Historical note

Johann S. Rempel was born on November 9, 1853 (Gregorian calendar) to Johann and Margaretha (Sawatzky) Rempel on the Bergthal colony, in South Russia. He was baptized on May 28, 1873, and immigrated to Canada in 1875 with his parents. He worked in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario, with one of his brothers for a year before joining the rest of the family in Manitoba. They first settled in the village of Grünthal on the East Reserve, but as farming was not good in that area, Johann's brothers moved to the West Reserve and to Saskatchewan and Alberta. Johann remained in Chortitz, on the East Reserve, but only farmed for a short period. Because he had acquired proficiency with the English language, he became involved in municipal affairs and was appointed secretary-treasurer for the Rural Municipality of Hanover by Immigration agent, William Hespeler. He held this position from 1901 to 1904 and from 1913 to 1916. He was also a businessman and an inventor of farm machinery. Johann was first married on May 5, 1878, to Katarina Peters in Reichenbach. They had five surviving children. Katarina died on August 25, 1890, and Johann then married her younger sister, Margaretha Peters on October 28, 1890. They had nine surviving children. Johann greatly enjoyed singing and served as the Vorsänger (leader of singing) in the Chörtitzer Mennonite Church for many years. He was known as a strong leader in the community, advocating in favour of public education and in opposition to smoking, and providing hospitality to prominent guests to the community. He died suddenly on May 28, 1929, survived by his second wife.