JUDGE JOHN S. GEIGER, Union County, was born in Louisville, Ky., March 27, 1818, son of Frederick and Sarah Geiger, whose maiden name was Brengman. The Geiger family are of German origin. The father of Mr. Geiger was born in Hagerstown, Md., in 1783, and his death occurred about 1845. His paternal grandfather came to Kentucky about 1789, and was a companion of the celebrated old pioneer, Daniel Boone; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and commanded a company of mounted riflemen at the battle of Tippecanoe. The early life of Judge Geiger was spent in attending school at Louisville, Ky., and subsequently at the Indiana University, at Bloomington. After completing his school work, he began the study of the law under the instruction of Judges Henry Pirtle and Hon. James Speed, who was afterward Lincoln's attorney-general. During the winter of 1840-41, Judge Geiger took the law course at the Transylvania University, at Lexington, Ky. In 1841 he came to Union County, and immediately engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1856 he was elected by the Democrats of Union County to the office of clerk of the circuit court, which position he successfully filled for seven years. In 1866 he was elected county judge of this county, and re-elected to the same office in 1870. After the war, Judge Geiger was, in 1871, indicted in the United States district court, at Paducah—Judge Ballard presiding—for high treason, making treasonable speeches in 1862. This indictment was nolle prosequied by Col. Wharton, United States district attorney. While judge of the county, he, for almost three years, edited the Union County Advocate, the first newspaper that Morganfield ever had. Judge Geiger was married, in 1841, to Miss Laura C. Hughes, of Bloomington, Ind. Their union was blessed with seven children, viz.: Elizabeth, James, Arthur (deceased), Douglas, Ellen, Frank (deceased) and Hattie. Mrs. Geiger died July 10, 1882. Judge Geiger is a Democrat, and has always advocated the interests of his party; he is a Mason, and for many years was master of the Morganfield lodge. Since 1849 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 1021-1022.