1924 Immigrants to Saskatchewan

When my grandfather emigrated with his family in 1924, their first home was living with other families on a very large farm near Dundurn, Saskatchewan known as Schwager #2. In 1929, the group of families split up into their own individual farms from the large one.

In this photo:

Back row: my Dad (Harry Klassen) as a toddler, my grandpa (H.H. Klassen), Victor Klassen,  my grandma (Susanna Friesen Klassen), Lena Kliewer, Neta Kliewer, Neta Harder, Katharina Harder and Gerhard Harder

Front row: Agnes Klassen, Erica Klassen, Margaret Klassen, Dietrich Klassen, Sarah Kliewer, Henry Harder, Nick Harder and George Harder.

Susanna and Kartharina were sisters. 

Below is the background to a 100-year reunion of the descendants of these families.

100 Year Celebration of Mennonites Settling on Schager Farm #2

At Pleasant Point, Dundurn, Saskatchewan

Please note:  This information is as accurate as the collective stories told by our forebears and the accuracy of how they were remembered.

In the fall of 1924 -- one hundred years ago this year -- a group of Russlaender Mennonites arrived in the Pleasant Point area and settled on the farm called Schwager #2.  Some had lived together in Neu Chortitza, South Russia.  (According to notes by Henry Harder, they all knew each other.)  The farm was purchased from Paul Schwager.  The Mennonite Board of Colonization had assisted in the search for land, connecting the families with Mr. Schwager.

The farm consisted of seven shares in the following names:

Isaac Epp

Gerhard Harder

Heinrich Klassen

Heinrich Koop

Isaac Koop

Peter Neufeld

Johann Sawatzky

Also part of this group of immigrants were the young Kliewer sisters, orphaned nieces of the Harders and Klassens.

The Schwager Farm was purchased on credit.  The contract called for each family to receive 320 acres of land, one house, six horses, two cows, one sow, 10 or 15 chickens, and the necessary machinery.  The price was $16,000 at 5% interest.  The debt was paid off with a half share of the annual crop.

They all lived and worked together on the Schwager Farm.  After living communally for four years, they all moved to their own individual farms.  They divided the land so each partner would get two quarters of land.  The wells had to be dug, fences built, the buildings divided and moved.  Until now they had been using a big bunkhouse for church services.  German School classes were being held there as well.

Twenty children from the farm went to Woodview School.  It must have been difficult for the teacher because as far as we know, not one of the children could speak English.

After a few years, they were invited to use a church built by the Moravian congregation which wasn’t being used.  They purchased the Pleasant Point church and cemetery for $3,000 in 1950.

We are so very thankful that our grandparents chose to leave South Russia and come to Canada.  They were successful in developing a good life for their children and grandchildren and generations to come.  Therefore, we celebrate this milestone in our lives.