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The B.F. Redekop Family StoryThis is the story of one of the early Mennonite families to arrive in Herbert and begin a business in the community. Members of the family are still active volunteers in the community.
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Benjamin F. Redekop (commonly known as B.F.), at the age of 25, immigrated with his family in 1913 from Russia. His father took up a homestead north of Herbert and B.F. helped his parents on the farm through the first year. Redekop senior, a very open minded man, realized the importance for the family to know the language of the country which would be their home. He hired a live-in teacher who acquainted the family with the English language.Having had business experience in Russia, B.F. accepted a position of bookkeeper in the spring of 1914 at Herbert's first department store. The experience he gained in the next 3 years, provided him with the self confidence he needed to establish a business of his own. His interest in agriculture prompted his decision to go into the farm implement business.
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Ben F. Redekop with parents and siblings1913
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Benjamin F. Redekop 19171917
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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My father, Ben F. Redekop, purchased his own business in Herbert in 1917. He purchased an established International Dealership from J.L.Dyck, but he had a preference for John Deere equipment and signed a contract with John Deere in 1917, thus giving birth to a relationship with that company which would continue under the Redekop banner for the next 50 years.6
B.F. Redekop's First Location Implement Dealership1917
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Some of the highlights of Redekop's business career included a very successful year in 1928, when he sold 34 rail carloads of equipment, including 9 carloads of threshing machines.Another noteworthy development was that during the period of transition from horse to tractor power, Redekop, took horses in trade as part payment for a tractor, and then he shipped the horses to the bush country of Quebec, where there was a good market for draft horses. In this process he relocated some 20 rail carloads of horses.
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B.F. Redekop Family Home 19211921
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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The family home on the corner of Leonard Street and Prairie Avenue was purchased in 1921. The B.F. Redekop family lived there throughout their lives.10
Wedding Anna Bestvater and B.F. Redekop1922
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Ben married Anna Bestvater in 1922. They moved into their home on the corner of Leonard and Prairie and were there until the time of their passing.They were both committed to lives of service in the community and beyond. B.F. served on town council for 10 years and on the local school board for 20 years. He also served on many church and community committees.
Shortly after the Redekop clan immigrated to Canada, the revolution broke out in Russia. The many Mennonites who had remained in Russia, were severely persecuted and most of them were subjected to indescribable suffering at the hands of the Bolsheviks. When World War I ended, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope of bringing these suffering people to Canada. B.F. made it his mission to be involved in the immigration process of bringing Mennonites to Canada.
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New John Deere Building1938
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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In 1937 B.F. Redekop sold the first rubber-tired tractor to arrive in this part of Saskatchewan.In 1938 he built a new building to house his business.
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B.F. and Anna Redekop and family1942
Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada
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