The Suderman twins
Erika Tavonius M. D.

 

 

Following account written by Erika Tavonius M. D. born in Muntau, Molotschna Colony. I had the honour and pleasure of interviewing Dr. Tavonius when she lived in Vineland, Ontario. She was a daughter of Dr. Erich Tavonius of the Muntau Hospital who was venerated by our Mennonite people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There were twin boys in the Suderman family.  They were so much alike  that only their mother could distinguish between them. The boys loved each other.

When the Civil War started the boys were already grown up. One was married at the time when a Machno bandit collected young men and put them in line to be shot. He told them to count like in the military and then announced that every third one would be shot. As it turned out, the married twin would be shot. Quickly his unmarried brother exchanged places with him and was shot to death.

 

I have a request as follows: If you, the reader, are able to identify the Suderman family below, kindly contact me at ekmha@mnsi.net    With many thanks in advance, Astrid Koop.

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