My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Wayne County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Henry A. Helton, clerk of the circuit and criminal courts at Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Wayne County on the 11th of January, 1846, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Morgan) Helton, natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. Jesse Helton, our subject’s grandfather, came to Tennessee with his family about 1819 or 1820 and located on the head waters of Indian Creek, in Wayne County. He was a hatter by trade, also a mill-wright, and gave the most of his attention to the latter occupation. He was one of the successful men of his day, and died in Hardin County about the beginning of the late war. Our subject’s father spent the greater part of his life in Wayne County and is now residing a short distance south of Waynesboro. Henry A. received a common school education in his boyhood days, and in December, 1862, enlisted in the Federal Army in Company F, Sixth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. In 1867 he engaged in the liquor business in Waynesboro, but at the end of two years converted the business into a family grocery and general merchandise store, which he conducted until 1872. Since that time he has been almost constantly engaged in the mercantile and drug business, being a member of the firm of Turman, Helton & Co. Mr. Helton was a Republican from the time of the war up to the Kuklux troubles in this section, in 1870, and postmaster here three years under Grant’s administration. He was elected register of the county in 1869, serving until 1873. May 18, 1876, he was appointed by Judge T. P. Bateman to the office of clerk of the circuit and criminal courts to fill a vacancy, and the following August was elected to the office, and has filled it very efficiently, by re-election, up to the present time. January 21, 1869, he married Samantha C. Christie, and four children have blessed their union: Lemuel L., Walter A., Charles J. and Serepta. Mr. Helton is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the K. of H. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 76 biographies included in The History of Wayne County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Lawrence County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

View additional Wayne County, Tennessee family biographies here: Wayne County, Tennessee

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.