Friedrich C. Ortmann (1868-1949), born in Adelhof, Russian Poland, 20 September 1868, immigrated with his parents to near Freeman, South Dakota in 1874. On 24 July 1892 he was married to Helena Schmidt, with whom he had one son, and in a second marriage on 14 March 1895 to Maria Schmidt, with whom he had eleven children. He was a lifelong member of the Bethel Mennonite (General Conference Mennonite) Church where he was very active as a layman. He also took a great part in community life. In 1944 he opened his home for other old folks. His daughters were still managing the Home for Aged in the 1950s.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 88. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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