‘Neuendorf’ Clock

Kroeger Clock no. 5892, 1912 (MC0208)

The original owner of this clock was Jacob Wiebe of Neuendorf, Chortitza Colony, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He was a farmer, a teacher, and a ‘prediger’ or preacher. He and his first wife received the clock after their marriage in 1911.

Jacob and his third wife brought the clock with them when they and most of their children fled the Soviet Union in the 1940s. They arrived in Canada in 1948, and eventually settled in St. Catharines, Ontario. Jacob gave the clock to his brother for safekeeping at an unknown date. In turn, he passed it on to Jacob's youngest son and his wife around 1987.

Arthur Kroeger restored, repaired, and repainted the clock in 1999.

• Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, made by Kroeger Clockmakers in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), in 1912, serial number 5892. Arched dial with a raised chapter ring is light-coloured with a single dark border around the perimeter. Arch has hand-painted version of a common decal: a gold scroll with a rose and bluebird. The numbers ‘19’ and ‘12’ are painted on either side. Spandrels are hand-painted gold scrolls. Chapter ring is white with black Roman numerals; has outer rings marking the minutes and quarter hours. Two hands; bell, alarm, and repeater functions; chain drive; six weights.

• Mennonite Clock Number MC0208

• Object Name Kroeger Clock

• Serial Number 5892

• Date Created 1912

• Maker Kroeger Clockmakers

• Location Made Rosenthal, Chortitza Colony, Russian Empire (now Ukraine)

• Other Markings No. 5892 (stamped on brass frame); 2 (on front brass frame, side of steel band on the left; Made by David Kroeger in Rosenthal, 1912 / Restored by Arthur Kroeger, Winnipeg, 1999 (written on back of dial)

• Movement Type Brass frame

• Functions Bell; Alarm; Repeater

• Owner Private Owner