Geissenhainer Frederick Wilbono
Geissenhainer Frederick Wilbono [1]
was born June 26, 1771, at Milheim, on the Ruhr. In early life he gave evidence of great intellectual precocity, and a wonderful facaility in the acquisition of knowledge. He studied in the universities of Giessen and G ttingen, and in the latter institution became for a season professor extraordinarius. When he reached his twentieth year he applied for ministerial ordination, which, although usually withheld from all under twenty-five years of age, was granted to him as an honorable exception to the general rule, on account of his superior qualifications for the office. For nearly two years he preached in his native land, and then came to America in 1793. For fifteen years he labored in the Goschenhoppen and associated churches in Pennsylvania, and in 1808 removed to the city of New York as successor to Dr. Kunze. His health failing, be suspended for a time his ministerial labors, and repaired to Clearfield Co., Pennsylvania. Sulbsequently he renamed the pastoral work, and labored at the Trappe, Pottstown, Vincent, and other places. In 1822 he returned to New York. He died May 27, 1838, in the 67th year of his age, and the 47th of his ministry. Dr. Geissenhainer enjoyed the reputation of an eminent divine in the Lu!theran Church. He possessed an intellect of the highest order, which had been brought under the influence of the most thorough culture. The Latin and Greek were as familiar to him as his native tongue. From the University of Pennsylvania he received the doctorate of divinity in 1826. His MS. lectures on Church History, on the Gospels, Epistles, sand portions of the Old Testament, in the hands of surviving relatives, we trust, will yet be given to the Church. (M.L.S.)
