©Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Last updated April 4, 2003)
Abraham B. Hiebert (1847-1914) was born to Abraham A. Hiebert and Anna Hildebrand. The family lived in Burwalde, Chortitza Colony south Russia. In 1869 Abraham married Sara Loewen (1848-1929), daughter of Franz Loewen and Agatha Krahn. In 1875 Abraham B. Hiebert moved his family, along with his parents and siblings' families, to Mapelton, North Dakota. In 1881 he moved to Schantzenfeld, Manitoba on the Mennonite West Reserve. After a brief stay he moved to Rosental, Manitoba where he lived the rest of his life. Abraham B. Hiebert became a well known doctor receiving patients from North Dakota and Manitoba and requests for medical advice by mail. While in Manitoba people would come from around Manitoba and from North Dakota to receive care from him. He received many request via letter as well. He may have received some training from his uncle Dietrich Hildebrand, who was a well known doctor in Russia. He also received some medical education in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. His specialty was treating cancer with poultices. The doctors in Morden, Manitoba took Hiebert and another doctor (Katherina Thiessen) to court in ca. 1895 over the lack of a license to practice medicine in Manitoba. Hiebert was fined but continued his practice.
This fonds consists of transcribed and translated letters written to Dr. Abraham B. Hiebert and his family by family and friends in Russia, United States, and Canada. Some letters are general correspondence, others are letters requesting medical assistance, or invitations to funerals. The letters show the connection of family members in various countries, the importance of doctors, and current events in the Mennonite communities. Ed Falk transliterated and translated the letters and added footnotes and appendixes with the help of Peter Wiebe and his son Bruce Wiebe.
No finding aid
The letters to the Hiebert family were found in Greenfarm, Manitoba during the disposition of the Jacob B. Hildebrand estate and are now owned by son Peter and Irene Hildebrand. Jacob Hildebrand was the grandson of Abraham B. Hiebert. Ed Falk donated the translations of the letters to the Mennonite Heritage Centre.
Described by Conrad Stoesz June 17, 2002
German and English
No restrictions on access.
Accession number: 2002-029