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ecoming the Church Moderator in the 1990s. In the area of education and spiritual reform, the former Ältester Jacob F. Isaac, who had encouraged his younger sons, Ben and Abe, to become involved in the “Sowers of Seed” spiritual renewal activities and Abe’s graduation from Meade Bible School, could look back in his later years with satisfaction that his appreciation for the study of the Scriptures and continuing education were adopted by his family. The two sons of his second marriage were encouraged to attend and graduate from Meade Bible Academy. They participated in music groups and sports teams (both Lee and Al played varsity basketball while at MBA, Lee played basketball at Grace University and Al taught high school and coached basketball along with other sports at Corn Bible Academy, Oklahoma and Berean Academy, Elbing, Kansas). In addition the Ältester’s grandchildren, who lived in the Meade community, graduated from MBA, and after its closing in 1966, from Meade High School with fine academic achievement, outstanding music awards, and some distinguished themselves in sports participation. Many attended colleges and universities where they continued to achieve as they had in their high school years, earning academic and music honors, and some participating in varsity sports. At the end of the 1950s Rev. Jacob F. and Maria Isaac sold their remaining farmland twenty miles southeast of Meade so they could relocate in the City of Meade, joining numerous Mennonites from both churches who also adopted the rural to urban living transition. Here they were later joined by a number of their children who also either built or purchased homes in Meade. Fresh new attitudes had come into a revitalized Meade Mennonite community with evidence of more cooperation between the two churches that replaced the negative allegations of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Former friendships that had become strained were re-established and intermarriage between youth of the two churches became a more common practice. Even a former dissident KG leader, after the loss of his spouse, married the widow of a former EMB Church leader. The Ältester who had given early support to the “Sowers Of Seed” movement as a positive change, which perhaps earlier had been stymied by resistant forces came to see the time when this movement gained significant support in the EMB Conference as the program was adopted by some churches through the leadership of his brother-inlaw, the Dr. John R. Dueck. The former Ältester, when the family decided to move to Meade, also demonstrated his good will by putting away past differences by selling his land to a family with Kleine Gemeinde roots. Rev. Isaac demonstrated his life-time commitment to being selected in 1914 as Ältester by refusing to resign from that position when requested to do so prior to the final disintegration of the Meade Kleine Geimeinde, and also later when he declined an opportunity to relocate to Canada in 1944 to live in his recently deceased father-in-law’s home. His initial promise to God to remain true to that position was not to be broken, even though he was no longer active in 52 - Preservings No. 26, 2006 that position. Rev. Jacob F. and Maria Isaac continued to exhibit a spirit of love by living the final years of their lives in the Meade community by accepting renewed relationships with grace and kindness. Final Comments from Rev. Jacob F. Isaac’s Two Youngest Sons In a letter to Preservings editor, Delbert Plett, Al Isaac, Hillsboro, Kansas writes: Thank you for the books (The Kleine Gemeinde Historical Series) you gave. You handled some sensitive topics in a balanced and respectful manner, and I appreciate that in your writing. My father, Ältester Jacob F. Isaac, was a leader in a very difficult period - period when younger people were chomping on the bit to go a different direction and the older guard pulling on the reins to keep everything in check. On numerous occasions I would hear my father express concern about how to keep the message of God and the Gospel clear in a period of change. Frequently when I would leave the house, his last words to me were in low German ‘Don’t forget the important’. Lee and Al Isaac: At a very young age, we became aware that God had a special place in Dad’s life. There was no joking when referring to God. Dad had the utmost respect for the sovereignty of God and light-hearted comments in reference to God were not acceptable. The same was true of God’s Holy Word, The Bible. We were taught that you did not place the Bible on the floor, you did not place other books or things on the Bible and you held it in a reverent manner, i.e. you did not curl it up so you could hold it in on hand. If you held it in one hand, you would cradle the Bible in the flat open hand. The casual reference to God and the common pearly-gate stories of today, as well as the disrespectful handling and interpretation of God’s Word would have saddened Dad’s heart. It would have saddened his heart because he knew it was an affront to God. A common sight as we were growing up was Dad sitting at this roll-top desk reading and studying the Bible. He would read other books occasionally, but it was usually the Bible. His Bible was well marked. They also note that often when guests were at the house, the discussions would center on Biblical issues. Endnotes 1 Delbert Plett, Dynasties of the Kleine Gemeinde, (Steinbach, Mb: Crossway Publications, 2000), 529, 531. 2 Ibid, 530. 3 Ibid. 530. 4 Ibid. 651. 5 Ibid. 533. 6 Delbert Plett, Profile of The Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde 1874 (Steinbach, MB: DFP Publications, 1987), 88, 89 and 90. 7 Delbert Plett, Storm And Triumph (Steinbach, MB: DFP Publications, 1986), 249. 8 Ibid. 250. 9 Ibid. 255. 10 Ibid. 251. 11 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 93 and 95. 12 Ibid. 95-97. 13 D. Paul Miller, “The Story of Jansen, Nebraska,” Mennonite Life, October 1954, 175. 14 Plett, Profile of The KG 1874, 117. 15 Ibid. 107. 16 Ibid. 117-118. 17 Ibid. 120. 18 Ibid. 121. 19 Ibid. 123-124. 20 Ibid. 126-127. 21 Ibid. 107. 22 Ibid. 128-129. 23 Ibid. 129. 24 Ibid. 129. 25 Rev. Jacob F. Isaac, Obituary of Mrs. Jacob F. Isaac, Died July 30, 1936, Written August 17, 1936. 26 Isaac, A Brief Autobiography, 1948. Courtesy of Lee Isaac, Hugoton, Kansas. See also Profile of The KG, 131. 27 Isaac, Diary. Courtesy of Lee Isaac, Hugoton, Kansas. See also Profile of The KG 1874, 133. 28 Isaac, A Brief Autobiography, 1948. See also Profile of The KG 1874, 131. 29 Isaac, Letter in Meade Globe newspaper, July 15, 1909. Courtesy of Alma Regier, Meade, Kansas; see also Plett, Dynasties of the KG, 248-249. 30 Isaac, Obituary of Mrs. Jacob F. Isaac. Delbert Plett notes that the deacon and minister election was on October 22, 1911, with ordination by Ab. L. Friesen on October 29, 1911. The election as Ältester occurred on November 23, 1914 with installation on November 29, 1914 by Peter R. Dueck from Manitoba. Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 134. 31 Meade KG Geimende Buch. Courtesy of Lee Isaac, Hugoton, Kansas; see also Profile of The KG 1874, 135. 32 Delbert Plett, Preservings, June 1999, 104-105. 33 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 135. 34 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 137. G.T. Doerksen, former missionary to China, started the school located near the EMB Church in 1927. It was closed after the 1930 class graduated but was reorganized in 1936 by the EMB Church and met in the church’s basement. 35 For further insights into Jacob F. Isaac’s second marriage to Maria Dueck and her contributions to the ministry at Meade, see Wendy Dueck, “Maria Dueck Isaac, 1898-1975: A Woman Ahead of Her time”, Preservings, June 1997, 47-49. 36 Merle Loewen, Personal Interviews, 2000-2004. 37 Ibid., Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary. 38 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 138. 39 Loewen, Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary. 40 Alma Regier, Meade EMB Church Baptisms, 28. 41 Loewen, Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary. 42 Ibid. 43 Ibid. 44 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 138. 45 Loewen, Interview with EMB Church Board member late 1990’s. 46 Ibid., Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary. 47 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 138. 48 Ibid. 137. 49 Daniel J. Classen, “The Kleine Gemeinde of Meade, Kansas,” Bethel College paper, 1949, 29. 50 Loewen, Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary. 51 Ibid., Personal Interviews, post-2000. 52 Ibid., Personal Interview, 2004. 53 Classen, “The KG of Meade, Kansas,” 27-28. 54 Loewen, Personal Interview, 2004. 55 Plett, Profile of The KG 1874, 137. 56 Loewen, Meade Bible Academy history from “MBA Memories 1953-2003” by Merle Loewen; Orlando Wiebe’s Meade arrival date from Margaret J. Isaac Loewen Diary, September, 1942. 57 Ibid., Interviews of former Meade Bible Academy students, 1990-2004. 58 Ibid., Interviews with Lee Isaac, Hugoton, Kansas and Al Isaac, Hillsboro, Kansas. 59 Plett, Profile of the KG 1874, 139. 60 Ibid.,“MBA Memories 1953-2003.” 61 Ibid., Interviews, 2003-2004.
Hamm Family Journals Translated by John Dyck (died 1999) Introduction In 1837 Peter Hamm (1817-67) (BGB A162) left his parents’ home in Prussia and went to Russia. After five years in the Molotschna Colony he joined his brother, Andreas in the Bergthal Colony. Later he lived in Einlage, Chortitza for several years. After his death his widow married Bernhard Klippenstein and joined the Bergthal emigration to Manitoba in the 1870s. The journals which follow come from the pens of the oldest and youngest sons of Peter and Helena (Penner) Hamm. Peter Hamm was born April 4, 1850 and his son Bernhard Hamm was born March 30, 1879. These records of emigration from Prussia to Russia and from Russia to Canada, together with family information give us a glimpse into the feelings of some of the younger generation at the time of the emigration. The family information for Peter Hamm (1817-67), can be found in the Bergthal Gemeinde Buch, A162. The originals of these journals are in Volumes 1104 and 2047 at Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives. Journal of Peter Hamm 1850-1900 Records of Peter Hamm, Neubergthal, Gretna Post Office, Manitoba, Canada. Parents and Grandparents. Father, born in West Prussia, in the Government District of Marienwerder, Stuhmer region, in the village Usnitz in the year 1817 March 22. Left Prussia on September 17, 1838 to travel to Russia. Spent five weeks and five days on the trip to the Chortitza Colony. After resting there for several days he continued to the Molotschna to the village of Schönsee where he worked for five years. In 1843 he moved from there to the Bergthal Colony and on December 11, 1847 our parents were married. In 1849 father taught school till 1851. In 1851 they moved onto the farmyard (Wirtschaft) in Schönthal. In 1853 he purchased the windmill together with the house in Bergthal. In 1858 he sold the windmill and purchased a Trittmuehle in Einlage. Our dear mother was born on October 4, 1826 in the Chortitza Colony. In 1791 our grandfather was born in Prussia. and in 1795 our grandmother was born in the village of Fürstenwerder in Prussia. Births. Father (Gerhard Kehler) was born in April 1807. Mother (Agatha Kehler) was born in April 1812. Peter Kehler was born July 11, 1863. Gerhard Kehler was born May 6, 1838. Agatha Kehler was born September 27, 1840. Gerhard Kehler was born July 24, 1842. Anna Kehler was born November 1, 1844. Jacob Kehler was born September 14, 1846. Sarah Kehler was born December 4, 1848. Frans Kehler was born September 19, 1852. Abram Kehler was born January 18, 1855. Deaths. Mother Agatha Kehler died August 10, 1874. Father Gerhard Kehler died January 25, 1877. Peter Kehler June 3, 1876; Frans Kehler January 14, 1882; Agatha Kehler April 10, 1886; Johann Doerksen January 14, 1900; Peter Hamm December 1, 1900; Anna Kehler October 1, 1904; Agatha Kehler August 21, 1908; Gerhard Toews April 5, 1906; Mrs. Gerhard Falk February 15, 1908; Abram Funk October 16, 1913; Peter Toews March 27, 1914; Gerhard Kehler November 24, 1914; Rev. Johan Neufeld July 15, 1911; Mrs. Johan Neufeld May 15, 1912; Uncle Jacob Kehler February 26, 1929, age 82 years, 9 months, 13 days; Abraham Kehler May 8, 1929, age 79 years, 3 months, 19 days. Birth register, Feb. 11, 1894. I, Peter Hamm, was born April 16, 1850. My wife Sarah was born December 16, 1848 in Schönfeld. Daughter Agatha was born August 8, 1869 in Bergthal in the South Russian Province of Ekaterinoslaw, Bergthal Colony. Born here in Manitoba, North America: son Peter born July 9, 1875 in Bergthal. Son Bernhard born March 30, 1879 in Bergthal. Daughter Helena born January 14, 1884 in Bergthal. Daughter Sarah born March 1, 1887 in Bergthal, East Reserve, Chortitz Post Office. Our daughter Agatha was married on November 17, 1889 here in Neubergthal, West Reserve, Gretna; Our son, Peter, married on January 1, 1899; Our son, Bernhard, married on August 9, 1903; Our daughter, Helena, married on July 5, 1904; Our daughter, Sarah married on July 21, 1908. Feb. 11, 1894. We arrived from Russia and unloaded on the East Reserve on August 15, 1874. We lived on the East Reserve in total 13 years, 8 months and 4 days in Bergthal, Chortitz Post Office. On March 19, 1888 we left there and moved to this reserve. We arrived here on the 21st in Neubergthal, Gretna Post Office. We were married on October 25, 1868. My Siblings. Brother Peter born January 28, 1849, only lived eight weeks. I, Peter Hamm, was born April 16, 1850. Sister Helena was born January 2, 1855. Brother Johann born September 29, 1857, lived eight days. Brother Johann born September 22, 1858. Gerhard born February 25, 1860. Jacob born October 18, 1862. Bernhard born February 18, 1865. Brother Heinrich born March 17, 1869. Deaths. Grandmother [died] in Prussia in 1835. Grandfather [died] in the same place in 1859. Grandfather Bernhard Penner in Bergthal on March 15, 1855. Grandmother in Schönfeld on March 14, 1865. Father died on July 31, 1867 in the city of Berdiansk on a return trip from Prussia. (Another record says he had left for Prussia on March 27 of the same year) Mother-in-law (Agatha Kehler) died on August 10, 1874 at the Immigration House on the East Reserve, 61 years old. Father-in-law Gerhard Kehler died in Blumengart on the East Reserve on January 25, 1877; 68 years, 6 months, 18 days. Brotherin-law Franz Kehler died in 1882. Brother-inlaw Peter Kehler died in 1875 in Blumengart, East Reserve. Sister-in-law Mrs. Peter Toews on April 10, 1886 in Bergthal, East Reserve. Brother-in-law Johann Doerksen Janaury 14, 1900 in Bergthal, West Reserve. Aunt Mrs. Jacob Kehler on February 25, 1892 in Grunthal, West Reserve. Mrs. Jacob Kehler, February 1, 1899 in Kronsthal, 42 years, 11 months, 8 days. In November 1902. In the night of November 20 to 21st at 3:00 Sarah, daughter of Bernhard Klippenstein died after a two week illness, buried Sunday, November 23, 1902, age 6 years. November 21, 1902 there was a funeral at Jakob Hamms for their son, Martin. Father died in 1900. Father died on December 1 at 6:00 in the evening, buried on December 4th. Reached the age of 50 years, seven months and 15 days. My parents lived together 32 years, one month and five days. Our mother died February 16, 1928 at the age of 79 years, 2 months 11 days. Journal of Bernhard P. Hamm 1879-_____ Record of Bernhard P. Hamm, Schönhorst. A Record of my Parents, Grandparents, Great, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, my Siblings and us and our children: Written by me, Bernhard P. Hamm on the farm in Schönhorst. Started to write in the year 1933, on February 20. My great-grandfather was born in the year 1791 in Prussia. My great-grandfather was born in the year 1795 in Prussia in the village Fürstenauerweide. My grandfather was born in the year 1817, March 22, in West Prussia in the government district of Marienwerder, in the Stuhmer Region in the village of Usznitz. My grandmother was born on October 4, 1826 Preservings No. 26, 2006 - 53
Page 1 and 2: ~ A Journal of the D. F. Plett Hist
Page 3 and 4: D.F. Plett Foundation Names Executi
Page 5 and 6: Interior of the church in Witmarsum
Page 7 and 8: An engraving of Menno Simons by Pie
Page 9 and 10: this first wave of persecution. Som
Page 11 and 12: The Frisian-Flemish Division Causes
Page 13 and 14: practice actually prevailed, such a
Page 15 and 16: Inter-church conversations with the
Page 17 and 18: concerning the Points of the Christ
Page 19 and 20: to their children, for all inherita
Page 21 and 22: Hamburg (after 1641 the Danish mona
Page 23 and 24: Dutch-Flemish Words in Mennonite Lo
Page 25 and 26: Henkel und Deckel. goblet, mug with
Page 27 and 28: According to definition, any means
Page 29 and 30: The history of Mennonites in Amster
Page 31 and 32: Rembrandt van Rijn 1606-1956 . Van
Page 33 and 34: Wife of Cornelis Claesz Anslo. Deta
Page 35 and 36: Some Rembrandts In America John F.
Page 37 and 38: Biographies Aeltester Johann Loeppk
Page 39 and 40: Old Colony delegates to Mexico in t
Page 41 and 42: Old Colony Mennonites departing to
Page 43 and 44: give heed first to the son, then th
Page 45 and 46: Tribute to Aeltester Herman J. Buec
Page 47 and 48: mass emigration. In 1872 Jansen pub
Page 49 and 50: me no de ole tit.’. . So this col
Page 51: was involved in confession before t
Page 55 and 56: that was for a small one. Sugar is
Page 57 and 58: etter return until the parents agai
Page 59 and 60: The Wiebe Family. Grandmother came
Page 61 and 62: The Von Stauffenbergs and the Klass
Page 63 and 64: the rapid Allied advance. In total,
Page 65 and 66: Throughout his life, Mr. Froese’s
Page 67 and 68: time. Meanwhile, the Old Colony chu
Page 69 and 70: They also considered the US. Land a
Page 71 and 72: for those older teens who wanted to
Page 73 and 74: such a group, why we should raise o
Page 75 and 76: Teaching Staff of Barnaul School fo
Page 77 and 78: collectives continue to this day an
Page 79 and 80: were also assembling to travel at t
Page 81 and 82: different areas have such varied we
Page 83 and 84: Preservings No. 26, 2006 - 83
Page 85 and 86: Another Look at the Creation-Evolut
Page 87 and 88: Hutterite Life Hutterite Christmas
Page 89 and 90: Graduation Address At The Oak River
Page 91 and 92: Our Christmas Wonder by Linda Maend
Page 93 and 94: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle Gary
Page 95 and 96: For the 3,000 dead in the fall of t
Page 97 and 98: Material Culture Passing on the Com
Page 99 and 100: or Paraguay and again for safety in
Page 101 and 102: questions that deserve consideratio
Page 103 and 104:
sadness. The first sadness is that
Page 105 and 106:
sive collection of data. Trafford P
Page 107 and 108:
“The Singel Mennonite Church, Ams
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