Benjamin B. Shantz (1880-1964)

Title: Benjamin B. Shantz fonds

Dates of creation: 1880-1953

Physical description: 2 cm. of textual records 

Biographical Sketch: Benjamin Bowman Shantz (23 June 1880-17 Dec. 1964) was the son of Jacob E. and Lydia Bowman Shantz. He was married to Myra Snyder (11 July 1885-26 July 1980) on 7 March 1908. They had four sons and four daughters.

On 15 November 1908 Shantz was ordained as a minister by Jonas Snider, and as a bishop on 26 March 1939. For a time he preached regularly at the Baden Mission. Shantz was a farmer by vocation in the Freeport, Ontario area. He took some courses at Toronto Bible College as a young man. He retired in 1961.

Custodial history: Donated to the Archives by Preston Mennonite Church

Scope and content: The fonds consists of sermon notes and personal documents. 

Notes:

Original archival description created16 March 2001 by Sam Steiner.

See oral interview with Myra Snyder Shantz in the Fairview Mennonite Home Seniors Oral History Project collection.

File list:

1. Benjamin B. Shantz sermon notes, 1940-ca. 1960
2. Birth certificates for Benjamin B. Shantz and Myra Snyder
3. Ordination letter signed by Bishop Jonas Snider, Nov. 15, 1908
4. Marriage Act registration, 1 October 1921
5. Newsclipping on ordination as bishop, 1939.
6. Letter signed by congregational leaders on occasion of 40th anniversary of Shantz's ordination