An American Silver Large Centerpiece Bowl, Bailey, Banks and Biddle Co., Philadelphia, circa 1913

Charles H. Geist (1866 - 1938) was a leading Philadelphia financier and was the head of multiple public utility companies. Born in Indiana, his early years were spent working on his father’s farm followed by seeking fortune out west, which never materialized. Eventually he returned east and went into real estate. It was in this period when he became acquainted with former Vice President Charles G. Dawes, and joined him and his brother in the development of gas and electric companies. After great success, he grew to become the largest individual holder of public utility stocks by 1930. Following his love for golf, he developed nationally recognized courses at Seaview Golf Club near Atlantic City and in Boca Raton, Florida. He purchased the Boca Raton Resort, then called The Cloisters, from Mizner’s Development Corp. for $76,350. His mansion in Villanova, Launfal (previously called the Godfrey Residence) is now part of an all-girls school, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.