Isaac Wheeler Geer

Isaac Wheeler Geer (February 1, 1873 – June 20, 1953) was an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad known for his involvement in labor disputes.

Isaac Wheeler Geer
Born(1873-02-01)February 1, 1873
Plainfield, Connecticut
DiedJune 20, 1953(1953-06-20) (aged 80)
Chicago, Illinois
Education
OccupationRailroad executive
Spouse
Margaret Worth Thornton
​
​
(m. 1901)​

Education and early career

Geer was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, to David and Eunice Witter Geer.[1][2] After graduating from Phillips Academy, Andover, Isaac attended Yale, earning several awards in science and mathematics. He served as editor of the Yale Scientific Magazine.[1] After graduating, Geer worked as an engineer on several major rail lines through the Midwest. By 1906, he had become superintendent of the Logansport division of the Pennsylvania Railroad and was based in St. Louis. In 1920, Isaac was promoted to general manager.[3]

Labor dispute (1921)

In 1921 Geer became embroiled in a dispute with labor unions.[4] The unions claimed that Geer had authorized railroad executives to "defame" labor unions in order to force them to reveal information on the unions and on wage cuts. The unions produced a letter purportedly by Geer;[5] but Geer denied having written it.[6] During hearings of the United States Railway Labor Board, union lawyers failed to prove the authenticity of the letter.[7]

Personal life

On October 23, 1901, Geer married Margaret Worth Thornton,[1] sister of Sir Henry Worth Thornton,[8] cousin of Judge William Wheeler Thornton, and niece of Dr. William Patton Thornton.[9]

The Geers had two children: Helen Thornton Geer, professor of library science and Margaret Worth Geer.

Isaac Wheeler Geer died at his home in Chicago on June 20, 1953.[10]

Notes
  1. Parsons, William Usher, ed. (1912). Quindecennial Record of the Class of 1895, Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. Yale University Press. pp. 50–51. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  2. Geer, Walter (1923). The Geer Genealogy: A Historical Record of George and Thomas Geer. New York: Brentano's. p. 234. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  3. "Local Railroad Superintendents Get Promotion: Many Others Advanced". Logansport Pharos-Tribune. February 24, 1920. p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Fails to Prove Geer Letter". The New York Times. Chicago. May 13, 1921. p. 19. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "President Issues Call for Congress Meeting; Walsh and Atterbury Clash in Rail Hearing. 'Pennsy' Chief is Assailed by Labor Counsel". The Salt Lake Tribune. Chicago. March 23, 1921. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "President is Asked to Call Rail Meeting". Logansport Pharos-Tribune. Chicago. International News Service. April 8, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Unions Unable to Show Defamation Letter Authentic". Waterloo Evening Courier. Chicago. Associated Press. May 12, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Barriger, John Walker, "Sir Henry Thornton: Pioneer", Newcomen Address, Newcomen Society of England, American Branch. 1948
  9. "Distant Cousins: Henry Clay Thornton". Thorntons of Southern Kentucky. February 11, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Blogger.
  10. "Isaac Wheeler Geer". Chicago Tribune. June 22, 1953. p. 28. Retrieved June 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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