Lewis Publishing Company, 1904

Transcribed from the original book by Kristin J. Vaughn © 2008

Jasper Helvey Page 574 For almost a half century Jasper Helvey has been a resident of Nebraska, and since 1859 he has made his home in Jefferson county, so that few if any of its settlers have a more intimate knowledge of its history from a personal recollection of events than has Mr. Helvey. His name should certainly be inscribed high among the honored pioneers, for he has contributed in large measure to the work of reclaiming the state for the purpose of civilization, and Jefferson county owes him much for its development along agricultural lines. He is the proprietor of the Pioneer Stock Farm and is one of the leading stock-raisers and dealers of southeastern Nebraska, while through his well directed labors he has achieved very gratifying success. Mr. Helvey was born in Huntington county, Indiana, on the 10th of December, 1842, a son of Joel Helvey and a grandson of Jacob Helvey. Both were natives of Virginia, representatives of a family noted for industry, integrity and courage. Joel Helvey was born in 1801 and after his removal to Huntington county, Indiana, he was married to Miss Mary Fouts, who was born in Ohio and belonged to an old Pennsylvania German family. In the year 1846 they removed to Missouri, settling in Atchison county, near the Missouri river, at Sonora. After two years he went to Fremont county, Iowa, where he continued until the fall of 1855, when he brought his family to Nebraska, casting in his lot among the pioneer settlers of Otoe county. Indians were numerous in the state at that time, and for miles one could ride over the prairies without coming to a fence to impede his progress. The land was still in its primitive condition, and deer, antelope and buffalo roamed over the country at will. In 1859 the family came to Jefferson county, setting at Little Sandy on the old military road, which was General Fremont's old trail. Joel Helvey was a typical pioneer, brave and resolute, undeterred by the hardships and privations of frontier life, and his labors proved of value in the early development and upbuilding of the state. He was a man firm in his opinions of right and wrong, yet possessed a kindly manner and generous sympathy, and in all his business dealings was strictly honorable. He died in 1864, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and his wife passed away in this county at the age of seventy-one years. He was a man of fine physique and vigorous constitution, and was thus well qualified to meet the conditions found upon the frontier. To him and his wife were born ten children: Thomas, of Jefferson county; Henry W., who was in the war and who died in the same county; Benjamin F., of Daykin; Jasper, of this review; Albert, who is living in Oklahoma; George, who is state solicitor of Nebraska; Hiram P., who is living in Fairbury; Joanna, of Daykin; Mrs. Sarah Guilford; and Caroline, who died in Otoe county. Jasper Helvey was but five years of age when his parents removed to Missouri, and he remained a resident of that state and Iowa until thirteen years of age, when he went with the family to Otoe county, Nebraska. It was on the 25th of May, 1859, when seventeen years of age, that he arrived in Jefferson county. He was an expert hunter in an early day and many deer, turkeys and buffalo fell before his sure aim. He spent a number of years upon the plains, making trips to government forts, and he has had some narrow escapes from the Indians. On one occasion he stopped to eat wild grapes on Blue river and looking across the stream he saw an Indian hiding in a patch of willow trees, drawing his bow to shoot him. Mr. Helvey, however, dodged under cover and managed to make his escape. Later he saw some government soldiers, to whom he reported the incident, but they refused to cross the river in pursuit of the red men, saying that they had lost one of their number in that patch of willows. Mr. Helvey followed the plains for seven years and then turned his attention to farming interests in Jefferson county. He was married November 1, 1868, in Saline county, Nebraska, to Miss Sarah J. Powell, and they have traveled life's journey together most happily for thirty-six years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years have gone by, while the labors of Mr. Helvey have been ably supplemented by the careful management of his wife in her houshold affairs. She was born in Graysville, Ohio, June 10, 1853, a daughter of John and Amelia (Blair) Powell, both of whom were natives of Ohio and died in Jefferson county, Nebraska. They came to Nebraska in 1865. While living in the Buckeye state her father engaged in business as a packer of and dealer in tobacco, and in this state he followed farming. He was a Populist in his political faith and his religious belief was that of the Christian church. He died at the age of sixty-seven years and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. In their family were seven children, of whom four are living: Lucy; Mrs. Helvey; Thomas J., of Powell, Nebraska; and Emma. Those who have passed away are Reuben, who was a soldier of the Civil war; James D., who also belonged to the Union army; and Lucinda. To Mr. and Mrs. Helvey four children have been born: H.W., who married Ada Shaw and has four children--Ethel, Hazel, Mabel and Lena; Ida, the wife of U.S. Moore, of White City, Kansas, by whom she has two children, Bertha and Alfred; Ora, who died at the age of three years; and Emma, who passed away at about the same age. They were bright little girls and their loss was deeply felt. It was in the year 1878 that Mr. Helvey took up his abode on the farm which he now owns. His landed possessions comprise thirteen hundred acres, and on his home farm is a fine country residence. There are good barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock, feed lots and pasture lands, a windmill, large scales for the weighing of the grain, the latest improved machinery, and in fact all modern equipments. There is also a natural grove of forest trees. The Pioneer Stock Farm is one of the best in southeastern Nebraska, and upon the place Mr. Helvey has from one to three hundred head of cattle. He also owns two mammoth Kentucky jacks and some fine Norman horses, and is one of the leading stock dealers of the state, carrying on a business which is now very extensive and profitable. For twenty years he was also engaged in buying stock with his brother, B.F., buying at Daykin, Powell, and K.C. and O. Junction. In politics Mr. Helvey is a stalwart Republican. He has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions of his party, and has served as county clerk with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents in 1866 and 1867 and part of 1868, but while he is never remiss in citizenship and in fact has been a co-operant factor in many measures for the public good, his attention is chiefly given to his business affairs, which are so capably and honorably managed as to bring to him a very desirable and gratifying financial return.