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Johannes and Christina Wacker
Johannes Wacker was born on May 20, 1855, in Norka, Saratov, Russia. He is the son of Johann Georg Wacker (1813-1886) and Margaretha Köhler (1814-1883).
Johannes married Christina Schnell in Norka on July 27, 1875. She was born on August 31, 1855, in Norka, the daughter of Philipp Schnell (1829 - ?) and Elisabeth Schleicher (1829-1864).
At least thirteen children were born in Russia: Johann Philipp (1876-1929), Amalia (1877-?), Catharina Elisabeth (1881-1968), Johannes (1882-1957), Margaretha (1883-1935), Anna Maria - known as Emma (1885-1965), Peter (1887-1956), Georg Adam (1889-1891), Heinrich (1891-1892), Jacob (1893-1896), Alexander (1894-1894), Georg Jacob (1895-1967), Heinrich (1897-1959).
Johannes and Christina departed from Norka in 1906 and immigrated to the United States with their son Johann Philipp and his family. They arrived in Philadelphia on May 28th aboard the steamship Haverford, which sailed from Liverpool, England. After their arrival, they first went to Nebraska, where Christina's brother was living. After a short time, they traveled to Portland, Oregon, to join their son, Johannes (John Walker, Jr.), and his family. Seven of their children immigrated to the United States.
Johannes married Christina Schnell in Norka on July 27, 1875. She was born on August 31, 1855, in Norka, the daughter of Philipp Schnell (1829 - ?) and Elisabeth Schleicher (1829-1864).
At least thirteen children were born in Russia: Johann Philipp (1876-1929), Amalia (1877-?), Catharina Elisabeth (1881-1968), Johannes (1882-1957), Margaretha (1883-1935), Anna Maria - known as Emma (1885-1965), Peter (1887-1956), Georg Adam (1889-1891), Heinrich (1891-1892), Jacob (1893-1896), Alexander (1894-1894), Georg Jacob (1895-1967), Heinrich (1897-1959).
Johannes and Christina departed from Norka in 1906 and immigrated to the United States with their son Johann Philipp and his family. They arrived in Philadelphia on May 28th aboard the steamship Haverford, which sailed from Liverpool, England. After their arrival, they first went to Nebraska, where Christina's brother was living. After a short time, they traveled to Portland, Oregon, to join their son, Johannes (John Walker, Jr.), and his family. Seven of their children immigrated to the United States.
Johannes and Christina Wacker with six of their children in Portland. Back row from left to right: George, Emma, Henry, Kate. Front row, from left to right: Phillip, John Sr., Christina, John Jr. Their son, Peter, was living in Skagit County, Washington, and is not in the photo. Source: Delores Price.
Portrait of Christina and John Wacker at their home in Portland, Oregon. Source: Delores Price.
In 1910, John and Christine were living at 790 E. 11th N. (now 3728 NE 11th Avenue) with their sons George and Henry. Their older son, John Jr, and his family lived in the same house. John Sr. worked as a laborer for a streetcar line. In 1916, John Sr. is listed as a "scavenger" in the Portland City Directory.
At the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, John and Christina resided in a newly built home (constructed in 1914) at 796 E. 11th N. (now 3806 NE 11th Avenue). John was listed as the proprietor of his own shoe repair shop.
John, Christina, and their children —Catharina Elisabeth, Peter, Georg Jacob, and Heinrich — are listed in the Family Register of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church.
John died on January 26, 1927, and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery. Christine died a few months later on August 30, 1927. She was buried beside John. According to John's obituary, written by Rev. C. J. Wagner and published in Der Kirchenbote, they had 46 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Sources
U.S. Census Lists, Oregon Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, Ship Departure and Arrival Manifests, Find-A-Grave Records - Ancestry.com
PastPortland.com
Norka database
Johannes Wacker Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #8, 24 Feb 1927
Christine Wacker (Schnell) Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #41, 13 Oct 1927
PastPortland.com
Norka database
Johannes Wacker Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #8, 24 Feb 1927
Christine Wacker (Schnell) Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 45, #41, 13 Oct 1927
Last updated June 1, 2025