796 Columbia 

Rudolph Julius Betkey was born in Alberta, Canada 1 Jun 1892 to Gottlieb (George) and Julia Betker, both German immigrants. While some records suggest he was born in 1893, the majority cite 1892. At the age of seven, Rudolph emigrated to the United States with his family in 1899. By 1905, the family settled in North Dakota, where Gottlieb registered as an alien with the intention of becoming a U.S. citizen. Soon after, the family moved to Salem, Oregon, arriving sometime between 1905 and 1909.  

Rudolph’s early career began in Salem, where the 1909-1910 city directory listed him working at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. By 1915, he was working as a laborer and living with his parents at 396 Columbia St. Father Gottlieb died in March 1916, after which Rudolph relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a boilermaker and lived at 335 Sacramento St. He was 24 years old.  

There is quite a story about how Rudolph met and married his wife Ethel Josephine Burke Miller after moving to Portland. In August 1916, both were arrested on charges of adultery after being found in a hotel room together. The charges were dismissed when the complainant, Ethel’s husband Jesse Miller, failed to appear at the scheduled hearing. By 1918, Jesse had abandoned Ethel and their child Rodney, which led to divorce. Ethel was then free to marry Rudolph on 4 May 1918 in Vancouver, Washington.    

Rudolph got into a bit more trouble in the spring of 1918 when he was investigated by Federal authorities for not giving his true name on an alien registration form.  He used the name Rudie Betke but admitted his name was Betker, that he was a citizen, and that his father was born in Germany.  Rudolph’s mother testified on his behalf and the investigation continued.  The outcome of the investigation could not be found nor could any public record of Rudolph’s naturalization.   

The couple moved to Alameda, California, by 1920, where they welcomed a daughter, Ethel Lavon. Rudolph changed careers, from boiler making to carpentry, a trade he practiced for the rest of his life. By 1929, the family lived in Tacoma, Washington, but soon returned to California, settling in Seal Beach in 1930. By then, they had two daughters, Alice and Ethel Lavon, and a son, Donald, while Rodney had returned to live with his biological father.   

In 1940, the Betkey family lived in Huntington Beach, California, where they owned a home on 15th St. Rudolph continued to work as a carpenter, while Ethel Lavon, now an adult, resided with her parents and her young son, Gary. By 1950, the family had moved to Downey, California, living at 12439 22nd St. Daughter Ethel still lived with her parents, and had an additional child, daughter Alice. 

 Rudolph Betkey died on 7 Jul 1955 at the age of 63 in Anaheim, California. He was buried in the Anaheim Cemetery. His wife, Ethel survived him by ten years and was buried beside him upon her death in 1965. 

1930  Rudolph R. Betkey. Age: 37. Birth: abt 1893 in Canada. Married HOH. Residence: Rents home at 213 6th St, Seal Beach, Orange, California. Immigrated in 1899.  Naturalized.  Mother and Father born in Germany.  Occupation: Carpenter.  Age at first marriage, 24. Household members: Rudolph R. Betkey, age 37, HOH; Ethel J. Betkey, age 38, wife; Bonnie A. Betkey, age 12, daughter; Albert R. Betkey, age 7, son; Alice B. Betkey, age 4, daughter; Alice Burke, age 74, mother-in-law.  

1940  Rudolph J. Betkey. Age: 49. Birth: abt 1891 in Canada. Married HOH. Residence: Owns house on 15th St, Huntington Beach, Orange, California.  Naturalized. Occupation: Carpenter. Highest grade completed 5th grade. Household members: Rudolph Betkey, age 49, HOH: Ethel Betkey, age 49, wife; Alice Betkey, age 14, daughter; Donald R. Betkey, age 8, son; Alice Christianson, age 22, daughter; Gary Christianson, age 1, grandson.  

1950  Rudy Betkey. Age: 58. Birth: abt 1892 in Canada. Married HOH.  Residence: 12439 222nd St, Downey, Los Angeles, California. Occupation: Carpenter, Construction Company.  Mother and Father born in Germany.  Completed 8th grade.  WW2 Veteran. Household members:  Rudy Betkey, age 58, HOH; Ethel Betkey, age 58, wife; Ethel Christenson, age 32, daughter; Gary Christenson, age 11, grandson; Alice M. Christenson, age 1, granddaughter.   

1909/10  Betkar, Rudolph J, dyer TKWM bds 796 Oak 

1911  Betker, Rudolph J, (Varmehren and Betker), bds 796 Oak 

1914  Betker, Rudolph J, lab, bds 796 Columbia 

1915  Betker, Rudolph J, rms 796 Columbia 

Ethel J. Burke Betkey  Birth: 7 Apr 1890 in Oregon. Death: 2 Dec 1965 (aged 75) Los Angeles County, California. Burial: Anaheim Cemetery, Anaheim, Orange County, California. Plot: Section: LN Block: C Lot: 111 Space: 2. Memorial ID: 118222398.    

Oregon Statesman 31 May 1914 p. 20 – Record of court fees.  Rudolph Betker, witness fees $2.20.  Louie Betker, witness fees $2.20.   

Capital Journal 18 Sep 1914 p. 6 – Commissioners’ Court records.  Due for pay, R Betker, work on grade (unreadable amount)   

Oregon Statesman 30 Aug 1916 p. 5 –  Rudolph J Betker and Ethel J Miller were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct when they were found in the same room at a local lodging house.    

Capital Journal 31 Aug 1916 p. 8 – J E Miller failed to appear as a complaining witness resulting in the dismissal of charges of adultery against Rudolph Betker and Mrs. Elsa Miller.    

Oregon Daily Journal 29 Mar 1918 p. 6 – Rudie J Betker is held as an alien and being investigated.  Betker, alias Rudie J Betke, charged that he did not give his true name on his alien questionnaire.  Admitted that his name was Betker and said that he was a citizen, that his father was born in Russia.  However, his mother, who along with his brother live in Salem, said Rudie’s father applied for citizenship in North Dakota but never completed the papers.  Investigation ongoing.   

Oregonian 31 Mar 1918 p. 21 – Jesse Miller took wife Ethel Miller and their child to the home of Rudolph Betkey then deserted her.  Charged in a divorce filing by Ethel Miller against Jesse Miller who is now in County Jail on charges of non-support.    

Medford Mail Tribune 30 Sep 1921 p. 7 –  Recent arrivals at auto campgrounds include R. J. Betkey and family of Portland enroute south.    

Long Beach, CA, Independent 4 Dec 1965 p. 24 – Ethel J Betkey obit.  At age 75 living at 12439 E 22nd, Downey, CA.  Survivors:  sons Albert and Donald Betkey, Rodney Miller; daughters Mrs. Bonnie Christiansen, Mrs. Alice Bradley.   

1918 Washington Marriage Record.  Rudolph Julius Betkey 25 b abt 1893 in Canada married Evelyn Josephine Miller 26 on 4 May 1918 in Clark County, WA.  Both living at 381 Yamhill St, Portland.  Unknown marriages for each.  His father Georg Betkey.  His mother Julia Betkey.  Both born in Germany, then marked out and replaced with Russia.    

1918 Oregon Birth Record.  Ethel Lavon Betkey b 6 Dec 1917 to R J Betkey and Ethel Burke of 561 Alberta St, Portland, OR.  Father b in Canada and is a laborer.  M b in North Powder, OR.  Both age 26.    

1923 Oregon Birth Cert.  Albert Rudolph Betkey born 9 Feb 1923 to Rudolph J Betkey 31 and Ethel Burke Betkey 31 of 626 Leland St, Portland, OR.  he was born in Canada and is a boilermaker.  She was born in North Powder, OR and is a housewife.    

1942 WW2 Draft Record.   Rudolph Julius Betkey 50.  1237 Lincoln Av, Hawaiian Gardens, CA.   Mailing Address Rt 1, box 1237.  No phone.  B 1 Jun 1892 in Mellet, Alberta, Canada.  Employment Weinholtz Lumber Co, Lakewood Blvd and Artesia St, Bellflower, CA.  5’10”, 180 lbs., blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion.  Small scar, right side of neck.  Dated 27 Apr 1942.