N. P. Colberg, Princeton, was born March 31, 1842, in the town of Cimbritshauen, County of Christanstod, and State of Skone, Sweden. He is the son of Olof and Cecelia Colberg. The father was a gardener by profession and died in the old country; the mother is yet living there. She is the mother of seven children, of whom N. P. is the youngest.
Our subject was educated in his native country. For five years he attended the garden schools and learned the profession of gardener, and for seven years followed his profession in his native State, and then went to Germany, where for one year he was gardening at Schleswig-Holstein. He then went to Denmark, and was gardener for the King, Frank VIII, for one year
After the death of the King, Mr. Colberg returned to his native country, and continued in his profession for three years, and then came to America in 1868, and has since resided in Princeton.
When he first came he had no capital whatever, and worked for others until he was able to engage in business for himself. At first he bought but two acres of land and began gardening. Afterward he sold out, and in 1875 bought his present garden lot of ten acres, which was but a swamp at that time, but he has since put it in a high state of cultivation, having had $1,400 worth of tile laid. He is engaged in growing the small fruits, vegetables and flowers. He has three greenhouses and 200 hot-beds.
Mr. Colberg has been very successful, but it has been through close attention to business and a thorough understanding of his profession. In 1883 he purchased an additional plat of ground containing thirteen acres.
He was married in Sweden in June 1862, to Christina Olson. She is the mother of five children, viz: Nels, Anna, Albert, Ellen and Ida.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885