Ewert, Heinrich H. (1855-1934)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 9 Jan 1935 p. 1

Birth date: 1855

text of obituary:

9 Jan 1935 p. 1

Prof. H. H. Ewert 50 Years Educational Leader in Manitoba.

GRETNA, Dec. 31. — Prof. H. H. Ewert, a noted Mennonite educator, and for almost 50 years a resident of the Gretna district, died Saturday night at his home after an illness of five days. A cold contracted while he was making a special trip to get decorations for a Christmas tree for his grandson developed into pneumonia, which caused his death. He was in his 81st year.

He came to America in 1874 with his father, Wm. Ewert, from Prussia, when he was 19 years of age. The family settled near Hillsboro, Kansas, the young man helping his father on the farm and in his spare time diligently followed his studies, particularly in the English language.

Became Teacher

In the neighborhood in which he lived he received many requests to give English lessons to his friends. He did so to the extent his time would permit, and soon after he became a school teacher. Ultimately he chose teaching as a profession, went to normal school in Emporia, Kansas, and took his qualification certificate in 1879.

The Mennonite community of Kansas then invited Mr. Ewert to undertake the establishment of a continuation school for Mennonite students. He accepted the call but decided first to complete his own academic studies.

The Mennonite Continuation school was opened in 1882 with Mr. Ewert as principal. Established first at Emmenthal, it soon moved to more commodious quarters at Halstead. It has continued down to the present time and is today known as Bethel College. Mr. Ewert remained as its principal until 1891.

Comes to Manitoba

The Manitoba government, learning that the Kansas Mennonites had made unusual progress, commissioned Rev. Dr. Geo. Bryce, then on the Manitoba college faculty, to see if he could not obtain some one who could further help the Manitoba Mennonites educationally. The result was that Mr. Ewert came to Manitoba and spent some years in service of the government as head of Mennonite schools. Later he became head of the Mennonite Collegiate Institute at Gretna.

In 1930 he celebrated his 50th year as a teacher at Gretna. Largely due to his efforts all the schools in the Mennonite settlements are supplied with fully qualified teachers.

Prof. Ewert is survived by his widow; a brother, Rev. Benjamin Ewert, Winnipeg; three sisters living in Kansas and four sons: Dr. Paul Ewert at Golden B. C.; Dr. Carl Ewert, Prince George, B. C.; Prof. Alfred Ewert, Oxford University, a Manitoba Rhodes scholar; and Dr. W. Ewert, dentist, at Plum Coulee, Man. A daughter, Miss Elma Ewert, is a member of the staff of Royal Victoria hospital. — From Winnipeg Tribune. Sent in by Rev. Benj. Ewert, Winnipeg.