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Steinbach History 1894-1990

The Kleine Gemeinde was started here in 1812 by Klass E. Reimer (1770-1837) as a reform movement. Although only a small minority in the Molotschna, this denomination quickly became known for it’s practise of the New Testament teachings of nonresistance, community of sharing, and the publication of the first Anbaptist inspirational books. Its farmers were known as being among the best in the Molotschna Colony, which had become a model for all of Russia.
The Steinbach settlers were late arrivals in the fall of 1874. Most of the better land had already been occupied by the 400 Berthaler and other Kleine Gemeinde families and therefore they chose the present site in the south-east corner of the settled area of the East Reserve (now R.M. of Hanover). The 20 homesteads were laid out on the north-east side of the present day Main Street along the Steinbach Creek.

Spiritual leadership was provided by Rev. Jacob M. Barkman (1824-1875) whose tragic death by drowning in the Red River in 1875, together with his fellow pioneer Jakob K. Friesen (1822-1875), shocked the community. A school was established the very first fall and a school house and teacherage were constructed in 1875. Among the Steinbach pioneers were Kornelius Fast (1840-1927) and Gerhard S. Kornelsen (1816-1894), both experienced and qualified teachers from the old country. An important church event, was the establishment of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite (Holdeman) in 1882. Pioneer Wilhelm T. Giesbrecht (1846-1917) was elected a minister of this group in 1884, and served for many years as an itinerant preacher and evangelist.

A number of the village founders had already demonstrated their entrepreneurial abilities in Russia and were quick to take advantage of the business opportunities in the new land. These included: Klass R. Reimer (1837-1906) retail merchant (1877); Abram S. Friesen (1848-1916) owner of Steinbach’s Holland style windmill (1877); Peter K. Barkman (1826-1917) founder of the steam driven flour mill (1880); and Franz M. Kroeker (1827-1907), the village had grown to 28 families with 128 souls by 1882.

Steinbach was a hospitable place for business activity and the founding families were soon joined by other including: Cornelius W. Loewen (1827-1893) from Kleefeld (1877); Isaac B Plett (1867-1933) machinery dealer and inventor from Blumenort (1887); Peter W. Toews (1866-1935) blacksmith from Kleefeld (1890). Important regional leaders like Cornelius P. Toews (1836-1908), one of the 1873 delegates and Peter R. Dueck (1862-1919), bishop of the Kleine Gemeinde, established themselves in the community in the mid 1880’s and 1890’s.

The communal orientated Strassendorf (street village) form of organization, which had provided many advantages during the pioneer period, was dissolved in 1910. The Main Street area of the village was surveyed so that the inhabitants could obtain title to their properties. This was accomplished under the leadership of Johan G Barkman (1859-1937), a son of the pioneer minister, who served as mayor of the village for 25 years. In 1912 J.R. Friesen added the retailing of automobiles to Steinbach’s activities, being the first Ford Dealer in Western Canada. By 1915, Steinbach had 117 households and a population of 463.

The next period of Steinbach’s history is marked by steady growth. An influx of Bergthaler and Russlaender Mennonites, German Lutherans, and Anglo Saxons, added a rich cultural diversity to the population. By the time of it’s incorporation as a Town in 1948, Steinbach had become the agricultural service centre in the region. The subsequent decades saw rapid expansion in manufacturing, trucking, retailing, and in the car industry. It has truly become Manitoba’s “Jewel of the South-east”. As it prepares itself for the 21st century, Steinbach is still characterized by many of the principles and characteristics of it’s pioneer settlers.

By
Delbert F. Plett LL.B.,President
Hanover Steinbach Historical Society Inc.
May 1, 1990

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