John J. Friesen

For some time Dad and others in South Russia were talking about moving, so I was excited when I heard we were going to the church meeting house to meet with some dignitary from the Czar’s office. General von Todleben, the Czar’s personal representative had asked to meet with us. As I sat there with the 35 or so families I almost started to laugh when the General asked: “Are all these emigrants?” Then he said, “His majesty, Czar Alexander, has sent me to you and I am to tell you he loves you, you are worthy to dwell in his empire; why do you have in mind to emigrate? One hundred years your fathers have been in this land, you enjoy it here, you have fine schools, fine churches, fine houses and gardens, you need not work yourselves, the work is done without you, all you have to do is look after the work, you can hire Russian laborers at low wages. Why will you emigrate?” But emigrate we did. I was the privileged son of a wealthy farmer and miller living among equally wealthy neighbors. But I remember following the 1871 annulment of our agreement with the republic; immigration seemed the only option.

Well, the day finally came. With excitement and some sadness I worked alongside my brother and father, and the servants we employed, making preparations for the long journey. August 10, 1874 I said goodbye to my home and a few friends, most of my friends were traveling with us, and we traveled north and east by train to the German seaport, Hamburg, then to Great Britain to Liverpool where we boarded the steamship S.S. Teutonia. Before leaving all of us met in the bow of the ship, and Elder Jacob A. Wiebe led us in a farewell service. Then I heard the sound of the ship’s huge air horn, and we be- gan to move away from the pier. This was all new and very exciting. But the thrill and excitement was kinda tarnished by the stormy seas. I found myself, along with quite a few others, reading the same book over and over again, The Return of the Swallow, by Eileen Overboard. About two weeks later I got my first look at the New York skyline. On September 3, 1874 the ship tied up at New York harbor.

From New York, we took a train to Peabody, Kansas, arriving on September 16.

That’s how I came to live in Gnadenau village in Risley township, Marion County, Kansas. Once again our first order of business was to gather together, enjoy a hearty meal and corporately praise the Lord.

I must say it was quite a change from our houses in Russia to the first sod houses I helped erect. But we really managed quite well. Dad, of course, was a farmer, inventor, and miller so there wasn’t much that was beyond him. And we were a very closely knit group constantly doing things in the community utilizing the skills of each person. Our little village received really quite a compliment from one of the “English” who came to check on us. Someone had written in one of the newspapers; “Their yards are immense bouquets.” And that’s the way it looked too, It really was a very attractive little village.

We hadn’t been there too long when Dad was talking of building another mill. So first, Jacob and I had to help him build it, then once it was up and running we were kept busy grinding corn, rye, barley, and wheat. Sometimes we milled day and night. In addition to that, other emigrants were continuing to arrive so our barn was turned into temporary living quarters. Several families would move in while their first shelters were being built, then they would move out only to be replaced by another group. But that’s the way it was, we took care of each other.

Our church was very important to me. It was the spiritual center of our community, as well at the social center. Being a teenager we looked for things to do. Sunday morning began with a worship service at 10:00 A.M. That was followed by lunch together, then Sunday School in the afternoons, and preaching services in the evenings. Of course I always sat with the men on the men’s side of the sanctuary. Every once in a while in the summer people would comment about our wet heads in Sunday School. Well, that South Cottonwood was the perfect place for a quick cool down.

We had the first school in the Mennonite settlements. Our first Gnadenau school was built of sod. I remember, though, during the term of ’77 the walls of the school caved in and the school term had to be finished in the Groening’s residence.

As I said earlier, the church was our social center, so when we guys started thinking about girls, and someone to marry the girls of the church were of primary interest to us. Even that early in the community we recognized there were the wealthy and the poor. My brother, Jacob, found a girl among the group of rich families. It was expected that I, too, would select from one of them. But the one I had my eye on was a lowly peasant girl. I could tell by the family’s conversation that this was a pretty serious matter, so one day I told Dad about my dilemma. He said, “John, if you love her, take her even if she has nothing to wear.” Well, that’s all that I needed. I asked Susanna Unruh to marry me and she gladly accepted. We were married on November 16, 1884. I think you all know that 10 of the children born to us survived and went on to healthy families of their own.

As a family we carried on the traditions my parents handed down to me. The spiritual dimension of life was very important to us. Be- sides Sunday services the reading of the Scriptures happened three times a day followed by prayer. On Saturdays in the evening I asked all the children to pray. And they did. Only sometimes poor little Susan, after waiting for eleven other people to pray, we would have to wake her up so she could pray.

I thoroughly enjoyed farming. But it was rewarding to use my skills as a machinist and carpenter as well. I had the privilege of joining Franz Goerzen in the construction of both the Gnadenau and Springfield churches, and the Gnadenau orphanage too.

You probably are aware that our manner of church leadership was a little different from yours. We were all farmers. We had no paid clergy. So leadership in the church was shared by many. We chose elders, and these elders shared in the pulpit responsibilities; usually two sermons each Sunday morning. In addition to that our Sunday services included singing of hymns, prayers, and nearly always a short period of “testimonials” at the close of the service. We ordained our elders. I received that honor in 1910 and served as pastor and elder until 1937. I was 49 at my ordination. I also enjoyed teaching Sunday School, and working in the conference both on the home mission and foreign mission boards. We KMB’ers had started a work among the people of the Carolinas. It was a special joy of mine to go evangelize these dear people. While serving as pastor, my dear wife, Susanna, and I celebrated our 50th anniversary. That was November of 1934.

I have had a rich life, materially and spiritually. But by far the richer has been the investment into the Kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.