Johann Peter Klassen

Who was Johann Peter Klassen?

Johann Peter Klassen was a Russian Mennonite poet and writer who emigrated to Canada in 1923 but wrote primarily in the German language. He was born 27 May 1868 in Neu-Schönwiese near Alexandrovsk Ukraine, the third of four children of Peter Abram Klassen and Aganetha Klassen. His father had four children from his first marriage to Anna Janzen.

Johann was married first to Katharina Wieler on 27 September 1891 in Franzfeld, Yazykovo, South Russia. She was the daughter of Abraham Wieler and Helena Wieler. Johann and Katharina had eight children: Peter, Helena, Aganeta, Abram, Johann, Käthe, Heinrich, and Kornelius.

After Katharina's death, Johann married for the second time on 8 May 1911 in Chortitza Chortitza Settlement to Katharina Dyck. Johann and his second wife Katharina had two sons, Victor and Eduard.