Juschanlee was the private estate of Johann Cornies, a leader in Molotschna who brought
agricultural innovation and many changes in society. He had favor with the Tsar and
could dictate building patterns, agricultural procedures, and the planting of trees.Ginger's
2-great grandfather, Johann
Claassen, worked for Cornies as a teenager, thus exposing him to a large library,
progressive practices, and travel in South Russia and Crimea. Undoubtedly, this
played a large part in preparing him for the political leadership required to start a
colony in the Caucasus, known as the Kuban, and to steer a moderate course among the
quarrelsome early Mennonite Brethren. |