Pg 259

         JAMES HELVERSON, Jr., one of the pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, of 1841, now residing on section 26, Wapello Township, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., near Crawfordsville, Sept. 4, 1831, and is a son of James and Sally (Fitzpatrick) Helverson. His father was a native of Virginia, and went to Ohio at an early day, while his mother was born in Kentucky. Their union was celebrated in the Buckeye State, and they subsequently went to Montgomery County, Ind., where they were numbered among its pioneer settlers. Soon after their arrival in that county Mr. Helverson was appointed Register of Deeds in a land-office, which position he held for several years. In 1841, accompanied by his family, he emigrated to Louisa County, settling in Wapello Township, on section 35. There was a little log cabin upon the land, and into this the family moved. Its dimensions were only 14x14 feet, the door and roof were made of clapboards, and it contained a puncheon floor. One small window lighted the building, and on the east end of the house was a chimney built of mud and sticks, and when the east winds of winter were roaring the smoke was blown back into the little room, almost suffocating the inmates. Soon after coming to the county Mr. Helverson received a call to teach a subscription school in what was known as the Muscall School-house, which he accepted. He was a man of intellect, and during the first winter organized a debating society, probably the first in the State. He himself was a fluent speaker, and the times of meeting were gala days in the neighborhood. Politically Mr. Helverson was a democrat, and served as the first assessor of the county. He made its first tract book, in fact he was the only man who could have done the work. He organized all the districts in his township, and to him Louisa County owes much of her present prosperity. Of a jovial, genial nature, his home was the abode of hospitality, and all were sure of a cheery welcome.

Mr. and Mrs. Helverson were the parents of four children, who came to Iowa: Henry, now living in Louisa County; Emily, wife of Andy Carl, of Adair County; James, of this sketch, and William, who died at the age of twenty-three. The parents were both members of the Christian church. Mr. Helverson died in 1865, and his wife ten years previously.

James Helverson, Jr., came to Louisa County with his parents when ten years of age, and though he attended the district schools for a time his education has mostly been attained by observation and careful study. In 1855 his union with Miss Missouri Brazell was celebrated, and they became the parents of two sons: Sebastian, a resident of Louisa County, and Douglas, of Adair County, Iowa. After the death of his first wife Mr. Helverson was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth Wiser, widow of John Wiser, who died in 1865, and a daughter of Peter Lambert. She is a native of Virginia, and three children grace their union—Christina, Julia and Betsy. By her former marriage Mrs. Helverson had two children—Lydia A. and Samantha.

In 1862 Mr. Helverson responded to the President’s call for troops, enlisting in the 36th Iowa Infantry, and was assigned to Company C. He was mustered into service at Keokuk, and from there was sent to St. Louis, and then went to Helena, Ark., where he engaged in the battle between the Union and rebel armies under Gens. Price, Marmaduke and Shelby, in which 1,500 of the enemy were taken prisoners. Previous to this he had participated in the raid through Tennessee, which was for the purpose of keeping the enemy from Vicksburg. After the battle of Helena, under Gen. Steele, he aided in the capture of Little Rock during the fall of 1863, and in the spring of 1864 was sent to support Gen. Banks on the Red River campaign. He was wounded near Marks’ Mill by a gunshot in the left arm, after which he was sent to Little Rock, where he was mustered out of the service in the spring of 1865. Returning to his home, he once . . .

Pg 260

. . . more engaged in farming, and now owns ninety-five acres of land in a fine state of cultivation. Politically, he is a Republican, while religiously, he and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.