THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Our People > Peter and Amalia Seder Will

Peter and Amalia (Seder) Will

Peter Will was born in Norka, Russia on Feb 9, 1885. He was the son of Magdalena Will. At the age of 27, Peter decided to make the long journey from Russia to the United States looking for a better life and freedom from Russian rule. He departed from Liverpool May 18, 1912 aboard the steamship Canada and arrived in Quebec, Canada May 26, 1912. The passenger list records that he was a farm laborer. From Quebec, he took the Grand Trunk Railway to Port Huron, Michigan and was admitted to the United States on June 2, 1912. His final destination was Portland, Oregon, where he was going to his cousin Konrad Schmer at 833 E. 7th.

Amalia Seder was born November 13, 1896 in Norka, Russia. She was the daughter of Heinrich Seder. She was 16 years old when she left Russia. She departed aboard the steamship Canada from Liverpool and arrived March 19, 1913 at Portland, Maine. It appears she may have been accompanied by a Seder relative, Aulise “Alice” Seder Hohnstein and her husband Heinrich “Henry” Hohnstein who are listed just below her name on the passenger list. Amalia’s final destination was Portland, OR, going to her brother-in-law John Albert (husband of Amalia’s sister Marguerite Seder) at 794 E. 11th.

Peter Will and Amalia Seder were married later that year on October 25, 1913 in Multnomah County, Oregon. Their four children were born in Portland: Molly 1914-1976, Marie 1916-1988, Reuben 1920-1973, and Esther Pauline 1923-2002.

Over the years, Peter worked at various jobs to support his family in Portland. 1917-blacksmith, 1920-finisher-photography, 1930-1940-Doernbecher Furniture Mfg. mechanic, repairer, and cabinetmaker.

At age 49, Amalia Seder Will died December 4, 1945. She is buried in Rose City Cemetery in Portland.

Peter Will married Elizabeth Haun September 9, 1967 in Clark County, Washington. She was born September 6, 1890 in Hussenbach, Russia, died on October 31, 1975 in Portland and is buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
​
Peter died at age 88, February 23, 1973 and is buried in Rose City Cemetery.

Sources

This article was contributed by Georgia Hohnstein Conway.
Last updated January 26, 2022
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