Jacob W. Friesen fonds

· Friesen, Jacob W., 1893-1945

Retrieval numbers: Volume 4955, 2108:4

Title: Jacob W. Friesen fonds
Dates: 1937-1945
Extent: 7 cm textual records
Repository: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives

Historical note

Jacob W. Friesen (1893-1945) was the first child born to Rev. Wilhelm Friesen (1865-1936) and Katharina Braun. Jacob grew up in the Rosenheim district, north west of Rosenfeld, Manitoba. On October 15, 1914 he married Agatha Stoesz (1894-1968) and together they had thirteen children which they raised on a farm.

Jacob Friesen was elected to the ministry of the Sommerfeld Mennonite church on January 14, 1937 and ordained by bishop Peter A. Toews on March 26, 1937. In this capacity he was appointed to go with the young Mennonite men when they had to appear before a judge to claim their Conscientious Objector (CO) status during WWII. He also made frequent visits to the various CO camps across Canada, bringing news from home, offering spiritual guidance, and support. He was highly respected and one of the more active ministers in visiting the men who were away from home.

Rev. Friesen died suddenly of a heart attack in 1945. In his brief time as minister he preached 464 sermons, officiated at 60 weddings and 49 funerals.

Scope and content note

This fonds consists of photocopies of a daily diary (and translation) that Jacob W. Friesen started in 1943, recording his many activities as a farmer and minister. Also included are sermons, translation of sermons, and a record of Sommerfeld Mennonite Church ministers listing their ordination date. The excerpts from "Genealogy of Conrad Dwayne Stoesz" and "Rev. Jacob W. Friesen", by Melanie Friesen were added to the collection by the MHC staff.

Adjunct descriptive data

Finding aids

File list available

Notes

Custodial history

The sermons and diary were written by Jacob W. Friesen. Translations were done by those listed in the file list. The three diaries were distributed among the family after Mrs. Friesen died. Tina had two of the diaries and Agatha received one. Cornelius J. Friesen of Altona borrowed the diaries from his sisters, copied them, and translated them. Other materials were collected by David and Trudy Schellenberg of Winkler for the Christian Heritage Library.

Arrangement

Described by Conrad Stoesz May 9, 2001. Updated by Sharon H.H. Brown, December, 2002 and Conrad Stoesz August 29, 2007.

Restrictions on access

None

Related material

Jake Peters Sommerfeld Mennonite Church research collection volume 5267 file 43 includes a translation of Rev. Friesen's diary and Christmas sermon.

Other notes

Acc. No. 2001-050, 97-150

Inventory file list for Jacob W. Friesen fonds:

VOLUME    4955

1.         Copy of diary of Jacob W. Friesen folder 1. -- 1943-1945.

2.         Copy of diary of Jacob W. Friesen folder 2. -- 1943-1945.

3.         Copy of diary of Jacob W. Friesen folder 3. -- 1943-1945.

4.         Translation Jacob W. Friesen diary by son Cornelius J. Friesen. -- [198?].

5.         Funeral sermon by Jacob W. Friesen. -- [194?].

6.         A Christmas sermon prepared at Camp 6, national Mills by Jacob W. Friesen, translated by W.J. Kehler. -- 1942.

7.         Records of the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church listing the ministers. -- 1893-1972. -- 4 leaves.

8.         Translation of first sermon by Jacob W. Friesen. -- 1937.

9.         Copy of first sermon by Jacob W. Friesen. -- 1937.

10.     Christmas wish by Jacob Unger of Neuhorst, Manitoba. -- 1912.

11.     Wedding sermon by Jacob W. Friesen translated by Jake Wiens. -- [194?]. -- Note: this item was copied out of an unpublished genealogy entitled "Genealogy of Conrad Dwayne Stoesz", appendix B.

12.     Excerpts from "Genealogy of Conrad Dwayne Stoesz" regarding Jacob W. Friesen. -- 1993. -- 12 leaves.

13.     Rev. Jacob W. Friesen 1893-1945, by Melanie Friesen for Ted Klassen's history class at W.C.

14.     Miller Collegiate in Altona. -- 2001.