Heinrich Janzen, a teacher of the deaf at Tiege, South Russia, a son of Heinrich Janzen, the minister of the Gnadenfeld Mennonite Church, and son-in-law of P. M. Friesen, the Mennonite historiographer, was born 11 September 1869 at Gnadenfeld. In the spring of 1892 he passed the elementary teachers' examination at Melitopol. That winter he spent in Frankfurt, Germany, as an apprentice to Johann Vatter, the most renowned teacher of the deaf and director of the Frankfurt school for the deaf. In the fall of 1893 he was employed by the school for the deaf at Tiege, where he remained until 1924. Meanwhile he continued his own education, especially in the handicrafts, such as work in wood, metal, and basket weaving, so that in addition to the regular school subjects his 23 years of pedagogical service included training his pupils in practical arts. Incorruptible conscientiousness in carrying out his duties, persistence in articulation, and skill in preparing visual materials so vital in the education of the deaf, and his long experience made him an invaluable asset. Later, after he had retired from active school life because of his health, he kept up close connections with the institution, serving as corresponding secretary, treasurer, bookkeeper, teacher, and promoter of the school. Janzen died in 1940 in Melitopol, Ukraine.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, p. 95. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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