View source for Waldner, Michael (1834-1889)

Michael Waldner: a [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterian Brethren]] minister; born 20 January 1834, the second of eight children of Zacharias Waldner (13 November 1812, Radichev, Russia – 19 September 1873) and Rachel (Gross) Waldner (31 December 1810, Radichev, Russia – 2 June 1852, Hutterthal, Molotschna, South Russia). Michael’s first wife was Elisabeth Hofer (25 September 1836 – 1869, Sheromet, Ekaterinoslav, South Russia), daughter of Johann Hofer (7 September 1791, Wischenka, Russia – 6 October 1837, Radichev, Russia) and Gretel (Decker) Hofer (5 August 1794, Wischenka, Russia – 14 April 1858). Michael and Elisabeth married 27 November 1855. Michael’s second wife was Sarah Kleinsasser (5 March 1849 – 22 June 1890), daughter of Samuel Kleinsasser (13 December 1813, Radichev, Russia – 6 May 1885, Pennsylvania, USA) and Dorothea (Hofer) Kleinsasser (4 February 1817, Radichev, Russia – 10 December 1858). Michael and his first wife Elisabeth had 10 children: Sarah, Michael, Johann (died young), Johann (died young), Johann, Zacharias, Jacob (died young), Jacob, George, and Sarah (died young). Michael and his second wife Sarah had 6 children: Elizabeth, Rachel, Susanna, Sarah, Maria, and Joseph. Michael died 13 October 1889 in the [[Bon Homme Hutterite Colony (Tabor, South Dakota, USA)|Bon Homme Bruderhof]] in South Dakota at the age of 55 years.

Michael was chosen to be a minster among the Hutterian Brethren in 1856 in Russia, and confirmed in office in 1858. With [[Hofer, Jakob (1830-1901)|Jakob Hofer]] he re-established [[Community of Goods|community of goods]] in 1859. He was "Schmied Michel" after whom the "[[Schmiedeleut|Schmiedeleut]]" are named. He served in the ministry 33 years.
= Bibliography =
GRANDMA (The <strong>G</strong>enealogical <strong>R</strong>egistry <strong>an</strong>d <strong>D</strong>atabase of <strong>M</strong>ennonite <strong>A</strong>ncestry) Database, 5.00 ed. Fresno, CA: [http://calmenno.org/index.htm California Mennonite Historical Society], 2006: #1064.
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[[Category:Persons]]
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[[Category:Hutterian Brethren Ministers]]