John and Katrinka Sauer
John and Katrinka (Deering) Sauer were both born in Norka, a German settlement near the Volga River in Russia. Getting married in these German settlements was a real occasion. Thirty-six couples, including John and Katrinka, were married on one day in February. If the couples had any money they celebrated for a week following the wedding. As John didn’t have any money, they didn’t celebrate.
John and Katrinka left Russia to immigrate to America in 1910. Their son, Pete, had been born by now. They landed in Port Huron on the St. Lawrence River. From there, they boarded the train to go on to Portland, Oregon.
John found a job in the sawmills in Portland. It rained everyday while he worked. He soon borrowed money from a friend in Tiffany, Colorado, to move there. By this time they had a daughter, Elizabeth. John worked for several years for the farmers around Tiffany, but he soon decided he wanted to work for himself. By renting a lot of land and everybody worked, he was soon able to buy two medium-sized farms. He lived on the one until he died of a heart attack in the 1960s.
John and Katrinka raised seven children; Pete, Elizabeth, Katie, Henry, Annie, John and George. Elizabeth, John and George are still living.
A Christmas tradition from Russia was observed for many years at the Sauer home. Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) came on Christmas Eve dressed like a ghost. He carried a long black whip which he sometimes used on the children before he passed out the gifts. (webmaster note: this was likely the Christmas tradition of the Pelznickel)
John soon started to get his naturalization papers to become a citizen of the United States. As soon as he received his papers, in 1923, he became very involved with the Republican Party. He was Committee Chairman for many years and worked hard for the party until he died.
Katrinka did not receive her citizenship for many years after John did, in 1943. He had never taught her to read and write in English. She had to memorize all the questions and answers that were asked in the hearing, but she came through with flying colors.
Several years after John died, Katrinka sold the farm and bought a home in Durango where she lived until she died.
John and Katrinka left Russia to immigrate to America in 1910. Their son, Pete, had been born by now. They landed in Port Huron on the St. Lawrence River. From there, they boarded the train to go on to Portland, Oregon.
John found a job in the sawmills in Portland. It rained everyday while he worked. He soon borrowed money from a friend in Tiffany, Colorado, to move there. By this time they had a daughter, Elizabeth. John worked for several years for the farmers around Tiffany, but he soon decided he wanted to work for himself. By renting a lot of land and everybody worked, he was soon able to buy two medium-sized farms. He lived on the one until he died of a heart attack in the 1960s.
John and Katrinka raised seven children; Pete, Elizabeth, Katie, Henry, Annie, John and George. Elizabeth, John and George are still living.
A Christmas tradition from Russia was observed for many years at the Sauer home. Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) came on Christmas Eve dressed like a ghost. He carried a long black whip which he sometimes used on the children before he passed out the gifts. (webmaster note: this was likely the Christmas tradition of the Pelznickel)
John soon started to get his naturalization papers to become a citizen of the United States. As soon as he received his papers, in 1923, he became very involved with the Republican Party. He was Committee Chairman for many years and worked hard for the party until he died.
Katrinka did not receive her citizenship for many years after John did, in 1943. He had never taught her to read and write in English. She had to memorize all the questions and answers that were asked in the hearing, but she came through with flying colors.
Several years after John died, Katrinka sold the farm and bought a home in Durango where she lived until she died.
Source
This story was written by Elizabeth (Sauer) Riggin on March 30, 1988 and is used courtesy of Lindy (Sauer) Harris.
If you have additional information or questions about this family, please Contact Us.
If you have additional information or questions about this family, please Contact Us.
Last updated April 30, 2019.