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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [285-286]

           HENRY HELLEMS, farmer on section 17, and a blacksmith by
        vocation, is the first settler in the present township of Dwight,
        of which he became a resident in the fall of 1856. He purchased his
        claim, and in order to reach his land, traversed an old lumber
        route from Port Austin, a distance of two and a half miles, and on
        reaching its termination was obliged to cut his way through the
        unbroken forest. He was accompanied by his wife and five children.
        His farm included 320 acres, and he cleared a small space as soon
        as possible, on which he erected a log shanty. He afterward gave
        two of his sons 80 acres each, and sold 80; and of the 80 acres
        which has since remained in his possession, he has 50 acres under
        cultivation. The log shanty was long ago replaced by a modern
        dwelling, and the place is fitted with other suitable farm
        buildings.
           MR. HELLEMS is a Republican of decided views, and has been
        prominent in the management of the local township affairs. He has
        officiated 12 years as Notary Public, has been Supervisor five
        terms, Justice of the Peace two terms, School Director three terms,
        and has held other minor official positions. In 1876 he was elected
        Master of the Dwight Grange, No. 602, and in the year following was
        reelected.
           MR. HELLEMS was born Sept. 27, 1811, in Welland Co., Ont. He
        obtained such education as the public schools of the section and
        period offered, and when he was 13 years of age was "bound out" to
        learn the trade of builder, being apprenticed to serve his time
        until he was 21 years old. He remained under the bond four years,
        and then left his employer on account of ill treatment. On becoming
        his own master, he engaged as a carpenter in his own behalf, and
        passed 13 years in the business. He then bought a farm, and in
        connection with his agricultural projects established a turning-
        shop, which he continued to operate until he resolved in 1856 to
        come to Michigan, to seek a field for the improvement of his
        fortunes.
           He is the youngest son of MATTHIAS and DOROTHY (BAKER) HELLEMS,
        natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Germany. After the mar-
        riage of his parents, they located in the Keystone State, and about
        the year 1806 they removed to Canada, where they made a permanent
        settlement and passed the remainder of their lives. They had eight
        children.
           MR. HELLEMS was first married in Welland Co., Ont., March 3,
        1833, to HARRIET F. CLARK. She bore him six children, — JOEL M.,
        ROBERT E. (deceased), HENRY B., JONATHAN B., ISAAC B. and JOHN T.
        (deceased). Their mother was born in the State of New York, and was
        the daughter of MAJOR JOEL B. CLARK, of New England origin and a
        prominent actor in the war of 1812. She died Sept. 2, 1848, in
        Norfolk Co., Ont.  MR. HELLEMS was a second time married, in
        Canada, to ABIGAIL ANGER, and of this marriage one child was born,
        DOROTHY E. The marriage of MR. HELLEMS to SUSAN COOK took place
        Nov. 20, 1856.  The names of their five children are JOSIAH C.,
        CHARLES W. (deceased), GEORGE W., ALLAN G. and MARY J. (deceased).
        MRS. HELLEMS is a native of Canada.
           A lithographic portrait of MR. HELLEMS is given on a preceding
        page, to accompany the above brief account of his life. In the
        minds of his friends, his features, as thus presented, will be
        associated with a life of pioneer toil, and also with a life of
        success, such as is attained by steady industry and strict
        integrity.

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