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.

Education and early career

Geer was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, to David and Eunice Witter Geer.[1] 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.[2] 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,[2] 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.

Notes
  1. Geer, Walter and James Geer. The Geer Genealogy: A Historical Record of George and Thomas Geer; Brentano’s, 1923
  2. Quindecennial Record of the Class of 1895, Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, Yale University Press, 1912. (Compiled by Wm. Parsons)
  3. Logansport Pharos-Tribune. Logansport, Indiana (pg. 2), February 24, 1920
  4. New York Times. New York, New York: April 9, 1921 (pg. 24); May 13, 1921 (pg.17)
  5. Titusville Herald. Titusville, Pennsylvania (pg. 1), March 23, 1921.
  6. Logansport Pharos-Tribune. Logansport, Indiana (pg. 1), April 8, 1921
  7. Waterloo Evening Courier. Waterloo, Iowa (pg. 1), May 12, 1921.
  8. Barriger, John Walker, Sir Henry Thornton: Pioneer. Newcomen Society of England, American Branch. 1948
  9. genealogy
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