Peter and Maria Catharina Bernhardt
Heinrich Peter Bernhardt was born in the colony of Frank, Russia, on November 20, 1843, the son of Johann Georg Bernhardt (born 1807) and Elisabeth Hoffman (born 1810). Heinrich Peter married Maria Catharina Hoffman on February 7, 1863, in Frank. Maria Catharina was born July 3, 1843, in Frank, the daughter of Jacob Hoffman (born 1818) and Maria Lebsack (born 1821).
At least seven children were born in Russia: Heinrich, born and died in 1863; Maria Catharina, born in 1864; Johannes, born in 1866, died in 1867; Anna Maria, born in 1868; Anna Margaretha, born in 1870; Catharina Margaretha, born in 1873 - died before 1876; and Heinrich, born in 1875.
Heinrich Peter, Maria Catharina, and their four surviving children migrated to the United States in 1876, sailing on the steamship Sultan from the port of Hamburg, Germany, to Liverpool. They boarded the City of Chester in Liverpool and arrived in New York on July 10, 1876. The Bernhardts initially settled in Marion County, Kansas.
At least seven children were born in Russia: Heinrich, born and died in 1863; Maria Catharina, born in 1864; Johannes, born in 1866, died in 1867; Anna Maria, born in 1868; Anna Margaretha, born in 1870; Catharina Margaretha, born in 1873 - died before 1876; and Heinrich, born in 1875.
Heinrich Peter, Maria Catharina, and their four surviving children migrated to the United States in 1876, sailing on the steamship Sultan from the port of Hamburg, Germany, to Liverpool. They boarded the City of Chester in Liverpool and arrived in New York on July 10, 1876. The Bernhardts initially settled in Marion County, Kansas.
Painting of the steamer "Sultan" built in 1873 by T.G. Dutton. Source: https://www.19thcenturyshipportraitsinprints.com/lptgd-2.html
Five more children joined the growing family while the Bernhardts lived in Kansas: John Peter, born in March 1878; Amelia (Millie), born in December 1879; Ida, born in March 1882; Peter Jr., born in August 1884; and Mary, born in April 1888.
Around 1889, the Bernhardts migrated West and arrived in Albina, becoming one of the earliest Volga German families to settle in the Portland area.
In 1890, the Albina City Directory listed the Bernhardts as residing on the east side of Borthwick, three lots south of Sellwood. Heinrich Peter (known as Peter) worked as a carpenter.
By 1895, the family had moved to 743 E 11th N (now part of the 3500 block on NE 11th), and Peter continued work as a carpenter. By 1900, he had become a driver of a scavenger wagon (garbage hauler).
Maria Catharina died in 1910 and was buried at the Eastside Cemetery in Midvale, Idaho.
Peter died on October 16, 1919, in Portland. He was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Please contact us if you have additional information about this family.
Around 1889, the Bernhardts migrated West and arrived in Albina, becoming one of the earliest Volga German families to settle in the Portland area.
In 1890, the Albina City Directory listed the Bernhardts as residing on the east side of Borthwick, three lots south of Sellwood. Heinrich Peter (known as Peter) worked as a carpenter.
By 1895, the family had moved to 743 E 11th N (now part of the 3500 block on NE 11th), and Peter continued work as a carpenter. By 1900, he had become a driver of a scavenger wagon (garbage hauler).
Maria Catharina died in 1910 and was buried at the Eastside Cemetery in Midvale, Idaho.
Peter died on October 16, 1919, in Portland. He was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Please contact us if you have additional information about this family.
Sources
Passenger lists, Albina City Directories, Portland City Directories, U.S. Censuses - Ancestry.com
Obituary for Peter Bernhardt. The Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon), Thursday, October16, 1919, Page 20.
Obituary for Peter Bernhardt. The Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon), Thursday, October16, 1919, Page 20.
Last updated October 7, 2025