Helsel Family Tree

This family tree is a work in progress, starting with the ancestors of Calvin Helsel with the earliest record dating to 1520 in Switzerland.

December 25, 2020

Two months ago I began working on tracing my family ancestry starting with my mom's family in hopes of finding some interesting things as a surprise for both of you. I first began on Calvin's side of the family since I felt that none of us knew too much. I have started working on Grammy's side also but am still working on that & hope to show you everything soon!

I have traced both the Helsel line and the offshoot Claar line.

The Clar line begins with Hans Clar and Elisbet Herd in Switzerland. Hans was born in 1520 in Dürrenäsch, Kulm, Aargau, Switzerland and moved to Leutwil, Kulm, Aargau, Switzerland where his son, Kleinhans Clar/Glar, was born in 1546 and where Hans passed in 1612.

Kleinhans lived in Leutwil his whole life, passing in 1612. His son, Balthasar Glar Gloor, was born here in 1590 and passed in 1646.

Balthasar Klar/Clar Klahr, son of the first Balthasar, moved the family out of Switzerland and across the border to Mimbach, Blieskastel, Germany. It is possible the family was associated with the Anabaptist movement, specifically the branch known as Mennonites , and had to flee from Switzerland due to increasing religious conflict. Balthasar was the last of his family to live and die in Germany.

Balthasar's son, Jacob Clar and his wife Anna Maria may have begun the split from the Anabaptist/Mennonite movement as all their children were baptized in the Mimbach-Webenheim Reformed Church (see Figure 1 & 2 below).

Figure 1: outside of the Mimbach Reformed Church

Figure 2: inside of the Mimbach Reformed Church

In 1740, the Clar family began travel to America; however, the ship on which they traversed across the Atlantic is unknown because Johann and Anna did not live to disembark and sign the ship's passenger list. Passengers were not required to sign anything when they first boarded the ship, but because the colonies were the property of the English monarchy, anyone desiring to disembark was required to sign a list swearing an oath of allegiance to the king of England. Only males over the age of sixteen were required to sign and take the oath, and if the parents died enroute, the children under the age of sixteen would become the legal property of the ship's captain. He could release or sell such children as he saw fit.

On their journey to the new world, Jacob and Anna Maria must have succumbed to one of the deadly diseases which were common on ships of that day (perhaps smallpox, typhoid, scurvy or any of the numerous others which spread in the crowded and often unsanitary conditions of ship travel). The only clue that points to the family's fate is a single newspaper advertisement that daughter Barbara Clar placed in Christopher Sauer's newspaper, the Pennsylvania Geschicht-Schreiber on May 16th 1747. Her ad stated that, “Simon Klaar arrived in this country six years ago and was indentured as a servant. His sister Barbara became free two years ago and she seeks her brother”. The fact that Barbara noted that her brother had been indentured as a servant is the basis for assuming that their parents had died at sea. Johann Simon Clar would have been only seven or eight years old at the time and his new master probably filled the void formed by his parents' recent death.

Sometime in the early 1750's Johann Simon Clar married Anna Margaretha Klee, a daughter of Johann Nicholaus Klee Jr. of the town of Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania. Johann Simon Clar was listed on one tax assessment roll as a saddler. In later years he appears to have occupied his time with farming. When he died, his estate inventory revealed combmaker's tools. He served as a Saddler with General Edward Braddock and Colonel George Washington when they went to Fort Duquesne near Pittsburgh in the French & Indian War (1755-1759) (see Figure to the left).

During the Revolutionary War, Johan Simon Clar served as a Captain in the York County Militia. In April of 1778, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the Second Company of the Sixth Battalion under the name Simon Clear (see Figure 4). By June of 1779, he had been promoted to Captain of the First Company of the Seventh Battalion under Major James Lilly & Colonel James Thompson at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (PA. Archives, 6th Series, Vol. II, p. 563, 6-17-1779; 3rd Series, Vol. VII, p. 91, 1780; 6th Series, Vol. II, p. 735; Vol. III, p. 1473, Muster Roll, 1785, Hanover, PA. York County Militia; 1st Co., 7th Bn., York County Militia). Records show that he was still being listed as Captain even after the war had ended, in 1785 he was recorded as Captain of the Hanover Company.

Figure 4: Revolutionary War Battalions and Militia Index, 1775-1783

At some time between the years 1790 and 1794, Anna Margaretha Clar died. Soon after her death, Johan Simon Clar moved to Bedford County, Pennsylvania where he met and married Eva Catherine Lingenfelder (a daughter of Abraham and Barbara Lingenfelder). A son, Samuel, was born to the marriage. Johan Simon Clar died September 19th 1812 at the age of 80 years. His second wife, Eva Catherine, resided with her only son, Samuel, until her death in 1840.

Frederick (see Figure to the right), Simon's son, and his wife Christina Walter settled in the rugged, forested area of northeastern Bedford County in the year 1800 to start their home (Figure 6). Records demonstrate various spellings at this point of the last name, including Klahr. This may be the why this city located in Blair County that Frederick and Christina lived was named Klahr.

Figure 6: home of Frederick and Christina Claar

The history of the Claar Congregation, both Upper and Lower, begins with the coming of a young couple (Figure 7). Their homestead included the area where the Upper Claar Church, cemetery, and parsonage are now located. Every fourth weekend, preachers from Yellow Creek in western Morrison's Cove came across the mountain to hold services with the Claars and their neighbors. Meetings were held in the barns in summers and houses in winter. Turns were taken by different families to host the service. They had no facilities for lovefeasts . If they wanted to attend a lovefeast, they walked across the mountain to Woodbury.

Figure 7: news article discussing Frederick and Christina's life and their contributions to the Bedford area and the local Church of the Brethren

By 1851 there was a desire to erect a church building. Frederick and Christina donated the land on which was built a 26' x 36' church. It stood about where the parsonage is now located. In 1868, it was enlarged so that lovefeasts could be held.

In 1886, the Claar Congregation was organized with 130 members. By 1891 they decided that they needed a more centrally located building which led to the building of the Lower Claar Church. It was used sometimes alternatively or for larger gatherings, but not everyone was in favor of moving, due to the fact that loved ones were buried in the nearby cemetery and that they liked worshipping in the same location. As a result, in 1892, a new building was built near to the location of the old church (Figure to the right).

The Claar congregation is part of the Church of the Brethren, a denomination stemming from both the Reform and Anabaptist movements in Germany which may explain the Claar family's connection to both movements.

Frederick's granddaughter, Marietta Claar, daughter of Joseph Claar and Esther Ickes, married Albert Helsel. Although the two families had been living in the same area for decades, both Helsels and Claars fought in the York militia together during the Revolutionary War, this was the first time the two families became joined.

Albert and Marietta Helsel are your great grandparents. Census records show Albert held various jobs over the years. In 1900 he worked as a huckster, a door-to-door salesman, and in 1910 he worked as a laborer for the railroad. Albert and Marietta had a large family (Figure to the right, Edward your grandfather is the first in the back row on the left side). Marietta's obituary states the couple has 12 children total (Figure 10).

Edward Helsel, second oldest of Albert & Marietta (Figure to the right), married Grace Mae McNulty. Edward registered for the draft for World War 1 (Figure 12) however it is unclear whether or not he served. He also held several different jobs including a store clerk position at a meat market until their farm was started sometime between 1930 and 1940.

Edward also registered for the World War II draft (Figure 13) but it doesn't appear he served. At this time he would have been 59 years old and a well established farmer (Figure to the left).

The Helsel line also has deep and rich roots in Central Pennsylvania. However, our earliest found ancestor, Peter Hoeltzel, was born in 1589 in Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, a state formed in 1567 under the Holy Roman Empire, but now is a part of modern day Germany. His son, Peter Hoeltzel, and grandson, Hans Jacob Hõltzel, also lived in Hesse-Kassel, primarily in the Bergstrasse district.

Phillip Wendel Hoeltzel, Hans Jacob's son, was born in the German area known as Baden-Wuerttemberg, south of Hesse-Kassel. Here he started his family with his wife Anna Maria. In 1746 a massive flood event damaged much of their town including the church the family belonged to. They left shortly after and the new church was rebuilt around this time (Figure 15). Phillip and his son Johann Tobias Heltzel along with the rest of the family landed in Philadelphia on September 7th 1748.

Figure 15: church built during the time the Hoeltzel's were living in Germany after the first was destroyed in a flood

They settled in Paradise Township, York County, Pennsylvania where Johann Tobias operated a farm that eventually grew to 200 acres. He served in the York Militia during the Revolutionary War and participated in the Battle of Brandywine. He and his first wife, Angela Elisabeth Mohr, had eleven children. Johann died circa October/November 1792. At the time of his death, his goods and chattels were valued at £443/15/6 less book value for grain not sold amounting to £210/1/4. His total estate amounted to £1705/5/0d. His second wife, Anna Maria Brenner survived him by five years. Below you can read a transcription of his last will and testament.

Tobias Heltzel of Paradise Township in the County of York and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman, being sick and weak in Body but of a sound and disposing Mind, Memory, and Understanding, blessed be Almighty God for the same. Do Make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say). First, I order and Will that all my just debts and funeral Charges, shall be paid and Satisfyed. Item, I give and Bequeath unto my beloveth Wife Anna Mary my Bed and Bedstead and bed furniture, so that it may be called a good Bed and one Iron pot and One Iron Pan, and a Pewter Baison, and a Pewter Plate and four pewter Spoons, and one Cow the choice to her, which I give and Bequeath unto her over and above her Contract or Articles of marriage which I made with her before our Intermarriage (which she I shall have as her own Estate). And further my will is that all my Lands and Plantations (that is to say my two Plantations) Situate in Paradise Township in the County of York aforesaid Adjoining each other the upper place adjoyning Spring Forge Land and Lands of Michael Strasbach and the Lands heretofore sold and Conveyed to Casper Hock containing about One Hundred Acres, or upward and the lower place adjoyning the same, and Lands of John Herschy and Peter Wolf Esqr and Lands of Jacob Miller Containing about one hundred and fifty Acres (more or less) that shall all be sold with all my whole Personal Estate by my Executor herein afternamed by the best Advantage that they can have, and that in Such a manner as my Executors shall think it best; And my Will is that from the first money coming in from my Estate the Sum of one hundred Pounds shall be put out on Interests and my said Wife shall have the full Interest thereof yearly as long as she be my Widow; And from the Remainder of my Estate my Will is that my Daughter, Scharlot, now the Wife of Martin Schwartz and my Son Henry Heltzel, and my Son Philip Heltzel each of them shall have the Sum of Ten Pounds in Gold, or Silver Coin which shall than be their full Share out of all my Estate and no more. And than all the remainder of my Personal Estate (that is to say, the money therefor coming in with the remainder of the first payments for my Lands and plantations) that shall than be equally Divided among and Between my other Children namely Eve now the Wife of Jacob Weier and Elisabeth now the Wife of John Boss, and Sophia now the Wife of William Heins, and Catherine now the Wife of Jacob Geiger and Margaret Heltzel, and my Sons John Heltzel and Tobias Heltzel to one of them as much as to the other if the Three aforementioned Children have first received their share so as the abovesaid (namely each the sum of Ten Pounds as aforesaid). And than the remainder of the money comming in from my Lands that shall also be equally Divided among my Children Namely Eve and Elizabeth and Sophia and Catharine and Margaret and John and Tobias Heltzel in manner following (that is to say) that always the money that is comming in in one year shall always be divided in three equal Shars. and to them paid according to their Sussession of age, and so on till to the Youngest so that they shall be made equal in Share as aforesaid. And after my Wifs decease or Second marriage which shall happen to be first they One hundred pounds that was on Intereft shall than be also equally divided again among and between my Childrens Namely, Eve. and Elizabeth. and Sophia and Catharine. and Margaret, and John and Tobias Heltzel to one of them as much as to the other, but Concerning the Share of my Daughter Catharine of all as before mentioned my Will is that the principal sum thereof Shall be paid out on Interest, and she shall yearly have the Interest thereof till to the time that she do Repent and learn to keep House that my Executors shall tink it proper or good to give her the Principal Sum thereof. And Lastly I do hereto appoint and Nomenate my trusty neighbours John Beyer, and John Joseph to be the Executors of this my Last Will and Testament Whome (or the Survivor of them); I the said Tobias Heltzel do hereby Intitle to Execute a Deed or Deeds of Conveyances to the purchasor of my Lands and Plantations, according to Law; hereby Revoking all former Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Eighth day of October. In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety Two.

Johann's son, who shared the same name as him moved the family from York County to Bedford County. He was buried in a cemetery Dutch Corner, Bedford County; the name on his grave marker "John Heltzel" suggesting he went by John throughout his life (Figure 16).

John's son William Samuel Heltzel along with his wife Mary Gosser (Figure 17) continued the family tradition of farming.

Figure 17: a photo of Mary Gosser, wife of William Samuel Heltzel

William also served in the Civil War as a Union soldier along with his son Daniel. Below is his pension card (Figure 18) and his name in a Civil War registry showing he was specifically a Naval officer (Figure 19).

Figure 18: William Samuel Heltzel's pension card from the Civil War, indicating he may have gone by Samuel

Figure 19: William Samuel Heltzel in a list of Naval officers who served during the Civil War (fifth from the bottom)

Following William's time in the Civil War, he and Mary moved to Missouri with several of their children and spent the remainder of their life. They are both buried in Exeter city in Barry County (Figure 20 & 21).

Figure 22: a young Daniel Heltzel as he was embarking as a Union soldier

Daniel Heltzel (Fig 22), like his father, became a Union soldier (Fig 23). Unfortunately, his military service was fairly short, lasting only about two months. He died in the regimental hospital at Camp Relay, Maryland of Typhoid fever November 1st, 1862 at 21 years of age.

Figure 24: Daniel's Civil War pension which his widow Julia likely collected

Figure 25: Julia (Exline) Heltzel Feathers

His son Albert (see earlier entry about Albert and Marietta (Claar)), your great grandfather, was only a year old and his younger sister, Mary, would not be born yet for another five months when their father passed. His young wife, Julia, widowed so young decided to remarry. Her and her new husband Samuel/Simon Feathers had several more children and raised Albert and Mary alongside them.