Recollections of Ellen Johnson Bauer
Written by Randy Bauer
In the mid-1700's rule in Germany was very militaristic. Life was unpleasant, taxes were high, and living conditions were terrible. A great number of people weren't satisfied. This led many people, especially those from the lower classes, to migrate to Russia, where conditions were more favorable.
My great-great-grandfather was among those who settled in Norka, Russia, where he lived under much better conditions until the assassination of Alexander II in 1881. My great-grandfather was born and married in Norka.
One of the requirements to live in Russia was to serve in the army. My great-grandfather John was serving his time in the army when his request to visit the U.S. was granted. He legally had permission to leave for six months, but he and his wife feared they might be stopped for some reason. Because of this, they sort of snuck out of the country.
They left Germany in 1890 on the steamship Munchen. Their destination was Portland, Oregon, where his older brother was living. To pay for their passage, he shoveled coal. After many days at sea, they arrived at Ellis Island, N.Y. Once the Germans from Russia reached the U.S., many settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, or Portland, Oregon.
When they headed for Nebraska, they had to cross the Great Lakes, and again he shoveled coal. Then, on the train west, he did the same shoveling as before. They eventually settled down in the home at 4048 NE Mallory Ave, in an area called Little Russia, as this was where many immigrants from Norka and other colonies congregated.
When he got to Portland, his older brother set him up with a job in the railroad yards. In 1905, he invested in a couple of horses and a wagon. He used this to haul garbage from the World's Fair to the dump. From this, he earned enough to pay for a $1,500.00 house in one year and still live fairly comfortably. After the Fair, he went to work for Nicholi-Neppic Lumber yard, piling lumber until he retired. Every Saturday, when he came home with his paycheck, he would first pay the grocery bill. He then gave each of his boys 5 cents and bought himself a bucket of beer. The rest went to my great-grandmother.
After grammar school, the boys had to get jobs, and the money they earned was also turned over to my great-grandmother. She saved all of this and every other loose penny she could get her hands on.
The boys weren't allowed to speak English around the house until they got older and finally rebelled. My great-grandfather didn't want my great-grandmother to learn English, fearing that it would change her ways. As time passed, she learned a little.
My great-grandmother was great at saving money. In addition, she washed clothes for other people until the boys all had jobs. With the money she had saved, she set all of her boys up in businesses. One day, my grandfather, Harry, wanted to go into the trucking business, and she lent him $8,000 cash that day. He had to pay it back with about 10 percent interest. Even though my great-grandparents came to America with nothing, they were able to make a good life for themselves and ensured that all of their sons would be successful as well.
My great-great-grandfather was among those who settled in Norka, Russia, where he lived under much better conditions until the assassination of Alexander II in 1881. My great-grandfather was born and married in Norka.
One of the requirements to live in Russia was to serve in the army. My great-grandfather John was serving his time in the army when his request to visit the U.S. was granted. He legally had permission to leave for six months, but he and his wife feared they might be stopped for some reason. Because of this, they sort of snuck out of the country.
They left Germany in 1890 on the steamship Munchen. Their destination was Portland, Oregon, where his older brother was living. To pay for their passage, he shoveled coal. After many days at sea, they arrived at Ellis Island, N.Y. Once the Germans from Russia reached the U.S., many settled in Lincoln, Nebraska, or Portland, Oregon.
When they headed for Nebraska, they had to cross the Great Lakes, and again he shoveled coal. Then, on the train west, he did the same shoveling as before. They eventually settled down in the home at 4048 NE Mallory Ave, in an area called Little Russia, as this was where many immigrants from Norka and other colonies congregated.
When he got to Portland, his older brother set him up with a job in the railroad yards. In 1905, he invested in a couple of horses and a wagon. He used this to haul garbage from the World's Fair to the dump. From this, he earned enough to pay for a $1,500.00 house in one year and still live fairly comfortably. After the Fair, he went to work for Nicholi-Neppic Lumber yard, piling lumber until he retired. Every Saturday, when he came home with his paycheck, he would first pay the grocery bill. He then gave each of his boys 5 cents and bought himself a bucket of beer. The rest went to my great-grandmother.
After grammar school, the boys had to get jobs, and the money they earned was also turned over to my great-grandmother. She saved all of this and every other loose penny she could get her hands on.
The boys weren't allowed to speak English around the house until they got older and finally rebelled. My great-grandfather didn't want my great-grandmother to learn English, fearing that it would change her ways. As time passed, she learned a little.
My great-grandmother was great at saving money. In addition, she washed clothes for other people until the boys all had jobs. With the money she had saved, she set all of her boys up in businesses. One day, my grandfather, Harry, wanted to go into the trucking business, and she lent him $8,000 cash that day. He had to pay it back with about 10 percent interest. Even though my great-grandparents came to America with nothing, they were able to make a good life for themselves and ensured that all of their sons would be successful as well.
Source
This story was written by Randy Bauer based on an interview with his grandmother, Ellen Johnson Bauer. The story was contributed by Howard Bauer and has been edited for clarity.
Last updated October 7, 2025