Janz, Benjamin B. (1877-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Oct 29 p. 3

Birth date: 1877

text of obituary:

CALLED BY DEATH — B. B. Jantz [sic Janz] as he appeared several years ago while doing research at the Mennonite Historical Library on the Bethel College campus, North Newton.

Death Claims Leader Who Helped Thousands Emigrate from Russia

Abbotsford, B. C. — Rev. Benjamin B. Janz, who was instrumental in helping thousands of Mennonites leave Russia in the 1920s and then assisted in refugee resettlement in Canada for many years, died in the Menno Private Hospital in Clearbrook, B. C. Oct. 16 at the age of 87. He had been hospitalized for over a year.

Memorial services were conducted Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church, followed by final services and burial at the Coaldale M. B. Church on Oct. 20.

Rev. Janz was sometimes referred to as the “Mennonite Moses” for his outstanding work in behalf of the post-World War I migration from Russia. Born in Russia in 1877, he was educated there and served as a teacher and preacher until famine and terrorist activities brought untold hardship to Mennonites of the Ukraine in the early 1930s.

With Philip Cornies he was instrumental in forming the “Union of Dutch Citizens of the Ukraine” for the purpose of reconstructing the Mennonite communities in the new Soviet nation. Instead, this organization became the means of helping thousands leave for new homes in Canada. Some 20,000 emigrated between 1923 and1929.

In 1926 Rev. Janz and his family also left for Canada, settling at Coaldale, Alberta. Here he became active in the Canadian Board of Colonization and had a leading part in resettlement and relief work. He also became a leading minister of the Mennonite Brethren Church. He retired several years ago to write his memoirs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Marie Rogalsky, and one son. Surviving him are three daughters and one son and their families.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 Nov 10 p. 703