Rotary Bread
Having made the decision to go to the United States, the family of Johann Conrad Jäger (John Yeager) and Magdalena Spady (Lena Spady) departed from Norka, Russia, in April 1901. They traveled to the port of Hamburg, Germany, where they departed on the steamship Pennsylvania, bound for New York. John and Magdalena arrived with their children, John Henry, Henry, and Elizabeth, on June 21, 1901. The ship manifest notes that they were going to the home of John Krieger in Portland, Oregon.
Steamship "Pennsylvania" in 1872 on its maiden voyage. Source: Wikipedia Commons.
John and Lena welcomed two more children into the family: Margaret (born 1905) and Joseph (born June 1907).
Several Yeager siblings would become active in operating bakeries throughout the Northwest.
Several Yeager siblings would become active in operating bakeries throughout the Northwest.
John Henry married Bertie Lee Mashburn on October 22, 1910. Along with his brother Henry, John Henry and Bertie Lee founded the Yeager Bros. Bakery at 1977 E. Stark St. in the Montavilla district east of Portland. The business was later renamed the Montavilla Bakery.
Joseph married Beryl Plowman and founded the Yeager Bakery in Beaverton in 1925. It was later named Beaverton Bakery.
Elizabeth Yeager married Peter Walters, and they founded a bakery in Portland known as Rotary Bread.
Peter was born on November 7, 1891, in North Plains, Oregon. His parents, Fred and Katharine Walters, were born in Russia. They were among the early Volga German pioneers in Oregon. Peter opened his first store in 1923, located between 3rd and 4th avenues on Yamhill Street, at the old Farmer's Market. He continued in operation until his retirement in early 1961, when there were four stores in the Portland area. Peter died in November of the same year and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Rotary Bread continued under Peter's son, Edward Peter Walters, and his wife, Barbara Jean, for another 30 years.
Peter was born on November 7, 1891, in North Plains, Oregon. His parents, Fred and Katharine Walters, were born in Russia. They were among the early Volga German pioneers in Oregon. Peter opened his first store in 1923, located between 3rd and 4th avenues on Yamhill Street, at the old Farmer's Market. He continued in operation until his retirement in early 1961, when there were four stores in the Portland area. Peter died in November of the same year and was buried at the Rose City Cemetery.
Rotary Bread continued under Peter's son, Edward Peter Walters, and his wife, Barbara Jean, for another 30 years.
A Rotary Bread Store, probably on Union Avenue. Source: Oregon Historical Society Digital Collections. Al Monner news negatives; Org. Lot 1284; Box 11; 269-12.
Rotary Bakery sponsored many top-level men's softball teams that competed regularly for the City of Portland and State championships in the 1930s and 1940s. Their teams featured many all-star players with Volga German ancestry, such as George "Red" Smith, Hank Helser, Maury Helser, and Roy Helser.
Hank Sholkoff, a member of the 1935 championship team, went on to take over the ownership and management of the Portland Outdoor Store from his father, Henry Sholkoff, the company's founder.
Hank Sholkoff, a member of the 1935 championship team, went on to take over the ownership and management of the Portland Outdoor Store from his father, Henry Sholkoff, the company's founder.
Back row from left to right: Hank Helser, Carlie Baum, ?, George "Red" Smith, Lukey Graser, Harry "Red" Melcher.
Front row from left to right: Scotty Laing, Hank Sholkoff, Hank Miller?, Jack Lehl (Manager), Ves Brown.
Mascot: Johnny Urbach sitting in front of the team.
Not shown in this photo: Lewis (Louie) Singer and ?
Image source: Steve Schreiber.
Identification based on a photo published in the "Morning Oregonian" on August 31. 1935, which shows 13 team members. Given the image's poor quality, some players may need to be correctly identified. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any corrections.
Steve Schreiber confirmed George "Red" Smith's identity. The identity of Hank Sholkoff was confirmed by Steve Michaelsen.
Sources
Portland City Directories, Ship Manifest, and U.S. Census Lists - Ancestry.com.
"Fenning's City's Oldest Bakery" The Oregonian, February 26, 1961.
"They Play Softball the Hard Way." Morning Oregonian, Saturday, August 31, 1935, page 1.
"Fenning's City's Oldest Bakery" The Oregonian, February 26, 1961.
"They Play Softball the Hard Way." Morning Oregonian, Saturday, August 31, 1935, page 1.
Last updated July 12, 2025