Peter and Sophia Schreiber
Peter Schreiber was born in Norka, Russia, on August 17, 1856, the son of Heinrich (Henry) Schreiber (born 1826) and Elizabeth Spady (born 1829).
In 1875, Peter emigrated from Russia, along with his parents and siblings George and Heinrich. The Schreibers had no doubt heard the positive reports from two scouts from Norka, Johannes Krieger and Johannes Nolde, who had visited the United States in 1874.
Sailing from Liverpool, the family arrived in New York aboard the City of Brussels on June 28, 1875. The Schreibers were part of a small group from Norka that included seven families who were among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
The Schreibers and other group members initially settled in Bluffton, Ohio.
Sailing from Liverpool, the family arrived in New York aboard the City of Brussels on June 28, 1875. The Schreibers were part of a small group from Norka that included seven families who were among the first Volga Germans to settle in the United States.
The Schreibers and other group members initially settled in Bluffton, Ohio.
The Schreiber family arrived in Bluffton, Ohio in 1875 and it is likely that they disembarked at this station which served the community until 1899. The old structure remained across the tracks from the newer station which was built in 1899. The photo shows the old station not long before it was torn down. Courtesy of the Ohio Railroad Stations Past & Present website.
About 1886, Peter married Sophia (Sophie) Elizabeth Fischer, born in Norka on September 16, 1857, the daughter of Peter Fischer and Catharina Mohr. The 1880 U.S. Census shows that the Mohrs lived near Friedrich Rosenhoff, who would become the leader of the 1882 Nebraska group that migrated to Oregon. The census also indicates that Sophia was previously married to Herman Badenhop. She had a daughter, Katherine Margaretha, born in April 1878 in Nebraska. Sophia's marriage ended before 1885, as Herman Badenhop is shown living alone at that time. Sometime after 1880, the Fischer's traveled to Oregon, possibly with the Schreiber family and the Nebraska group.
A daughter, Louise, was born to Peter and Sophia in Oregon about 1887.
In 1891, Peter and Sophia lived in Albina on the north side of Sellwood Street (now NE Graham Avenue), one lot east of Vancouver Avenue.
The family patriarch, Henry Schreiber, died March 16, 1891.
A son, John, was born in August 1893.
In 1900, the family lived at 123 Russell Street, and Peter worked as a section laborer for the railroad.
Peter's mother, Elizabeth, was living with him by early 1904. She died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
Another son, Frederick, was born about 1905. In 1910, the family lived on Russett Street. Peter worked for a street railway, and Sophie did laundry for a private family. Peter was still working as a trackman for a railway in 192o at the age of 64.
The 1930 census shows Peter and Sophie living near their daughter Katherine in South Bend, Washington.
Peter died on June 28, 1933, in Portland.
Sophia died on June 20, 1939, in Portland at the age of 81. She is buried at the Columbian Cemetery in North Portland.
A daughter, Louise, was born to Peter and Sophia in Oregon about 1887.
In 1891, Peter and Sophia lived in Albina on the north side of Sellwood Street (now NE Graham Avenue), one lot east of Vancouver Avenue.
The family patriarch, Henry Schreiber, died March 16, 1891.
A son, John, was born in August 1893.
In 1900, the family lived at 123 Russell Street, and Peter worked as a section laborer for the railroad.
Peter's mother, Elizabeth, was living with him by early 1904. She died in Portland on April 14, 1904, and was buried at the Lone Fir Cemetery.
Another son, Frederick, was born about 1905. In 1910, the family lived on Russett Street. Peter worked for a street railway, and Sophie did laundry for a private family. Peter was still working as a trackman for a railway in 192o at the age of 64.
The 1930 census shows Peter and Sophie living near their daughter Katherine in South Bend, Washington.
Peter died on June 28, 1933, in Portland.
Sophia died on June 20, 1939, in Portland at the age of 81. She is buried at the Columbian Cemetery in North Portland.
Sources
Information contributed by Tracey Saucy.
Haynes, Emma S. "Passenger List." Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (Spring 1979): 68. Print.
Williams, Hattie Plum. The Czar's Germans: With Particular Reference to the Volga Germans. Ed. Emma S. Haynes, Phillip B. Legler, and Gerda Stroh. Walker. Lincoln, Neb.: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1975. Print.
U.S. Census lists - Ancestry.com
The Historical Oregonian, 1861-1987.
Haynes, Emma S. "Passenger List." Journal of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (Spring 1979): 68. Print.
Williams, Hattie Plum. The Czar's Germans: With Particular Reference to the Volga Germans. Ed. Emma S. Haynes, Phillip B. Legler, and Gerda Stroh. Walker. Lincoln, Neb.: American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, 1975. Print.
U.S. Census lists - Ancestry.com
The Historical Oregonian, 1861-1987.
Last updated October 24, 2023