John H. Hellberg, proprietor of
Hellberg House, McGregor, was born in Schoenkirchen, near
Kiel, Holstein, Germany, Feb. 9, 1837, a son of John H.,
Sr., and Julia Hellberg, who had a family of six
children. John H., Jr. attended school until fifteen
years of age, then worked for different parties until
1865, when he embarked for America and landed at New
York, and from there to Milwaukee, Wis., thence to
Prairie du Chien, Wis., where he clerked in a hotel until
1867, and in that year settled in McGregor, Ia. He
conducted a saloon and billiard hall here until 1869,
then opened the McGregor House, and six years later he
resumed his former business. In April, 1880, he opened
the hotel which he still conducts, and has been a
successful landlord. He was married Jan. 15, 1870, to
Rosa Herman, who was born in Switzerland, and was a
daughter of Samuel and Mary (Gfaler) Herman. Six children
have blessed their union, five living--Henry, John,
Frank, Willis, and baby; a daughter, Clara, died in
infancy. Politically Mr. Hellberg affilitates with the
Democratic party. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 986-987 |