View source for Dyck, Wilhelm I. (1854-1936)

Wilhelm I. Dyck, an elder in the [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren Church]], was born 4 February 1854 at Rosental, South [[Russia|Russia]]. Upon the early death of his parents he was brought up by Gerhard Krahn of Neuenburg. He completed the [[Chortitza Zentralschule (Chortitza, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Zentralschule at Chortitza]]. He was drawn into public work and served as secretary treasurer in the municipal office with such ability that he was decorated by the Tsar with a medal for meritorious service. He was known as always showing sympathy with the oppressed and needy, deciding for what he thought right and equitable. Soon he came to be used as mediator between the church and the then generally suspicious Russian government. Together with [[Schellenberg, David (1852-1919)|Elder D. Schellenberg]] he obtained full legal recognition for the Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia.

Elder Dyck also prospered in a material way, becoming owner and director of a large milling concern; but neither business nor municipal duties ever kept him from manifesting a deep interest in the work of the church and the salvation of souls. In 1890 he gave up his municipal duties and devoted himself largely to the ministry, pioneering in many areas, including travel to [[Poland|Poland]], Siberia, Bulgaria, [[Turkestan|Turkestan]], the [[Terek Mennonite Settlement (Republic of Dagestan, Russia)|Terek]], and [[Orenburg Mennonite Settlement (Orenburg Oblast, Russia)|Orenburg]], ministering also to the native Russians, which was contrary to the wish of the ruling powers.

He married Maria M. Riediger in 1877, who died in 1896. About a year after, he married Emilie Petker. In 1907 he visited the churches in [[North America|North America]], but returned to his native Russia, where he was ordained elder in 1914.

[[World War (1914-1918)|World War I]] together with the [[Russian Revolution and Civil War|Russian Revolution]] cost him the loss of his business and all his property, including his home. He emigrated to [[Canada|Canada]] in 1924, where he continued his spiritual ministry until shortly before his death on 2 March 1936.
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