Henry S. Geyer

American politician

Henry Sheffie Geyer (December 9, 1790March 5, 1859) was a politician, lawyer, and soldier from Missouri. Born in Frederick, Maryland, he was the son of John Geyer, saddler of Frederick Town. Geyer was of German descent, his father having come from Prussia.

Geyer was instructed privately, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1811 and practiced law in Frederick. Most of Geyer's legal knowledge was gained by working in the office of his maternal uncle, Daniel Sheaffee, who was a prominent lawyer. He authored the Geyer Act of 1839 establishing public education in Missouri as well as the University of Missouri. In 1850, Geyer was offered the position of secretary of war by President Millard Fillmore, but Geyer declined. He was elected senator after gaining support from both Whigs and Democrats over his ambiguous stance on slavery. Geyer succeeded Thomas Hart Benton, who ended his senatorial career by insisting that Congress had the power to restrict slavery in the federal territories. For two years, Geyer was the only senator from Missouri. Missouri became the first state to be represented by only one senator for a considerable period of time. The views of Bentonites and anti Bentonites were so contentious, that the legislature did not elect another senator and the governor did not appoint anyone, believing it was not within the governor's ability to do so. During his time in the Senate, Geyer voted for the Kansas Nebraska bill, which demonstrated his proslavery views.

In the late 1830s or early 1840s, Henry Geyer had a law partnership with Benjamin B. Dayton, which was in business until Geyer was elected to the Senate. The firm of Geyer & Dayton had a large business and tried many important land suits. Geyer did not seek reelection to the Senate after 1857 and resumed the practice of law. He was recruited to assist Reverdy Johnson in defending John F. A. Sanford, the slave owner in the Dred Scott case. Geyer was asked to join Johnson because of his knowledge of Missouri law, his experience arguing in front of the Supreme Court, and his strong southern views. During the trial, Geyer argued for limited federal oversight of state supreme court decisions, against Dred Scott's right to bring suit in federal court, and stated that the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional. Geyer gained national recognition as a lawyer when he argued the case of The State vs. Darnes in 1840. Darnes was indicted for manslaughter for killing Mr. Davis, the publisher of the St. Louis Democratic newspaper, The Argus. An article in the paper denounced certain politicians, which offended Darnes. Darnes confronted Davis and struck him with an iron cane several times. Davis was taken to the hospital, but died after eight days. On the eighth day, Dr. Beaumont, a skilled surgeon, performed a trephining procedure on Davis to relieve pressure on the skull. In his argument, Geyer maintained that Davis' death was caused by the surgery and not the injuries he sustained from Darnes. Davis was convicted of manslaughter in the third or fourth degree, essentially amounting to an acquittal. Geyer's two day argument was published in pamphlet form, republished in Boston, and used by the New England bar in similar cases.

Henry Geyer married one of seven daughters of Rufus Easton, the first postmaster of St. Louis. This was one of three wives that Geyer married. At his death, he left a widow, one son, and two daughters.

Geyer died in St. Louis on March 5, 1859, and was interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery. He was sixty eight years old. Geyer Road in St. Louis is named in his honor.