Johann Klassen was born July 20, 1856, to Martin Klassen and Anna Wiebe. He.came to Canada from Russia with his parents on the S. S. Peruvian. This ship arrived in Quebec City on July 13, 1875.

His parents homesteaded in Manitoba and lived in the village of Hochfeld. Johann Klassen married Sarah Peters on Aug. 19, 1879. She was born March 23, 1879, to David Peters and Aganetha Letkeman. The Peters family also lived at Hochfeld, Manitoba.

Johann Klassen moved with his family from Hochfeld, Manitoba, to Hochfeld, Sask. in 1898. He lived in the village of Hochfeld, but the homestead he took up was east of Warman, near Clarksboro Ferry.

He homesteaded NW16, Tp. 39, Ra, W3. In 1903, he broke 15 acres and cropped 0; in 1904, he broke 10 acres and cropped 15; in 1905, he broke 5 acres and cropped 25. In 1905, he owned 12 horses, 13 cattle and 11 hogs.

In 1900, Johann Klassen was elected as vorsteher (over-seer), to replace David Martens. He served the Old Colony Church in this position until 1916. He was then replaced by Benjamin Goertzen.

Johann suffered from cancer and his poor health may well have been the reason for not being vorsteher any longer. He once made a trip to Rochester, New York, for cancer treatments, along with his one brother and one sister, who also had cancer.

His wife died June 8, 1926. He then married, Mrs. Gerhard Bartsch (nee Katharina Harms, born Sept. 28,1861).

Johann Klassen died May 3, 1929. The descendants of the Johann Klassens are scattered across Canada and also in Mexico. He is also my great-grandfather.