Steinbach CMC Church – Page 4

Johann Schultz Kehler (1894-1962)

Johann Schultz Kehler: self-taught veterinarian; born on 5 May 1894 in Steinbach, Manitoba, to Jakob K. “Berliner” and Elizabeth H. (Schutz) Kehler. He was the sixth of 13 children in the family. Johann was baptized on 21 May 1918 in Chortitz, Manitoba. On 20 November 1921, he married Anna U. Wieler (1901-1991). The couple had 11 children, one of whom died young.

Johann grew up with his family in southern Manitoba at a time when agricultural communities were expanding. Contracting typhoid fever, severe arthritis, and sciatica as a young man, during the early 1930s, Continue reading “Johann Schultz Kehler (1894-1962)”

Elisabeth Schultz Kehler (1866-1943)

Elisabeth Schultz Kehler, Mennonite pioneer, was born on 30 March 1866 in the Bergthaler Colony, South Russia. She was the fourth of ten children born to Aron K. Schultz (1834-1924) and Maria Harder (1839-1900). As a young adult she was baptized into the membership of the Bergthaler Mennonite Church but later in Canada was a member of the Sommerfelder Mennonite Church. In 1884 she married Jacob K. “Berliner” Kehler (1863-1923). Together they had 13 children (four daughter and nine sons) of which 11 survived to adulthood. Elisabeth Kehler died on 10 February 1943 in Steinbach, Manitoba. Continue reading “Elisabeth Schultz Kehler (1866-1943)”

Jacob “Berliner” Kehler (1863-1923)

Jacob Kehler (known commonly as “Berliner” Kehler): farmer and community leader; born on 11 March 1863 in Russia to Gerhard and Susanna (Ketler) Kehler. He was the 10th of fifteen children in the family.

The family immigrated to Canada in 1875 when Jacob was 12 years old and settled in Hochfeld, a small village near Steinbach, Manitoba.

He was baptized on 2 June 1884, joining the Chortitzer Mennonite Church.

At age 13, Jacob obtained a job helping out with hauling and carrying jobs for Continue reading “Jacob “Berliner” Kehler (1863-1923)”