Deacon John B. Toews

Immigrated 07/1874 on the Peruvian. Landed Quebec City July 27/1874 with his parents Peter and Aganetha Toews and siblings Anna, Aganetha,Peter (Grouta), and Katharina. Mr and Mrs Peter Toews were co-founders of the village of Blumenort, MB

Note: At the time of his death, John B. Toews was the last of the immigrants alive of the great Mennonite migration from Ukraine to Manitoba in 1874-1876.

(The first part of this life sketch was written by himself in his 91st year of life).

"I John Barkman Toews, was born to my parents Peter and Aganetha Barkman Toews on March 30, 1865 in Margenau Molotshna, South Russia.
"When I was two years old we moved to Boroseko Colony and later in the immigration of 1874 we came to America and settled in the village of Blumenort, about three and one-half miles north of Steinbach, Man.
"In those years of this settlement we experienced much want and privation including difficulty and hardships, but we can praise God that we have never suffered from hunger or lack of other needs.
"When I was 16 years of age, I heard Minister and Elder Peter Toews discuss the words, "The Spirit and the Bride say come." This word come worked within me an earnest repentance, and I got converted. In the meantime our present church was organized and I was accepted into the Fellowship of the Church during the spring of 1882 by baptism.
"Now as I write this in my 91st year, I must say that my much beloved parents as well as all my brothers and sisters have passed away and have gone the way of all flesh, our concern and endeavor was, that we all aimed to serve the Lord true and faithful to the end.
"In the spring of 1887, I found in Mrs. Regehr, nee Elizabeth Durek, my portion as life's companion. She was a young widow and had one son, John D. Regehr, now of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. We later had 9 children together: daughter, Aganetha, wife of M. F. Barkman, of Steinbach, Manitoba; daughter Elizabeth, wife of I. K. Ensz, of Inman, Kansas, who died in Jan. 1956; daughter Maria, who died in infancy; son Peter D. Toews of Winton, California; son Jacob D. Toews of Scio, Oregon; son Bernhard, who died in Kansas in 1934; son Henry D. Toews of Montezuma, Kansas; daughter Anna (Mrs. John H. W. Reimer) of Steinbach, Manitoba; son Abraham D. Toews of Ste. Catherines, Ontario. My beloved wife Elizabeth, died after much suffering in July 9, 1899 with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"After my proposal in my lonely state, I found my second companion in Maria Penner of Hillsboro, Kansas, who then accepted me and my motherless children in a very helpful way and cared for them. We were married on April 15, 1900. In this union we had 5 children, 3 of them died in their infancy. Of those now living is son Frank P. Toews of Steinbach, Manitoba and son David, who lives at Hillsboro, Kansas.
"This my second and much beloved wife and mother died after a year of hard suffering on August 3, 1943, with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"Later, after spending quite some time in my lonely condition and a good and merciful God through His patience and tender care kept me, in both my temporal, as well as my spiritual state, so I found my third companion in Sister, Widow Jacob Enns, where I made inquiry and which was found to be ordained by the allwise God, that we should make this step and after giving it deep thought and meditation we agreed that spend the remainder of our pilgrimage together and we were then married on Nov 17, 1945, after which we tried to serve our dear Lord in submissiveness of heart and thanksgiving."

______________________________________________________________________________
Life sketch by his children:

Our father has resided at various places during his long life: 20 years at Blumenort, Man., 7 years at Greenland, Man., 17 years at Hillsboro, Kansas, 20 years at Ste. Anne, Man., and retired at Steinbach, Man. in 1938 for another 20 years, and finally taking up residence in the Greenland Home.
Father was a farmer by occupation but has also been a school teacher for 6 years.
During the "twenties" while living at Ste. Anne, he aided a number of immigrants in becoming established in this country, providing lodging upon arrival and so forth.
In Feb. of 1960 our father was bereft of his third beloved wife Helena, leaving him a widower for another seven years. His stepchildren by this marriage were Agnetha (Mrs. K. E. Friesen), David Isaac, Susanna (Mrs. H. J. Martens) and Helena (Mrs. John Goossen).
Our father was ordained to the deaconery in 1916 at Hillsboro, Kansas; in which office he faithfully served for many years. He was an encouragement to many and example of humility.
Father was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of his family.
He had taken a keen interest in life and enjoyed very good health all his life, excepting a brief illness of 6 days in the Bethesda General Hospital in Steinbach. By the grace of God he reached the ripe old age of 102 years, 3 months and 8 days.
Left to mourn are 2 daughters, 6 sons, 2 sons-in-law, 7 daughters-in-law, 4 step children, 62 grandchildren, more than 165 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, all his brothers and sisters, 3 wives, 6 children of whom four died in infancy, one son-in-law, the late John H. W. Reimer.
We thank God for such a loving father and believe he has gone home to be with his Maker and Saviour, whom He loved so much.
--The Family.
Funeral services were held in the Steinbach Church on July 12, 1967, with Min. Ronald Wiebe bringing opening remarks and prayer. Min. Dave Penner brought the message, from Job 5:26; Psa. 23:4; 46:1, 2; Prov. 14:32. Min. John I. Penner brought additional remarks in the German language.
Interment was made in the Steinbach Cemetery with Min. John M. Penner in charge.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 14 2022, 21:38:08 UTC

Note: At the time of his death, John B. Toews was the last of the immigrants alive of the great Mennonite migration from Ukraine to Manitoba in 1874-1876.

(The first part of this life sketch was written by himself in his 91st year of life).

"I John Barkman Toews, was born to my parents Peter and Aganetha Barkman Toews on March 30, 1865 in Margenau Molotshna, South Russia.
"When I was two years old we moved to Boroseko Colony and later in the immigration of 1874 we came to America and settled in the village of Blumenort, about three and one-half miles north of Steinbach, Man.
"In those years of this settlement we experienced much want and privation including difficulty and hardships, but we can praise God that we have never suffered from hunger or lack of other needs.
"When I was 16 years of age, I heard Minister and Elder Peter Toews discuss the words, "The Spirit and the Bride say come." This word come worked within me an earnest repentance, and I got converted. In the meantime our present church was organized and I was accepted into the Fellowship of the Church during the spring of 1882 by baptism.
"Now as I write this in my 91st year, I must say that my much beloved parents as well as all my brothers and sisters have passed away and have gone the way of all flesh, our concern and endeavor was, that we all aimed to serve the Lord true and faithful to the end.
"In the spring of 1887, I found in Mrs. Regehr, nee Elizabeth Durek, my portion as life's companion. She was a young widow and had one son, John D. Regehr, now of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. We later had 9 children together: daughter, Aganetha, wife of M. F. Barkman, of Steinbach, Manitoba; daughter Elizabeth, wife of I. K. Ensz, of Inman, Kansas, who died in Jan. 1956; daughter Maria, who died in infancy; son Peter D. Toews of Winton, California; son Jacob D. Toews of Scio, Oregon; son Bernhard, who died in Kansas in 1934; son Henry D. Toews of Montezuma, Kansas; daughter Anna (Mrs. John H. W. Reimer) of Steinbach, Manitoba; son Abraham D. Toews of Ste. Catherines, Ontario. My beloved wife Elizabeth, died after much suffering in July 9, 1899 with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"After my proposal in my lonely state, I found my second companion in Maria Penner of Hillsboro, Kansas, who then accepted me and my motherless children in a very helpful way and cared for them. We were married on April 15, 1900. In this union we had 5 children, 3 of them died in their infancy. Of those now living is son Frank P. Toews of Steinbach, Manitoba and son David, who lives at Hillsboro, Kansas.
"This my second and much beloved wife and mother died after a year of hard suffering on August 3, 1943, with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"Later, after spending quite some time in my lonely condition and a good and merciful God through His patience and tender care kept me, in both my temporal, as well as my spiritual state, so I found my third companion in Sister, Widow Jacob Enns, where I made inquiry and which was found to be ordained by the allwise God, that we should make this step and after giving it deep thought and meditation we agreed that spend the remainder of our pilgrimage together and we were then married on Nov 17, 1945, after which we tried to serve our dear Lord in submissiveness of heart and thanksgiving."

______________________________________________________________________________
Life sketch by his children:

Our father has resided at various places during his long life: 20 years at Blumenort, Man., 7 years at Greenland, Man., 17 years at Hillsboro, Kansas, 20 years at Ste. Anne, Man., and retired at Steinbach, Man. in 1938 for another 20 years, and finally taking up residence in the Greenland Home.
Father was a farmer by occupation but has also been a school teacher for 6 years.
During the "twenties" while living at Ste. Anne, he aided a number of immigrants in becoming established in this country, providing lodging upon arrival and so forth.
In Feb. of 1960 our father was bereft of his third beloved wife Helena, leaving him a widower for another seven years. His stepchildren by this marriage were Agnetha (Mrs. K. E. Friesen), David Isaac, Susanna (Mrs. H. J. Martens) and Helena (Mrs. John Goossen).
Our father was ordained to the deaconery in 1916 at Hillsboro, Kansas; in which office he faithfully served for many years. He was an encouragement to many and example of humility.
Father was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of his family.
He had taken a keen interest in life and enjoyed very good health all his life, excepting a brief illness of 6 days in the Bethesda General Hospital in Steinbach. By the grace of God he reached the ripe old age of 102 years, 3 months and 8 days.
Left to mourn are 2 daughters, 6 sons, 2 sons-in-law, 7 daughters-in-law, 4 step children, 62 grandchildren, more than 165 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, all his brothers and sisters, 3 wives, 6 children of whom four died in infancy, one son-in-law, the late John H. W. Reimer.
We thank God for such a loving father and believe he has gone home to be with his Maker and Saviour, whom He loved so much.
--The Family.
Funeral services were held in the Steinbach Church on July 12, 1967, with Min. Ronald Wiebe bringing opening remarks and prayer. Min. Dave Penner brought the message, from Job 5:26; Psa. 23:4; 46:1, 2; Prov. 14:32. Min. John I. Penner brought additional remarks in the German language.
Interment was made in the Steinbach Cemetery with Min. John M. Penner in charge.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 15 2022, 0:30:19 UTC

Note: At the time of his death, John B. Toews was the last of the immigrants alive of the great Mennonite migration from Ukraine to Manitoba in 1874-1876.

(The first part of this life sketch was written by himself in his 91st year of life).

"I John Barkman Toews, was born to my parents Peter and Aganetha Barkman Toews on March 30, 1865 in Margenau Molotshna, South Russia.
"When I was two years old we moved to Boroseko Colony and later in the immigration of 1874 we came to America and settled in the village of Blumenort, about three and one-half miles north of Steinbach, Man.
"In those years of this settlement we experienced much want and privation including difficulty and hardships, but we can praise God that we have never suffered from hunger or lack of other needs.
"When I was 16 years of age, I heard Minister and Elder Peter Toews discuss the words, "The Spirit and the Bride say come." This word come worked within me an earnest repentance, and I got converted. In the meantime our present church was organized and I was accepted into the Fellowship of the Church during the spring of 1882 by baptism.
"Now as I write this in my 91st year, I must say that my much beloved parents as well as all my brothers and sisters have passed away and have gone the way of all flesh, our concern and endeavor was, that we all aimed to serve the Lord true and faithful to the end.
"In the spring of 1887, I found in Mrs. Regehr, nee Elizabeth Durek, my portion as life's companion. She was a young widow and had one son, John D. Regehr, now of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. We later had 9 children together: daughter, Aganetha, wife of M. F. Barkman, of Steinbach, Manitoba; daughter Elizabeth, wife of I. K. Ensz, of Inman, Kansas, who died in Jan. 1956; daughter Maria, who died in infancy; son Peter D. Toews of Winton, California; son Jacob D. Toews of Scio, Oregon; son Bernhard, who died in Kansas in 1934; son Henry D. Toews of Montezuma, Kansas; daughter Anna (Mrs. John H. W. Reimer) of Steinbach, Manitoba; son Abraham D. Toews of Ste. Catherines, Ontario. My beloved wife Elizabeth, died after much suffering in July 9, 1899 with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"After my proposal in my lonely state, I found my second companion in Maria Penner of Hillsboro, Kansas, who then accepted me and my motherless children in a very helpful way and cared for them. We were married on April 15, 1900. In this union we had 5 children, 3 of them died in their infancy. Of those now living is son Frank P. Toews of Steinbach, Manitoba and son David, who lives at Hillsboro, Kansas.
"This my second and much beloved wife and mother died after a year of hard suffering on August 3, 1943, with a blessed hope of eternal life.
"Later, after spending quite some time in my lonely condition and a good and merciful God through His patience and tender care kept me, in both my temporal, as well as my spiritual state, so I found my third companion in Sister, Widow Jacob Enns, where I made inquiry and which was found to be ordained by the allwise God, that we should make this step and after giving it deep thought and meditation we agreed that spend the remainder of our pilgrimage together and we were then married on Nov 17, 1945, after which we tried to serve our dear Lord in submissiveness of heart and thanksgiving."

______________________________________________________________________________
Life sketch by his children:

Our father has resided at various places during his long life: 20 years at Blumenort, Man., 7 years at Greenland, Man., 17 years at Hillsboro, Kansas, 20 years at Ste. Anne, Man., and retired at Steinbach, Man. in 1938 for another 20 years, and finally taking up residence in the Greenland Home.
Father was a farmer by occupation but has also been a school teacher for 6 years.
During the "twenties" while living at Ste. Anne, he aided a number of immigrants in becoming established in this country, providing lodging upon arrival and so forth.
In Feb. of 1960 our father was bereft of his third beloved wife Helena, leaving him a widower for another seven years. His stepchildren by this marriage were Agnetha (Mrs. K. E. Friesen), David Isaac, Susanna (Mrs. H. J. Martens) and Helena (Mrs. John Goossen).
Our father was ordained to the deaconery in 1916 at Hillsboro, Kansas; in which office he faithfully served for many years. He was an encouragement to many and example of humility.
Father was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of his family.
He had taken a keen interest in life and enjoyed very good health all his life, excepting a brief illness of 6 days in the Bethesda General Hospital in Steinbach. By the grace of God he reached the ripe old age of 102 years, 3 months and 8 days.
Left to mourn are 2 daughters, 6 sons, 2 sons-in-law, 7 daughters-in-law, 4 step children, 62 grandchildren, more than 165 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, all his brothers and sisters, 3 wives, 6 children of whom four died in infancy, one son-in-law, the late John H. W. Reimer.
We thank God for such a loving father and believe he has gone home to be with his Maker and Saviour, whom He loved so much.
--The Family.
Funeral services were held in the Steinbach Church on July 12, 1967, with Min. Ronald Wiebe bringing opening remarks and prayer. Min. Dave Penner brought the message, from Job 5:26; Psa. 23:4; 46:1, 2; Prov. 14:32. Min. John I. Penner brought additional remarks in the German language.
Interment was made in the Steinbach Cemetery with Min. John M. Penner in charge.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 20 2022, 8:16:28 UTC