Dietrich S. Friesen was a pioneer Mennonite teacher born on 8 March 1849 in the Molotschna Colony of South Russia. Dietrich was one of twelve children born to Jakob K. Friesen (1822-1875) and Katharina Schierling (1823-1912). He was baptized in the Kleine Gemeinde on 31 May 1869 and the following year married Katharina Friesen (1849-1895). Dietrich became the village school teacher in Rosenfeld, Borosenko Colony, South Russia, where he taught until coming to Canada with his family in 1874. This move was part of a large Mennonite migration. There is some question about where he first settled in Canada but it appears most likely that he lived the first two years in Steinbach, Manitoba while teaching one year in Grünfeld. In 1875 his father drowned in the Red River along with minister Jacob Barkman on a trip to Winnipeg for supplies. In 1882 Dietrich joined the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Grünfeld. He lived in Blumenfeld for two years then returned to Steinbach where he taught between 1880 and 1884. Dietrich continued to teach as an assistant from 1885 until his death. Dietrich S. Friesen died of brain paralysis on 18 August 1901. He was reported to have "enjoyed great affection from among his students" but in addition to his legacy as a teaching, Dietrich left a diary of historic significance in which he recorded village life.
Brown, Sharon H. H. "Friesen, Dietrich S. (1849-1901)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2006. Web. 27 Jan 2017.
Brown, Sharon H. H. "Friesen, Dietrich S. (1849-1901)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2006. Web. 27 Jan 2017.
Dietrich S. Friesen was a pioneer Mennonite teacher born on 8 March 1849 in the Molotschna Colony of South Russia. Dietrich was one of twelve children born to Jakob K. Friesen (1822-1875) and Katharina Schierling (1823-1912). He was baptized in the Kleine Gemeinde on 31 May 1869 and the following year married Katharina Friesen (1849-1895). Dietrich became the village school teacher in Rosenfeld, Borosenko Colony, South Russia, where he taught until coming to Canada with his family in 1874. This move was part of a large Mennonite migration. There is some question about where he first settled in Canada but it appears most likely that he lived the first two years in Steinbach, Manitoba while teaching one year in Grünfeld. In 1875 his father drowned in the Red River along with minister Jacob Barkman on a trip to Winnipeg for supplies. In 1882 Dietrich joined the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Grünfeld. He lived in Blumenfeld for two years then returned to Steinbach where he taught between 1880 and 1884. Dietrich continued to teach as an assistant from 1885 until his death. Dietrich S. Friesen died of brain paralysis on 18 August 1901. He was reported to have "enjoyed great affection from among his students" but in addition to his legacy as a teaching, Dietrich left a diary of historic significance in which he recorded village life.
Brown, Sharon H. H. "Friesen, Dietrich S. (1849-1901)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2006. Web. 27 Jan 2017.
Brown, Sharon H. H. "Friesen, Dietrich S. (1849-1901)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2006. Web. 27 Jan 2017.
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