Gienger PHOTOS

GIENGER Documents

LONNIE SIMPLIFIED DIRECT FAMILY TREE

CHRISTIAN GIENGER
born 1767, (gggg-grand); immigrated to Neudorf, Russia in 1808

GEORGE GIENGER
born 1794, (ggg-grand)

MICHAEL GIENGER
born 1830, (gg-grand); married to Magdalene

GOTTLIEB GIENGER
born 1875 in Neudorf, Russia, (great-grandpa), died 1941; married to Eva (1875-1974); immigrated to America in 1897 to Ashley, North Dakota; moved to Gackle in 1898

PAUL GIENGER
born 1898, (grandpa); married to Martha (Wolf), born 1903

ED GIENGER
(dad); married to Allegra (Lang)

LON GIENGER
(self); married to Michelle (Meyer)

THE GIENGER FAMILY
FROM 1775-1980 (205 YEARS)

This history is dedicated to our German forefathers, the Giengers, who had enough dedication to leave their mother country of German in 1808 to the vast area of Odessa, South Russia in a quest for large areas of low priced land, independence and more private property. However, after all their rights, freedom and independence were taken away from them, after a century in Russia, they had enough dedication, daring and desire for a better life to leave their homeland of Russia, which they loved, but which no longer provided them with all the means for the good life they had in the past. We thank God for their great faith and bravery to make them twice leave a country they loved and called home and move to a foreign land in search for a better life on this earth. They traveled thousands of miles across land and ocean to two unknown lands to start another life. Within 105 years they had enough courage to immigrate from Germany to Neudorf, Odessa South Russia and to North Dakota of the United States. It is from their courage, strength and determination that we now live in one of the best countries in the world.

The Jacob Giengers are members of a very distinct ethnic group of people called the German Russians. They are one family of about 100,000 Germans that immigrated to Russia from 1763 to 1882 (Giengers in 1808). However, with their large families of about 8 children per family they increased rapidly. Today these German Russians number about 2 million people in Russia and 1.5 million in the new world of North, Central, and South America. About 600,000 German Russians live in the United States, mostly in the central plains of the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. They also settled in Western Canada, Argentina, and Brazil. Immigration agents estimate that over one million German Russians, mostly farmers, immigrated from South Russia to the New World in the years 1975-1914.

The German Russians did not come into Russia as intruders or invaders. They were called and recruited by the Russian Czars. The Russians wanted particularly Germans to settle the virgin lands of South Russia. The new German settlers were promised almost unbelievable rights and privileges by the Russians. But the Russian Czars purchased a policy of selective colonization which required that only very capable German agriculturists would be admitted in order that they might serve as “models” for all Russian peasant farmers for their undeveloped economy. When the Giengers came to Russia in the early 1800’s the Russian leaders were very selective on who could be admitted to their country. Only the most skilled farmers were allowed to come to Russia.

In reading many books on German Russian history I discovered one fact which our present generation has perhaps not fully realized. Until World War I, the Germans always lived on good terms with the Russian people while they had their own colonies among the Russian citizens. Indeed they were often in friendship with the Russian people. The Russian people greatly respected the German farmers and held all German people in the most high regard. About 95 percent of the German Russians were farmers. They settled mainly on the level land with its abundant black dirt. Everywhere the German villages with their attractive house stood out like oasis in the vast plains. Everywhere the church steeple towered above the one-storied Colonial houses. Russian farmers constantly sought advise from German farmers who served as models to the Russian agricultural community.

Our German Russian people prospered and multiplied in the host country of Russia for about 100 years without ever taking part in the Russian way of life. They had their own separate German villages, language, churches, schools, hospitals and all other German ways of life without interference for a whole century. However all Germans did also learn the Russian Language. Then, when the Russian policy of special privileges toward the German people came to a close in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s large numbers felt that the new laws would be too harsh to be endured. Consequently, thousands of them, including the Jacob Giengers, abandoned their adopted fatherland of Russia and migrated to the North American Continent; where a large percentage of them adopted as their new fatherland the United States of America, particularly the Midwest.

HISTORY BOOK AND REUNION REASONS

After reading seven large volumes, totaling more than 2800 pages of history of the German Russian people, I became convinced that they are a unique group of people in the history of two large countries upon this earth. Our forefathers, the Jacob Giengers, were members of this group of people who established themselves in the history of Russia and the United States to such an extent that they works are perhaps imprinted in history forever. The true story of these people must be told. We cannot rely only on telling their history to our children and grandchildren. Because when the older generation passes on, the facts will be forever lost. So, responding to this desire to preserve our German Russian and German American heritage, I have attempted to put together some basic facts of interest on the German Russian people involving the immigration from German to Russian and to the Dakota of the United States. I have tried to gather some interesting available material on the German Russians and particularly the Jacob Giengers and their ancestors and offspring, and put it into a readable form.

Those of us who are descendants of the Jacob Giengers must remember that their blood flows in our veins. These Gienger ancestors gave us our existence and striving and made us what we are. We must now preserve and enhance what we have inherited from them as a valuable link pass it on to our descendants.

Historians and all other people who studied, wrote and observed the German Russians in Russia and the United States all marveled at the sturdy and hardy robust constitution of this unusual hardy people, who seemed to always have such great stamina and manage a healthful and satisfying living where other nationalities would not even attempt to live or exist. They believe their stocky and strong physical features seemed to have developed from many generations of hard work in Germany. They were an intensely religious people with extreme loyalty to the church of their choice. In Russia the Lutherans accounted for 76 percent of the total church, the Catholics 13.5 percent, and the Mennonites 3.7 percent with the remaining percentage comprising the reformed Baptists and other faiths. In the Black Sea area there were 2000 Lutheran congregations with over 300,000 confirmed Lutheran members.

By studying and telling the story of the Jacob Giengers and all other German Russians we get an unbelievable picture of the courage and faith that these people possessed in lieu of almost impossible circumstances. They were a brave and stout-hearted band who never gave up. Both in Russia and the Doakota’s of the United States, they fought the cold and storms with poor protection and many times shabby shelter. They battled prairie fires, hot winds and devastating droughts. They lived through hard times, depressions, poor prices, and sacrifice was their daily bread. They toiled the years away with little mechanical help and drove those weary miles to market with their produce, to return with the bare necessities for their existence until another crop. But through all the hard times and shortages they always raised large families and seemed to flourish. Those times and experiences are long since gone, but we can learn from their lives. They overcame and conquered many obstacles upon which our present generation would simply give up. when we consider what we have today as compared to then, we should truly count our blessings and thank God. It was through the sacrifices of our faithful forefathers that we may enjoy the conveniences we have today. we own an everlasting debt of gratitude to our Gienger pioneers who endured hardships, wrestled a living from the bare prairie and built their homes on the prairie in Russia and the United States.

My thanks to all our aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and other relatives who so willingly cooperated in assisting in the reunion and supplying information in getting this material together. A special thanks to my wife, Eileen, for allowing me the hours to research, compile, and write this book.

We believe the Giengers involved in this reunion of 1980 owe a real debt of gratitude to Paul and Violet Gienger for being gracious and willing to have their working farm (the Jacob Gienger Farmstead) used for the gathering of the Gienger relatives during the Sunday reunion noon meal of July 6, 1980. We wish to express the sincerest of thanks to you.

Compiled and written by
            Norbert E. Miller
            Grandson of the Jacob
            Gienger’s; son of Emil
            Miller and Matilda
            Gienger.

GOTTLEIB-PAUL-ED-LONNIE GIENGER HISTORY

GOTTLIEB GIENGER, THIRD COUSIN OF JACOB GIENGER (Grandfather of Edmund Gienger)

Gottlieb Gienger, third cousin of Jacob Gienger and Christian Gienger, was very instrumental in sponsoring and assisting the long trip from Russia to our United States of the Jacob Giengers and Johann Kammerers in 2911. When our ancestor Jacob Gienger arrived in the United States in 1911 and settled to make his home four miles southwest of Gackle, North Dakota, no homesteads were available. He worked for Gottlieb Gienger for the rest of 1911.

Gottlieb Gienger’s Greath-Grandfather, Christian Gienger, and Jacob Gienger’s Great-Grandfather, Johann Gienger, were brothers. Therefore Jacob Gienger and Gottlieb Gienger were third cousins. Mrs. Johann Kammerer (Christina Gienger) was likewise related to Gottlieb Gienger. In the passport list of 1808 when Christian Gienger immigrated into Neudorf, Russia from Germany, he is listed as 41 years old. his wife was Christine. Their children were Anna Maria, Christian, George, Johann, Adam and Christina. From Christian Giengers family, George Gienger was the Grandfather of Gottlieb Gienger. In the 1858 census of Russia, George Gienger is listed as 64 years of age and his wife, Ernestine as 62 years. They had four sons, Adam, Michael, Jakob, and Johann.

The Michael Gienger of this family, who was 28 years old in the 1858 census, was the father of Gottlieb Gienger. His wife was Magdalene.

Many of the children of Jacob Gienger and John Kemmerer had the privilege of working for Gottlieb Gienger. Some interesting stories have been shared by the Gienger children concerning their working experiences on the Gotttlieb Gienger farm. Mr. Gienger was often described as one of the most progressive and well-to-do pioneer farmers in the Gackle vicinity. he was an innovator in farming in that he always was one of the first to have modern farm equipment and farming methods. Gottlieb Gienger was one of the original farmers to own a car in the Gackle area. He had a car before 1916.

Gottlieb Gienger was born on January 22, 1875 in Neudorf, South Russia. He was the son of Michael Gienger (son of George Gienger). Gottlieb worked with his parents in Russia until he came to America and settled at Ashley, North Dakota in 1897. Mr. Gienger farmed on rented land for one year. He moved to the Gackle vicinity in 2898 and settled on a homestead five miles southwest of Gackle.

The family constructed a barn of frame and used the lean-to as a home. Later they built a home of sod and again later built a home of frame lumber. In 1918 the Giengers built an attractive large two story dwelling.

Gottlieb married Eva Gienger in Neudorf, South Russia in the year 1896 and to this union were born thirteen children of which eleven died in infancy. Paul (married to Martha Wolf) and Martha (Mrs. Joh Bentz) of Gackle were the other two living children. Paul was born in 1898 and Martha in 1903.

In 1928, having to discontinue with the farming operations for reasons of health, he purchased a home in Gackle, North Dakota and his only son, Paul, took over the duties of operating the farm.

On July 26, 1941 Mr. Gottlieb Gienger passed away. Mrs. Gienger born in Neudorf on October 8, 1875, passed away on December 11, 1974. At this writing in 1980 their daughter Martha continues to live in Gackle Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Gienger are both resting in Neudorf Cemetery west of Gackle.

All were members of the American Lutheran Church.

PAUL GIENGER/MARTHA WOLFF AND FAMILY

Paul Gienger was born in Ashley, North Dakota on January 22, 1898 to Gottlieb and Eva Gienger. He died on December 11, 1972. Paul was married on February 12, 1924 to Martha Wolff who was born in Zeeland, North Dakota on February 17, 1904 daughter of John Wolff. Paul worked with his father until he took over the farming duties in 1928. When he had to leave the farming duties due to ill health in 1944, they moved to Gackle and rented out the farm land. In Gackle he operated the John Deer Implement, later Gienger Grocery then the Gackle Cleaners, which Viola (Mrs. Ernest Domke) who still resides there at this time.

In 1955 Paul and Martha moved to Jamestown where Paul remodeled and built new homes. Martha is still presently residing in Jamestown.

To this marriage there were seven children born, but two died in infancy.

Viola Gienger was born September 22, 1929, at Bismarck. She married Ernest Domke on September 4, 1949. He was born August 3, 1922, the son of Fred Domke. They have two children.

Cheryl was born July 28, 1958 at Jamestown. She married Rod Dewald in August 26, 1978, the son of Elton Dewald.
Keith was born April 16, 1965 at Jamestown, North Dakota.

Edmund Gienger was born October 22, 1932 at Jamestown, and was married on November 26, 1953, to Allegra Lang. She was born October 8th, 1933 at Gackle, North Dakota, the daughter of August F. Lang. They have four children.

Dean Paul was born December 20, 1954, at Gackle, North Dakota.

Lynae was born May 23, 1956 Valley City, North Dakota, and was married on August 29, 1976 to James Moor, son of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Moor Jr.

LoAnn was born April 29, 1958, at Jamestown North Dakota.

Lon Paul was born November 17, 1963, at Beach, North Dakota.

Adeline Gienger was born April 6, 1934 at Gackle, North Dakota and married on June 15, 1952 to Vernon Wentz. Vernon was born October 24, 1932, at Streeter, North Dakota, son of Harold Wentz. They have six children.

Wendelin was born August 18, 1953 at Gackle, and married on June 14, 1975 to Kenneth Halvorson. Kenneth was born February 5, 1953 at Turtle Lake, son of Raymond Halvorson.

Glenda was born February 2, 1955, at Jamestown, North Dakota.

Jeffrey was born April 3, 1956 at Jamestown, North Dakota.

Pamela was born April 12, 1960 at Jamestown, North Dakota.

Bruce was born July 25, 1963 at Jamestown, North Dakota.

Douglas was born January 15, 1965 at Hardin, Montana.

Alton Gienger, born November 9, 1936 at Gackle married November 23, 1960 to Carol Isaacson, born June 3, 1940 daughter of Bill Rath Isaacson. They have three children.

Linda was born December 1, 1961, at Gallup, Mexico.

Paul was born September 23, 1965 at Seattle, Washington.

Catherin Ann was born February 1, 1972 at Seattle, Washington.

Darlene Gienger was born on October 11, 1941 at Jamestown and married on September 18, 1963, to Larry Christensen, son of Helmer Christensen. They have two children.

Terri was born December 28, 1969, at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Brian was born February 8, 1972, at Huntington Beach, California.

MARTHA GIENGER / JOHN BENTZ AND FAMILY

John Bentz, son of George and Carolina (Mayer) Bentz, was born September 29, 1900, at Neudorf Township near Gackle. He attended rural school in Neudorf.

He married Martha on November 16, 1924 at Napoleon in Logan County. Martha is the daughter of Gottlieb and Eva Gienger and was born on July 9, 1903 in Neudorf.

They are the parents of thirteen children: Erna, (Mrs. Less Snelson) Franklin, Wisconsin; Mrs. Helen Gienger, Lead, South Dakota; Ray, Cudahy, Wisconsin, Viona, (Mrs. Gene Schlecht), Cudahy, Wisconsin; Lorene (Mrs. Bill Koenig), Jamestown, North Dakota; Eva, (Mrs. Floyd Schweitzer) Valley City, North Dakota; Phyllis, (Mrs. H. G. Aldrich), Golden Valley, Minnesota; Evangeline, (Mrs. Larry Newberger), St. Paul, Minnesota. Three died in infancy and two, Lena and Eldo were killed in a tractor accident in 1947. They have twenty-three grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The lived on a farm southwest of Gackle in Neudorf Township until the year 1949 when they moved into town. John was employed by the State Highway Department until his retirement in 1966. He has also helped out at the Co-op Station for about eight years.

John has served on the School Board, the Co-op Board, and has been church usher at the Neudorf Church for many years and also secretary of the Lutheran Brotherhood.

They are members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Gackle, North Dakota.

The birthdays of the John Bentz children from the oldest to the youngest are as follows: Erna 1925; Helen July 2, 1927; Ray, July 23, 1929; Vione, April 10, 1935; Lorene, January 10, 1938; Eva, November 20, 1939; Phyllis, July 17, 1943; and Evangeline, December 9, 1945.

RUSSIAN GERMAN PROVERBS
FROM 1800’S GIENGER FAMILY