George Swartz
George G. Swartz was born on August 18, 1894, in Portland, the son of John and Kate Schwartz, who were among the early Volga German pioneers in Portland.
George's World War I Draft Registration Card shows that he was living with his parents at 325 Fremont Street in June 1917. He was working as a cashier for William Constantine at First and Alder in downtown Portland. He was described as tall, slender, with blue eyes and light brown hair. During this time frame, he played in the Spokane Northwestern League, the Kirkpatrick Stars in the local Inter-City Baseball League, and the Fleischner, Mayer, and Co. baseball nine of Portland.
George served in World War I and was honorably discharged as a private in December 1918.
In 1919, George began an eight-year career as a southpaw pitcher in professional baseball. His first professional team was the AA San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League. In 1920, he played with the Moose Jaw Robin Hoods in the Western Canadian League.
George married Carrie Weigandt on December 30, 1920, in Portland. Carrie's parents are Peter Weigandt and Sophia Yost, who were born in Norka, Russia.
In 1921 and 1922, George continued his baseball career playing with the Dallas Submarines in the Texas League. In 1923, he played for three teams, including the Syracuse Stars (International League), the Houston Buffaloes (Texas League), and the Galveston Sand Crabs (Texas League). In 1924, he played for both Houston and the Waco Indians (Texas Association). In 1926, he played for the St. Joseph Saints in the Western League. In his final season, 1927, he played for the Amarillo Texans and the Omaha Buffaloes, both of which were in the Western League.
Overall, George won 81 games and lost 55, pitching 1025 innings. He once pitched against baseball legend Babe Ruth, preventing him from getting any hits and striking him out once.
By 1930, George was working as a meat cutter in Portland, a career he continued until he retired in 1967. He and Carrie had two sons, Donald and Stanley. They attended the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church.
Carried died in May 1969 and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. George remarried to Charlotte (Lottie) Klaus.
George died on November 1, 1979, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
George's World War I Draft Registration Card shows that he was living with his parents at 325 Fremont Street in June 1917. He was working as a cashier for William Constantine at First and Alder in downtown Portland. He was described as tall, slender, with blue eyes and light brown hair. During this time frame, he played in the Spokane Northwestern League, the Kirkpatrick Stars in the local Inter-City Baseball League, and the Fleischner, Mayer, and Co. baseball nine of Portland.
George served in World War I and was honorably discharged as a private in December 1918.
In 1919, George began an eight-year career as a southpaw pitcher in professional baseball. His first professional team was the AA San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League. In 1920, he played with the Moose Jaw Robin Hoods in the Western Canadian League.
George married Carrie Weigandt on December 30, 1920, in Portland. Carrie's parents are Peter Weigandt and Sophia Yost, who were born in Norka, Russia.
In 1921 and 1922, George continued his baseball career playing with the Dallas Submarines in the Texas League. In 1923, he played for three teams, including the Syracuse Stars (International League), the Houston Buffaloes (Texas League), and the Galveston Sand Crabs (Texas League). In 1924, he played for both Houston and the Waco Indians (Texas Association). In 1926, he played for the St. Joseph Saints in the Western League. In his final season, 1927, he played for the Amarillo Texans and the Omaha Buffaloes, both of which were in the Western League.
Overall, George won 81 games and lost 55, pitching 1025 innings. He once pitched against baseball legend Babe Ruth, preventing him from getting any hits and striking him out once.
By 1930, George was working as a meat cutter in Portland, a career he continued until he retired in 1967. He and Carrie had two sons, Donald and Stanley. They attended the Ebenezer First German Congregational Church.
Carried died in May 1969 and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. George remarried to Charlotte (Lottie) Klaus.
George died on November 1, 1979, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Sources
George Swartz Obituary, The Oregon Journal, November 6, 1979
George Swartz's career statistics on Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed July 17, 2025
The Historical Oregonian (1861-1987)
George Swartz's career statistics on Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed July 17, 2025
The Historical Oregonian (1861-1987)
Last updated July 17, 2025