Moundridge in McPherson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Swiss (Yolhynian) Mennonites
Seventy-three families, the Mennonite Congregation of Kotosufka, left Russia on Aug. 6, 1874, under the leadership of Elder Jacob Stucky and Rev. Jacob D. Goering, at Liverpool, England. They embarked on the "City of Richmond," arriving in New York on August 31, 1874. Fourteen families went to South Dakota. Others stayed briefly with eastern Mennonites to repay travel loans. Fifty three families were brought by the AT&SF to Peabody, Kansas (a journey of 12 days). After a three-week search for land they came to this place in October, many via Halstead.
Their ancestors, originating as Anabaptists in the 16th century in Switzerland, moved repeatedly because of persecution. In 1671, during peak persecution in Canton Bern (including galley slavery), Anabaptists fled in large numbers to neighboring French and German areas. In 1784-1791 Swiss-German ancestors moved from these areas to Polish Austria and later to Polish Russia. Coming to America in 1874 from the Province of Volhynia, hence the name Swiss (Volhynian). During these migrations many identified with the Amish and some also with the Hutterites. The simple life style has abiding values because human brotherhood and economic justic are basic to world peace.
The Swiss family names of Flickner, Goering, Graber, Kaufman, Krehbiel, Miller, Schrag, Stucky, and Zerger were most common among them. Other family names, acquired in Austria and Russia, included Albrecht, Dirks, Kopper, Lorenz, Mauer, Muendelheim, Nachtigal, Ortman, Penner, Preheim, Ratzlaff, Ries, Schroeder, Schwartz, Senner, Strausz, Sutter, Unrau, Voran, Waltner, and Wedel.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive an hundredfold, and inherit eternal life."
Matthew 19:29
Erected 1974 by The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Assocation. (Marker Number II.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Peace • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1820.
Location. 38° 12.601′ N, 97° 35.278′ W. Marker is in Moundridge, Kansas, in McPherson County. Marker is on Aztec Lane, 0.2 miles east of 18th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker and memorial are on the grounds of the Hopefield Mennonite Church, about four miles WNW of Moundridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moundridge KS 67107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swiss (Volhynian) Mennonite Memorial (here, next to this marker); Anabaptist - Mennonite Faith & Life (here, next to this marker); Centennial Memorial (here, next to this marker); Turkey Red Wheat (here, next to this marker); Growth of This Pioneer Group (here, next to this marker); The Challenge & Hope of the Future (here, next to this marker); English Oak (a few steps from this marker); Original Site of Hoffnungsfeld-Eden Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moundridge.
Also see . . . The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association. Association website homepage (Submitted on July 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,238 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 4, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.