Adam and Catharina Elisabeth Bauer
Adam Bauer was born in Norka, Russia, on October 6, 1856, the son of Johann Georg Bauer (born 1825) and Anna Catharina Bartel (born 1825).
Adam married Catharina Elisabeth Kneiss (Kniss) in Norka on February 9, 1882. Their first child, Margaretha, was born on July 24, 1884, and died a few weeks later on August 17, 1884. A second child, Magdalena, was born on December 10, 1885, in Norka.
Adam, Catharina Elisabeth, and Magdalena obtained their Russian passport in December 1886 and immigrated to the United States on February 14, 1887.
Adam married Catharina Elisabeth Kneiss (Kniss) in Norka on February 9, 1882. Their first child, Margaretha, was born on July 24, 1884, and died a few weeks later on August 17, 1884. A second child, Magdalena, was born on December 10, 1885, in Norka.
Adam, Catharina Elisabeth, and Magdalena obtained their Russian passport in December 1886 and immigrated to the United States on February 14, 1887.
Inside cover and front page of the Adam Bauer family Russian passport. The note pasted on the inside cover states: ""This note is to make the holder of this document aware that, if going abroad through Prussia, he is required to receive a visa for this international travel passport from one of the German consuls in Russia. Without such a visa, he will not be allowed into Germany. December 15, 1886. {Signature by] Head of the Saratov Governor's Chancellery." Translation provided by Tanja Schell. Passport courtesy of Peter Michael Bauer.
A visa dated January 24, 1887, from the German Consulate in Kovno, Lithuania (then part of the Russian empire) provided approval for Adam, Catharina, and Magdalena Bauer to travel through Germany. The visa was included in the Bauer's Russian passport. Courtesy of Peter Michael Bauer.
Upon arrival, the family initially settled in Kansas. A daughter, Paulina (known as Pearl), was born in May 1888.
By 1889, the Bauers had migrated to Portland and settled in the Albina area with a growing group of Volga German families. In 1890, their residence was listed in the Albina City Directory as located on the south side of San Diego (now Brazee), four lots east of Margaretta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). In 1891, the family appeared to be sharing a house with Adam's paternal first cousin, John Bauer, and his wife, Maria Catharina, on the south side of San Diego, 5 lots east of Margaretta Avenue.
By 1889, the Bauers had migrated to Portland and settled in the Albina area with a growing group of Volga German families. In 1890, their residence was listed in the Albina City Directory as located on the south side of San Diego (now Brazee), four lots east of Margaretta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard). In 1891, the family appeared to be sharing a house with Adam's paternal first cousin, John Bauer, and his wife, Maria Catharina, on the south side of San Diego, 5 lots east of Margaretta Avenue.
Listing in the 1890 Albina City Directory for the Adam Bauer household.
Two sons, Johannes (born 1896) and William (born 1898), were born in Portland.
By 1900, the family lived at 793 Union Avenue (now 3739 NE MLK Blvd.), and Adam worked as a watchman at a sash (door and window frame) factory. Catharina Elisabeth's mother (Margaretha Kneiss, born 1825) lived with them.
In 1920, the entire family was living together, along with the wives of Johannes (John) and William.
Adam's younger brother, Johannes (born 1863), also lived in Portland. He was married to Elisabeth Sterkel (born 1866 in Norka).
The family continued living at the same Union Avenue location until Catharina Elisabeth's death on December 20, 1930. She was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Adam died on January 26, 1938, and was buried with his wife.
By 1900, the family lived at 793 Union Avenue (now 3739 NE MLK Blvd.), and Adam worked as a watchman at a sash (door and window frame) factory. Catharina Elisabeth's mother (Margaretha Kneiss, born 1825) lived with them.
In 1920, the entire family was living together, along with the wives of Johannes (John) and William.
Adam's younger brother, Johannes (born 1863), also lived in Portland. He was married to Elisabeth Sterkel (born 1866 in Norka).
The family continued living at the same Union Avenue location until Catharina Elisabeth's death on December 20, 1930. She was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Adam died on January 26, 1938, and was buried with his wife.
Sources
Peter Michael Bauer, 2nd great grandson of Adam and Catharina Elisabeth Bauer.
Passenger lists; 1890 and 1891 Albina City Directories; Portland City Directories; 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
Norka database.
Passenger lists; 1890 and 1891 Albina City Directories; Portland City Directories; 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
Norka database.
Last updated October 8, 2025