Born in "Dippach, Court Hofheim, Kingdom of Bavaria," Johann Gottfried Gieck, his wife, Margaratha, and Elizabeth, arrived in NY in September of 1846. By the fall of that year, they had settled in Cincinnati. Soon thereafter, Gottfried was “awakened immediately” by a prayer during a visit from Brother Danker (1791-1861). Under the ministry of the Revered George Danker, Gottfried Gieck ‘felt the blessed calling’ and began the work of the Lord. In 1857 Bro. Gieck and his family moved to Missouri where he continued to bring his neighbors to “repentance and conversion,” and where F. Urnsperger/Ferdinand Arnsperger (1838-1901), the writer of Gottfried’s obituary, was among the first successfully converted. In 1858 the Reverend Gieck organized the Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church at close-by Drake, MO. For a year, Brother Gieck taught a class at the Herman Mission under Brother Hoech. Later as a permanent preacher, he gave service as a traveling preacher for a year, withstanding “struggle and strife” and not without opposition. In early October of 1859, Bro Gieck was afflicted with a sickness and after nine days he died from “gall fever.” “He leaves behind a saddened wife with seven children, two of which were just two months old on the day of his death. May the dear Lord who has said, 'I am the father to the fatherless,' comfort them and be their helper until the end."
Written by F. Urnsperger [sic] on instruction from Brother Granemann, Indian Creek, MO
(obituary: Der Christliche Apologete, ca. October 1859)
------
The following information is from page 693, The Methodist Episcopal Church chapter, History of Osage County, History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage counties, Missouri:
In 1856 several German families (Runge, Schultz, Kuhagen, Gens and Kasming) located on Indian Creek, and two years later Charles and Godfrey (Carl and Gottfried) Giecke, who had letters from a German Methodist Church at Cincinnati, Ohio. The latter two succeeded in organizing a church, and Rev. Hoech, of Hermann, was secured as a preacher; also Godfrey was made a preacher, and held services at his home. The first church was built in 1859, but in 1879 a stone church, valued at $1,500, was erected and dedicated by Rev. M. Dewein (P.E.). The circuit including Bland and Indian Creek has 137 members, 67 of whom are at Indian Creek, under Rev. H. Miller.
Because of his spiritual influence in the life of Brother Johann Gottfried Gieck, the “EXPERIENCE OF G. DANKER” is shared:
In the year 1824, when I was about thirty years old, the Lord awakened me from my sleep of sin. I lived in the kingdom of Hanover, about fifteen miles from Bremen, Germany. Nothing was heard about conversion in our country, and consequently nothing was known of converted people. People were satisfied to hear a sermon once in two or three weeks, but this was nothing except a dead morality. Every three months we made confession of past sins, and took the sacrament of the Lord's supper, which we considered would render us free from sin. This was the custom there in the Lutheran Church, to which I belonged. I was not awakened through the instrumentality of a pious preacher; it was the Lord himself who awakened me. It was a severe penitential struggle, continuing for more than a year, through which I passed. I had no teacher but the word of God, which made me more sorrowful than joyful. I tried to better myself, and prayed earnestly with tears to God for power to do so. I endeavored, in my own strength, to live without sin, and knew nothing of that faith by which we are saved through grace. As I was at Bremen in the summer, there came a young man to me, in the good providence of God, who took me the next morning to the St. Michael's Church, where I heard a sermon from F. R. Mallett, such as I had not heard in all my life. It was penetrating, spiritual, and full of life. All my self-righteousness was taken from me, and, at the same time, I was directed to Jesus, as the Lamb of God. The same evening, by perseverance in prayer, I obtained the pardon of my sins and peace with God. After my conversion, when I became more intimately acquainted with the preacher, Frederick R. Mallett, he requested me to hold meetings. Following his good advice, I commenced to preach the word of God to others; but opposition arose, and an officer was sent to disperse our meetings. I was brought before the civil authorities; but this did not result in any thing serious, and we finally obtained liberty to preach when we pleased. The number of those that believed was increased, so that, in a short time, meetings were held in four places. In the year 1836 I came to America, not with a view to preach, or to say any thing to others about conversion, but from a desire to live piously with my family, and so keep my religion to myself. I settled at Marietta, Ohio; but soon commenced preaching again, and have continued to do so ever since. Sinners were awakened and converted; and although I had the name of Lutheran, my people were called Methodists. About this time the Methodists commenced their work among the Germans in Marietta, where I had my society. On one occasion I preached in the English Methodist church. Under the sermon some began to cry aloud for mercy; some fell down beside their seats and began to pray; and this was the first time I ever prayed with penitents in the Church. It caused some disturbance in the Lutheran Church, so that two weeks afterward I withdrew, and delivered my farewell sermon. Rev. C. Best, preacher in charge, and N. Callender, presiding elder, extended the hand of friendship tome; and after seven weeks' serious reflection and prayer, I joined the Methodists, and was received as local preacher in the quarterly conference. Brother Callender appointed me to the Marietta mission, and forty-two of my members went with me to the Methodist Church. This was in the year 1839. In 1840 I was sent to the Monroe mission in Ohio. In 1841 I was ordained deacon, and in 1842 I was ordained elder in the Church. Since my connection with the Methodist Church I have seen many souls converted, among whom are a goodly number who came to this country as Roman Catholics. I thank God that the Methodist Episcopal Church ever sent her missionaries to the Germans. May the blessing of God rest upon the Church for this labor of love, and reward her members in time and in eternity! (Experience of German Methodist Preachers. Cincinnati 1859. Chapter 12, pp 174-175 https://archive.org/details/02521237.emory.edu/page/n187/mode/2up)
Gieck was first owner of land out of the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring 240 acres in Sections 24 and 25, T42N, R08W in Osage County on June 10, 1857, paying cash through the St. Louis Land Office. He is listed as Johnn G. Gieck of Hamilton County, Ohio on the land certificate (Find A Grave contributor Cynthia Farmer-Nold).
Written by F. Urnsperger [sic] on instruction from Brother Granemann, Indian Creek, MO
(obituary: Der Christliche Apologete, ca. October 1859)
------
The following information is from page 693, The Methodist Episcopal Church chapter, History of Osage County, History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage counties, Missouri:
In 1856 several German families (Runge, Schultz, Kuhagen, Gens and Kasming) located on Indian Creek, and two years later Charles and Godfrey (Carl and Gottfried) Giecke, who had letters from a German Methodist Church at Cincinnati, Ohio. The latter two succeeded in organizing a church, and Rev. Hoech, of Hermann, was secured as a preacher; also Godfrey was made a preacher, and held services at his home. The first church was built in 1859, but in 1879 a stone church, valued at $1,500, was erected and dedicated by Rev. M. Dewein (P.E.). The circuit including Bland and Indian Creek has 137 members, 67 of whom are at Indian Creek, under Rev. H. Miller.
Because of his spiritual influence in the life of Brother Johann Gottfried Gieck, the “EXPERIENCE OF G. DANKER” is shared:
In the year 1824, when I was about thirty years old, the Lord awakened me from my sleep of sin. I lived in the kingdom of Hanover, about fifteen miles from Bremen, Germany. Nothing was heard about conversion in our country, and consequently nothing was known of converted people. People were satisfied to hear a sermon once in two or three weeks, but this was nothing except a dead morality. Every three months we made confession of past sins, and took the sacrament of the Lord's supper, which we considered would render us free from sin. This was the custom there in the Lutheran Church, to which I belonged. I was not awakened through the instrumentality of a pious preacher; it was the Lord himself who awakened me. It was a severe penitential struggle, continuing for more than a year, through which I passed. I had no teacher but the word of God, which made me more sorrowful than joyful. I tried to better myself, and prayed earnestly with tears to God for power to do so. I endeavored, in my own strength, to live without sin, and knew nothing of that faith by which we are saved through grace. As I was at Bremen in the summer, there came a young man to me, in the good providence of God, who took me the next morning to the St. Michael's Church, where I heard a sermon from F. R. Mallett, such as I had not heard in all my life. It was penetrating, spiritual, and full of life. All my self-righteousness was taken from me, and, at the same time, I was directed to Jesus, as the Lamb of God. The same evening, by perseverance in prayer, I obtained the pardon of my sins and peace with God. After my conversion, when I became more intimately acquainted with the preacher, Frederick R. Mallett, he requested me to hold meetings. Following his good advice, I commenced to preach the word of God to others; but opposition arose, and an officer was sent to disperse our meetings. I was brought before the civil authorities; but this did not result in any thing serious, and we finally obtained liberty to preach when we pleased. The number of those that believed was increased, so that, in a short time, meetings were held in four places. In the year 1836 I came to America, not with a view to preach, or to say any thing to others about conversion, but from a desire to live piously with my family, and so keep my religion to myself. I settled at Marietta, Ohio; but soon commenced preaching again, and have continued to do so ever since. Sinners were awakened and converted; and although I had the name of Lutheran, my people were called Methodists. About this time the Methodists commenced their work among the Germans in Marietta, where I had my society. On one occasion I preached in the English Methodist church. Under the sermon some began to cry aloud for mercy; some fell down beside their seats and began to pray; and this was the first time I ever prayed with penitents in the Church. It caused some disturbance in the Lutheran Church, so that two weeks afterward I withdrew, and delivered my farewell sermon. Rev. C. Best, preacher in charge, and N. Callender, presiding elder, extended the hand of friendship tome; and after seven weeks' serious reflection and prayer, I joined the Methodists, and was received as local preacher in the quarterly conference. Brother Callender appointed me to the Marietta mission, and forty-two of my members went with me to the Methodist Church. This was in the year 1839. In 1840 I was sent to the Monroe mission in Ohio. In 1841 I was ordained deacon, and in 1842 I was ordained elder in the Church. Since my connection with the Methodist Church I have seen many souls converted, among whom are a goodly number who came to this country as Roman Catholics. I thank God that the Methodist Episcopal Church ever sent her missionaries to the Germans. May the blessing of God rest upon the Church for this labor of love, and reward her members in time and in eternity! (Experience of German Methodist Preachers. Cincinnati 1859. Chapter 12, pp 174-175 https://archive.org/details/02521237.emory.edu/page/n187/mode/2up)
Gieck was first owner of land out of the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring 240 acres in Sections 24 and 25, T42N, R08W in Osage County on June 10, 1857, paying cash through the St. Louis Land Office. He is listed as Johnn G. Gieck of Hamilton County, Ohio on the land certificate (Find A Grave contributor Cynthia Farmer-Nold).
Born in "Dippach, Court Hofheim, Kingdom of Bavaria," Johann Gottfried Gieck, his wife, Margaratha, and Elizabeth, arrived in NY in September of 1846. By the fall of that year, they had settled in Cincinnati. Soon thereafter, Gottfried was “awakened immediately” by a prayer during a visit from Brother Danker (1791-1861). Under the ministry of the Revered George Danker, Gottfried Gieck ‘felt the blessed calling’ and began the work of the Lord. In 1857 Bro. Gieck and his family moved to Missouri where he continued to bring his neighbors to “repentance and conversion,” and where F. Urnsperger/Ferdinand Arnsperger (1838-1901), the writer of Gottfried’s obituary, was among the first successfully converted. In 1858 the Reverend Gieck organized the Zoar Methodist Episcopal Church at close-by Drake, MO. For a year, Brother Gieck taught a class at the Herman Mission under Brother Hoech. Later as a permanent preacher, he gave service as a traveling preacher for a year, withstanding “struggle and strife” and not without opposition. In early October of 1859, Bro Gieck was afflicted with a sickness and after nine days he died from “gall fever.” “He leaves behind a saddened wife with seven children, two of which were just two months old on the day of his death. May the dear Lord who has said, 'I am the father to the fatherless,' comfort them and be their helper until the end."
Written by F. Urnsperger [sic] on instruction from Brother Granemann, Indian Creek, MO
(obituary: Der Christliche Apologete, ca. October 1859)
------
The following information is from page 693, The Methodist Episcopal Church chapter, History of Osage County, History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage counties, Missouri:
In 1856 several German families (Runge, Schultz, Kuhagen, Gens and Kasming) located on Indian Creek, and two years later Charles and Godfrey (Carl and Gottfried) Giecke, who had letters from a German Methodist Church at Cincinnati, Ohio. The latter two succeeded in organizing a church, and Rev. Hoech, of Hermann, was secured as a preacher; also Godfrey was made a preacher, and held services at his home. The first church was built in 1859, but in 1879 a stone church, valued at $1,500, was erected and dedicated by Rev. M. Dewein (P.E.). The circuit including Bland and Indian Creek has 137 members, 67 of whom are at Indian Creek, under Rev. H. Miller.
Because of his spiritual influence in the life of Brother Johann Gottfried Gieck, the “EXPERIENCE OF G. DANKER” is shared:
In the year 1824, when I was about thirty years old, the Lord awakened me from my sleep of sin. I lived in the kingdom of Hanover, about fifteen miles from Bremen, Germany. Nothing was heard about conversion in our country, and consequently nothing was known of converted people. People were satisfied to hear a sermon once in two or three weeks, but this was nothing except a dead morality. Every three months we made confession of past sins, and took the sacrament of the Lord's supper, which we considered would render us free from sin. This was the custom there in the Lutheran Church, to which I belonged. I was not awakened through the instrumentality of a pious preacher; it was the Lord himself who awakened me. It was a severe penitential struggle, continuing for more than a year, through which I passed. I had no teacher but the word of God, which made me more sorrowful than joyful. I tried to better myself, and prayed earnestly with tears to God for power to do so. I endeavored, in my own strength, to live without sin, and knew nothing of that faith by which we are saved through grace. As I was at Bremen in the summer, there came a young man to me, in the good providence of God, who took me the next morning to the St. Michael's Church, where I heard a sermon from F. R. Mallett, such as I had not heard in all my life. It was penetrating, spiritual, and full of life. All my self-righteousness was taken from me, and, at the same time, I was directed to Jesus, as the Lamb of God. The same evening, by perseverance in prayer, I obtained the pardon of my sins and peace with God. After my conversion, when I became more intimately acquainted with the preacher, Frederick R. Mallett, he requested me to hold meetings. Following his good advice, I commenced to preach the word of God to others; but opposition arose, and an officer was sent to disperse our meetings. I was brought before the civil authorities; but this did not result in any thing serious, and we finally obtained liberty to preach when we pleased. The number of those that believed was increased, so that, in a short time, meetings were held in four places. In the year 1836 I came to America, not with a view to preach, or to say any thing to others about conversion, but from a desire to live piously with my family, and so keep my religion to myself. I settled at Marietta, Ohio; but soon commenced preaching again, and have continued to do so ever since. Sinners were awakened and converted; and although I had the name of Lutheran, my people were called Methodists. About this time the Methodists commenced their work among the Germans in Marietta, where I had my society. On one occasion I preached in the English Methodist church. Under the sermon some began to cry aloud for mercy; some fell down beside their seats and began to pray; and this was the first time I ever prayed with penitents in the Church. It caused some disturbance in the Lutheran Church, so that two weeks afterward I withdrew, and delivered my farewell sermon. Rev. C. Best, preacher in charge, and N. Callender, presiding elder, extended the hand of friendship tome; and after seven weeks' serious reflection and prayer, I joined the Methodists, and was received as local preacher in the quarterly conference. Brother Callender appointed me to the Marietta mission, and forty-two of my members went with me to the Methodist Church. This was in the year 1839. In 1840 I was sent to the Monroe mission in Ohio. In 1841 I was ordained deacon, and in 1842 I was ordained elder in the Church. Since my connection with the Methodist Church I have seen many souls converted, among whom are a goodly number who came to this country as Roman Catholics. I thank God that the Methodist Episcopal Church ever sent her missionaries to the Germans. May the blessing of God rest upon the Church for this labor of love, and reward her members in time and in eternity! (Experience of German Methodist Preachers. Cincinnati 1859. Chapter 12, pp 174-175 https://archive.org/details/02521237.emory.edu/page/n187/mode/2up)
Gieck was first owner of land out of the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring 240 acres in Sections 24 and 25, T42N, R08W in Osage County on June 10, 1857, paying cash through the St. Louis Land Office. He is listed as Johnn G. Gieck of Hamilton County, Ohio on the land certificate (Find A Grave contributor Cynthia Farmer-Nold).
Written by F. Urnsperger [sic] on instruction from Brother Granemann, Indian Creek, MO
(obituary: Der Christliche Apologete, ca. October 1859)
------
The following information is from page 693, The Methodist Episcopal Church chapter, History of Osage County, History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage counties, Missouri:
In 1856 several German families (Runge, Schultz, Kuhagen, Gens and Kasming) located on Indian Creek, and two years later Charles and Godfrey (Carl and Gottfried) Giecke, who had letters from a German Methodist Church at Cincinnati, Ohio. The latter two succeeded in organizing a church, and Rev. Hoech, of Hermann, was secured as a preacher; also Godfrey was made a preacher, and held services at his home. The first church was built in 1859, but in 1879 a stone church, valued at $1,500, was erected and dedicated by Rev. M. Dewein (P.E.). The circuit including Bland and Indian Creek has 137 members, 67 of whom are at Indian Creek, under Rev. H. Miller.
Because of his spiritual influence in the life of Brother Johann Gottfried Gieck, the “EXPERIENCE OF G. DANKER” is shared:
In the year 1824, when I was about thirty years old, the Lord awakened me from my sleep of sin. I lived in the kingdom of Hanover, about fifteen miles from Bremen, Germany. Nothing was heard about conversion in our country, and consequently nothing was known of converted people. People were satisfied to hear a sermon once in two or three weeks, but this was nothing except a dead morality. Every three months we made confession of past sins, and took the sacrament of the Lord's supper, which we considered would render us free from sin. This was the custom there in the Lutheran Church, to which I belonged. I was not awakened through the instrumentality of a pious preacher; it was the Lord himself who awakened me. It was a severe penitential struggle, continuing for more than a year, through which I passed. I had no teacher but the word of God, which made me more sorrowful than joyful. I tried to better myself, and prayed earnestly with tears to God for power to do so. I endeavored, in my own strength, to live without sin, and knew nothing of that faith by which we are saved through grace. As I was at Bremen in the summer, there came a young man to me, in the good providence of God, who took me the next morning to the St. Michael's Church, where I heard a sermon from F. R. Mallett, such as I had not heard in all my life. It was penetrating, spiritual, and full of life. All my self-righteousness was taken from me, and, at the same time, I was directed to Jesus, as the Lamb of God. The same evening, by perseverance in prayer, I obtained the pardon of my sins and peace with God. After my conversion, when I became more intimately acquainted with the preacher, Frederick R. Mallett, he requested me to hold meetings. Following his good advice, I commenced to preach the word of God to others; but opposition arose, and an officer was sent to disperse our meetings. I was brought before the civil authorities; but this did not result in any thing serious, and we finally obtained liberty to preach when we pleased. The number of those that believed was increased, so that, in a short time, meetings were held in four places. In the year 1836 I came to America, not with a view to preach, or to say any thing to others about conversion, but from a desire to live piously with my family, and so keep my religion to myself. I settled at Marietta, Ohio; but soon commenced preaching again, and have continued to do so ever since. Sinners were awakened and converted; and although I had the name of Lutheran, my people were called Methodists. About this time the Methodists commenced their work among the Germans in Marietta, where I had my society. On one occasion I preached in the English Methodist church. Under the sermon some began to cry aloud for mercy; some fell down beside their seats and began to pray; and this was the first time I ever prayed with penitents in the Church. It caused some disturbance in the Lutheran Church, so that two weeks afterward I withdrew, and delivered my farewell sermon. Rev. C. Best, preacher in charge, and N. Callender, presiding elder, extended the hand of friendship tome; and after seven weeks' serious reflection and prayer, I joined the Methodists, and was received as local preacher in the quarterly conference. Brother Callender appointed me to the Marietta mission, and forty-two of my members went with me to the Methodist Church. This was in the year 1839. In 1840 I was sent to the Monroe mission in Ohio. In 1841 I was ordained deacon, and in 1842 I was ordained elder in the Church. Since my connection with the Methodist Church I have seen many souls converted, among whom are a goodly number who came to this country as Roman Catholics. I thank God that the Methodist Episcopal Church ever sent her missionaries to the Germans. May the blessing of God rest upon the Church for this labor of love, and reward her members in time and in eternity! (Experience of German Methodist Preachers. Cincinnati 1859. Chapter 12, pp 174-175 https://archive.org/details/02521237.emory.edu/page/n187/mode/2up)
Gieck was first owner of land out of the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring 240 acres in Sections 24 and 25, T42N, R08W in Osage County on June 10, 1857, paying cash through the St. Louis Land Office. He is listed as Johnn G. Gieck of Hamilton County, Ohio on the land certificate (Find A Grave contributor Cynthia Farmer-Nold).
Gravesite Details
loosely translated: Men will forget property, possessions, name, and education, but when a man preaches salvation, the community will praise him.
