Otto Theodore Amey was born on 19 Aug 1893 in Samra, Russia to Engelbert Amey and Ernestine Drebs Amey Pubantz.  Engelbert died in Russia in 1904 the same year Ernestine’s parents immigrated to Canada.  Ernestine and five of her children may have accompanied her parents to Canada but they were certainly there for the 1916 Canadian census.  This is the first place where we find Otto with the first of four last names used in a public record.  The census taker understood Mother Ernestine’s name to be the family name and unknowingly wrote down Ernstine. So, Otto shows in this Canadian census as Otto Ernstine.

In 1921 Ernestine married Emil Pubantz in Winnipeg, Canada.  Soon after, much of the family immigrated to the US, eventually settling in Portland. Two of Otto’s siblings remained in Canada.  Family members who immigrated and eventually settled in Portland were Emil Pubantz, Ernestine Amey Pubantz, Otto Amey, Rudolph Amey, Millie Amey, and Harry Pubantz. Emil Pubantz died in Portland on 21 Jan 1925.  It appears that Ernestine’s older children including Otto, became responsible for her care.

Again, a mix up, most likely by a census taker, gave Otto his third name in the public record. The 1930 Federal Census shows Otto, Rudolph and Millie with the last name spelled “Ommey.”  Although Ernestine was shown as the head of household, only her three oldest children worked.  This included Otto who is working as a weaver at Portland Woolen Mill.

Otto married Violet M Comer on 13 Dec 1932, but they divorced on 18 Apr 1936 after having one child, Ralph.  Violet remarried and was killed on 22 Mar 1966 in a head-on car accident while being driven by Ralph.  It is not clear whether Otto had much of a relationship with Ralph who died in 1988 apparently with no children.

Brother Roy died on 5 Mar 1935 in Portland and soon, Otto began a series of run-ins with the law.  In Sep of 1935, he pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving and was fined $125. Then in Nov of 1939, he was found guilty of disorderly conduct and being intoxicated on a public highway.  His sentence was 90 days in jail.  And finally, after spending almost 20 years in the U.S. and living at 5924 SE 11^th Av, in Portland, Otto was held in the city jail for immigration authorities.  It appears that, although Otto declared his intent to become a US citizen, he never followed through with the process of obtaining citizenship.

Otto’s immigration status apparently did not result in any actual charges or deportation, and it is unclear whether Otto ever finally became a U.S. citizen. He was still employed at the Portland Worsted Mill and living with his mother in Portland when he registered for the draft on 25 Apr 1942.  He was described as 180 lbs., brown eyes and black hair.

Otto’s problems with the law continued in Nov 1944, when, at age 51, he was sentenced to 6 months for disorderly conduct.  Mother Ernestine died in July 1946, a little over a year after Otto’s release from jail.

Not sure where Otto wandered for a few years after his mother’s death, but by 1949 we find Otto living in Salem and working for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.  During his employment there, he used yet another spelling for his last name. His pay records and the 1950 census show the name “Ame” while the City Directories of the time showed “Amey”.  Otto was a boarder at 745 Trade St. during his time with TKWM.

After about two years in Salem, Otto is found again working at Portland Woolen Mills and living at 1434 N Benton. He was living at 4611 SE 104^th Ave and still working for PWM when he passed away on 19 Nov 1960.  His obituary and grave marker include the most common spelling of his last name, Amey.

1930 Federal Census. Otto Ommey, born abt 1892 in Russia. Single, son of HOH. Residence 5550 Jordan Rd, South Kelley Butte, Multnomah County, OR. Father and mother born in Russia.  Naturalization, first papers submitted.  Weaver in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Ernestine Pubantz 59 HOH (no work), Otto Ommey 38 son (weaver), Rudolph Ommey 26 son (cabinet maker), Mella Ommey 24 daughter (timekeeper), Harry Pubantz 12 son. Lydia Seidel 19 boarder.  (Using Ommey, anglicized version most likely of his Russian name)

1950 Federal Census. Otto Ame, 47 born abt 1903 in Russia.  Divorced.  Roomer at 745 Trade, Salem, OR, Weaver, Wholesale Woolen Mill.  Citizen.  One of 11 roomers in the residence of Rose McNulty.  No others are mill workers.  (One of the few times using the name spelling Ame)

1930  Otto Amey, weaver, PWM, r Mrs. E Pubantz.

1931  No Otto Amey.  Millie Amey living with Ernestina Pubants, Spring rd RD 3.

1932  Otto Amey, weaver, r Mrs. E Pubest.  Roy Amey also with Mrs. E Pubest.

1934  No Otto Amey.

1938  T Otto Amey (no work stated), 5924 SE 111^th, Portland. (Ernestine – same address)

1943 No Otto Amey.

Salem

1949  Otto Amey, weaver, TKWM, 745 Trade

1951-1959  No Otto Amey.

Portland

1953  Otto Amey, emp, Portland Woolen Mills, r 1434 N Benton

1956  Otto Amey, emp, Portland Woolen Mills, r 1434 N Benton

1957  Otto Amey, emp, Portland Woolen Mills, r 1434 N Benton

1959  No Otto Amey

1960  Otto Amey, emp, Portland Woolen Mills, r 4611 SE 104^th Av.

Ernestine Krebs Pubantz. Birth: 16 Jan 1871 in Russia. Death: 17 Jul 1946 in Portland, OR. Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, OR.

Emil Pubantz.  Birth: 18 Feb 1870 in Russia.  Death: 21 Jan 1925 (age 54) in Portland, OR. Burial: Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, OR.

Ralph Otto Amey.  Birth: 12 Jul 1933. Death: 6 Nov 1988. Burial: Friends Cemetery, Newberg, OR.

The Oregonian (Portland, OR) 25 Sep 1935 p. 9 – Otto Amey pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving and fined $125.

The Oregonian (Portland, OR) 28 Nov 1939 p. 7 – Otto Amey found guilty of disorderly conduct and being intoxicated on a public highway.  Sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, OR) 22 Jul 1940 p. 20 – Twenty years residence appeared to be at an end for Otto Amey, 5924 SE 11^th Av, who was held in the city jail for immigration authorities.  It appears that Mr. Amey had entered this country as a Canadian citizen and is still one.

Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, OR) 19 Nov 1944 p. 2 – Otto Amey, 51, of 592 SE 111^th, sentenced by District Judge Cahalin to serve 6 mos. for disorderly conduct.

Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, OR) 24 Apr 1960 p 8 – Otto T Amey, 66, of 4611 SE 104^th Av fined $150 and sentenced to 60 days in jail for drunken driving.

The Sunday Oregonian (Portland, OR) 20 Nov 1960 p. 51 – Otto Amey, death notice.  D 19 Nov 1960.  Res 4611 SE 104^th.  Father of Ralph and brother of Rudolph, Herbert and Harry Amey and Mrs. Ida Krell, Mrs. Millie Williams, Lena Henkel.  Interment at Lincoln Memorial Park.

Capital Journal 22 Mar 1966 p. 1 – Auto-Truck fatal accident.  Head-on collision between a station wagon driven by Ralph Otto Amey and a Job Corp truck driven by Jerome Carl Bronson, 18, who crossed the center line on a curve.  Violet May Patterson, 55, was killed.  Son Ralph was injured, and sister Goldie Frances Comer was injured seriously.

Capital Journal 23 Mar 1966 p. 17 – Violet (Amey) Patterson, obituary.  Died in an auto accident on 22 Mar 1966.  B in Newburg in 1911.  Survivors: widower Dolph; a son Ralph of Newburg, two sisters.

Declaration of Intention to Become a US Citizen. 23 Jun 1924. U.S. District Court of Oregon. Emil Pubantz, 54, farmer.  Born in Volinian, Russia on 18 Feb 1870. Renounces loyalty to King George V. Entered the US through Blaine, WA on 2 Apr 1921.

Multnomah County Marriage Record. 13 Dec 1932. T Otto Amey of Multnomah County married Violet M Comer of Yamhill County in Multnomah County, OR.

Oregon Divorce Record. 13 Dec 1932. Theodore Otto Amey divorced Violet May Amey on 18 Apr 1936 in Yamhill County, OR.

WW2 Draft Card. 25 Apr 1942. Otto Theodore Amey, residence 5924 SE 111 Ave, Portland, OR.  Mailing Address Rt 3 Box 21320.  Age 48.  Born 19 Aug 1893 in Russia.  Point of contact, mother, E Pubantze same address.  Employer Bishop SE 17^th and Tacoma Sts. Oregon Worsted Mill.  5’11”, 180 lbs., brown eyes, black hair.

Oregon Death Record. 1960. Otto Theodore Amey.  Born 19 Aug 1893 in Sumarra, Russia.  Died 19 Nov 1960 in Portland.  Res 4611 SE 104^th.  Mt Tabor Conv Home.  Divorced.  Retired textile worker.  Father Engelbert Amey.  Mother Ernestine Drebbs.  Informant sister Mrs. Millia Williams.