| Story |
Stephen Breitenstein worked for TKWM from 1900 to at least 1924 in a variety of jobs.
Stephen was born in Switzerland on 23 September 1865, though details of his parents remain unknown. He reported varying years in federal census records, for his arrival in the United States, ranging from 1885 to 1888, but completed the naturalization process in 1908. By 15 February 1889, Stephen lived in Dodge County, Minnesota, where he married Mary Josephine Fischer (Fisher).
Soon after their marriage, the couple relocated to the area of Salem, Oregon. Their first residence may have been in the Catholic community near Aumsville, as one record suggests their second daughter, Anna Mary, was born there in December 1889. By 29 November 1893, when their second daughter, Rose Frances, was born, the family occupied a home on 17th St. in Salem. Steven worked as a common laborer.
The couple welcomed their third daughter, Clara Agnes, on 29 January 1900, the same year Steven began steady work at the Thomas Kay woolen Mill, as a helper, eventually advancing to dyer. Two additional daughters would be born while Stephen worked at TKWM, Margaret Julia, on 26 Oct 1905, and Helen Elizabeth, on 13 August 1908.
By 1909, the family had the funds to purchase a home at 230 S 12th St. conveniently located near the woolen mill. Eldest daughters Anna and Rose worked as operators for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph while still living at home.
n 1913, Anna continued working as an operator for PT&T, Rose became a stenographer for Statesman Publishing, and Marie attended Capital Business College. The following year, 21-year-old Rose married merchant Herbert Stiff. By 1920, Steven, then 55, held the position of foreman at TKWM.
In November 1921, Marie married court reporter Benjamin E. Forbes Jr., who later became a lawyer. In October 1924, 24-year-old Clara wed druggist P. D. Quisenberry. Tragically, only months later, Anna passed away at age 35 after battling tuberculosis.
By 1928, Stephen had left TKWM, with no further records of his employment. Helen and Margaret, still living at home, provided income for the family. Marie also returned to live with her parents, reverting to her maiden name after what appears to have been an unsuccessful marriage to Benjamin, whose subsequent marriages were documented. Due to the family’s Catholic faith, Marie’s divorce, if finalized, was likely kept private.
In 1930, Margaret married Vern W. Miller, and in 1933, Helen wed Scott Page. Mary remained with her parents until their deaths. The family moved from 320 South 12th Street in 1934 to 195 South 14th Street by 1940.
Stephen passed away on July 9, 1947, and was laid to rest at Mount Crest Abbey Mausoleum. Marie and Mary lived together until Mary’s death in 1954. Marie continued to live a long life, passing away in 1984. |
| Census |
1900 Stephen Breitenstein. Age: 34. Birth: Sep 1865 in Switzerland. Residence: Rents home in Ward 4 Salem, Marion, Oregon. Married HOH. Married 1889. Years married: 11 years. Father and Mother born in Switzerland. Years in U.S. 14. Immigrated 1886, naturalized. Occupation: Works at Woolen Mill. Household members: Stephen Breitenstein, age 34, HOH; Anna M. Breitenstein, age 31, wife; Anna M. Breitenstein, age 10, daughter; Rosa E Breitenstein, age 6, daughter; Marie A. Breitenstein, age 4, daughter; Clara A. Breitenstein, age 4 mos. daughter.
1910 Stephen Breitenstein. Age: 46. Birth: abt 1864 in Switzerland. Married HOH. Years married: 22 years. Residence: Owns home at 230 South 12th St., Salem, Marion, Oregon. Immigration year 1885, naturalized. Father and Mother born in Switzerland. Native tongue English. Occupation: Picker, Woolen Mill. Out of work 6 weeks. Household members: Stephen Breitenstein, age 46, HOH; Mary Breitenstein, age 42, wife; Anna Breitenstein, age 20, daughter; Rose Breitenstein, age 16, daughter; Marie Breitenstein, age 13, daughter; Clara Breitenstein, age 10, daughter; Margaret Breitenstein, age 4, daughter; Helen Breitenstein, age 1, daughter; Joseph Miehle, age 35, lodger.
1920 Stephen Breitenstein. Age: 55. Birth: abt 1965 in Switzerland. Married HOH. Residence: Owns home at 230 S 12th St., Salem, Marion, Oregon. Immigration year 1889, naturalized in 1908. Father and Mother born in Switzerland. Native tongue German. Occupation: Foreman, Woolen Mill. Household members: Stephen Breitenstein, age 55, HOH; Mary Breitenstein, age 51, wife; Marie Breitenstein, age 22, daughter; Clara Breitenstein, age 19, daughter; Margaret Breitenstein, age 14, daughter; Helen Breitenstein, age 11, daughter; Edward Quinn, age 36, son-in-law; Anna Quinn, age 29, daughter.
1930 Steven C. Breitenstein. Age: 64. Birth: abt 1866 in Switzerland. Married HOH. Residence: Owns home at 230 S 12th St. Salem, Marion, Oregon. Has radio set. Age at first marriage 23. Father and Mother born in Switzerland. Immigration 1888. Naturalized 1920. No work shown. Household members: Steven Breitenstein, age 64, HOH; Mary Breitenstein, age 61, wife; Marie Breitenstein, age 31, daughter; Margaret Breitenstein, age 24, daughter; Helen Breitenstein, age 21, daughter.
1940 Steven Breitenstein. Age: 75. Birth: abt 1865 in Switzerland. Married HOH. Residence: Owns house at 195 S 14th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Naturalized. Highest education, 8th grade. Occupation: Retired. Household members: Steven Breitenstein, age 75, HOH; Mary Breitenstein, age 72, wife; Marie Breitenstein, age 40, daughter, stenographer.
1950 Marie Breitenstein. Age: 53. Birth: abt 1897 in Oregon. Residence: 195 S 14th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Typist, SIAC. Household members: Marie Breitenstein, age 53, daughter; Mary Breitenstein, age 81, HOH. |
| Salem City Directories |
1891 Steffen Breitenstein, laborer, res Bellevue ne cor 17th St.
1893 No Breitenstein family.
1896 Stephen Breistein (most likely Breitenstein), laborer, res 82 17th
1902 Steven Breitenstein, helper TKWM, r Bellevue n e cor 17th
1905 Steffen Breitenstein, carder, TKWM, r Bellevue ne cor 17th
1909/10 S Breitenstein, dyer, TKWM (no address)
1913 Breitenstein Stephen (Mary), foreman, TKWM, res 230 S 12th St.
1915 Steven Breitenstein (Mary), picker, TKWM, res 230 S 12th St.
1917 Steven Breitenstein (Mary), foreman, TKWM, res 230 S 12th St.
1924 Stephen Breitenstein (Mary), foreman TKWM h 230 S12th St.
1928 Steven Breitenstein (Mary) h 230 S 12th St.
1930 Steven Breitenstein (Mary) h 230 S 12th St.
1932 Steven Breitenstein (Mary) h 230 S 12th St.
1934 Steven Breitenstein (Mary), h 230 S 12th St.
1935 Steven Breitenstein (Mary), res 230 S 12th St. |
| Public Records |
MN State Marriage Record. Steven Breitenstein married Mary Fisher in Dodge MN on 15 Feb 1889.
OR Delayed Birth Record. Rose Frances Breitenstein was born on 29 Nov 1893. Issued on 12 Jan 1952.
1914 OR State Marriage Record. Rose Breitenstein, 21, married Herbert Stiff on 18 Nov 1914 in Salem, OR.
1921 OR State Marriage Record. Marie Breitenstein, 25, married Benjamin E Forbes, 27, on 26 Nov 1921 in Salem, OR.
1924 OR State Marriage Record. Clara Breitenstein, 24, married P D Quisenberry, 28, druggist, on 6 Oct 1924 in Salem, OR.
1925 OR Death Record. Anna Quinn died at home on S 12th St in Salem on 21 Jan 1925 at age 35. Cause of death TB.
1930 OR State Marriage Record. Margaret J Breitenstein, legal age, married Vern W Miller, legal age, MD, on 20 Jun 1930 in Salem, OR. |
