James Helverson 1831-1894

HELVERSON, BRAZELL, WEISER, LAMBERT, SPECK, LUNVALL

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 1/10/2021 at 09:14:52

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Wednesday, October 24, 1894
page 5

Fairview, October 17- Once more the mantle of death has been doubly thrown over the vicinity of Fairview. This time the victims were James Helverson and Mrs. Lydia A. Lunvall.

James Helverson was born near Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, Indiana, September 4, 1831 and died at his home in Wapello township, Louisa county, Iowa, near Fairview, October 12, 1894, his age being 63 years, 1 month, and 3 days. Mr. Helverson came to Louisa county, Iowa, with his parents in 1841 at the age of ten years. His education was received in the limited district schools of pioneer days. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. In 1855 Mr. Helverson was united in marriage to Missouri Brazell and to them were born two sons, Sebastian and Douglas, both of whom are living. In 1876 he was again married to Elizabeth Weiser, widow of John Weiser, she being a daughter of Peter Lambert and a native of Virginia. This union was graced with four children; one boy who preceded his father to the spirit world and three girls who are still living; Christina, who is the wife of Elmer Speck, station agent at Newport, Julia and Bettie, at home with their mother. Mrs. Helverson had by her former marriage two daughters, Lydia and Samantha. At the presidential call for troops in 1862 Mr. Helverson enlisted in the 36th Iowa infantry and was assigned to Company C. He was mustered in at Keokuk and thence to Helens, Arkansas where was his first engagement. He was in a number of battles and skirmishes. He was wounded near Mark's mill in the left arm by a gunshot. He continued in the service until the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. Politically, he was a true republican, and religiously he was a member of the M. P. church of the Fairview class. Mr. Helverson was a devoted husband and father. He was honored by all his neighbors and none could say anything of him except in praise. He was accommodating and social, always endeavoring to work for the good of others. during the last year he has repeatedly told the writer that he was ready to pass over whenever the Master called, He has suffered untold agony from that terrible disease, cancer, but seemed to bear it with great patience, resigning all to his Redeemer, with whom is now in Paradise.

Lydia A. Lunvall, step daughter of Mr. Helverson, was born October 27, 1866, in the house in which she died. She was married to Chas. Lunvall, July 29, 1889, and died October 12, 1894, at the age of 27years, 11months and 21 days. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Weiser. She leaves a mother, husband, child and other relatives and friends to mourn her early departure. It has cast a gloom over the entire community. We shall miss her pleasant face, her kind acts and her friendly ways, but such will be the doom of all. Mr. Helverson died at 6:30 p. m. and Lydia at 10:30 p. m. just four hours later, at a distance of three-fourths of a mile apart. Both bodies arrived at the church at the same time and were carried in together. Rev. Tague preached the funeral to the largest concourse of people ever seen at Fairview. Both were taken to the graves and lowered at the same time and both graves were filled at the same time. Their bodies were laid away in the Fairview cemetery to await the resurrection morn when we expect to clasp hands on the shores of deliverance.