Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan - 1891

Geddis, George

George Geddis, is a retired farmer residing on Washington street at Royal Oak, and one of the veteran sons of Michigan, who are her pride and boast. His birth took place Mar 18, 1841. His father, Robert, was a weaver and a farmer in County Down, Ireland,who was born early in this century, and was married about the year 1830 to margaret Groves, a daughter of Arthur and Margaret (Nixon) Groves. To these parents were born two daughters and five sons. The mother died about 1886 in her native country, and the father is still living in the old country. The grandfather Daniel and his wife Sarah (Baker) Geddis, pent their lives in COunty Down. The subject of this sketch made his home with his parents and remained with them until 1857, with the exception of a period when he was in the British Army. He was a volunteer in the Crimean War, and was a member of the eleventh Hussars "A" troop who were sent to reinforce the famous "Light Brigade" of Balaklava. In 1857 the young man came to America and making his way to Royal Oak Township, began for himself by working on a farm at $8 a month. In 1861 he volunteered for three years in Company B, the Lancers of Detroit. This company was never sent to the front and after seven months of waiting, Mr. Gaddis, joined the Third United States Cavalry and was sent to Columbus, KY. He was put upon scout and picket duty until the spring of 1863. The regiment was now sent to Memphis and thence to Vicksburg. Upon their return to Memphis, Mr. Geddis, was made Sergeant as reward of meritorious conduct the siege of Vicksburg. They then went to reinforce Grant at Lookout Mountain, and were with Sherman through that campaign. They were then sent to Knoxville, Tenn., to aid Gen. Burnside. Sergeant Geddis was sent to Knoxville as a bearer of dispatches, and on the retreat of Long street, he with his cavalry followed as far as Murphy, NC. HE came back to Chattanooga and Huntsville, reaching there New Year's day 1864. In March of that year he was detailed for recruiting duty at St. Louis, MO. After that his company was sent to reinforce Gen Banks, who was defeated on the Red River expedition. He received his final discharge at Little Rock, Ark., Mar 18, 1865. He then came to Memphis and became dispatch bearer for Gen Washburn, who commanded the Sixteenth Army Corps. This gallant soldier had the inexpressibly sad duty of carrying to Gen Washburn the dispatch which announced the death of Abraham Lincoln, the beloved War President. At the close of the war this gallant hero returned to Michigan, and in 1865 he celebrated his return to civil life by contracting a matrimonial alliance with Margaret, daughter of Robert and Jane (Groves) Cromie. This lady is the youngest in a family of seven sons and two daughters, who were from County Down, Ireland. Her grandfather was William and her grandmother Sallie (Baker) Cormie. Our subject and his wife made their first home near Pontiac on a farm which they took on shares. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Royal Oak, and the gentleman belongs to Michigan Post No. 393, G. A. R., of Detroit. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and a member of Clinton Valley Lodge No. 275, I. O. O. F., of Clinton, Macomb County. Mr. Geddis first President vote was cast for Grant, and sent o represent his neighbors at Republican conventions, and is always active n local circles for the good of the party . He has been tendered various offices, but owning to wounds received while in the army he has declined to serve. In 1867 he purchased forty acres in Royal Oak Township, all timbered land. After four years he sold it and bought forty acres of cleared land in Sterling, Macomb County. Four years later he sold it and and came back to Royal Oak, and bought sixty acres on section 12. Here he made his permanent home for eighteen years, and after that spent tow years in Warren, Macomb County, where he bought ten acres of farming land and two lots, a store and a dwelling in the village. Somewhat later he came to Royal Oak. Besides the ten acres at Warren he now owns fourteen acres and a house and four lots in Royal Oak. His beautiful home is frequently a scene of sociability and hospitality, and it is known as a place where friends are warmly welcomed and kindly entertained. He receives @12 a month as a pension from the Government, which is a richly deserves, though inadequate, recompense for his noble services and self-devotion to his country in her hour of need.