‘Reimer’ Clock

Kroeger Clock no. 3803, ca. 1905 (MC0156)

This clock was likely presented to Gerhard and Agatha (Harms) Reimer upon their marriage in 1923.

Gerhard was arrested by Soviet authorities in 1938 and was never heard from again. The family stayed in Schoenau, Zagradovka Colony, now Ukraine, until they followed the retreat of the German Army in the 1943–45 Great Trek. The Reimers found refuge in Poland, but fled once more as the Eastern Front advanced. The youngest son, Abram, was tasked with carrying the clock; no matter how much he wanted to leave it behind, his mother insisted that he keep it.

The Reimers stayed in a German refugee camp until they were able to immigrate to Paraguay. Agatha brought the clock to Canada with her when she moved there in 1955. The clock passed to Abram, and then to his daughter.

• Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, made by Kroeger Clockmakers in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), ca. 1905, serial number 3803. Arched dial with a raised chapter ring is light with a single dark border around the perimeter. Arch has a decal of daisies, poppies, bluebells, and greenery. Spandrels are gold scrolls with red centres. Chapter ring is white with black Roman numerals; has outer rings marking the minutes and quarter hours. Two hands; chain drive; two weights.

• Mennonite Clock Number MC0156

• Object Name Kroeger Clock

• Serial Number 3803

• Date Created ca. 1905

• Maker Kroeger Clockmakers

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

• Other Markings No. 3803 (stamped on brass frame); 13 (stamped on brass frames front and back, a gear, and gearbox)

• Movement Type Brass frame

• Owner Private Owner

• Publications Arthur Kroeger, Kroeger Clocks (Steinbach, MB: Mennonite Heritage Village, 2012), pp. 118–120.

• Notes One door to the gearbox is missing.