Jakob Toews: an elder of the congregation of Lichtenau, Petershagen, and Schönsee in the Molotschna Mennonite settlement in South Russia; b. in 1825 in the village of Fürstenau, Molotschna Mennonite settlement, two years after his parents had arrived in Russia from Prussia. In 1862 he was elected minister and in 1869 elder of his home congregation. For almost 40 years Toews cared for his large church, which consisted of three subsidiary congregations, Lichtenau, Petershagen, and Schönsee, but which had been organized as a unit. The three meetinghouses of the congregation were located a considerable distance from each other. Godliness, simplicity, and a great firmness of conviction were outstanding features of his character. In 1908 Toews retired from his duties as elder and minister and died one year later in 1909.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 736. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2013 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.