Constantin and Maria Christina Brill
Constantin Brill was born July 31, 1846, in Sarepta, Russia, the son of Conrad and Anna Maria Brill.
Constantin married Maria Christina Müller (Miller) in Norka on February 9, 1868. Maria Christina was born January 23, 1848, in Norka, the daughter of Heinrich Müller (born 1820) and Katharina Elisabeth Burbach (born 1822).
The Brill family immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on June 26, 1876, aboard the City of Berlin. They are incorrectly listed on the ship manifest as "Mennonites."
The 1880 U. S. Census shows the Brill family living in Kellogg, Iowa. Constantin was working for the railroad. The family includes Constantin's wife, Christina, and their children: Marle, Katharina, Conrad, Adam, Nesbit, and John. Also living in Kellogg was the family of Conrad and Sophia Schwartz.
The Brills arrived in Portland about 1887. Their son Joseph died on March 6, 1889. Their daughter, Amalia, married Peter Wolf in 1889. Daughter Katharina married Peter Scheidemann the same year.
By 1891, the Brills lived on the south side of San Diego Street, six lots east of Margareta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now MLK Blvd.). Sadly, Adam would die a few years later, on December 25, 1894, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery. A daughter, Lizzie, died on April 20, 1897, and is also buried at Lone Fir.
The 1900 census shows the Brill family living at 397 Brazee Street (now 441 NE Brazee Street). Constantin was employed as an ironworker. Four children lived with them: John, Alexander, Christina, and Constantin. John died on March 28, 1904.
In 1910, Constantin and Christina maintained their residence at 397 Brazee Street. Constantin was working as a cooper in a barrel factory. Their son, Constantin, and daughter, Christina, were living with them.
The 1912 Portland City Directory shows that Constantin worked for Portland Iron Works. His sons, Alexander (Alex) and Constantin, operate Brill Bros. Bakery at the family home on Brazee Street. Sister Christina worked as a clerk at the bakery.
Constantin married Maria Christina Müller (Miller) in Norka on February 9, 1868. Maria Christina was born January 23, 1848, in Norka, the daughter of Heinrich Müller (born 1820) and Katharina Elisabeth Burbach (born 1822).
The Brill family immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York on June 26, 1876, aboard the City of Berlin. They are incorrectly listed on the ship manifest as "Mennonites."
The 1880 U. S. Census shows the Brill family living in Kellogg, Iowa. Constantin was working for the railroad. The family includes Constantin's wife, Christina, and their children: Marle, Katharina, Conrad, Adam, Nesbit, and John. Also living in Kellogg was the family of Conrad and Sophia Schwartz.
The Brills arrived in Portland about 1887. Their son Joseph died on March 6, 1889. Their daughter, Amalia, married Peter Wolf in 1889. Daughter Katharina married Peter Scheidemann the same year.
By 1891, the Brills lived on the south side of San Diego Street, six lots east of Margareta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now MLK Blvd.). Sadly, Adam would die a few years later, on December 25, 1894, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery. A daughter, Lizzie, died on April 20, 1897, and is also buried at Lone Fir.
The 1900 census shows the Brill family living at 397 Brazee Street (now 441 NE Brazee Street). Constantin was employed as an ironworker. Four children lived with them: John, Alexander, Christina, and Constantin. John died on March 28, 1904.
In 1910, Constantin and Christina maintained their residence at 397 Brazee Street. Constantin was working as a cooper in a barrel factory. Their son, Constantin, and daughter, Christina, were living with them.
The 1912 Portland City Directory shows that Constantin worked for Portland Iron Works. His sons, Alexander (Alex) and Constantin, operate Brill Bros. Bakery at the family home on Brazee Street. Sister Christina worked as a clerk at the bakery.
1912 City Directory showing the Brill family.
The Brills resided at the same location in 1920. Constantin, now 74 years old, was a furnace tender at an ironworks. Daughter Christina was living with them.
Constantin and Christina continued living on NE Brazee in 1930. Living with them were daughter Christine, son-in-law George Schafer, and their two children, George and Marian.
Christina Brill died on June 13, 1935, and was buried at the Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery.
In 1940, Constantin lived at 411 NE Brazee with his daughter Christine and her family.
Constantin lived to be over 100 years old. He died on December 19, 1946, and was buried at the Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery with his wife and four children on December 21, 1946.
Constantin and Christina continued living on NE Brazee in 1930. Living with them were daughter Christine, son-in-law George Schafer, and their two children, George and Marian.
Christina Brill died on June 13, 1935, and was buried at the Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery.
In 1940, Constantin lived at 411 NE Brazee with his daughter Christine and her family.
Constantin lived to be over 100 years old. He died on December 19, 1946, and was buried at the Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery with his wife and four children on December 21, 1946.
Sources
Albina City Directory, Portland City Directories, U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
Lone Fir Cemetery website.
Lone Fir Cemetery website.
Last updated October 7, 2025