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Henry Helt of Lykens – Served as Artilleryman in War
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on April 24, 2019
Henry Helt was born about 1844 in Pennsylvania, the son of David Helt (1817-1883) and Elizabeth [Miller] Helt (1823-1901). In 1850, he was living with his family in Rush Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where his father was a farmer. By 1860, Henry was engaged in farm work in Jackson Township, Dauphin County.
On 6 December 1862, Henry enrolled in the 3rd Pennsylvania Artillery, Company D, as a Private, at Harrisburg, and was mustered into service at the same place on 12 December 1862. He served honorably through his discharge on 9 November 1865.
After the Civil War, Henry Helt married Sarah A. Sierer, the daughter of Jacob Sierer and Elizabeth [Derrick] Sierer. The couple had at least four known children.
In 1870, the Henry Helt family was living in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County, where Henry was working as a carpenter.
In 1880, the Henry Helt family was living in Lykens, Dauphin County, where Henry was serving as Justice of the Peace.
On 25 January 1886, Henry died and was buried at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Lykens. His stone, pictured above (top of post), was provided by the government and includes his military service, but not his dates of birth and death.
Henry Helt never applied for a pension for his service. However, on 19 July 1886, Sarah A. [Sierer] Helt applied for widow’s benefits, which she collected until her death in 1925.
For his service in the Civil War, Henry Helt was named on the Lykens G.A.R. Monument as a Private who joined the Heilner Post after its organization.
If any readers have additional information about Henry Helt, it should be submitted via comments to this post or via e-mail.
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