My Genealogy Hound

CHRISTOPHER H. W. HELT. Prominent among the capable and efficient agriculturists of Johnson County stands Mr. Helt, who located upon a tract of land in October, 1882, which bore no improvement whatever. This purchase lies on section 27, township 48, range 25, and under his management is made to yield good returns.

Our subject was born in Jennings County, Ind., on the 10th of November, 1854, being the son of Charles H. and Martha E. (Hollenbeck) Helt, both natives of Germany. The father was born on Christmas Day, 1830, and the mother, March 2, six years later. The grandparents on the mother’s side were Jacob and Martha E. Hollenbeck, who were farmers in the Fatherland. They crossed the Atlantic to the New World very many years ago, and, settling in Wisconsin, there engaged in farming until the death of the grandfather. His wife was again married, and is now living in Montana. The paternal grandparents of Christopher H. were Charles H. and Anna Isabelle Helt, also of German birth. The grandfather worked at his trade of shoemaking in the Old Country, but after coming to the United States, in the ‘50s, gave his attention to farming, owning property in Jennings County, Ind. In 1867 he removed to Lafayette County, Mo., where both he and his good wife passed away. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are still living, and of these the father of our subject was the eldest. The next in order of birth is Christina, who married Fred Schultz, and lives on a farm in Grover Township, this county; Christopher chose for his companion Rachel Backley, and they now reside in Jackson County, Ind.; Caroline married William Stigdon, and since his death, which occurred in March, 1892, has resided with her parents; Henry married Jane Couten, and they occupy property in Red Willow County, Neb.; Harman H. married Julia Meahl, and their home is in Lafayette County.

The father of the above family had been called upon to serve in the German army, but not wishing to do so took refuge in this country, coming hither when twenty years of age. After landing in New York he went to Pennsylvania and for one year thereafter was engaged in farm work, his duties being to attend to the stock. From that state he then made his way to Columbus, Ind., and for the following twelvemonth also hired out as a farm hand. His marriage occurred about this time, and he established a home of his own on rented property in the vicinity of that city, two years later removing to Wisconsin, where the parents of his wife were living. His stay there was short, however, and after one year the young couple returned to Indiana and for eight years farmed in Jennings County. At the expiration of that period we again find them residing in the State, making it their home for two years.

In 1866 the father crossed the line into Missouri, renting a farm for two years in Lafayette County. About this time he invested money in a forty-acre tract near Concordia, and being prospered in his undertakings from the first, added to his purchase from year to year until his possessions number one hundred and twenty-five well improved acres, on which he at present resides. To himself and wife were born eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Christopher H. W., of this sketch; Martha, the wife of John Freichley, a farmer near Valley City; Jennie, Mrs. David Bratton, living near the Johnson County line in Lafayette County; James, unmarried, and engaged in farming in this township; George, who married Minnie Walkup, and is also an agriculturist of this locality; Annie, who makes her home with her parents in Lafayette County; and Sarah, who is now Mrs. S. L. Canoy, and lives at Simpson. The deceased members of the family are Nora E., Charles H., Henry and Caroline.

The original of this sketch remained at home aiding in the work of carrying on the farm until his marriage, February 25, 1879, with Miss Sarah B. Wyre, a native of North Carolina, who was born October 19, 1858. Her parents were David and Rachel (Collett) Wyre, also natives of that state, and farmers by occupation. They came to Lafayette County, Mo., in the year 1868, locating on property situated near Aullville, which is their present place of residence. Mr. Wyre was for three terms a member of the School Board, being a portion of this time President of that body.

Of their children, eight in number, one is deceased. Mrs. Helt was the eldest, then came Luan, Samuel Lee, Noville, Jacob, George and Eliza. The three last named are still at home.

After his marriage our subject rented a farm near Valley City, and after living there for six months moved to Lafayette County and for two years farmed on rented property. He then returned to this county and for the following year cultivated the soil of a good farm near Fayetteville. In October, 1882, he purchased forty acres of land, which at that time was covered with timber. This he has cleared off and placed the land under good cultivation.

To Mr. and Mrs. Helt were born four children. Jennie Lee was born April 30, 1881; Martha Rachel, May 16, 1885; Phebe was born January 5, 1887, and died April 17, 1889; and Charles Harman was born August 28, 1889, and died March 16 of the following year. The parents are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and take great interest in the work of Zion Hill Congregation. In politics our subject is a strong Democrat, but has never aspired to office holding.