William J. Ewert, second son of Elder Wilhelm Ewert and Anna Janz, was born 22 May 1856 in West Prussia. He died 5 April 1928 in Kansas. He was married to Ernstine Dirks 6 September 1889. To them were born seven children. He received his education in Prussia. In 1874 at the age of 18 he came with his parents from Prussia, settled in Marion County, Kansas, and became a member of the Brudertal Mennonite Church of that locality, of which he was elected a minister. On 22 November 1891 he was elected elder (bishop) of this church, and ordained to this position 24 January 1892, which position he kept to the time of his death. Besides being a farmer, he was also interested and employed in publication and conference work, in which he acted as secretary.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, pp. 276-277. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

©1996-2012 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.