For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 492
JAMES H. HELVERSON....From the time of arriving at manhood James H. Helverson has been actuated by a desire to push ahead in the world, and by industry, sobriety and close attention to business he has in a large measure accomplished the object of his ambition, being now the owner of a valuable farm in Orono township, Muscatine county, Iowa. He was born in Louisa county, Iowa, in August 1863, son of Henry and Jenny ( Kemp ) Helverson, both of whom were born in Coshocton county, Ohio. They came with their respective parents to Des Moines county, Iowa, the heads of both families becoming identified with agricultural interests. Our subjects grandfather Helverson also taught school for a number of years and for two terms served as county clerk of Des Moines county. He passed away at the age of sixty-three years, his wife having died some years previously at the age of fifty. The mother of our subject was fifteen years old at the time of her marriage, her husband being six years her senior. Henry Helverson, like his father, taught school and also engaged in farming for six years, when he received the appointment to carry the mail from Des Moines county to Iowa City, continuing in this work for eight years. His next employment was in the mercantile business at Wapello, Iowa, but after three years experience as a merchant he sold out and returned to agricultural pursuits, in which he continued for the remainder of his life. He passed away in February, 1907, and his wife died one year later. Mr. Helverson was a man of good natural ability and received a thorough education at Mount Pleasant University, of which he was a graduate. He was greatly respected by those with whom he came in contact and made many friends by his gentlemanly address and kindly appreciation of the good qualities of others. There were the following children in his family : Josephine, now deceased ; Alonzo, of Knoxville, Iowa ; Stevens, of Montana ; Octave and Emma, both of whom are deceased ; Lillie, who died at the age of thirty-eight years ; and James H.Reared on the home farm under highly favorable conditions for the development of habits of industry, James H. Helverson received his education in the district schools, acquiring a good foundation for a general knowledge of his surroundings and of the world at large. He continued upon the farm until twenty-one years of age and then rented land for one year, after which he started out to see the world and was absent in the west for three years. Returning to Louisa county, he again engaged in farming as a renter. At the age of thirty years he was married and located in Conesville. In the meantime, he cultivated a farm belonging to his wife and after living upon that place for three years removed to Knoxville, Iowa, and engaged for a year in the butcher business. Being convinced that the farm held out superior inducements he disposed of his interests at Knoxville and purchased the Uncle Joe Nelson farm, which consists of four hundred and twenty-seven acres on sections 20 and 29, Orono township. He has devoted a great deal of time and energy to the improvement of this place, which now yields a handsome income upon the investment. In addition to the raising of cereals he handles stock, which he is able to place upon the market in first-class condition.
On the 20th of March, 1894, Mr. Helverson was united in marriage to Miss Cora Belle Maxwell, of Orono township, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Maxwell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Helverson, namely : Flossie M., born February 28, 1895 ; Dewey J., born May 1, 1898 ; and Ival J., born September 2, 1905.
Politically Mr. Helverson is in hearty accord with the democratic party, and although he has not sought public office he has seved to the general acceptance of the pople of the community for six years as justice of the peace. He is a valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Columbus Junction and of the Modern Brotherhood of America at Conesville. He is not connected with any religious denomination, but is friendly toward them all and is a liberal contributor to all worthy enterprises, assisting to the extent of his ability in adding to the comfort and happiness of his fellowmen.
Back to Biographical Index Page