Classification scheme:
Hist.Mss.2.85
Title: Amanda Heckendorn family fonds
Dates of creation: 1891-2009
Physical description: 5 cm of textual records; 4 objects
Biographical sketch: Amanda Otterbein was born to Lydia (Kolb) and Henry Otterbein near Breslau, Ontario in 1871. She was two years of age when her mother died; she was then cared for by the Benjamin Shuh family near Natchez. She married Moses Heckendorn; the couple had eleven children. Three died at a young age.
The couple first farmed in Maryborough Township, Wellington County. In 1900 they moved to a farm near Berne, Michigan. In 1911 they moved to Breslau, where they farmed until retirement in 1938. Moses died in 1944 and Amanda in 1958.
Amanda and Moses were married in the United Brethren church and joined the Mennonite church as converts. In 1912, Moses was ordained as deacon of the Breslau Mennonite Church.
Custodial history: Donated to the Archives by Betty Lou Robbins, a granddaughter of Moses and Amanda Heckendorn, in 2009.
Scope and content: These materials update and supplement two published genealogies by Betty Lou Robbins, The Otterbein family history : the descendents of Valentine and Elisabetha Herrmann Otterbein (1981) and The Otterbein family history: August, 1985 "update" (1985). Copies of these publications are located in the Milton Good Library.
The unpublished materials in the file list below include annotated pages from the genealogies by Betty Lou Robbins, copies of photographs, and originals of some letters and other family records.
Notes: For photographs related to this family search the Mennonite Archival Image Database.
Further materials related to this family may be found by searching the Archives.
Related information may be found in GAMEO.
Original archival description created 2012 by Laureen Harder-Gissing.
File list:
- Amanda and Moses Heckendorn genealogy
- Tributes to Amanda and Moses Heckendorn
- Henry and Lydia (Kolb) Otterbein
Note: See also "Im zeichen der zwillinge" / Nancy Lou Patterson. - Waterloo Historical Society vol. 63 (1975), pp. 52-62. Patterson discusses Lydia Kolb's birth certificate. - Kolb family genealogy
- Amanda Heckendorn's siblings
- Henry Otterbein's siblings
- Valentine and Elisabetha (Hermann) Otterbein genealogy
Note: Includes a photograph believed to be the wedding picture of their daughter Elizabeth Otterbein and Jacob F. Shelly, [ca. 1884], and a photograph of Elizabeth and Jacob with their three daughters [ca. 1900]. - Oversize materials (located in map case)
Diplomas, Pearl Heckendorn Eby
Note: Pearl Eby was the only child of Amanda Heckendorn to graduate from high school (Eastern Mennonite School, 1932) and Ontario Mennonite Bible School, 1934.
Marriage certificate of Amanda and Moses Heckendorn, 1891
Sketch of Arclista Heckendorn
Note: Arclista was the first daughter of Amanda and Moses Heckendorn. She died of diphtheria on the trip to Michigan at age five. The sketch was probably made from an infant photograph. - Cape dress, prayer covering, bonnet and purse worn by Amanda Heckendorn while her husband was deacon at Breslau Mennonite Church.
Note: Bonnet, purse and prayer covering are in "Headgear" box. Dress is located with textiles.