Among the descendants of German ancestry in Mount Olive who should be
named in a work relating to the best citizens of Macoupin county is
George W. Helmbold, for many years town clerk of Mount Olive and also
successfully engaged in mining. He was born in Bunker Hill, October 19,
1864, a son of John and Dorothy (Bornkamp) Helmbold. The parents were
both natives of Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to America after growing
to maturity in their native land. The mother was twice married, her
first husband being Diedrich Danklef, and there were several children
born to this union. Mr. Helmbold was a laboring man at Bunker Hill. In
1879 he came to Mount Olive and assisted in sinking the shaft in No. 9
mine. He made his home in Mount Olive until his death, which occurred
December 12, 1881.
George W. Helmbold was reared under the
parental roof and in the common schools acquired the foundation of his
education. Later he pursued a business course at Greer’s Business
College in St. Louis. Upon leaving college he returned to Mount Olive
and began working in the butcher shop conducted by his stepbrothers John
and Henry Danklef. After eight or ten years he transferred his
allegiance to Richard Engelman, who was in the same line of business,
and continued with him six years. He then entered the employ of John
Lawson and was associated with him about six years, being connected with
the butcher business for a total period of about twenty-one years. After
leaving this line of work he engaged with Henry Danklef in railroad
contracting but later resigned his position and has ever since been
identified with mining in this region.
In 1885 Mr. Helmbold was
married to Miss Marie PfifYner, a native of Switzerland, who came to
America with her mother in 1880, the father having died in the old
country. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Helmbold, six of
whom survive, namely: Dorothy, who is the wife of William E. Schwing, of
Mount Olive; Olga, the wife of Martin Bub, of Mount Olive; Frank, who
makes his home in St. Louis, Missouri; and Anna, Amanda and Josephine,
all of whom are at home.
In politics Mr. Helmbold is a supporter
of the democratic party and is now serving as town clerk of Mount Olive,
a position he has held for sixteen years past with the exception of two
years, discharging his duties in a manner to meet the hearty approval of
taxpayers. Fraternally he is identified with Acme Lodge, No. 707, I. O.
O. F., and has filled the office of secretary of this organization
continuously for sixteen years past. He is very favorably known in Mount
Olive and throughout Macoupin county and socially is much esteemed. He
is a prosperous business man, whose efforts have been directed along
strictly legitimate channels and have met with deserved recognition.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 708-709.
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