Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 376 JOHN H. KOBERG John H. Koberg, whose splendid ranch, known as the "Twentieth Century Truck Farm," in the Hood River valley, speaks well for his enterprise and energy, has gained a wide reputation as a grower of fine vegetables, particularly asparagus. He has also gained public appreciation for having established the fine beach on the river front of his farm, which has become an exceedingly popular resort. Mr. Koberg was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on the 26th of August, 1865, and is a son of Carl and Tina Koberg. The father was a machinist and engineer and both parents are now deceased. Mr. Koberg received a good public school education and then obtained a position as clerk in a drygoods store, in which he was employed until 1887, when he came to the United States. He was handicapped because of his inability to speak the English language, but proceeding direct to the Hood River valley, obtained work in a sawmill, at the same time improving every opportunity to learn the language. A few months later the mill was destroyed by fire, entailing the loss of Mr. Koberg's wages, which he had not drawn, but, refusing to be discouraged, he went at once to The Dalles, where he found a job in the grocery store of Tackman & Company. A year later he went to California and for some time worked in the redwood forests, after which he returned to Oregon and became a car inspector for the Oregon Railroad and Navigation line at Albina. He remained there until 1892, when he went to Walla Walla and was put in charge of a wrecking crew on the same railroad, holding that position until 1895. He then returned to the Hood River valley and bought the old Stanley homestead of one hundred, and eighty acres, which had been entered in 1861, and to the operation of this place has since devoted his attention. Thirty acres are under cultivation, twenty acres being planted to asparagus, in the raising of which he has met with pronounced success. The asparagus is packed on the ranch and is shipped in carload lots to Montana, Idaho and Washington. The yield is about one hundred thousand pounds and Mr. Koberg is now planning to erect a cannery, so that he can take care of the product at home, and thus avoid the heavy freight charges, which cut into the profits of the crop. Mr. Koberg has devoted himself closely to his ranch since coming here, with the exception of a period when he worked for the Hood River Electric Light, Power and Water Company as manager, from which position he resigned in order to give the proper attention to his private interests. A number of years ago Mr. Koberg decided to take advantage of an opportunity which nature had provided, and on the river, fronting his home, he developed a beach and resort. He has erected a large, modern dance pavilion, has installed playgrounds for the children, and has all of the equipment characterizing the up-to-date beaches and resorts, so that it is now regarded as one of the finest pleasure spots east of Portland. His efforts were quickly appreciated by the public and during the season the place is constantly thronged with pleasure seekers. In connection with the resort he maintains a Red Cross swimming school, with a licensed instructor, which has added materially to the value of the resort, safety being always the first consideration in its management. On March 21, 1894, at Hood River, Mr. Koberg was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lage, who was born in Iowa and is a daughter of Hans and Lena (Hoek) Lage, both of whom are natives of Germany, and are represented on other pages of this work. Mrs. Koberg accompanied her parents on their removal to the Hood River valley in 1875, and here was reared and educated. When of age, she went to The Dalles and there worked for several prominent families, carefully saving her wages, and when she became the wife of Mr. Koberg she assisted in buying the homestead which they now occupy. She has been a true helpmate to her husband and has contributed to the development of their place into the splendid property which it now is. To Mr. and Mrs. Koberg have been born four children. Mrs. Lena Imholz is the mother of five children, Vivian, Human, Franklin, Howard and Lois. Earl, who lives on the home place, married Miss Phoebe Gorton and they have two children, Gorton and Donald. Prince, who graduated from the Hood River high school, is now a student in the Oregon Agricultural College, at Corvallis. Clara is attending the grammar school at Hood River. Mr. Koberg is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the United Artisans, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He has rendered effective service as a member of the school board and is a member of the board of directors of the Hood River Hospital. In his political views he is a democrat and has always taken a deep interest in public affairs. He is regarded as a good business man, an excellent manager and a progressive and public-spirited citizen, and in every relation of life has proven worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.