File 7 - Isaac P. Friesen papers

Isaac P. Friesen, writer, poet, evangelist, preacher, was born on June 25, 1874 to Peter Martin and Katarina P. (nee Klassen) Friesen in the village of Rosengart, Chortitza Colony, South Russia. He was the first son of his father's third wife. He was the oldest of 11 children born to his parents but also had five older half siblings. When he was still an infant his family immigrated to the United States. After one year they travelled from Fargo, North Dakota up the Red River to Manitoba. There they settled in Rosenort. Friesen was baptized on May 22, 1893 by Aeltester Johann Wiebe and became a member of the Reinland Mennonite Church. He married Katharina Harder on August 1, 1898. Their marriage produced six children. As a successful business man, Friesen was able to visited Palestine in 1910. He found this trip to be a very moving experience and wrote a book about it which he entitled "Meine Reise nach Palestina". During his life time he also published two books of poetry. After an intense spiritual struggle during which he experienced spiritual rebirth, Friesen was elected along with his oldest son to the office of evangelist on November 23, 1919. He was then later ordained as minister on July 8, 1923. After over 30 years of service as a preacher and evangelist Isaac P. Friesen died on January 3, 1952.