Peter F. Janzen
Born: December 22, 1826
Place: Rudenerweide (Molotchna Colony), South Russia
Died: September 4, 1898
Place: Marion County, Kansas
MOTHER:
Elizabeth Goertzen
FATHER:
Frantz Jantzen
SIBLINGS:
Maria Jantzen (9/22/1823 - Unknown) Remained in Russia
Aganeta Jantzen (9/22/1824 - Unknown) Remained in Russia
Peter Jantzen (9/20/1824 - 3/3/1826)
Franz F. Janzen
Elisabeth Jantzen (3/15/1832 - Unknown) Remained in Russia
Heinrich Jantzen (12/21/1834 - 12/21/1834)
Johann Jantzen (died at age 19)
Katarina Jantzen (11/27/1838 - Unknown) Remained in Russia
Heinrich Jantzen (11/30/1840 - 1/9/1847)
Jacob F. Jantzen (11/1/1845 - Unknown)
SPOUSE:
Eva Flaming
Married: February 15, 1852
Place: South Russia
CHILDREN:
Elizabeth Janzen
Eva Janzen (2/6/1855 - 3/6/1855)
Maria Janzen
Peter P. Janzen
Franz Janzen (died at age 14)
John P. Janzen
Aganetha Janzen
Jacob Janzen
Katharina Janzen
BIOGRAPHY
Peter was baptized on Pentecost Sunday 1845 by Elder Benjamin Ratzlaff at Rudnerweide Mennonite Church. Although Peter and Eva belonged to the Rudnerweide Mennonite Church, they lived in the village of Kleefeld, where their children were born. The broader term, church, in which the family has held membership is now known as the General Conference Mennonites, as distinguished from other branches of the Mennonite Church.
Peter and Franz F. Janzen (brothers) married sisters, Eva and Aganeta Flaming, respectively and several years prior to their immigration to the United States in 1875 they dropped as superfluous the "t" in their surname. Since then the family name has been spelled, Janzen.
In July 1875, Peter and Eva, their children and the Franz Janzen family sold what they could; foresaking the remainder of their possessions, other brothers, sisters and relatives; and left to emigrate to the United States. They left Europe from Antwerp, Belgium, sailing on the steamship, "State of Nevada" and arrived in New York on August 4, 1875. Following the emigration journey, the families settled near Goessel, Kansas. In Fall of that year Peter and Eva joined the Alexanderwohl Church, by letter from the Rudnerweide Mennonite Church in South Russia. Then Eva joined the new Tabor Mennonite Church on January 31, 1911, by transfer of letter from the Alexanderwohl Church.
Peter served the Alexanderwohl Church for a number of years as Vorsinger (song leader) before the reed organ or piano were used in congregational singing in their services. The hymnbooks were, of course, without notes and it was up to the Vorsinger to start the song in the right melody and correct pitch for the congregation to sing the hymn, having often as many as 12 to 24 stanzas.
Peter died at age 71.
