1922 History of Barron County biography. Please note the biography does state there were five children, but eight are quite obviously listed.

Ferdinand Hellmann, one of the leading citizens of Arland Township, where he has an excellent farm of 200 acres, is a man widely known throughout this part of the county for his enterprise and helpful participation in all projects for the advancement of his township and county. As farmer, dairyman and beekeeper he has achieved financial success and as a useful citizen won the esteem of his neighbors. He was born in Steinfeldt, Aldenberg, Germany, Aug. 22, 1862, son of Frank and Dena (Roehte) Hellmann. His parents, who are now deceased, had six children, of whom five are now living: August, who is in Canada; Henry, residing in Texas; Minnie, now Mrs. Frank Krockmann, living in Germany; Lizzie, wife of Frank Balster of Minnesota; and Ferdinand of Arland Township, Barron County. Ferdinand Hellmann was educated in his native land and began industrial life there as a farm laborer. Knowing well that he was not on the road to riches, he resolved to better himself by emigration, and in 1880 came to the United States, landing in Baltimore and proceeding west to Delaware County, Iowa. There he remained six years working on farms, after which he spent four years in Sioux County, Iowa. He then rented a farm for seven years in Sioux County, Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Hellmann made the important step of his life, coming to Barron County and buying from Knapp, Stout & Co. 120 acres of land in sections 2 and 3, Arland Township. Later he purchased 80 acres in section 11, the same township. Thus he came into possession of 200 acres of wild land, capable of producing the abundant crops, but needing a vast amount of work before it could be brought under cultivation. Mr. Hellmann bent with hearty good will to his task, and every month saw it further advanced. In time he cleared 100 acres, besides erecting a complete set of buildings. His present barn, which he built in 1915, measures 40 by 100 feet and is supplied with the James equipment. His cattle are Holsteins with pure bred sires, and besides carrying on general farming he gives special attention to dairying. His horses are pure bred Percherons. Mr. Hellmann, in addition to his direct farming interests, is a stockholder in the co-operative creamery at Barron and the Farmers' Store in Poskin. On one occasion, some years ago, while he was engaged in road work, he happened to notice a swarm of bees in flight and, impelled by a sudden impulse, he captured them and made a start in the bee business. He subsequently added to his apiary until in 1916 he had 225 swarms. In 1900 his house was wrecked by a cyclone but was speedily rebuilt. Mr. Hellmann was married Feb. 4, 1891, to Mary Anna Meinars who, after sixteen years of happy married life, passed away June 2, 1907. To him and his wife five children were born, as follows: Bertha, born Feb. 29, 1892, died May 15, the same year; Frank, born April 27, 1893; John, born Jan. 4, 1896, who served in the World War; Regina, born Nov. 30, 1897, who is the family housekeeper; Antonia, born Nov. 26, 1899, who died Jan. 31, 1902; Antonia (second), born Jan 21, 1902; May S, born Feb. 23, 1905; and Aloysius, born June 1, 1907, who died in infancy. The war record of John is as follows: Drafter from Wheaton, Minn., April 28, 1918; attached to 344th Machine Gun Co., 90th Division; sailed for overseas in June, 1918; saw action at St. Mihiel, the Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector, and was with the army of occupation in Germany; returned to the United States in June, 1919. Since then he has resided at home and at present is serving as road commissioner of Arland Township. Mr. Hellmann and his family are members of the German congregation of the Catholic Church. They hold a high position in the community and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.