Heinrich and Elizabeth Schreiber
Heinrich (Henry) Schreiber was born in Norka, Russia, on October 28, 1826, the son of Johannes Schreiber (born 1800) and Catharina Elisabeth Kern (born 1803). Heinrich married Elizabeth Spady on February 14, 1849. Elizabeth was born in Norka on September 26, 1829. She is the daughter of Johannes Spady (born 1790) and Catharina Burbach (born 1806).
In 1875, Henry and Elizabeth emigrated from Russia, along with their children: George, 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 Schreiber 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, among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
In 1875, Henry and Elizabeth emigrated from Russia, along with their children: George, 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 Schreiber 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, among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
Steamship "City of Brussels"
The Schreibers and other group members initially settled in Bluffton, Ohio. George's wife, Elizabeth (née Dick), must have been pregnant during the journey as their daughter Helena was born on September 14, 1875. Helena was likely the first person of Volga German descent born in the United States.
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, by 1878, and is listed in the 1880 census as farmers. They lived next to the Schnell family, who also migrated to Portland in 1882.
Sometime after 1880, the entire family traveled to Oregon, where they settled in North Plains (near Hillsboro).
The Schreiber family was likely part of the Seventh-day Adventist church established in West Union by Friederich Jorg, who was also from Norka and had traveled with the Schreibers from Russia.
Henry Schreiber died March 16, 1891, in Washington County, Oregon.
In early 1904, Elizabeth was living in Portland at 290 Ross with her son Peter.
Elizabeth died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
Sometime after 1880, the entire family traveled to Oregon, where they settled in North Plains (near Hillsboro).
The Schreiber family was likely part of the Seventh-day Adventist church established in West Union by Friederich Jorg, who was also from Norka and had traveled with the Schreibers from Russia.
Henry Schreiber died March 16, 1891, in Washington County, Oregon.
In early 1904, Elizabeth was living in Portland at 290 Ross with her son Peter.
Elizabeth died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
Elizabeth Schreiber grave marker at the Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland. The inscription reads: "Ruhe Sanft" - "Rest Peacefully"
Notable Portland chef and author Cory Schreiber is a descendant of this family line.
Sources
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 6, 2025