George Heinrich Graf
Rev. George Heinrich Graf was born on March 30, 1872, in Dobrinka, Russia, the son of Johann Christian Graf. George married Katharina Elisabeth Clauser on January 28, 1894, in Dobrinka. Katharina was born on April 28, 1872, in Dobrinka, the daughter of Georg Heinrich Clauser and Maria Katharina, née Wolf.
In Russia, George served as a school teacher.
In 1907, George and Katharina immigrated to the United States, departing from Bremen, Germany, on April 16, 1907, aboard the steamship Kohn. After arrival in Baltimore, George and Katharina settled in Ft Collins, Colorado, where a friend, David Graff, lived. George entered the Chicago Theological Seminary in the fall of 1907 and applied for U.S. citizenship on December 20, 1910. Katherina worked long hours in Chicago to provide an adequate income for herself and George, and was a tireless helper throughout their marriage. George completed his seminary studies and was ordained in 1911 at the Ebenezer Congregational Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Rev. Graf served in Sheboygan and Oshkosh, Wisconsin (1911-1914), Sutton, Nebraska (1914-1915), Lincoln, Nebraska at the Zion Congregational Church (1915-19); the Ft. Morgan, Colorado Christus Congregational Church (1919-1922); and the Bethlehem Congregational Church in Berthoud, Colorado (1922-1923).
The Grafs became friends with the Gottfried and Effie Metzler family from Dobrinka when they lived in Chicago and Sheboygan. The Metzlers moved to Portland by 1900, which may have influenced the Graf's decision to come to Portland in 1923.
Gottfried Metzler passed away in 1924, leaving Effie as a widow. One of their daughters, Lydia Metzler, married Henry Sinner. One of the older Metzler boys married Mrs. Graf's sister. Another daughter, Eva Metzler, married Henry Maier in 1903.
Rev. Graf was pastor at the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland from 1923 to 1933.
Mrs. Graf died in Portland on October 6, 1925, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. The Ladies Aid Society formed a row at her burial and placed roses on her coffin.
Rev. Graf retired from the ministry in 1933. On April 22, 1938, he died in Troutdale, Oregon, and was buried at Rose City Cemetery.
In Russia, George served as a school teacher.
In 1907, George and Katharina immigrated to the United States, departing from Bremen, Germany, on April 16, 1907, aboard the steamship Kohn. After arrival in Baltimore, George and Katharina settled in Ft Collins, Colorado, where a friend, David Graff, lived. George entered the Chicago Theological Seminary in the fall of 1907 and applied for U.S. citizenship on December 20, 1910. Katherina worked long hours in Chicago to provide an adequate income for herself and George, and was a tireless helper throughout their marriage. George completed his seminary studies and was ordained in 1911 at the Ebenezer Congregational Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Rev. Graf served in Sheboygan and Oshkosh, Wisconsin (1911-1914), Sutton, Nebraska (1914-1915), Lincoln, Nebraska at the Zion Congregational Church (1915-19); the Ft. Morgan, Colorado Christus Congregational Church (1919-1922); and the Bethlehem Congregational Church in Berthoud, Colorado (1922-1923).
The Grafs became friends with the Gottfried and Effie Metzler family from Dobrinka when they lived in Chicago and Sheboygan. The Metzlers moved to Portland by 1900, which may have influenced the Graf's decision to come to Portland in 1923.
Gottfried Metzler passed away in 1924, leaving Effie as a widow. One of their daughters, Lydia Metzler, married Henry Sinner. One of the older Metzler boys married Mrs. Graf's sister. Another daughter, Eva Metzler, married Henry Maier in 1903.
Rev. Graf was pastor at the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church in Portland from 1923 to 1933.
Mrs. Graf died in Portland on October 6, 1925, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. The Ladies Aid Society formed a row at her burial and placed roses on her coffin.
Rev. Graf retired from the ministry in 1933. On April 22, 1938, he died in Troutdale, Oregon, and was buried at Rose City Cemetery.
Sources
Krieger, Joanne, trans. "History of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church." Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1909-1984. Portland, OR: 2002. 433-36. Print.
Eisenach, George J. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States. Yankton, SD: Pioneer, 1938. 285. Print.
Schlager, Lee Ann. Research on George H. Graf from Dobrinka.
Kirchenbote. Vol. 57 #21.
Obituary for Rev. George Henry Graf, The Sunday Oregonian [Portland], April 24, 1938.
Obituary for Katherina Elisabeth Clauser, Die Welt-Post [Lincoln], November 5, 1925, page 5.
Eisenach, George J. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States. Yankton, SD: Pioneer, 1938. 285. Print.
Schlager, Lee Ann. Research on George H. Graf from Dobrinka.
Kirchenbote. Vol. 57 #21.
Obituary for Rev. George Henry Graf, The Sunday Oregonian [Portland], April 24, 1938.
Obituary for Katherina Elisabeth Clauser, Die Welt-Post [Lincoln], November 5, 1925, page 5.
Last updated October 7, 2025