The Initial Years In Essex And Kent Counties

The Initial Years in Essex County – 1925 – 1928: Additional Families Arrive

Following the example of Mr. Lohrenz, a number of families from the Waterloo area came to Essex County in the spring of 1925; at the same time six families from Waterloo went directly to Pelee Island, which constitutes a separate story.  (See  Mennonite Memories Of Pelee Island Website).

On the mainland of Essex County the Mennonites found employment in towns and hamlets close to Lake Erie: Kingsville, Leamington, Wheatley, Coatsworth, Olinda, and Harrow. Total number and names of those who came to Essex County in 1925 are difficult to ascertain since reports on the subject differ somewhat owing probably to distances between places of residence and the resulting communication gaps. At any rate, once the few had arrived they sent for their family and friends without mediation from Lohrenz or any other central agency. As a result, families emerged here and there in random manner, and only little by little did they eventually come together as a unit.

Probably about 30 families came in 1925 and a part of 1926. The following list indicates as closely as ascertainable who came and the year of arrival. Perhaps additional names should have been included and discrepancies may exist concerning the year of arrival.