Conrad and Sophia Schwartz
Conrad Schwartz was born in Norka, Russia. Russian archive records indicate that he was born on November 24, 1852. Documents in the United States show an alternate birthdate of November 10, 1853. Conrad was the son of Heinrich Schwartz (born 1827) and Christina Schwindt (born 1829).
On February 11, 1875, Conrad married Sophia Trüber, born in Norka on March 28, 1854. She was the daughter of Conrad Trüber (born 1819) and Sophia Brill (born 1818).
Conrad and Sophia became parents on November 17, 1875, when their son Heinrich Christian (Henry) was born. Soon after Henry's birth, they immigrated to the United States, where they arrived in New York on July 8, 1876, aboard the steamship Oder, which sailed from Bremen, Germany. Another early settler in Portland, Heinrich Hölzer, was aboard the same ship along with a large group of people from Norka.
On February 11, 1875, Conrad married Sophia Trüber, born in Norka on March 28, 1854. She was the daughter of Conrad Trüber (born 1819) and Sophia Brill (born 1818).
Conrad and Sophia became parents on November 17, 1875, when their son Heinrich Christian (Henry) was born. Soon after Henry's birth, they immigrated to the United States, where they arrived in New York on July 8, 1876, aboard the steamship Oder, which sailed from Bremen, Germany. Another early settler in Portland, Heinrich Hölzer, was aboard the same ship along with a large group of people from Norka.
Steamship "Oder".
The Schwartz family first settled in Kellogg, Iowa, where two children were born: Louis in August 1877 and Elisabeth (Lizzie) in December 1880. Conrad worked for the railroad. Constantin and Maria Christina Brill's family also lived in Kellogg at that time. They would also migrate to Portland.
According to family lore, the Schwartz family moved to Nebraska before migrating west in 1882 or 1883. It is possible that Conrad and Sophia were part of the Nebraska party that arrived in Portland in late 1882.
By 1883, the Schwartz family had moved to Portland, where three daughters were born: Mary (born March 1884), Rosa (born March 1888), and Emma (born February 1892).
Sophia's brother, Johann Wilhelm Trüber, arrived in Portland with his family by 1887.
In 1891, the Schwartz home was on the south side of San Marino (now NE Knott), 4 lots east of Margaretta Avenue (now MLK Blvd.). Their son, Henry, is listed in the Albina City Directory at the same location.
Sophia's father and brother, Johannes Conrad Trüber, arrived in Portland in 1892. Conrad's brothers, Adam and John, arrived in Portland around the same time.
According to family lore, the Schwartz family moved to Nebraska before migrating west in 1882 or 1883. It is possible that Conrad and Sophia were part of the Nebraska party that arrived in Portland in late 1882.
By 1883, the Schwartz family had moved to Portland, where three daughters were born: Mary (born March 1884), Rosa (born March 1888), and Emma (born February 1892).
Sophia's brother, Johann Wilhelm Trüber, arrived in Portland with his family by 1887.
In 1891, the Schwartz home was on the south side of San Marino (now NE Knott), 4 lots east of Margaretta Avenue (now MLK Blvd.). Their son, Henry, is listed in the Albina City Directory at the same location.
Sophia's father and brother, Johannes Conrad Trüber, arrived in Portland in 1892. Conrad's brothers, Adam and John, arrived in Portland around the same time.
Portrait of the Conrad and Sophia Schwartz family taken in Portland in 1894. Daughter Rosa is sitting in the front row with her hands folded in her lap. Courtesy of Valri Darling.
In 1900, the family lived at 408 Knott Street, and Conrad worked at a sawmill. Sophia's sister, Margaretha, arrived this year with her husband, George Urbach.
The Schwartz family attended the First German Baptist Church in southwest Portland and later the Second German Baptist Church in the Albina district. The Second German Baptist Church was established as a mission of the First German Baptist Church about 1898.
An article and photograph published in The Oregonian on March 9, 1924, announced the golden wedding anniversary of Conrad and Sophia.
The Schwartz family attended the First German Baptist Church in southwest Portland and later the Second German Baptist Church in the Albina district. The Second German Baptist Church was established as a mission of the First German Baptist Church about 1898.
An article and photograph published in The Oregonian on March 9, 1924, announced the golden wedding anniversary of Conrad and Sophia.
Golden wedding anniversary portrait of Conrad and Sophia taken in 1924. Courtesy of Valri Darling.
In later years, the Schwartz family lived in a house built by Conrad in 1911 at 441 NE Jarrett Street. The house remains standing to this date.
The Schwartz house at 441 NE Jarrett Street. Conrad is standing on the porch next to Sophia who is seated. Courtesy of Valri Darling.
Conrad Schwartz died on September 4, 1936, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Sophia died on April 13, 1939, and was buried with Conrad and their two sons, Henry and Louis.
Sophia died on April 13, 1939, and was buried with Conrad and their two sons, Henry and Louis.
Sources
Valri Darling, great-granddaughter of Conrad and Sophia Schwartz.
Passenger lists, Albina City Directories, Portland City Directories, U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
"Couple Wed Half Century". The Oregonian, March 9, 1924.
Norka database.
Find-A-Grave.com
Passenger lists, Albina City Directories, Portland City Directories, U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
"Couple Wed Half Century". The Oregonian, March 9, 1924.
Norka database.
Find-A-Grave.com
Last updated October 6, 2025