Johannes and Magdalena Leel
Johannes Lehl (John Leel) was born in Norka, Russia on October 13, 1867. His parents are unknown at this time.
Johannes married Magdalena Dörr (Derr) about 1888. Magdalena was born in Norka on September 17, 1865, the daughter of Johann Adam Dörr (born 1835) and Katharina Geiss (born 1839).
One child, Adam, was born on September 10, 1889 in Norka and soon died on June 10, 1890. Johannes and Magdalena immigrated to the United States in 1890 and soon settled in Albina where in 1891 they are listed in the City Directory boarding with Joseph Richardson a contractor and drayman. John is working as a laborer, presumably for Joseph Richardson.
The Leel family blossomed in Portland with the birth of many children: Anna Maria, born April 18, 1891; Anna Catharina, born October 3, 1892; Adam, born March 21, 1894; Maria, born October 15, 1897; and, Elisabeth, born April 29, 1900; John Jr, born June 1903; Pauline, born March 1905 and Rilla, born November 1907.
John and Magdalena were founding members of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in 1892.
In 1894, the Leel's are living on the north side of River street, two lots east of Marion. John is working as a scavenger (garbage hauler).
From 1895 to 1898, John is living at 767 Mallory and continues working as garbage hauler.
In 1900, the family is living at the same location on Mallory and John is shown as a "driver - scavenger wagon".
The 1905 Portland City Directory lists a John Leel Market at 760 Union Avenue N. (now 3536 NE MLK Blvd.). This market may have been co-owned and operated with Conrad Repp, another early Portland pioneer.
In 1910, the Leel family had relocated to 409 Shaver Street and John continued working as a teamster in the garbage business. There are now six children with the addition of John Jr, (June 1903), Pauline (March 1905) and Rilla (November 1907).
It appears that John got out of the garbage business about 1915. In 1916, John is listed as a clerk for the A.B. Burger company.
The 1918-1924 City Directories list John as the manager of Atlantic Oil located at 42 3rd.
By 1927, John was listed as manager of the Lincoln Oil. It appears that he had moved the company and renamed it.
In 1930 and 1931, John, Magdalena and Rilla live at the same address and John is listed as a retailer who owns an oil company.
John was affectionately known as Lampe öel Leel (lamp oil Leel) as a result of his occupation.
John Leel died on October 12, 1940 in Portland.
Magdalena Leel died on March 30, 1942 in Portland.
Johannes married Magdalena Dörr (Derr) about 1888. Magdalena was born in Norka on September 17, 1865, the daughter of Johann Adam Dörr (born 1835) and Katharina Geiss (born 1839).
One child, Adam, was born on September 10, 1889 in Norka and soon died on June 10, 1890. Johannes and Magdalena immigrated to the United States in 1890 and soon settled in Albina where in 1891 they are listed in the City Directory boarding with Joseph Richardson a contractor and drayman. John is working as a laborer, presumably for Joseph Richardson.
The Leel family blossomed in Portland with the birth of many children: Anna Maria, born April 18, 1891; Anna Catharina, born October 3, 1892; Adam, born March 21, 1894; Maria, born October 15, 1897; and, Elisabeth, born April 29, 1900; John Jr, born June 1903; Pauline, born March 1905 and Rilla, born November 1907.
John and Magdalena were founding members of the Ebenezer German Congregational Church in 1892.
In 1894, the Leel's are living on the north side of River street, two lots east of Marion. John is working as a scavenger (garbage hauler).
From 1895 to 1898, John is living at 767 Mallory and continues working as garbage hauler.
In 1900, the family is living at the same location on Mallory and John is shown as a "driver - scavenger wagon".
The 1905 Portland City Directory lists a John Leel Market at 760 Union Avenue N. (now 3536 NE MLK Blvd.). This market may have been co-owned and operated with Conrad Repp, another early Portland pioneer.
In 1910, the Leel family had relocated to 409 Shaver Street and John continued working as a teamster in the garbage business. There are now six children with the addition of John Jr, (June 1903), Pauline (March 1905) and Rilla (November 1907).
It appears that John got out of the garbage business about 1915. In 1916, John is listed as a clerk for the A.B. Burger company.
The 1918-1924 City Directories list John as the manager of Atlantic Oil located at 42 3rd.
By 1927, John was listed as manager of the Lincoln Oil. It appears that he had moved the company and renamed it.
In 1930 and 1931, John, Magdalena and Rilla live at the same address and John is listed as a retailer who owns an oil company.
John was affectionately known as Lampe öel Leel (lamp oil Leel) as a result of his occupation.
John Leel died on October 12, 1940 in Portland.
Magdalena Leel died on March 30, 1942 in Portland.
Sources
Passenger lists, Portland City Directories, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 U.S. Censuses, Oregon Death Register - Ancestry.com
Krieger, Joanne, trans. Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1892-1908. Portland, OR: n.p., 1999. Print.
Krieger, Marie Trupp.
Norka database.
Krieger, Joanne, trans. Ebenezer Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon 1892-1908. Portland, OR: n.p., 1999. Print.
Krieger, Marie Trupp.
Norka database.
Last updated September 3, 2020.