Fonds PP - Peter A. Toews fonds

Peter A. Toews, farmer, business man, educator, civil politician, and spiritual leader, was born July 23, 1877 in Chortitza Colony, South Russia. He was a twin and the oldest of three children born to his parents Abraham and Margaretha (nee Braun) Toews. He was a child from his father's second marriage and had ten half siblings from his father's first marriage. Toews received his early education in Russia and then moved with his family to Canada at the age of 15. They settled in Kleinstadt, on the Manitoba West Reserve. Toews was baptized on May 22, 1899 and married Maria Klassen that same year on July 9th. Their marriage produced nine children. In addition to farming Toews was involved in cattle-buying, farm machinery sales, municipal government, and chaired the board of the Mennonite Educational Institute. In 1925 he encouraged a provincial bill to establish a separate Mennonite school division. Although the bill was not passed, Toews became a very active leader in the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church. He was ordained to the ministry in 1930 by Aeltester Henry J. Friesen and then elected as Aeltester and ordained in 1931 by Aeltester David Dyck. Toews served as Aeltester for 20 years during which time he conducted 794 worship services, dealt with the church division which led to the formation of the Rudnerweider Mennonite Church, served as chairman on the committee which negotiated alternatives to military service and helped raise funds for the Red Cross and assistance to widows and orphans. He retired from the ministry in 1950-51 and became part of the conservative group that left the Sommerfeld Church to form the Reinland Mennonite Church in 1958. Peter A. Toews died in Altona on March 6, 1961.