View source for Krahn, Isaak Georg (b. 1882)

Isaak Georg Krahn: teacher, minister, and elder; born 21 October 1882 in [[Schönhorst]], Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, South Russia. He was the seventh of ten children (of which four died in childhood) born to George Peter Krahn (22 April 1844, Schönhorst, Chortitza, South Russia - 12 November 1894, Schönhorst, Chortitza) and Agatha (Thiessen) Krahn (b. 9 August 1848, Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, South Russia). Isaak married Katharina Unrau (16 June 1884, Kronsweide, Chortitza Mennonite Settlement, South Russia - 2 June 1924, Dolinovka, Orenburg Mennonite Settlement, Russia), daughter of Heinrich Unrau (b. 1846) and Maria (Klassen) Unrau (b. 1849), on 15 June 1904. Isaak and Katharina had nine children (four more died in infancy): Katharina, Agatha, Maria, Peter, Anna, Eva, Isaak, Heinrich, and Frieda. Isaak's second wife was Anna Klippenstein. Isaak's date and place of death is unknown.

Isaak attended the [[Chortitza Zentralschule (Chortitza, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Chortitza Zentralschule]] and took pedagogical courses. After passing the teachers' examinations he went to the [[Orenburg Mennonite Settlement (Orenburg Oblast, Russia)|Orenburg Mennonite settlement]], where, with a few interruptions, he served as a generally respected teacher for 20 years. On 27 June 1911 Krahn was ordained as minister of the [[Deyevka Mennonite Church (Orenburg Oblast, Russia)|Deyevka Mennonite congregation]]. Equipped with a thorough knowledge of the Bible and the gift of fluent speech, he had good attendance at the services he conducted. The confidence of the congregation is shown by the fact that they chose him as elder by a large majority and ordained him in 1926. With great devotion he performed the duties of this office until 1930, when he was sent into exile for a period of ten years. He did not return home.

Elder Krahn was a very decisive character. In his native village he was loved and respected by the young people as well as the congregation. In his private life he went through many difficult experiences. In her prime his wife was taken by death, leaving him in impoverished circumstances with nine young children. His son Peter was later exiled from the village with his wife, and died of starvation near the home village. His second wife was also sent into banishment. "These are they that have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their garments white in the blood of the Lamb."
= Bibliography =
Dyck, P. P. <em>Orenburg am Ural. </em>Clearbrook, B.C., 1951: 62 f., with portrait.

GRANDMA (The '''G'''enealogical '''R'''egistry '''an'''d '''D'''atabase of '''M'''ennonite '''A'''ncestry) Database, 16-11 ed. Fresno, CA: [http://calmenno.org/index.htm" California Mennonite Historical Society], 2016: #226932.
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[[Category:Persons]]
[[Category:Teachers]]
[[Category:Ministers]]
[[Category:Elders]]