THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Pioneers > John and Katherine Schwartz

John and Katherine Schwartz

Johannes Schwartz was born in Norka, Russia, on August 26, 1860. Johannes was the son of Heinrich Schwartz (born 1827) and Christina Schwindt (born 1829). 

Johannes married Katharina Wolf on February 7, 1884, in Norka. She was born on August 20, 1861, in Norka. A daughter, Magdalena Magaretha, was born on August 29, 1885. 

Johannes (John) immigrated to the United States on May 6, 1887, with his brothers Adam, Peter, and Johann Georg. Peter and George settled near Gering, Nebraska. John's parents also immigrated and settled in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

John and Kate became parents when a son, John, was born about 1887 in Nebraska.

John decided to move west with his brothers, Adam and Conrad. In 1891, Conrad Schwartz lived on the south side of San Marino (now NE Knott), 4 lots east of Margaretta Avenue (now MLK Blvd.).  Four children were born in Oregon: Lizzie (1892), George (1894), Lydia (1897), and Adam (1899). The spelling of the family name changed to Swartz.

In 1892, John and Kate became founding members of the 
First German Congregational Church.

By 1900, John, Kate, and the family were living in Portland. John worked as a laborer at a sawmill. A son, Henry, was born in 1904.

In 1910, the family was living at 325 Fremont Street, and John worked as a track man.

Son George became a professional baseball player in 1919.

​John died on September 1, 1920, in Portland. His funeral service was held at the First German Congregational Church on September 6th, and he was buried at the Rose City Cemetery later that day.

Kate died on September 16, 1949, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sources

Passenger lists, 1891 Albina City Directory, Portland City Directories, U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com

Find-A-Grave.com
Last updated October 8, 2025
Copyright © 1998-2026 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Kind Words
    • Contact Us
  • 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
      • First German Congregational Church (Ebenezer)
      • 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
    • Church Music
  • 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
    • Professional Services
    • 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