"Expansion and Growth"

The Third Decade

Sometime prior to March of 1883 Frederick received his inheritance of $1,000.00 from the estates of his mother, Brigitte (Henke) Helle and grandmother Anna Maria (Mettner) Henke. For $1,600.00 Frederick purchased 111 acres12 from James M. Bevard, Jr., and Ann E., his wife, bringing the total acreage of the farm to 200 acres, more or less.

The 1880's was a decade of building and consolidation of enterprises. As daughters approached adulthood they worked out by the day in neighboring households; their wages added to the family coffer. The sons helped run the farming operation and worked in the sawmill. As the need arose, more buildings -- barns, granaries. smokehouse -- were built.

On 6 December 1884 Franceska Elisabeth "Lizzie," the oldest daughter, married JOHN WESLEY ORWIG.

On 2 March 1885 the last child, WILHELM "WILLIE" AUGUST was born.

MARIA "MARY" was the second family member to leave the nest. She married JOSEPH GRAY on 20 April 1888.

"A New Generation"

--The Fourth Decade

The 1890's brought marriages and grandchildren in rapid succession.

Frederick, Jr., married EUPHAMIE MILLER 2 April 1881;

Maria Theresa "Tracy" married ROBERT SHERMAN FOUTS 16 December 1895.

Anton married SARAH BELLE HUFFMAN 9 January 1897.

Brigitta Bertha "Bert" married CHARLES HENRY BOLON 4 April 1897.

Martha Bernadina "Dena" married JOHN KUEHN 17 November 1897.

Katharina "Kate" Franziska married FRED  ARTHUR BLOUT 1 January 1898.

In August of 1896 the  family gathered at the home place for family portraits.

Back row:

George Adam Helle, "Mary" (Helle) Gray, Frederick Helle, Jr., "Lizzie" (Helle) Orwig, "Bert" (Helle) Bolon, and Anthony Helle.

Front row :

"KATE"  (Helle) Blout, "Carrie" (Helle) Walters, Frederick Helle Sr.,Katharine (Krauser) Helle

"Tracy (Helle) Fouts, and "Dena" (Helle) Kuehn.

Seated in front; Wilhelm "Willie" Helle,  photo taken Aug 1896

                               Dena Helle                                                   Kate Helle

  continued