Christopher Hesse bought a farm in Verdenermoor, Hanover, Germany when the moor was opened for farming, He dug out peat and drained the land. Christopher was listed as a "Neubaur" meaning he was a new farmer. Records in the Archives in Verden show that they sold their property in May of 1844, for 1250 Reichtaler. The outlook for the future was not to bright in Germany in those years. Liberal teachings were invading their religion and in their schools, money was scarce because of the dense population, it was difficult to acquire land and constant wars meant being drafted in to the Military. America was known as the "Land of Opportunity" to them.
The Hesse family left Germany on Dec 23 1844 from Bremen to New Orleans.
From New Orleans, they went up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Their boat sank on the way, and they lost all their possessions, except for one trunk and contents.
Christopher was a wheelwright, and had brought his tools from Germany, so he could continue this work, but all his tools had to be thrown overboard, in an effort to save the boat. They settled in Jefferson County Missouri about 25 miles south of  St. Louis. The area in which they settled was near the Big River. They enjoyed this area because of the timber. In Germany timber was scarce. The Christopher lived in Jefferson County for 10 years. Because of the nearby metropolitan (St. Louis) area, more English-speaking people were moving into the county. They wanted to live near German speaking people, so in 1854, Christopher Hesse moved to a farm near Lincoln in Benton County Missouri. Christopher's wife Margaretha died in 1852.
In 1855, Henry  and Louisa (Stricker) Hesse also moved to Lincoln. Moving with them were Henry Gerken his wife Catherina (Hesse) Gerken and a Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Rotermund. These three families played a role in establishing Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln.

Christian Hesse of St. Charles,  Missouri gave part of this information. Christian was the Grandson of Christian Hesse born 1824 in Germany. Also + Otto Mueller of Colecamp, Missouri 1994.