Louis William Geck Papers,
Collection
Identifier: 1986-032
Scope and Content
Collection consists of the papers of Louis William Geck. Included are military service records, land records, district court case records, records pertaining to the Civil War and the occupation of Mesilla, records pertaining to Geck's pension, guardianship records, and family papers and photographs. Military service records include his military bounty claims. Land records include conveyances and deeds for land in Dona Ana County and Mesilla, New Mexico. District court records pertain to Geck's discharge, the estate of Juan Lopez, and other various cases. Civil War papers (series IV and V) pertain to Geck's business relationship with the Confederate Army, the Union Army's confiscation of merchandise from his store, the accusation of treason brought against Geck by the Union Army, and Geck's subsequent damage suits brought against the Union Army. Included are invoices and receipts. Guardianship papers pertain to the appointment of a guardian for Geck. Family papers pertain to his wife Sara Aguirre, his grandaughter Lillian Weir Dulseminier, and other family members. Included are black and white and color photographs, photographic postcards, clippings, memorabilia, and two articles about Geck by Francis C. Kajencki.
Dates
- 1846-1985 (bulk 1846-1892)
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
None
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Biographical Note
Louis W. Geck was a Polish national and veteran of the Mexican War who settled in Dona Ana County, New Mexico and became a prominent merchant. Geck was born in Warsaw in 1818, came to the U.S. in the 1830s, enlisted in 1841 and served two five year terms in the First United States Dragoons. Upon his discharge he received his Military Land Bounty, bought more land in Dona Ana County and Mesilla, New Mexico, married Sarah Aguiree and became a U.S. citizen. During the 1860s he conducted business with the Confederate Army and was accused of treason by the U.S. Army. He was exonerated by a military court and his confiscated goods were returned to him.
Extent
.25 Linear Feet
Organization
Collection is organized into seven series:
- I. Military Service
- II. Land Transactions
- III. District Court Cases
- IV. Civil War
- V. Military Pension
- VI. Guardianship
- VII. Family Papers and Photographs
General
Contact Information
- New Mexico State Records Center and Archives
- Archives and Historical Services Division
- 1205 Camino Carlos Rey
- Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
- Phone: 505-476-7908
- Fax: 505-476-7909
- Email: archives@rain.state.nm.us
- URL: http://www.state.nm.us/cpr/ahsd_top.htm
General
- Black-and-white photographs
- Clippings
- Color photographs
- Deeds
- Doña Ana County (N.M.) -- History
- Family papers
- Invoices
- Land titles Registration and transfer -- New Mexico -- Dona Ana County
- Land titles Registration and transfer -- New Mexico -- Mesilla
- Mesilla (N.M.) -- Commerce
- Mesilla (N.M.) -- History
- New Mexico -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- Photographic postcards
- Title
- Inventory of the Louis William Geck Papers, 1846-1985 (bulk 1846-1892)
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Processed by Kay Dorman
- Date
- ©2000
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//New Mexico State Records Center and Archives//TEXT (US::Nm-Ar::1986-032::Louis William Geck Papers)//EN" "nmar1986-032.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives Repository