‘Neumann’ Clock

Kroeger Clock no. 3206, ca. 1900 (MC0250)

This clock was probably given to the current owner's grandmother, Elizabeth Friesen (ca. 1875–ca. 1970), as a wedding gift ca. 1895.

The owner's mother, Maria (Friesen) Neumann (1904–1947), and grandmother, Elizabeth Friesen, led him and his sisters from Alexanderkrone, Molotchna Colony, during the Great Trek out of the Soviet Union between 1943 and 1945. The owner's father, Kornelius, had been arrested by the Soviets. They fled in a horse-drawn wagon, and the clock was stowed under the driver's seat with the rest of their luggage. The dents in the brass weights date from this time. Maria died after the family reached Germany, leaving Elizabeth in charge of the family. Her brother, who lived in Alberta, Canada, was able to sponsor their immigration. After Elizabeth's death ca. 1970 the clock passed to one of her grandchildren and later to the current owner ca. 2000.

Arthur Kroeger repaired, restored, and touched up the paint ca. 2003.

• Description Thirty-hour wall clock with pendulum and weight-driven movement, made by Kroeger Clockmakers in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), ca. 1895, serial number 3206. Arched dial with a raised chapter ring is dark green with a single dark border around the perimeter. Arch has decal of a gold scroll surrounded by a rose and a bluebird. Spandrels are gold scroll decals. Decals and dial in general have been touched up by hand. Chapter ring is black with gold Roman numerals and has white outer rings marking the minutes and quarter hours. Two hands; bell function; chain drive; four weights.

• Mennonite Clock Number MC0250

• Object Name Kroeger Clock

• Serial Number 3206

• Date Created ca. 1900

• Maker Kroeger Clockmakers

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

• Other Markings 3206 (stamped on bottom of frame and back of pendulum); 6 (stamped on right side of front and back frames and on back of minute hand)

• Movement Type Brass frame

• Functions Bell

• Owner Private Owner

• Publications Arthur Kroeger, Kroeger Clocks (Steinbach, MB: Mennonite Heritage Village, 2012), pp. 117–118.