People > Our People > George and Magdalena Wacker
George and Magdalena Wacker
Johann Georg “George” Wacker and Magdalena “Lena” Sauer were born in 1863 – on 8 July and 13 April, respectively – in the German settlement of Norka, Saratov, Russia.
Not much is known about George and Lena’s childhoods or early adult lives. We know they were married on 28 May 1884 when both were just 21 years old and were known to have been very much in love. This was perhaps evident by the birth of their first child, Margaretha, who was (rather scandalously for that time) born just one month after their marriage on 25 June 1884. Unfortunately, Margaretha only lived for three short months. George and Lena’s second child, Jacob, was born soon after, on 17 May 1885. Jacob would also pass away at just five years of age from unknown causes.
Luckily, George and Lena would go on to have three healthy children over the next decade: Heinrich “Henry” (b. 23 September 1890), Johannes “John” (b. 16 July 1892), and Amalia Magdalene “Molly” (b. 4 March 1896). As political tensions mounted in the Volga colonies and the German settlers watched liberties systematically removed, George and Lena made the brave decision to leave Russia with their children. George was determined that his sons would not serve the required seven years in the Russian Army as he had been forced to do. They had heard about a prosperous land far away whose streets were paved with gold and decided that they wanted to give their children a better life in America.
Since they could not leave Russia without the authorities' permission and the townspeople's approval, George and Lena packed up their family and fled in the dead of night. To complicate matters further, Lena was heavily pregnant with the couple’s sixth child. Indeed, it was said that this child, Christina Elizabeth, was born in a haystack during their escape on 23 July 1899.
In 1900, the Wackers arrived in Canada and then passed through Ellis Island. New entrants were required to receive a Smallpox vaccination, and as was common in those days, the Wackers feared that this vaccination would kill their infant daughter. It is said that baby Christina and many other infants at the time were passed from family to family at Ellis Island to avoid receiving the vaccine.
It is not known how long it took the Wackers to travel from New York to Oregon, but they eventually settled in Northeast Portland and purchased a home at 393 Stanton Street near the corner of Union Avenue (now NE Martin Luther King Boulevard). The lot held the family home, a chicken house, and a barn where the headquarters of George’s new garbage collection business was housed. George also had a 90-pound bulldog named Cappy to keep watch of the property and business. The business was initially run using a horse and wagon, which was later to be replaced by a truck. Upon George’s retirement, it was passed down to his eldest son Henry.
The family home on Stanton Street became the center for many memories over the years. George and Lena had their final two children there in 1905 and 1907, respectively, a daughter named Anna Margaretha and an unnamed infant boy who was stillborn. At least one of Christina’s children, Glenn Lavon, was also born in this house on 1 March 1920. Soon before Glenn’s birth, George had encountered a tall, lanky gentleman that people referred to as “Slim” and was very amused by this nickname. When a very large baby Glenn was born, weighing in at over 10 pounds, George took one look at him, laughed, and said, “Ach, Schlimmy!” thus bestowing Glenn with his lifelong nickname of “Slim” despite always being of a stocky build.
George and Lena’s children gave them 12 grandchildren whom they loved very much. All of the grandchildren referred to George and Lena as “Bubbo” and “Muno,” Despite learning very little English their entire lives, the couple had no issues communicating with their large family. It was said that George was partial to Glenn’s older brother, Carlyle “Bud,” and often gave him little favours. Whenever this would occur, Lena would always find something similar or better for Glenn. Lena was reputed to be a fantastic cook who excelled at making coffee cakes and breads, her specialty being bierock (cabbage bread). Holidays were spent surrounding the Wackers’ large kitchen table piled high with an array of delicious foods.
George and Lena were devout Christians and immensely proud to be Americans. They greatly admired Reverend Johannes “John” Hopp of the Zion German Congregational Church, who helped them and many other German immigrants find housing, manage their finances, and overcome language barriers while they settled into the community. They attended church every Sunday for the rest of their lives and were very active within their church community. They shared a special bond with the many other immigrants from Portland’s “German Town,” including the Repp's, Miller's, Sauer's, Pauley's, Hesler's, Kniss's, and Hopp's.
On 7 January 1930, Lena passed away at the age of 66 after suffering from an unknown illness for quite some time. George was overcome with grief at the loss of his wife. Daughter Christina and her family moved back to the family home after Lena’s death to care for George. However, nothing could mend George’s broken heart, and he joined his wife on 3 June 1930, only months after her death. Reverend Johannes Hopp wrote and published their obituaries in the church’s Kirchenbote (Messenger) that year:
Not much is known about George and Lena’s childhoods or early adult lives. We know they were married on 28 May 1884 when both were just 21 years old and were known to have been very much in love. This was perhaps evident by the birth of their first child, Margaretha, who was (rather scandalously for that time) born just one month after their marriage on 25 June 1884. Unfortunately, Margaretha only lived for three short months. George and Lena’s second child, Jacob, was born soon after, on 17 May 1885. Jacob would also pass away at just five years of age from unknown causes.
Luckily, George and Lena would go on to have three healthy children over the next decade: Heinrich “Henry” (b. 23 September 1890), Johannes “John” (b. 16 July 1892), and Amalia Magdalene “Molly” (b. 4 March 1896). As political tensions mounted in the Volga colonies and the German settlers watched liberties systematically removed, George and Lena made the brave decision to leave Russia with their children. George was determined that his sons would not serve the required seven years in the Russian Army as he had been forced to do. They had heard about a prosperous land far away whose streets were paved with gold and decided that they wanted to give their children a better life in America.
Since they could not leave Russia without the authorities' permission and the townspeople's approval, George and Lena packed up their family and fled in the dead of night. To complicate matters further, Lena was heavily pregnant with the couple’s sixth child. Indeed, it was said that this child, Christina Elizabeth, was born in a haystack during their escape on 23 July 1899.
In 1900, the Wackers arrived in Canada and then passed through Ellis Island. New entrants were required to receive a Smallpox vaccination, and as was common in those days, the Wackers feared that this vaccination would kill their infant daughter. It is said that baby Christina and many other infants at the time were passed from family to family at Ellis Island to avoid receiving the vaccine.
It is not known how long it took the Wackers to travel from New York to Oregon, but they eventually settled in Northeast Portland and purchased a home at 393 Stanton Street near the corner of Union Avenue (now NE Martin Luther King Boulevard). The lot held the family home, a chicken house, and a barn where the headquarters of George’s new garbage collection business was housed. George also had a 90-pound bulldog named Cappy to keep watch of the property and business. The business was initially run using a horse and wagon, which was later to be replaced by a truck. Upon George’s retirement, it was passed down to his eldest son Henry.
The family home on Stanton Street became the center for many memories over the years. George and Lena had their final two children there in 1905 and 1907, respectively, a daughter named Anna Margaretha and an unnamed infant boy who was stillborn. At least one of Christina’s children, Glenn Lavon, was also born in this house on 1 March 1920. Soon before Glenn’s birth, George had encountered a tall, lanky gentleman that people referred to as “Slim” and was very amused by this nickname. When a very large baby Glenn was born, weighing in at over 10 pounds, George took one look at him, laughed, and said, “Ach, Schlimmy!” thus bestowing Glenn with his lifelong nickname of “Slim” despite always being of a stocky build.
George and Lena’s children gave them 12 grandchildren whom they loved very much. All of the grandchildren referred to George and Lena as “Bubbo” and “Muno,” Despite learning very little English their entire lives, the couple had no issues communicating with their large family. It was said that George was partial to Glenn’s older brother, Carlyle “Bud,” and often gave him little favours. Whenever this would occur, Lena would always find something similar or better for Glenn. Lena was reputed to be a fantastic cook who excelled at making coffee cakes and breads, her specialty being bierock (cabbage bread). Holidays were spent surrounding the Wackers’ large kitchen table piled high with an array of delicious foods.
George and Lena were devout Christians and immensely proud to be Americans. They greatly admired Reverend Johannes “John” Hopp of the Zion German Congregational Church, who helped them and many other German immigrants find housing, manage their finances, and overcome language barriers while they settled into the community. They attended church every Sunday for the rest of their lives and were very active within their church community. They shared a special bond with the many other immigrants from Portland’s “German Town,” including the Repp's, Miller's, Sauer's, Pauley's, Hesler's, Kniss's, and Hopp's.
On 7 January 1930, Lena passed away at the age of 66 after suffering from an unknown illness for quite some time. George was overcome with grief at the loss of his wife. Daughter Christina and her family moved back to the family home after Lena’s death to care for George. However, nothing could mend George’s broken heart, and he joined his wife on 3 June 1930, only months after her death. Reverend Johannes Hopp wrote and published their obituaries in the church’s Kirchenbote (Messenger) that year:
CHURCH MESSENGER (KIRCHENBOTE)
FEBRUARY 6, 1930
Magdalena Wacker (Maiden name Sauer), was born April 13, 1863 in Norka, Russia where she also received her religious upbringing. In 1884 the 28th of May she was married to her sorrowing husband, George Wacker. Through the years this marriage was blessed by the Lord. In 1900 she came to this land with her family and lived in Portland until her life's end. She was an active member of our Zion church and was always willing to do her part in the Women's Fellowship. The church service and the prayer hours, she attended with gladness of heart. Also she was glad when others were happy. She loved reading the "Kirchenbote". For some time she was ill and suffered. The Lord took her home Jan. 7, (1930) at the age of 66 years 8 months and 25 days.
Survivors are her husband, George Wacker, 2 daughters and 2 sons, 12 grandchildren and many relatives and friends. May God be your comfort. Text I Cor. 13:13.
CHURCH MESSENGER (KIRCHENBOTE)
JULY 31, 1930
George Wacker was born July 8, 1863 in Norka, Russia. As a child he was baptized and had his Christian upbringing in his home town. May 28, 1884 he was married to Magdalena Sauer. This marriage was blessed with blessings from God. In the year 1900 he came to this country with his family and made his home in Portland, Oregon. On Jan.7, this year (1930), his wife was taken in death and from that time on it seemed his heart was broken. Many times he was found in his quiet loneliness in tears, and suddenly on June 3rd, he was allowed to go through death's door to be forever united with his loved ones. On June 5 he was buried in the Rose City cemetery. His age was 66 years, 10 months and 17 days.
Brother Wacker was a faithful member of our Zion Church and could always be glad about the progress in our Church. He read his "Kirchenbote" faithfully. He loved the news of the churches where he could see the how the churches in the great work of the Lord progressed. His survivors are four children: Amalia, Christina, Henry and John, a brother Henry and many who are sorrowing in his death. May the Lord richly bless "His" people Text I Cor.13:13.
They are buried at Rose City Cemetery in a shared plot with their youngest daughter.
Many of Johann George Wacker and Magdalena Sauer’s descendants continued living in Oregon, the majority staying in the Portland area. More recent generations have moved elsewhere across the United States and as far abroad as Australia. Although everyone who remembers George and Lena has passed away, their legacy lives on through the bravery, pride, and determination passed down through the generations.
Many of Johann George Wacker and Magdalena Sauer’s descendants continued living in Oregon, the majority staying in the Portland area. More recent generations have moved elsewhere across the United States and as far abroad as Australia. Although everyone who remembers George and Lena has passed away, their legacy lives on through the bravery, pride, and determination passed down through the generations.
Sources
Personal memoirs of Glenn Lavon Peterson (1920-2013) as transcribed by his youngest granddaughter, Devon LaSalle.
Norka database
Norka database
Last updated October 26, 2023