eastern States,
and has continued in his profession until the present.  Beginning as a "regular"
of the blood-letting, fever-starving sort, he has of late become a convert to
the virtues of the homoeopathic cult, and follows its teachings.  Of public
officer Dr. Geiger has held several, being county clerk, county surveyor, etc.
the Doctor relates that on his arrival in the valley the only practicing
physicians were Doctors White and Bailey.  Doctors Whitman and Gray were in the
habit of treating the natives who fell under their care, but their professional
skill was not often called upon by white people.  Two medical men attached to
the Hudson's Bay Company attended the sick at Vancouver, and made extended trips
into the interior whenever their services were asked in behalf of the higher
servants of that company.  Dr. Geiger was married in 1847 to the daughter of
Rev. J. A. C. Cornwall, who arrived in the valley during the early part of that
year.  The reverend gentleman, with his family, had crossed the continent with
the immigration of 1846, but entering Oregon by Applegate's southern route had
been compelled to halt in the Umpqua Valley, by reason of their utter lack of
transportation facilities.  The rainy season coming on, these unfortunates had
to abandon their property and make their way to the settlement.  But the Rev.
Cornwall, unwilling to leave his beloved books, chose to abide in the valley
during the rough and inclement season approaching.  They safely wintered; and in
the spring Dr. Geiger proceeded to their assistance and aided them on their way
to the Willamette.  Settling here, the minister occupied himself in religious
ministrations until 1865, mainly at different points in the valley.  Removing
from the State in that year, he died in San Buenaventura, Southern California,
in 1879.  Mrs. Cornwall and her daughter, Mrs. Geiger, now reside at Forest
Grove.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.