Peter and Elizabeth Gerlach
Peter Gerlach was born July 26, 1852, in Norka, Russia, the son of Johann Georg Gerlach (born 1813) and Anna Elisabeth Vogler (born 1814).
Peter married Christina Elisabeth (Elizabeth) Bauer on January 30, 1873, in Norka. Christina Elisabeth was born June 12, 1853, in Norka, the daughter of Heinrich Bauer (born 1831) and Anna Katharina Lehr (born 1829). Elizabeth was the sister of Katharina Elisabeth Bauer, who married Adam Schwindt. Adam and Katharina were also early settlers in Portland.
Peter and Elizabeth immigrated to the United States and arrived in New York on June 4, 1887, aboard the steamship Ems, which had sailed from Bremen, Germany. Five of their children were with them upon arrival: Catharina, age 8; Michael, age 6; Louisa, age 5; Jacob, age 3 1/2; Conrad, age 11.
Also aboard this ship were Elizabeth's parents, her brother Heinrich, his wife Katharina (née Weigandt), and their 6 children.
Upon arrival in the United States, the Gerlachs traveled directly to Portland. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Portland on December 21, 1888.
In 1891 and 1892, Peter and Elizabeth were living on the south side of San Marino (now Knott Street), two lots east of Margareta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now MLK Blvd.). John Gerlach, likely a relative of Peter, is listed as living at the same address.
Another daughter, Sara, was born in Portland on January 2, 1892.
In 1900, the family lived at 656 Union Avenue, and Peter worked for the railroad.
After Elizabeth's death in 1926, Peter married Katherine M. Miller, the widow of Louis Treber (also known as Ludwig Trüber). Katharina was born in Norka in April 1852. She arrived in the United States in 1875 with her husband, Ludwig. Peter and Katharina owned a home on East 13th Street North in 1930.
Peter died July 4, 1940, and is buried beside Elizabeth at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
Peter married Christina Elisabeth (Elizabeth) Bauer on January 30, 1873, in Norka. Christina Elisabeth was born June 12, 1853, in Norka, the daughter of Heinrich Bauer (born 1831) and Anna Katharina Lehr (born 1829). Elizabeth was the sister of Katharina Elisabeth Bauer, who married Adam Schwindt. Adam and Katharina were also early settlers in Portland.
Peter and Elizabeth immigrated to the United States and arrived in New York on June 4, 1887, aboard the steamship Ems, which had sailed from Bremen, Germany. Five of their children were with them upon arrival: Catharina, age 8; Michael, age 6; Louisa, age 5; Jacob, age 3 1/2; Conrad, age 11.
Also aboard this ship were Elizabeth's parents, her brother Heinrich, his wife Katharina (née Weigandt), and their 6 children.
Upon arrival in the United States, the Gerlachs traveled directly to Portland. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in Portland on December 21, 1888.
In 1891 and 1892, Peter and Elizabeth were living on the south side of San Marino (now Knott Street), two lots east of Margareta Avenue (later Union Avenue and now MLK Blvd.). John Gerlach, likely a relative of Peter, is listed as living at the same address.
Another daughter, Sara, was born in Portland on January 2, 1892.
In 1900, the family lived at 656 Union Avenue, and Peter worked for the railroad.
After Elizabeth's death in 1926, Peter married Katherine M. Miller, the widow of Louis Treber (also known as Ludwig Trüber). Katharina was born in Norka in April 1852. She arrived in the United States in 1875 with her husband, Ludwig. Peter and Katharina owned a home on East 13th Street North in 1930.
Peter died July 4, 1940, and is buried beside Elizabeth at the Rose City Cemetery in Portland.
Sources
Passenger lists, 1891 Albina City Directory, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
Peter Gerlach Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 59, #31, August 1, 1940. Accessed on Ancestry.com
Peter Gerlach Obituary, Der Kirchenbote, Vol. 59, #31, August 1, 1940. Accessed on Ancestry.com
Last updated October 8, 2025