THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Our People > Johannes and Amalia Pfenning

Johannes and Amalia Pfenning

Johannes Pfenning was born in Norka, Russia on September 3, 1868, the son of Nicholas Pfenning (born 1844) and Katharina Maria Dick (born 1844).
Nicolaus Pfenning
Nicolaus Pfenning, born 28 Sept 1844 in Norka, Russia with his second wife, Katharina Maria Hartung (née Jörg). Photograph taken in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada prior to 1925. Courtesy of Marcia Lincoln Staunton.
Johannes (John) married Amalia (Mollie) Schwartz on January 11, 1891 in Norka. Amalia is the daughter of Johann Georg Schwartz (born 1829) and Katharina Magdalena Albrecht (born 1831). A son, Henry, was born in December 1891.

John, Mollie and Henry departed from Norka in 1892 and arrived in America in early 1893. The initially settled in Nebraska where a son John Jr., and daughter Elizabeth who were born. The family moved to Mississippi for a short time and John Jr. died there. The family story is that his high chair was knocked over by visiting cousins and he died as a result of the fall.

By 1903, the family had arrived in Portland, Oregon where three more children; Pauline, Flora and Louis were born. Pauline and Flora survived to adulthood. Baby Louis died at birth. According to family lore, Louis was the first baby that Pearson Mortuary took care of. John hired a taxi and held the small casket in his lap as they drove to the Rose City Cemetery where Louis was buried.
Pfenning brothers
The Pfenning brothers from Norka. Johannes (John) and Heinrich (Henry) Pfenning, seated. Amalia (Mollie) Schwartz and Katherine Gerlach, standing. The photograph was probably taken in Lincoln, Nebraska after 1892. Courtesy of Marcia Lincoln Staunton.
The house that John and Mollie built is still standing on NE Grand Avenue between Failing and Shaver. Henry and Katherine stayed in Nebraska and raised a large family. Another family story says they came for a visit to Portland and she didn't like it here and made them move back to Nebraska.

Sources

Story written by, and photographs courtesy of Marcia Lincoln Staunton (March 2006).
Last updated March 10, 2018.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Reviews
  • History
    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
      • Suppliers and Manufacturers
    • Employers
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Maps
    • Documentary
  • Traditions
    • Foods
    • Folk Medicine
    • Expressions
    • Weddings
    • Holidays
    • Folk Music
    • Funerals and Burial Sites
  • Resources
    • Family Research
    • Books and Video
    • Works Cited