Title: Ferdinand A. Geiger Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1839-1951

Creator:

• Geiger, Ferdinand A., 1867-1939

Call Number: Mss 63

Quantity: 0.6 c.f. (2 archives boxes)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Papers of Ferdinand A. Geiger, a Wisconsin lawyer and United States District Judge for Eastern Wisconsin, 1912-1939, including correspondence, family and personal papers, speeches, papers relating to Geiger's involvement in a Justice Department controversy concerning ethics (1937-1938), and a copy of lectures on the powers and duties of the district attorney, presented by J. L. O'Connor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, 1888.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mss00063

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Ferdinand August Geiger was born October 15, 1867, in Cassville, Wisconsin, the son of John and Josephine Geiger, German immigrants. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1888 and from its Law School in 1890. From 1888 to 1890, he also worked as clerk in the Madison law office of John M. Olin. He soon left Madison for Milwaukee where he opened an office and practiced law for eighteen years.

In 1912, Geiger was appointed United States District Judge for Eastern Wisconsin. He became nationally known in this position in December, 1937, when he became a central figure in claims by the judiciary that the U.S. Justice Department was attempting to use the courts and their powers in an unethical manner. Geiger refused to permit a U.S. assistant attorney general to bargain with automobile finance companies for the entry of a consent decree in a civil action under threat of an indictment under the anti-trust law. As a result of this refusal, the Justice Department requested the House of Representatives to investigate Judge Geiger with an implicit view toward impeachment proceedings. Geiger was vindicated of any blame in the ensuing actions.

Because of illness, Judge Geiger resigned May 22, 1939. He died in Milwaukee on July 31 of that same year.

The Geiger Papers consist chiefly of incoming and outgoing correspondence, 1887-1939, and also include transcripts, speeches, genealogical notes, clippings, and family deeds and wills. Also included is a copy of “Lectures Delivered by J. L. O'Connor before the Wisconsin Law School during the Year 1888, on the Powers and Duties of District Attorneys and on the Prosecution and Defense of Criminal Cases Generally”.

Acquisition Information

Presented by George Geiger, Ephraim, Wisconsin, August 25, 1969.

Processing Information

Processed by Karen J. Baumann, October 29, 1969.

	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   1	1887, 1890, 1901, 1902, 1911, 1912, 1922
Box   1 Folder   2	1926
Box   1 Folder   3	1927-1928
Box   1 Folder   4	1929-1930
Box   1 Folder   5	1931-1936
Box   1 Folder   6	1937
Box   1 Folder   7	1938
Box   1 Folder   8	1939
Box   2 Folder   1	Family and Personal Papers, 1839-1951
Box   2 Folder   2	Justice Department Controversy, 1937-1938
Box   2 Folder   3	O'Connor Lectures, 1888
Box   2 Folder   4	Transcripts and Speeches, 1911-1931, undated