Julius Kolberg is the great grandfather of Susan Lynn Baxter, Jeffrey P. Baxter, and Thomas Alan Baxter.

Census data concerning Julius Kolberg is contradictory. I have adopted c. 1870 as the most likely date.¹

All of the census records agree that he was born in Germany, but the date of his arrive into the United States is recorded as 1872², 1886³, and 1891⁴. Julius literacy also varies. In 1900, he could read and write, but in 1910 he could not. However, in 1920 he could read and write; an ability he continued to have in 1930. Sometime before 1930, Julius became a naturalized citizen.

Although we do not know when he arrived in Grand Rapids, we do know he was living there from 1900-1930. In 1900, Julius worked as a day laborer. By 1910, he had learned the "mason trades." In 1920, he was working for the city of Grand Rapids as a garbage collector. By 1930, he had returned to masonry and worked for a building contractor.

I have been unable to locate any information concerning Julius Kolberg after 1930.