Andrew Geitl was born March 10. 1854, at Pessenburkheim, Bavaria, and came to America in September, 1872, where he joined the Community of the Precious Blood. Having studied six years in Germany, he completed his seminary course in five years and was ordained to the priesthood in 1879. From October 1879 to September 1881, he was stationed in Missouri, attending to five missions. After this he returned to Germany for one year, where he went for the benefit of his health. After his return from Germany his superiors sent him to Celina, Ohio, as assistant and afterwards as pastor. On the 20th of August 1890, he came to Rensselaer, Ind., to take charge of the Indian School. Ever since 1890 he was at the Indian School with the exception of a few intermissions when he was in Europe, Golden, Colo., and Ottawa, Ohio.
After the discontinuation of the school, Father Gietl continued to live there and has been the business manager of what is known at the Indian School printing establishment, where a number of Catholic publications are printed. Father Gietl was well known in Rensselaer . . . He was indeed a splendid gentleman and his death, which was caused from diabetes, with which he had been a sufferer for several years, is deeply deplored by the entire community.
From: Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, Indiana, 25 December 1915