George and Elizabeth Schreiber
Johann Georg (George) Schreiber was born in Norka, Russia, on March 21, 1854, the son of Heinrich (Henry) Schreiber (born 1826) and Elizabeth Spady (born 1829).
Elizabeth Dick was born in Norka, Russia, on March 05, 1853, the daughter of Johannes Dick (born 1832) and Margaretha Köhler (born 1830).
George and Elizabeth were married in Norka on February 23, 1873.
Elizabeth Dick was born in Norka, Russia, on March 05, 1853, the daughter of Johannes Dick (born 1832) and Margaretha Köhler (born 1830).
George and Elizabeth were married in Norka on February 23, 1873.
The George and Elizabeth Schreiber family circa 1920.
Front row from left to right: Joseph Schreiber, Martha Jones (née Schreiber), Mary O'Farrell (née Schreiber), George Schreiber.
Middle row from left to right: George Schreiber, Elizabeth Schreiber (née Dick), John Schreiber.
Back row from left to right: Sarah Matschiner (née Schreiber), Helena Matschiner (née Schreiber), Christina Gaillard (née Schreiber).
In 1875, George and Elizabeth emigrated from Russia, along with George's parents and his siblings Peter and Heinrich. The Schreibers had no doubt heard the positive reports from two scouts from Norka, Johannes Krieger and Johannes Nolde, who had visited the United States in 1874.
Sailing from Liverpool, the family arrived in New York aboard the City of Brussels on June 28, 1875. The Schreibers were part of a small group from Norka that included seven families who were among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
Sailing from Liverpool, the family arrived in New York aboard the City of Brussels on June 28, 1875. The Schreibers were part of a small group from Norka that included seven families who were among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
Steamship "City of Brussels" from the Tod & Macgregor Shiplist website.
The Schreibers and other group members initially settled in Bluffton, Ohio. Elizabeth must have been pregnant during the journey, as daughter Helena was born on September 14, 1875. Helena was likely the first person of Volga German descent born in the United States. Another daughter, Christina, was born on December 23, 1877 in Ohio.
The Schreiber family arrived in Bluffton, Ohio in 1875 and it is likely that they disembarked at this station which served the community until 1899. The old structure remained across the tracks from the newer station which was built in 1899. The photo shows the old station not long before it was torn down. Courtesy of the Ohio Railroad Stations Past & Present website.
The family moved to North Franklin Township, Nebraska, about 1878, and daughter Sarah was born there on May 25, 1880.
Sometime after Sarah's birth in 1880, the entire family traveled to Oregon, where they settled in North Plains (near Hillsboro). A son, Peter, was the first child born in Oregon on August 21, 1884. More children would follow: John (1885), Mary (1887), Martha (1890), George Jr. (1892) and Joseph (1896).
The family patriarch, Henry Schreiber, died on March 16, 1891.
After 18 years in North Plains, George and Elizabeth moved to Portland sometime before 1900, joining many other Volga Germans in the Albina district.
George's mother, Elizabeth, died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
George and Elizabeth were members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were likely part of the congregations established in West Union, and Albina led by Rev. Friedrich Jorg, a fellow native of Norka and early Portland pioneer who had traveled with them from Russia.
Sometime after Sarah's birth in 1880, the entire family traveled to Oregon, where they settled in North Plains (near Hillsboro). A son, Peter, was the first child born in Oregon on August 21, 1884. More children would follow: John (1885), Mary (1887), Martha (1890), George Jr. (1892) and Joseph (1896).
The family patriarch, Henry Schreiber, died on March 16, 1891.
After 18 years in North Plains, George and Elizabeth moved to Portland sometime before 1900, joining many other Volga Germans in the Albina district.
George's mother, Elizabeth, died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
George and Elizabeth were members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were likely part of the congregations established in West Union, and Albina led by Rev. Friedrich Jorg, a fellow native of Norka and early Portland pioneer who had traveled with them from Russia.
Article announcing the Golden Wedding Anniversary of George and Elizabeth Schrieber on March 24, 1923 in "The Oregonian."
George died in May 1924. By 1925, George Sr., Helena (known as Lena), and Christina had also died. Elizabeth, now the family matriarch, died on August 1, 1945.
Notable Portland chef and author Cory Schreiber is a descendant of this family line.
Charles J. Swindells is another Notable descendant of this family.
Notable Portland chef and author Cory Schreiber is a descendant of this family line.
Charles J. Swindells is another Notable descendant of this family.
Schreiber grave marker at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
Sources
Photograph and family information contributed by Tracey Saucy.
Haynes, Emma S. "Passenger List." Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (Spring 1979): 68. Print.
Williams, Hattie Plum. The Czar's Germans: With Particular Reference to the Volga Germans. Ed. Emma S. Haynes, Phillip B. Legler, and Gerda Stroh. Walker. Lincoln, Neb.: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1975. Print.
U.S. Census lists - Ancestry.com
The Historical Oregonian, 1861-1987.
Haynes, Emma S. "Passenger List." Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (Spring 1979): 68. Print.
Williams, Hattie Plum. The Czar's Germans: With Particular Reference to the Volga Germans. Ed. Emma S. Haynes, Phillip B. Legler, and Gerda Stroh. Walker. Lincoln, Neb.: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1975. Print.
U.S. Census lists - Ancestry.com
The Historical Oregonian, 1861-1987.
Last updated October 24, 2023