Christain Jacob Grun

of Balzar, Russia

Christain Jacob Grun was born June 24, 1850 in Balzar, Russia. His wife, Maria Elizabeth Robertus, was born about 1848 also in Balzar. Christain Jacob died Oct. 10, 1892 and Maria died Nov. 21, 1890.  Germans from Baden, Hesse, Rhineland, Palatinate, Wurttemburg and Switzerland emigrated to Russia between 1765 and 1767. They settled along the west side (Bergseite) of the Volga River, forming the village of Balzer. The village grew to be one of the largest of the Volga German settlements  and became the commercial center for the colonies on the west side.  In 1768 there were 90 original families comprised of approximately 377 individuals. From this small beginning the village grew dramatically over the next 150 years.  It is estimated that there were still over 11,000 residents of Balzer in the early 1900's, even after the heavy emigration to the United States since 1875.

Heinrich Grun was born on March 29, 1869 in Balzar, Russia (also known as Goly or Goloi Karamysh or Krasnoarmeiisk) .  Heinrich married Catharina Elizabeth Schneider on Feb. 4, 1888 in Balzar. Catherina was born Feb. 23, 1869. Her parents were Johannes Schneider and Maria Catharine Weber. We were told that the reason Heinrich Grun asked Catharine to marry him was that the Grun family needed a housekeeper. Catharine told Heinrich that she couldn't marry him because she had no dowry.  He told Catharine that she didn't need a dowry, his family needed a housekeeper. Between 1888 and 1904, death claimed 3 sons and 1 daughter. In 1904, they immigrated with 3 children from Russia to York County, Nebraska. Heinrich arrived in New York on April 10, 1904 on the ship Belgravia and sent money back so that Catharine and the children could come over to the US.  Catharine, with children Elizabeth, Johann and Heinrich arrived in Ellis Island, New York on Aug 5, 1904 on the ship Patricia.  She was also pregnant with George at this time. After they settled in Nebraska, Heinrich Grun changed his name to Henry Green. Heinrich died on March 9, 1960.  Catharina died on March 9, 1961.

email: rgcox2 (at) gmail.com

updated 22 Jan 2018