Helphrey, Peter 1845-1920

HELPHREY, KENNEDY, MILLER

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 5/1/2005 at 16:50:37

CIVIL WAR VETERAN ANSWERS FINAL CALL
Peter Helphrey, Brave Soldier and for Many Years Chief of Newton Fire Dept. Passes Away

One by one, the old veterans of the Civil War are passing away, responding to the bugle’s last call of “Tattoo—Lights Out”; and it will not be long before the heart of the last member of the old Grand Army of the Republic will be stilled forever, and the brave men who fought with Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Logan and others to save the country during the dark days of the Sixties will all have heard the grand Reveille on “Fame’s Eternal Company Ground”.

The last of the local veterans to pass away was Peter Helphrey, well known by nearly everybody in this community and highly esteemed by all. His death occurred at his home on Second Avenue Southeast, about 4:20 o’clock Monday morning, aged seventy-five years. The disease which caused his death was pernicious anemia, which first appeared several years ago. Its deadly work was very slow, however, and it was not until the 8th of last April that he was finally compelled to take to his bed. During all these four months he has borne his suffering patiently knowing that he could never recover, and ready for the final summons at any time: his chief concern being that he might not be too great a care for his wife, son and daughter who tenderly ministered to him at all times.

One sad feature was the fact that his daughter, Miss Maggie, was compelled, nearly a fortnight ago, to go to a Sanitarium at Savannah, Missouri, to be treated for a very serious malady. Her father thought that she was merely in another room taking a needed rest. She had been greatly devoted to her father, and it almost breaks her heart that she could not have been with him when the last summons came.

Peter Helphrey was born near Utica, Ohio, April 17 1845. In 1853 when but eight years old, he came to Iowa with his father, the late Israel Helphrey. They settled in Nevada; where the boy grew to young manhood, and where in August, 1862, he enlisted as a soldier in Company A, 23rd Iowa Infantry. He was in all the great battles with Gen. Grant in the Mississippi campaign. His health finally broke down and on August 1, 1863, he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg, and he returned to his parental home in Story county. It was many months before he was restored to health.

On April 4, 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Kennedy of Newton, a daughter of the late Stockton Kennedy. They first went to housekeeping on the George Miller farm near where the village of Metz now stands. He afterward bought a farm near Oak Grove nine miles northwest of Newton, which he later sold to Thomas McDermott who still owns it. In 1880 he and his little family moved to Newton and this has been their home ever since.

He was a member of the Newton fire department for thirty-eight years ­ since 1882 ­ and served as its chief for three years; he still held his membership at the time of his death. He was also deputy city marshal for a number of years.

He was converted under Billy Sunday’s preaching in Des Moines, in 1914. The great evangelist’s father was a comrade of Mr. Helphrey in the Civil War. Although not a member of any denomination, he always affiliated with the local Christian church and was liberal in its support. In all the walks of life, no man was truer or more dependable than Pete Helphrey, as he was known by everybody. He was also a member of Garret Post G.A.R.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Helphrey; one died in early childhood. The two surviving are Miss Maggie Helphrey and Burl Helphrey, both of this city, who with their mother mourn the death of a devoted husband and father. He is also survived by two brothers and one sister ­ David Helphrey of Leeton, Missouri, Israel Helphrey of Ogden, Iowa, and Mrs. George W. Miller of near Metz. Israel was a soldier in the 23rd Iowa, in the same company with Peter.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, in Morgan’s Funeral Home. The family pastor Rev. Helser, being absent, the services will be conducted by Dr. Geo. C. Williams of the Congregational church. Miss Frankie Morrow will furnish the music.

The pallbearers will be; Asa Meredith, Ira Nichols, Hans Rasmussen, John Newson, Frank Baker, Orville Lowry and Lyman G. Weaver ­ all members of the Fire Company. All arrangements for the funeral were made by Mr. Helphrey. A number of comrades of Garret Post will act as honorary pallbearers and escort. ~ The Newton (IA) Daily News Aug. 3, 1920

Originally submitted on Mon Sep 16 21:31:05 2002 by Dee Helphrey Stamper (Deceased)