THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

rmen of the Agricultural Society of the Molotschna until the division of the Molotschna Mennonite District into those of Halbstadt and Gnadenfeld (later “volosts”) known to us were: Johann Comies, Philipp Wiebe (his son-in-law and secretary), David Comies (his brother) and Peter Sc hmi dt of Steinbach, whose name, after that of Comies, was most synonymous with that of the “Society,” standing for everything that was wise, noble and powerful, 113 as we remember it from the years of our childhood. f) After the division of the Molotschna Mennonite District into those of Halbstadt and Gnadenfeld, then called the Halbstadt and Gnadenfeld Volosts, the following were: Chairman of the Halbstadt Agricultural Society: 1) Klaas Wiebe, Muensterberg, 2) Heinrich Reimer, Ohrloff, 3) Johannes Wiebe (son of Philipp Wiebe), Ohrloff, 4) Peter P. Neufeld, Liebenau (at the present— 1910). Chairmen of the Gnadenfeld Agricultural Society: 1) Peter Schmidt, Steinbach (the same as above), 2) Gerhard Fast, Rudnerweide, 3) Heinrich Siebert, Conteniusfeld, 4) Peter Bergmann, Mariawohl, 5) David Unruh, Gnadenfeld, 6) Abram Rempel, Gnadenfeld (at the present— 1910). Well-known chairmen and members of the Chortitza Agricultural Society were: Jakob Penner, formerly colony administrator, Franz Pauls, Kronsweide, Heinrich Hildebrand, Einlage, Johann Siemens, David Redekopp, Rosental, David Koop, Chortitza and Jakob Niebuhr, Kronstal (died in 1880, and with him the society came to an end). 200 IN RUSSIA 1789-1860 §69(2) D. The Tsar's Gracious Letter of Acknowledgment and Thanks for Cultural and Patriotic Achievements Translation a) To the Mennonite churches settled along the Molotschna River. Upon testimony of the director of the third department of Crown Lands, Privy Councillor v. Bradky, regarding the excellent order in which he found the Mennonite colonies settled along the Molotschna River, I had the good fortune of bringing the praiseworthy zeal of the Mennonites for the improvement of agriculture and industry and for the establishment of church order and domestic concerns, to the attention of His Majesty. In consideration of the zeal of the Mennonite Church and in order to encourage the same for future endeavors for the common good, it has pleased the Lord Tsar, 114 on February 3, to order that His Majesty’s gracious good wishes and acknowledgment be conveyed to the church. After having received the ukase of the ruling senate in this regard, I take pleasure in making known the said royal order to the Mennonite Church. I am assured that the Mennonite colonists, who have been considered worthy of this high token of the royal acknowledgment of their efforts will, through new progress in the area of agriculture and industry as well as the consolidation of order and morality, give me new opportunity to bring this to the attention of His Majesty. Minister of Crown Lands, Adjutant General Count Kisselev, March 13, 18