Preservings 11 (1997) - Plett Foundation

No. 11, December, 1997
Jak Jakob Jak ob B. B. Koop Koop (1858-1937): (1858-1937): T TTwincreek
T wincreek P PPioneer
P ioneer
Jakob B. Koop (1858-1937): Journal, 95 pages, courtesy of granddaughter Helena Koop, Blumenort, Manitoba.
Introduction.
The first item in the Jakob B. Koop Journal,
pages 1-17, is an account of the journey of
the first group of Mennonite settlers to arrive
in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on July 31, 1874, which
included the extended Koop family. This account,
with only minor alterations, has already
been published in Storm and Triumph (Steinbach,
1986), pages 330-332.
The authorship of this excellent account,
probably the most extensive of these 1874-78
immigration travelogues, can now finally be
definitely established as being Jakob B. Koop.
On page 12 he has added the following notation
in brackets: “I also note that my father was
sick when we departed from Russia. Now, however,
that he had also completed the sea journey,
he was quite well. I was 16 years old at
the time and had much work to look after my
parents and siblings. For father could not look
after anyone like other fathers and instead he
had to be looked after because of sickness.”
Those who are interested in this detailed
immigration account can read the previously
published account which varies only in minor
details. The earlier published version of this
account was taken from the Journal of Katharina
Loewen, Mrs. David K. Kroeker (1874-1910),
niece to Jakob B. Koop. Evidently she transcribed
the account into her own journal in
1888.
Journal, 1874-1922.
Saturday, August 1, my parents, siblings, as
well as the majority of our travelling group,
returned on the same ship until they were adjacent
to our land (or approximately adjacent to
Niverville). But I as well as many others remained
in Winnipeg in order to purchase oxen
and cows and whatever else we required of the
necessities of life. Here the people disembarked
and all the travelling by water and by railway
was finally over. The journey to America,
thanks be to God, had been put behind us.
Now they had some 6 miles to traverse
across land until they reached the Schantz immigration
houses for which purpose W.
Hespeler had hired Half-breeds to transport the
trunks and also those who wanted to sit on their
carts. They required 3 days time before everything
had been hauled away from the river.
I and others remained in Winnipeg and returned
by land with oxen, wagons and cows to
the immigrations houses. Here we remained for
approximately 1 week as we took counsel where
we would want to settle, whether to go to the
Scratching River (Rosenort) or on the East Reserve,
for a number were moving to the Scratching
River. But we came to a decision and moved
onto the East Reserve and settled on Section
22-7-6E and built a village which was named
“Blumenort”.
Here we firstly pitched our tent and then
we drove to Winnipeg and purchased lumber
The Jakob B. Koop family in 1897. The children are Jakob, Peter, Abram, Cornelius and John. Photo courtesy
of Peter S. Koop, Steinbach, Manitoba. Mrs. Koop, nee Helena Nickel, was working as a maid for Jakob’s
parents when he married her.
and built ourselves a dwelling house where we
lived for approximately 8 years. During this
time I also took out a Homestead for myself
being the NE34-7-6E. My father had taken up
two quarters for himself on Section 17-7-6E
which also belonged to the village of Blumenort.
But then they found out that it was too large a
village for this region as 34 quarter sections of
land belonged to the village.
Because the village was too large permission
was granted to start a new settlement. We
reached an agreement to build a new settlement—there
were 6 farmers including my parents,
myself, Peter Loewens, Peter Klassens,
and Peter Friesens. We went on Section 16 as
well as half of 17-7-6E. Here we built a village
and called it “Neuanlage”.
Here I immediately took possession of my
own land. I had made a trade deal with my cousin
Jakob B. Toews: I took his land in Neuanlage
and he took my land in Blumenort. I received
the southeast quarter here on Section 16, which
was also written over to my name.
I purchased myself a team of oxen for $120
for breaking up the ground, and from my father,
I received a pair of oxen calves. After 1
year I sold both of these pairs of oxen, the older
ones for $180 and the young ones for $115. With
these monies I bought myself a team of horses
43
for $225 with which I worked my land for some
time.
And then on December 25, 1883, we entered
into the state of matrimony. My wife was born
Helena Nickel from Waldheim, West Reserve.
After we had lived together in the village of
Neuanlage for some 10 years, and after we had
built a dwelling house and a barn, we came to
the agreement that we might be better off if
everyone would be on their own land. And consequently,
everyone moved their buildings
which they had onto their own land.
We also moved our dwelling house and barn
in 1893 on the 30th of June onto our own land
on SE16-7-6E. Here we have lived together for
28 years and have shared many joys and overcome
many sorrows. Until May 13, 1921, when
my wife suddenly became ill and died 2 days
later.
Now I am again alone with 10 children and
sometimes I am lonely. It is 8 months that I
have been by myself as I am writing this.
The End “Jakob Koop”
Contents of Journal.
The Jakob B. Koop Journal also contains
the following items: A poem regarding the immigration;
another poem regarding the immigration;
A song of thanks from Russia for aid