Biographical Sketch of G. W. Helderbrand, Johnson County, Missouri,
Post Oak Township

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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G. W. Helderbrand, one of Johnson county's most honored and esteemed
pioneers, was born in 1838 in Jefferson county, Missouri. He is a son
of Bartholomew and Anna (Richardson) Helderbrand. The great-grandfather
of G. W. Helderbrand, John Helderbrand, secured a charter from the 
Spanish King, granting Mr. Helderbrand land in Jefferson county, Miss-
ouri, in a very early day, when this territory was claimed by Spain.
Jonathan Helderbrand, son of John Helderbrand, inherited these land
grants and he emigrated from Spain to America and settled in Jefferson
county, Missouri on a vast tract of land and here his son, Bartholomew,
was born.  Jonathan Helderbrand was one of the first to bring civiliza-
tion to the wide, unbroken prairie land of Missouri, one of the brave
and noble few, who "blazed the way."  To such a man, enough praise and
glory can not be given.  He was a public spirited, patriotic citizen
of his adopted land and fought for the colonies throughout the Revolu-
tionary War.  Bartholomew Helderbrand was born in this section of the
country, long before Missouri became a state.  In 1864, G. W. Helder-
brand was united in marriage with Jane Medley, the daughter of W. H.
Medley, a pioneer of Missouri, who settled in Johnson county in 1866.
To G. W. and Jane Helderbrand have been born nine children, six of whom
are now living: Mrs. Emma Albin, Warrensburg, Missouri; Mrs. Jennie
Phillips, Leeton, Missouri; W. B., who resides in Oklahoma; Rosa, who
resides in Chilhowee, Missouri; Amos, Chilhowee, Missouri; and Dora,
who is married, Chilhowee, Missouri.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Helderbrand are
members of the Baptist church.  Mr. Helderbrand has the distinction of
being the oldest member of the church in Johnson county.  He joined the
church in 1872 and is the only member living, who belonged at that 
time.  In 1896, Mr. Helderbrand built his present residence on the site
that had been his home for forty-seven years.  Mr. and Mrs. Helderbrand
were married in Jefferson county, Missouri, but two years after their
marriage, they came to Johnson county and in 1866 settled on the farm 
in Post Oak township.  In 1870, he had prospered sufficiently to be
able to purchase sixty-six acres of land.  He has always been engaged
in farming and stock raising.  Years ago, G. W. Helderbrand pastured 
his sheep on the open prairie, where the present flourishing city of
Chilhowee is now situated.  When he came to this county, the prairie
was practically all open land.  Wild game abounded and roads were un-
known.  The settlers traveled along trails or followed their sense of
direction.  The lack of bridges and the countless deep pools and 
streams made travel very difficult and dangerous.  Supplies were 
secured from New Town.  Prairie fires were constantly feared and Mr.
Hilderbrand personally experienced two very destructive fires.  Many
times in his youth, he broke virgin sod, while driving a yoke of oxen.
Oxen were also used to draw the wagons, in which familes came to 
church.  In those days all the people went to church, some in wagons,
many on horseback, and several would walk the entire distance of many
miles across the prairie.  Reverend Amos Horn and "Uncle Billy" Cald-
well were two of the earliest pioneer preachers and later, Reverend
A. M. Cockrell.  Mrs. Helderbrand sheared the sheep, carded the wool,
spun the thread, wove the cloth, and fashioned a fine suit of "home-
spun broadcloth" which Mr. Helderbrand wore on his trip back East, to
visit relatives, in 1872.  Mr. Helderbrand has experienced all the
hardships and privations of pioneer life in a new country and many of
his experiences would teach valuable lessons to the youth of today.
He has worked, when a young man, for twelve dollars and fifty cents a'
month, which was considered a munificent sum and an exceptional 
remuneration.  His first investment was in two horses, in which 
investment he put all his savings, and shortly after the purchase both 
horses died.  That was only one of the many misfortunes, which have
befallen him, but not one has shaken his courage and a stern determin-
ation to make life a success.  Always looking on the sunny side of 
life, Mr. Helderbrand is a man whom it is a pleasure to know.  He and
Mrs. Helderbrand are worthy of the greatest consideration and respect.

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