View source for Buller, Jacob (1827-1901)

Buller, Jacob, Elder of the [[Alexanderwohl (Molotschna Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church]] of the [[Goessel (Kansas, USA)|Goessel]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]], community, was born 10 June 1827 in the village of Alexanderwohl, South [[Russia|Russia]]. In 1859 he was elected minister of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church and in 1869 its elder. When in the early 1870s it became evident that Mennonites in Russia would have to look for a new home if Mennonite principles were not to suffer, he with 11 other Mennonite delegates was sent to [[North America|North America]] to investigate places for prospective settlements. This inspection tour took about five months. Before the 1874 exodus he had been sent to Hamburg, [[Germany|Germany]], with 15,000 Russian rubles to be exchanged for foreign currency. On 8 October 1874, he with the majority of the members of the Alexanderwohl Church arrived at the place of destination and settled on the prairies north of [[Newton (Kansas, USA)|Newton]], [[Kansas (USA)|Kansas]], where he continued as elder of the new Alexanderwohl congregation.

During the pioneer years he and his associate ministers proved themselves able leaders of their flock. As to his ministry, his messages were simple and fundamental. A naturally strong voice helped to make his sermons emphatic. He believed in and practiced a strong church discipline. His bearing and speech bore testimony of the seriousness of life; however, a natural sense of humor made conversation with him a delight. He served his church without remuneration as was customary in those days. Contributions by the railroad company given as compensation for leadership he turned into the channels of the church treasury. During his last years ill health prevented him from rendering any public service. He died 6 April 1901.
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