File 66 - Ewert, H.H. (letter to G.G. K. re G.E.K. passing)

Heinrich H. Ewert was born on April 12, 1855 at Nessau near Thorn, West Prussia as the oldest of eleven children of Wilhelm (1829-1887) and Anna (Janz) Ewert. Heinirch received his elementary and intermediate education at Thorn Prussia. Father Wilhelm Ewert served as one of the Prussian delegates who came to explore the possible opportunities in North America. The family immigrated to Hillsboro, Kansas in 1874 and took up farming.

In America Heinrich continued his education at the normal school at Emporia from 1878-1879. Later he studied at the Des Moines Institute in Iowa and took a two-year theology course at Marthasville, Missouri. In 1882 he began his teaching career at the Mennonite parochial school at Alexanderwohl, Kansas. On August 20, of the same year, he married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Baer of Summerfield, Illinois. They had five children together, Paul (1883-1940), Carl (1886), Albert (1891), Wilhelm (1894) and Elma (1903). In 1883 the school was moved to Halstead, Kansas and the name changed to Mennonite Seminary. In 1884 his gifts as a spiritual leader were confirmed with ordination.

Heinrich continued his roles as a teacher and principal at the school in Halstead until 1891 when he received an invitation to come to Manitoba and help establish a Mennonite school. He became a teacher and principal of the Gretna Normal School, later changed to Mennonite Educational Institute, and eventually known as the Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI). He was also appointed by the provincial government to be school inspector, a position he held in addition to his responsibilities in Gretna. In 1925 his wife Lizzie died. Later he later married Katie Krehbiel Kruse.

Ewert was a torchbearer in the areas of church and education. His influence in the school and church settings should not be under estimated. He continued his worked in this capacity as principal for 43 years until his death in 1934.

He was the editor of the church publication Der Mitarbeiter for 28 years and wrote numerous articles. Of special interest was an address he gave under the auspices of the Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba in Winnipeg in 1932, on the topic, "The Mennonites", which was published in German and English.