My Genealogy Hound

John Helmendach. Also numbered among the first German settlers of Gasconade County are William and Barbara Helmendach, both of whom were born in Germany, the former in 1809, in Prussia, and the latter in 1813, in Baden. When twenty-one years of age William left home, went to London, and shipped from there to the United States, in order to escape military service. Two years later he arrived at Philadelphia, and there, in 1837, was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Fine. They came to Gasconade County, where they settled, reared a family of nine children, and here died, he in 1854, and she in 1870. Both were members of the Evangelical Church. John Helmendach was born in Roark Township, on his present farm, in 1841, and received a rather limited German education. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. Fritz Bade’s Company, of Fourth Missouri Infantry Volunteers, and served three years and three months. He participated in the following battles: Pea Ridge, Perryville, (Ky.), Missionary Ridge, and on through all the fights to Atlanta. He was discharged at the latter place, in September, 1864. Two years later he married Mary E. Bensing, who was born in Gasconade County in 1843, and who bore him seven children, five of whom are living. Mr. Helmendach is a successful farmer, and owns 167 acres; is a Republican in politics, and both he and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.