File 2 - Abram Bergen sermon

Abram Bergen, minister and farmer, was born on October 27, 1842 to Rev. Abram and Margareta (nee Bergen) Bergen in Bergthal Colony, South Russia. He was the third of 14 children of which three died as children. Bergen was baptized on May 28, 1862. He married Maria Wiebe on February 5, 1867. Their marriage produced 8 children of which 3 died in childhood. Bergen was elected to the ministry and ordained ordained by Aeltester Gerhard Wiebe on November 20, 1869. Bergen came to Canada with his family in 1874. They lived for five years on the East Reserve and then moved to the West Reserve in 1879. In 1899 Maria died and later that same year on October 17th Bergen married his second wife, Justina Unrau who was a widow with four children. This second marriage produced 2 children. Bergen served as minister for 45 years which included five years in Russia and then in Canada six years in the East Reserve, 12 years in the West Lynne Bergthal and his last 22 years in the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church. Abram Bergen died on May 28, 1916.