© Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba (Last updated October 22, 2014)

  • Wall, Jacob P., 1870-1922

    • Retrieval numbers: Photo collection 649 and 650; Volume 5346; Map nos. 1229, 1230.

    Title: Jacob P. Wall family fonds
    Dates: 1889-1978 , predominant 1889-1924
    Extent: 6 cm of textual records
    Extent: 24 photographs
    Extent: 2 maps
    Repository: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives

    Historical note

    Jacob P. Wall was born on July 27, 1870 to Peter Wall (1843-1882) and Maria Goossen ( -1917) in the Molotschna Colony, South Russia. After Peter's death Maria married Gerhard Wall, a cousin of Peter Wall.
    In 1889 Jacob and brother Johann (1867-1934) set out for the United States to establish a homestead. After 1 year they returned to Russia because the west was too unruly for their liking. Jacob bought some land 80 miles east of the Mennonite settlement. During this time he met Maria Albrecht (1867-1925), daughter of Dietrich Abraham Albrecht. Jacob and Maria were married November 25, 1890. Together they had 6 children. This land bought by Jacob Wall became the Marianovka Estate totaling 6700 acres. It was immediately east of the Wintergruen Estate owned by Jacob's uncle, Jacob Goossen. Later Jacob bought the Sandhof estate from his father-in-law and changed its name to the Katerinovka estate which totaled 4000 acres of land. These three estates were situated between Orekhov and Pologi, north of the Molotschna colony. Their southern boarders were the Konka River. Wintergruen was about 7 km east of Orekhov and was 18 km wide, followed by Marianovka and Katerinovka which together were 7 km wide and bordered Pologi.
    The land was rich and excellent crops were harvested. Wall also owned a flour mill and later a paper mill. The challenge was getting products to market. Jacob Wall lobbied the Russian government that a railroad be established. This was turned down and so Wall went ahead with some investors in 1910. By 1912 the Tokmak railway was competed. Shareholders and administrators included Foch, Glechlor Sr. and Jr., Kleinart Sr. and Jr., Abraham Ediger, Peter Ediger, father-in-law Gerhard Wall, and brother Johann Wall. The railroad proved to be profitable and well built with 8 stations on the route. The route looks like a sideways "v" with the point at Komysh-Zorla. The northern route ran just south of the Wall and Goossen Estates. It stared at Zaporozhia, south east to Orekhov and Pologi and to Komysh-Zorla. The southern branch started at Novobohdanivka, east to cross the Molotschna river to the village of Lichtenau, north to Tokmak, east to Komysh-Zorla.
    In 1913 Jacob wall had a premonition to sell all his belongings, pack up his family and to start farming in South Africa. His family and friends ridiculed him for this idea. In 1914 be began looking for buyers for his land but before he could make progress with this plan war broke out. Son Peter served in the Russian military (White Army) and achieved the rank of colonel. Land from wealthy farmers began to be confiscated and by 1918 Jacob Wall had few physical assets. The family was on the run for a time and Jacob and his sons spent time imprisoned.
    On March 6, 1922 Jacob Wall died. His wife and children immigrated to Canada in 1924 and settled in Manitoba and later in Southern Ontario where the family farmed.

    Scope and content note

    This fonds consists of photographs of the Tokmak railroad, the Wall estates, and the extended Wall family. Maps showing the railroad including a Russian map of the Crimea and southern Ukraine and a memoir by George Wall recounting the family's experiences in Russia and early life in Canada. A Gesangbuch or hymnal, once owned by Peter Wall has also been included. 

    This fonds uniquely highlights the life and times of a wealthy Mennonite family involved in the transportation and farming industries and how that changed with the Russian Revolution forcing the family to emigrate.

    Index terms

    Creators

  • Wall, Jacob P., 1870-1922
  • Wall, George
  • Harder, Arthur A., 1930-2005
  • Wall, Alex (ca. 1927-2012)
  • Tokmak Railway (South Russia)
  • Wall, Agnes (1929- )

    Adjunct descriptive data

    Finding aids

    Inventory file list and item description of photos and maps.

    Notes

    Custodial history

    This fonds was donated to the archives by Agnes Wall, wife of  Alex Wall after the death of Alex's cousin Arthur A. Harder. Alex and Art are grandsons of Jacob P. Wall.

    Language

    Some German and Russian

    Arrangement

    Described by Conrad Stoesz 20 September 2010, updated by Conrad Stoesz Dec 20, 2010 and October 22, 2014.

    Restrictions on access

    None to access

    Related materials

    Small Archives Volume 5465:7-8 (about Tokmak Railway)

    Other notes

    Accession No. 2007-002.

    Inventory file list

    Textual records
    Volume 5346
    1. Memories of George Wall (Son of Jacob P. Wall) 1906-1994/ George Wall. -- 1978.
    2. Excerpts of maps showing the Tokmak railway, Wintergruen estate (Jacob Goossen) and the two Jacob Wall estates Marianovka and Katerinovka (formerly Sandhof).
    3. Train station memorial at Lichentau, part of the Tokmak railway system. -- [200-].

        8. Gesangbuch in Welchem eine Sammlung geistreicher Lieder besindlich zur allgemeinen erbauung und zum Lobe Gottes, dritte Ausgabe in Russland,

    Odessa, 1859. -- 971 pages. Embossed with the name Peter Wall (1843-1882) (cover) and Hierschau on the back.  inside is a photo copy of a photograph of Peter Wall and his wife Maria Goossen (1844-1923).

    Photographs
    Collection 649 Tokmak Railway photo album
    1. Shareholders and Administrators of the Tokmak railroad. - [191-]. - 30 x 21 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the shareholders and administrators of the Tokmak Railroad. This photo was taken in the park in Berdiansk, on the sea of Azov. This was near the head office of the railway. Back row: l-r is : ? Foch - industrialist from Tokmak, Johann Peters - Architect from Halbstadt, ? Glechlor Sr. - Mill owner in Lichtenau, ? Kleinart Jr. - Industrialist from Tokmak, ? Kleinart Sr. - Industrialist from Tokmak. Middle row: Abraham Ediger - industrialist from Berdiansk, Gerhard Wall - estate owner and industrialist from Tokmak and Pologi, ? Bobrin - Russian transport inspector., ? Varnin - representative minister of transportation, Peter Ediger, Johannes Wall - Estate and mill owner in Berdiansk. Front row l-r: Glecklor Jr. - mill owner with Glecklor in Lichtenau, Hugo Tubino - representative of the Italian S.S. Co., P. Ediger Account manager in Berdiansk, David Janzen - administrator at the head office in Berdiansk. Jacob Wall served as 1st president of the Tokmak railroad. Shareholders include: Foch, Glechor Sr and Jr, Kleinart Sr. and Jr., Abraham Ediger, Gerhard Wall, Johann Wall, Peter Ediger, Johannes Wall. Note: Peter and Abraham Ediger are brothers. Jacob Wall and Johann Wall are brothers, Gerhard Wall is the step father to Jacob and Johannes Wall. Note: See oversized photo collection for this green album Note: there is a crease lengthwise 1/3 from the bottom of the photo running along the entire length of the photo. See 650:10 for copy with crack electronically removed.
    2. Train station at Csarenkonstantenovka. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the train station Csarenkonstantenovka along the Tokmak railway. Five white brick buildings are in a row. The ground is flat. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    3. The Train Station at Keerielovka. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the train station at Keerielovka along the Tokmak railroad. A white brick building stands on the edge of a lake. Men with hand implements and horses are standing between the building and the water. A round pile of bricks sit in the water. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    4. High dam near Chernihivka. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the high dam near Chernihivka along the Tokmak railway. A high bank of earth with a white brick tunnel runs through it. 1 man stands at the mouth of the tunnel and another man stands on top of the bank of earth. This was still in existence in 2002. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    5. Intersection of the Tokmak railway at Chernihivka and gov. line. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the intersection of the Tokmak railway at Chernihivka and the government line running north/south from Berdniask to Pologi and then on to Dnepropetrovsk. Top railway is the Tokmak line to Kulbysheve. One man is standing on the train bridge above and another man on the rail line below. A third man stands in the background near a fence and a boy stands on the right side of the rail line near the right pillar. A group of people can be seen in the background on the rail line. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    6. The train station at Werchnij Tokmak. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the train station at Werchnij Tokmak (high Tokmak, there are 3 Tokmaks). There are 5 rail line running into this station. There are 6 white brick buildings on the right, men working along the rail lines, and people disembarking a train in the background on the left. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    7. The bridge at Pologi. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the bridge at Pologi along the Tokmak railroad. 7 men stand on top of the bridge that has a railing along it and the steel frame is built under the bridge rather than over top. White brick columns form the support structures at both ends. A village can be seen in the background through the bottom opening in the bridge. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    8. Grading railroad dam (near Landskrone?). - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of a steam powered dredge scooping dirt and loading it on to rail cars. A man standing in the foreground with [surveying equipment?]. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    9. Train station at Bolshoi Tokmak. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the train station at Bolshoi Tokmak. In this city is where Jacob Wall had a home and a flour mill. Six white brick buildings can be seen along the right side of the photo with a seventh under construction. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    10. Bridge over the Molotschna River at Lichtenau. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the bridge over the Molotschna River at Lichtenau. The railroad continued to tie in with the North/South line that went to Melitopol. There are 5 steel sections of this bridge over the river resting on 5 white brick supports. 13 men can be seen on the bridge and on the river bed. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    11. Railroad tracks near Novakarlovka. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the Railroad tracks near Novakarlovka, which is near the site of the Wall estates and paper mill. Two rail lines can be seen merging into one. On the right is a village with thatched roofed houses. On the right are electric power lines on poles. In the background can be seen the rolling landscape. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    12. Stations near Fydorovka. - [191-]. - 31 x 23 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the train stations near the community of Fydotovka. Four white brick buildings can be seen at this train station. Twop people stand on the front steps of the first building. Note: See oversized photo collection for this photo in the green album.
    Collection 650 Jacob Wall family photo collection
    1. Marianovka Estate. - [190-?]. - 25 x 20 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the Marinaovka estate owned by Jacob P. Wall and consisted of 6700 acres of land. The photo shows a road in the foreground, a fence, and a farm yard with numerous large buildings on it that appear to be made of brick. This estate was north of the Molotschna colony and sandwiched between the Wintergruen estate to the west (owned by Jacob Goossen, Jacob Wall's uncle) and the Katerinovka estate, also owned by Wall. These three estates had their southern boarder along the Konka river and were between the cities of Orekhov and Pologi. The Tokmak railway ran just south of the Konka river. Note: the photo is in poor shape and there are 2 poems on the back of the photo.
    2. Katerinovka estate owned by Jacob Wall. - [190-?]. - 22 x 17 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the Katerinovka estate owned by Jacob wall and his wife Maria Wall (Maria Albrecht). Four large buildings are clearly visible with people in the yard. A wind mill stands at the extreme left of the photo. The photo was taken in early winter. The estate consisted of 4000 acres and was situated just west of the city of Pologi with the southern boarder running along the Konka river. On the south side of the river ran the Tokmak railway that Jacob Wall helped found. Wall owned another estate immediately west called Marinovka, and immediately west of that 6700 acre estate was the Wintergruen estate owned by the Jacob Goossen family, uncle to Jacob wall. The Katerinovka estate was once known as the Sandhof (Sanuhof) estate owned by Dietrich Abraham Albrecht, Jacob Wall's father-in-law. Wall purchased Sandhof from Dietrich Albrecht.
    3. Marianovka Estate - Wall family leaving for a wedding. - [191-?]. - 23 x 18 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the wall family leaving for a wedding from their Marinaovka estate. People are standing in front of the car on the drive way. Behind the car is a well care for garden/yard with flowers, potted plants, and children playing around a fountain. The estate house made of white brick is in the background. People in front of the car l-r: Peter Wall, an agent from Germany, Mr. Epp, Mary Wall, Jacob Wall, grandmother, Anna Wall (Anna Enns). People by the pool/fountain, l-r: George Wall, Abe Wall, Katherina, Jacob Wall, John Wall, Gottlieb (son of the cook). Note: The photo is in poor shape and there is a poem on the back.
    4. Wall family in Germany at public event. - July 1905. - 25 x 17.5 cm [b&w]. This photo is of a large group of people sitting on wooden bleachers at a [sporting event?] in Karlsbad Germany. The Jacob Wall family traveled there during the Russo-Japanese War. The people are all dressed in high class clothing. The woman are wearing large hats and the men suites.
    5. John Wall and brother Jacob Wall visiting family in Nebraska. - 1889. - 24.5 x 20 cm [b&w]. This photo is of a group of 15 people (representing 4? Generations) posing for a photo outside a modest wooden house. The yard includes trees and shrubs. John Wall and brother Jacob Wall visited these relatives in Nebraska in 1889. John Wall is standing back row far left and brother Jacob is back row far right. Note: there is a large crack in the photo from top to bottom, through the image of Jacob Wall.
    6. Men of the Forestei/Forestry service. - [189-?]. - 23.5 x 16.5 cm [b&w]. This photo is of 36 young men standing in front of a large brick building posing for a photo. The front row of men has 17 individuals in it. These men worked in the forestry service (Forestei) as an alternative to military service. Front row, seventh from left is Jacob Wall.
    7. Johann Goossen in Coach. - [191-?]. - 27 x 21 cm [b&w]. This photo is of John Goossen (Johann Goossen) sitting in a coach. The driver sits in front and the coach is hitched to three horses. In the background is the coach house, which included an apartment for the driver. The coach house is part of the Marianovka estate owned by Jacob Wall. Johann Goossen is an uncle to Jacob Wall.
    8. Tokmak railroad band. - [191-?]. - 29 x 21 cm [b&w]. This photo is of 11 young men posing for a photo with their musical instruments. These men constituted the Tokmak Railroad band made up of brass instruments and lead by Jacob Wall seated in the middle with baton. Left of Wall is a Wiens. Note: there is a crack in the photo 1/3 from the left side from top to bottom.
    9. Silver anniversary for Gerhard Wall and Maria Wall. - 1909. - 28.5 x 20 cm [b&w]. This is a photo of the extended Wall family with Maria Wall (Maria Goossen) and her second husband Gerhard Wall. Maria's first husband was Peter Wall. Peter and Gerhard's cousins. The Wall children are all from Maria and Peter. The photo is taken in front of a large white brick house. There are 3 people standing inside the house looking out of the window. Back row (2 people) l-r: Jacob Goossen, Peter Wall. Second row: (11 people) l-r: Nellie Goossen, Johann Wall, Mary Wall (adopted by Johann Wall), Maria Goossen, Anna Wall, Jacob Wall, Malvina Wall, Elsie [or Anna Goossen], Mr. Neufeld, Johann Peters.Third row 7 seated people l-r: Aganetha Goossen, Katharina Wall, Maria Wall, Gerhard Wall, Mrs. Neufeld, Mrs. Peters. Front row 6 children, 1st 5 are children of Jacob and Maria Wall l-r: Maria Wall, John Wall, Gerhard Wall, Jacob Wall, Katharina Wall, John Peters. Note: There is a list of names on the back and there is a sheet with identification and some family connections included (copied from duplicate of photo 578:8).
    10. Tokmak railroad shareholders and administrators. - [191-]. - 25 x 22 cm [b&w]. This photo is of the shareholders and administrators of the Tokmak Railroad. This photo was taken in the park in Berdiansk, on the sea of Azov. This was near the head office of the railway. Back row: l-r is : ? Foch - industrialist from Tokmak, Johann Peters - Architect from Halbstadt, ? Glechlor Sr. - Mill owner in Lichtenau, ? Kleinart Jr. - Industrialist from Tokmak, ? Kleinart Sr. - Industrialist from Tokmak. Middle row: Abraham Ediger - industrialist from Berdiansk, Gerhard Wall - estate owner and industrialist from Tokmak and Pologi, ? Bobrin - Russian transport inspector., ? Varnin - representative minister of transportation, Peter Ediger, Johannes Wall - Estate and mill owner in Berdiansk. Front row l-r: Glecklor Jr. - mill owner with Glecklor in Lichtenau, Hugo Tubino - representative of the Italian S.S. Co., P. Ediger Account manager in Berdiansk, David Janzen - administrator at the head office in Berdiansk. Jacob Wall served as 1st president of the Tokmak railroad. Shareholders include: Foch, Glechor Sr and Jr, Kleinart Sr. and Jr., Abraham Ediger, Gerhard Wall, Johann Wall, Peter Ediger, Johannes Wall. NOTE: This is a copy of 649:1 but with the crack 1/3 from the bottom that runs the length of the photo has been electronically removed. Note: Peter and Abraham Ediger are brothers. Jacob Wall and Johann Wall are brothers, Gerhard Wall is the step father to Jacob and Johannes Wall.
    11. Tokmak railway in 2002. - 2002. - 15 x 10 cm [col.]. This photo is of the former Tokmak railway bridge east of Novakarlovka. Some of the foundations are still original from the 1912 Tokmak railroad. There are 3 men standing in front of the structure. They include Art Harder (Canada), Alfred Kostenko (cousin) Nicholas Kostenko from the Ukraine.
    12. Peter Jacob Wall Dressed for duty on the Caucasus front. - 1914. - 12 x 17.5 cm [b&w]. This photo is of Peter Wall (1894-1968), son of Jacob P. Wall, standing outside a brick building posing for a photo. He is wearing a heavy coat, fur hat and leather boots. Peter Wall was a Colonel in the Russian White army who fought the Red Army and bandits like Nestor Machno (Nestor Makhnov). The map in this collection would fold up and be placed in a special pocket in his boot. See map #1230.
    Maps
    1. Copy of Russian language map showing the Zaporozhye Oblast (Region). Marked in Red is the Tokmak railway. – [197-?]. -- 91 x 54 cm: 1:400,000
    2. 1230 Russian language military map of the Taurida gurbernia (region) showing the Crimea and former Molotschna colony areas. The map belonged to Peter Wall who, as Colonel in the Russian White army was issued this map. The Whites fought the Red Army and bandits like Nestor Machno (Nestor Makhnov). The map in this collection would fold up and be placed in a special pocket in his boot. Penciled in the upper right hand side is the Tokmak railroad along with other railroads in the area. The paper map has been mounted onto a cloth backing. The whole map has been mounted on cardboard and covered in a stiff plastic.. – [190-?]. -- 1:840,000; 58 x 49.5 cm.