James Q. Helphenstine

    James Q. Helphenstine, piano and organ dealer, Wilmington, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Madison County, December 27, 1837. His father, William, was born in Pennsylvania in 1801, and was drowned at Memphis, Tennessee in 1848. His mother, Mary (Powell) Helphenstine was born in Virginia in 1815, and died in July, 1862.

    James Q. came to Wilmington in 1846, and worked upon a farm until 1855, then engaged in butchering, continuing up to 1863. He was married, December 24, 1863, to Miss Eliza A. Shank. She was born in Marion County, Indiana, August 18, 1838, and one child, Belle, now Mrs. Johnson, was born to them. In 1864 Mr. Helphenstine moved to Ohio, kept hotel, was city weighmaster, and bought hay for the Government. He returned to Wilmington, May 11, 1866, and butchered up to 1868; then went in to the sewing machine business. January 11, 1871, he engaged in his present business, and has succeeded very well in the undertaking. His estimable wife was appointed postmistress at Wilmington in 1882. The entire family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885