Place of Birth: German Enclave, Prague, Bohemia (Czechoslovakia)

Circa 1860: Her father Mathias, had a large farm in Michigan. During Civil War, he moved his family to Canada so the boys would not have to fight. When war was over, he returned to Michigan.

Circa 1869: Josephine P. Helling acquired the farm in Elk Township, PA. on 6/9/1869. They deeded that parcel to Charles Helling in 1895.

Circa 1870: Came to Saginaw, living first on a farm in Swan Creek township and later on a farm in Bridgeport.

1870 Census: John Hellen 38, Josephine Hellen 38, Starcky Hellen 8, Mary Hellen 6, August Hellen 5, Charles Hellen 3, Jacob Hellen 1, Elizabeth Syvus 24. Home in 1870: Taymouth, Saginaw, Michigan. John born Prussia, Josephine born Bavaria, rest born MI. John was a farm laborer, Elizabeth was teaching school. They live close to Josephines parents, Mathias and Antonion Harbeck. Both from Bohemia, Mathias was a farmer.

One child born in Blackmere, MI. Blackmere is Bohemian settlement next to Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan.

Circa 1871: Moved to Elk Township Pennsylvania.

1880 Census shows John H C Helling 44, Josephine 46, Henry 17, Mary 15, August 14, Charles 11, John 10, George 8, Mathias 5, Patrick 3, living in Elk Twp, Warren, Pennsylvania. John and parents born in Prussia. Josephine and parents born Bohemia. John is a farmer.
There is no mention of a Leo. The other two are listed as John being 10 and George 8. Leo was born in 1881 so that would be after the census was taken and died in 1890. There is no record of the 1890 census as it was destroyed.

1900 Census shows John H C Helling 64, Josephine 66, August 28, living in Elk Twp, Warren, Pennsylvania. John is a farmer, August is a day laborer. Census states she was from Austria. Austria and Bohemia, Germany were the same prior to 1900.

Circa 1910: Moved to California.

1910 Census shows John H C Helling 74, (Estimated Birth Year: abt 1836), birth place: Germany, year of Immigration: 1854 (naturalized). Parents born Germany. Spouses's Name: Josephine 75, birth place German Bohemia, year of Immigration: 1858 (alien). Parents born German Bohemia. Had 9 children, 6 living in 1910. Home owned in 1910: County Rd., Farmersville, Tulare, California. John is a farm operator.

1915 Publication Title: R. L. Visalia, Tulare, Dinuba, Directory: Helling John S, blksmth, h 710 S Church Josephine (wid J H) b 710 S Church