The Geddes Family were early pioneers in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. John Geddes (1801-1889) and his brother Robert Geddes (1797-1866) came to Ann Arbor from Pennsylvania in July 1824. They returned the following year to settle permanently. Robert Geddes constructed a sawmill along the Huron River. While Robert was mainly a farmer, John worked at the mill throughout his lifetime. "Uncle John" was actively involved in early Ann Arbor life and was known for recalling area history. He was also politically active; John was the supervisor of Ann Arbor Township, a Justice of the Peace, and was elected to the state legislature in 1840.
John Geddes's daughter, Sarah, married millwright William T. Randall. He worked for various local mills although spent most of his career as superintendent of the Rock River Paper Company of Marshall, Michigan. He later worked in Beloit, Wisconsin.
From the guide to the Geddes and Randall Family Papers, 1835-1909, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)
