Born in Berlin, Germany, to Werner and Margarethe (Wills) Hellwig, I was the oldest of 3. My two brothers(Klaus and Christoph) and I quickly knew the value of family, as my parents did their best to navigate our lives around the war that was happening then. The harsh post-war years, when food was rationed, clothes and coal were scarce, was a time that not only brought us closer to each other but taught us to appreciate all little things as well as those around us. Growing up quickly, I had to carry out tasks far too heavy for a 13-year-old. I was robbed of my childhood and matured much too early into a responsible being.
From 1950-1953, I worked on a farm in northern Germany, where my services were exploited. I was put to task, working extremely hard for long hours, lugging sacks of grain, tending to the cattle, and even waking up at odd hours of the night to deliver calves. Simultaneously, every fortnight, I also had to attend a vocational agricultural school to learn the theory behind farming. From 1953 to 1955, I changed farms, gaining more experience. In 1955, I first came to the USA and worked on a distant relatives dairy farm in New York State. But as I had come on a visitor's visa, I had to return after one year. I spent the next year at an agricultural college in Schleswig to become an agricultural engineer. As soon as I finished, a representative of the Barringer organization offered me employment as manager of a cattle farm with 500 heads of cattle in Memphis, Tennessee. Without a moment's hesitation, I took the next steamer to the USA, the country I had learned to love and wanted to live in. After many years of education and hard work, I soon had my dairy farm and my beautiful wife, June, whom I married in 1961, by my side. We named our farm Ju-Peters, and from there, I milked cows daily, sold fresh cow milk to many, baled hay, helped others with their cattle, and enjoyed my operation for many years on horseback, on the tractor, and by foot.
I never encountered a stranger. I met and have had many friends, some of whom I call family. I became a member of the Memphis Germania club and had an excellent relationship with many of my friends there.
I lived a simple but hard-working life, which soon settled me down in Byhalia, Mississippi, where I continued doing what I loved and all I knew. I never wanted to retire, as it kept me going all these years, even at 91. Staying busy every day with my cattle, goats, and daily farm chores, I enjoyed cooking, listening to music, reading, conversations, and writing in my journal. I looked forward to teaching others from my experiences and helping others when I could, as it always was my nature. I enjoyed sharing my stories and photos of the life I built for myself.
I leave behind my brother, Christoph(Jean) Hellwig, my loving family in Germany of many cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends. May the stories of my journey in this life be shared with many and all. It was beautiful, and I enjoyed my life, as I hope you did too. Farewell for now. As I start a new journey, always remember to love one another, do your best, and keep me in your heart as I have kept you in mine.
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