Steinbach was the name of a large private estate near the Molotschna Mennonite settlement, Russia, established by Klaas Wiens, the first Oberschulze of the Molotschna settlement. Alexander I visited this estate in 1818 and was impressed by the successful planting of trees on the bare steppes. This was one of the reasons for the founding of the Molotschna Mennonite Agricultural Association. The nephew of Klaas Wiens, Pieter Schmidt, was also a successful cultural leader. He established a secondary school on the estate. His son Peter Schmidt continued the tradition.

Bibliography

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 624. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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