Preservings 11 (1997) - Plett Foundation

Preservings
Jacob and Elizabeth Hiebert Regehr
The Life and Times of Jacob E. Regehr (1885-1955) and Elizabeth Hiebert Regehr (1888-1977), Hochstadt-Winton-Dallas-
Steinbach; by son Clifford S. Regehr, 3798 Laurel Drive, Royston, B. C. VOR 2V0
Introduction.
This article is not a biography of two
people but rather a reflection on the life and
times of Jacob Esau Regehr and his wife
Elizabeth. It is written by the youngest of
nine children born to these two people. Accordingly
it must be remembered that when
I was born my parents were already in their
40s and so I experienced a relatively short
personal relationship with them. Much of
the anecdotal history was learned from older
siblings and from other writers of Mennonite
history from the 1880s to the 1960s, and
from records in the archives of the Mennonite
Heritage Museum, Steinbach, Manitoba.
A few personal memories about life
in the Regehr family are included. Any inaccuracies
are my fault.
Shipping label used by J. T. Regehr to merchandise
his products to wholesalers in Winnipeg. Reproduction
courtesy Edwin Regehr.
Paternal Genealogy of Jacob Esau
Regehr
Jacob Esau Regehr (1885-1955) Manitoba
Jacob T. Regehr (1861-1916)
Molotschna-Manitoba
Jacob G. Regehr (1832-1906)
Molotschna-Manitoba-Kansas
Isaac Regehr (1797-1840) Molotschna
Isaac Regehr (1774- ? ) West Prussia-
Molotschna
Peter Regehr (1740-1811) Prangenau,
West Prussia
Paternal Genealogy of Elizabeth
Hiebert Regehr
Elizabeth Hiebert Regehr (1888-1977)
Nebraska-Manitoba
David Hiebert (1853-1900) Manitoba-
Nebraska
Johann Hiebert (1816-90) Molotschna-
Manitoba
Abraham Hiebert (b. 1790) Molotschna
Johann Hiebert (b. 1760) Halbstadt,
Molotschna
Jakob Hiebert Schönsee, West Prussia -
1776
Beginnings.
Jacob E. Regehr was born in Hochstadt,
Manitoba on May 2, 1885. His father, Jacob
T. Regehr had been a small farmer and store
keeper in Hochstadt, Manitoba, East Reserve.
He was also a businessman who specialized
in cheese and butter manufacturing.
These products were marketed under the
family name and sold to Winnipeg wholesalers.
It seemed a natural progression then
that Jacob E. should start his working career
in a Winnipeg cheese factory, in preparation
for which he had attended the Manitoba
Agricultural College. Jac had previ-
Class practicum at Manitoba Agricultural College.
Jacob E. Regehr at second tub on left (circa 1908).
ously briefly worked for the Canadian Pacific
Railroad and this had lead to his taking
a telegraphers’ course at Des Moines,
Iowa. (The abbreviation “Jac” is preferred
to the Americanized “Jake” by some thus
named).
Elizabeth Hiebert Regehr was born July
13, 1888 at Plymouth, Nebraska. Her father
was a minister of the Church of God in
Christ, Mennonite. The family subsequently
moved to Kleefeld, Manitoba, where she
completed her education at a Grade Eight
Level. She spent some of her teenage years
working as a hired maid.
Elizabeth has said that she and Jac met
while attending the Jugendverein (“Young
Peoples’ Group”) in the Kleefeld church
(Holdeman). Their marriage in Winnipeg on
May 6,1909 was attended by a few close
friends and they began their mutual journey
in a humble apartment in downtown Winnipeg.
Jac would walk or hitch rides to his
work several miles away (street car service
was spasmodic).
Elizabeth recalled the day when Jac did
not arrive home at his usual time for supper.
When her anxiety became unbearable
she walked the several miles to the cheese
factory which was by then in the process of
closing for the night. She asked about her
husband and the manager said he thought
Jac had left several hours ago. Elizabeth
54
insisted on a search of the factory and, indeed,
Jac had been inadvertently locked into
the refrigeration room, where he might well
have perished before morning. The jubilation
of that discovery, and the prayers of
thanks can only be imagined.
Steinbach, Manitoba.
Not too long after that harrowing experience
Jac and Elizabeth decided to move to
Steinbach, to be “among their own people”.
Jac obtained employment working as an enthusiastic
salesman of McCormick-Deering
farm equipment for J.R. Friesen (also
recognised as the first Ford automobile
dealer in Western Canada). His income was
sufficient to provide a small house on Main
Street and after their first daughter, Helen,
was born in 1911 they moved to a better
home on Hanover Street. Walter, the first
son, was born in 1912 but died in infancy.
Jacob Paul was born in 1914 and was destined
to play a major role in the family enterprise
in years to follow.
It will become apparent that Jacob E. had
a predominant disposition to travel. Although
working successfully with J. R.
Friesen he had “an itch” to move to California
where the weather was more to his liking
and where he felt that the opportunity
to have a business of his own would be advantageous.
Elizabeth was reluctant to leave
Steinbach with her growing family. (Frank
had been born in 1916 and Amanda in 1918.)
However in 1920 Elizabeth consented to a
move to Winkler where Jac readily found
employment selling automobiles. In December
of 1920 son William (Bill) was born.
Winton, California.
Jac maintained his objective to relocate
to California and in 1921 Elizabeth concurred.
With their five children they arrived
by train in Winton, CA where Jac acquired
a service garage and began a new career as
an independent businessman. Elizabeth
seemed very happy working her garden
which produced fruits and vegetables unavailable
to her in Manitoba. She learned
how to “pop” a large watermelon so that it
split in several directions leaving the juicy
core standing by itself. This delicacy was
eaten and the rest fed to the neighbours’
pigs. Grapes and other delicious fruits grew
in abundance. Winton seemed to be like
paradise.
But new problems arose. Jac and Elizabeth
had both been baptized as evidence of
their faith in Christ and both were members
of the Brüderthaler Church in Steinbach.
Two other Mennonite congregations in