Company History

From Germany to Westwood (1843-1900)

The company’s namesake, Frank Geiler, was born in 1843, in what was then Strasbourg, Germany, in the province of Alsace-Lorraine, and immigrated to this country in 1860. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the 28th Ohio Inf. Regt. In June, 1861, participated in numerous Civil War actions, was eventually wounded and discharged. He married Emma Mick of Hamilton, Ohio, and moved to the "Over-the-Rhine" district in Cincinnati. They had four children. The youngest child, William, began practicing the plumbing trade in 1885 at 63 Bremen Street (now Republic Street). His older brother, Joseph, joined him in 1890. Joe eventually took over the business from William, who chose to become the chauffeur for a wealthy couple. Around 1900, Joe moved the business to the then rural suburb of Westwood.

 

This picture shows Joe's first son, William, in front of the Harrison Avenue storefront. This location housed the first Geiler Company office.

Growth and Diversification (1901-1945)

Having grown up learning the plumbing trade, Bill Geiler served a stint in the Army Signal Corps as an airplane mechanic in WWI, and then returned to the company. In 1923, Joe decided to sell the business to Bill and then took the rest of the family to west San Diego. In that same year, William R. “Jack” Geiler was born.

The Geiler Company grew with the suburbs of Westwood, Cheviot and Western Hills, repairing and installing the plumbing and heating for the many residences and apartments in the area. During this time, The Geiler Company branched into the commercial districts as well. One prominent customer was James Gamble and his numerous properties. Another good customer was Coney Island amusement park, including the original plumbing for Sunlite pool.

The Modern Age of Plumbing Arrives (1946 and beyond)

Bill’s son Jack joined the firm after WWII. He brought with him an engineering degree from Tri-State College, as well as modern ideas and an increased emphasis on larger commercial projects. One innovation Jack introduced was 2-way radios in the vehicles - something he learned as a navigator on a B-24 bomber.

Prominent projects during this time included:

  • The 580 Building
  • The Federal Reserve Building
  • Riverfront Stadium
  • The original Cincinnati Convention Center
  • Numerous projects at the old Norwood G.M. Plant

The Company outgrew the Harrison office on Harrison Avenue, despite buying all of the property around it, so the company moved to its current facility on Glenway Avenue in 1960. Also, Geiler expanded into air conditioning, process piping and refrigeration.

The 1980’s saw Jack’s sons – Reid, Steve and Dave – enter the business as well as some tough times in the industry. Geiler survived because its old customers knew that they could count on The Geiler Company for a good value through thick and thin.