From GAMEO

Aron P. Töws: b. at Fürstenau in the Molotchna Mennonite settlement, Russia, on 28 January 1887, the second of five children of Peter Aron Töws (1859-1906) and Susanna (Hoemsen) Töws (1854-1926), (see additional information for further information regarding Aron’s family). Aron married Maria Sudermann (1878-1945) on 23 April 1910 on the Alexeyevka Estate in South Russia. Aron and Maria had four children.

Aron's father Peter was a minister in the Schönsee Mennonite Church. Aron graduated from the normal school and served as a teacher in the Nikopol district until 1914. In 1917 he became an enthusiastic co-worker in the establishment of a better Russia. In 1923 he was active in American Mennonite Relief distributing American relief goods. In 1925 he was elected minister of the Chortitza Mennonite Church and ordained. During these critical years he helped the young men of military age and consequently endured many hardships. On 28 November 1934 (1935), he was arrested and placed in the Zaporizhia prison. Later he was sent to Siberia and to various other places. The family last heard from him in 1941. During World War II Aron's wife and four children retreated with the German army to the west. While Maria passed away in Germany in 1945, all four children were able to immigrate to Canada.