My Genealogy Hound

HENRY AUGUST WILLIAM HELMHOLZ is one of the very earliest settlers of the village of Three Oaks, having come hither at a period so early in the history of the place that there were but sixteen families located here. Many years have come and gone since then; there have been remarkable changes and wonderful improvements, and the village is now one of the most thriving in southwestern Michigan. These happy results have been secured through the exertions of a number of public-spirited men, of whom Mr. Helmholz is one. His is one of the familiar faces of Three Oaks, and in his little shop he has industriously worked at his trade as a shoe-maker for thirty-five years.

A native of Hanover, Germany, the subject of this sketch was born on the 9th of June, 1832. His parents, Henry and Louisa Helmholz, were natives of Germany, and died, the former when our subject was quite young, and the latter in 1883. They were the parents of a large family of children, four of whom survive, namely: Charles, who makes his home in Hamburg, Germany; Charlotte, a resident of Luneburg, Germany; William, of Cincinnati; and Henry A. W., of this sketch. The father followed his trade of a cooper, and was an industrious, honorable man, whose early death was deeply mourned.

In the schools of Dahlenburg, Hanover, Germany, the subject of this sketch received an excellent education, fitting him for life’s active duties. He served an apprenticeship of four years at the shoemaker’s trade, after which he worked as a “jour” for six years, traveling from place to place and engaging in mending shoes. On the 16th of November, 1857, he left his native land and took passage on a vessel bound for America. Arriving in this country, he proceeded directly to Chicago. Thence he went to Michigan City, Ind., and from that place, after a sojourn of two months, he came to Three Oaks, and for two years traveled through the surrounding country, following his trade. In 1858 he opened a shop, where he has since engaged in business.

On the 12th of January, 1862, Mr. Helmholz was united in marriage with Miss Frederica, daughter of Tobias Henzler. Mrs. Helmholz was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and emigrated to the United States about 1852. She became the mother of six children, of whom five are now living, viz.: Lottie, who is the wife of Mathew Hauser, a farmer residing in Three Oaks; Lena, the wife of William Waltz, a harness-maker residing in Three Oaks; Amelia, a clerk in the post-office at Three Oaks; William, a book-keeper, who resides with his parents; and Charles, a clerk in the store of James L. McKee.

Ever since becoming a citizen of the United States, Mr. Helmholz has cast his ballot in favor of the candidates and principles of the Republican party. He is identified with the German Workingmen’s Society. Himself and wife, with all their children, are active members of the German Lutheran Church, toward the support of which they contribute regularly and generously. At the time of emigrating to this country, Mr. Helmholz was very poor, with scarcely any of this world’s goods to call his own, and all that he now has he acquired through industry and economy.