JOHN H. HELTSLEY was born October 18, 1838, in Todd County, Ky.; his parents are Michael and Dorothea (Sears) Heltsley, both natives of Kentucky. The father is engaged in farming and now living in this county; his age is nearly seventy years. The mother died in the fall of 1863, aged about fifty. John H. began for himself at the age of twenty-two years; he commenced by farming on the farm where he now resides, which then contained 112 acres; he held the farm sixteen years, then sold and moved to Arkansas. After remaining there one year he returned and bought the same farm; he now owns 448 acres, about 180 acres of which are improved; he handles live stock, buying and selling more extensively than any other person, except one, in this part of the county; he has at present sixty-four sheep, nine horses and mules, besides other stock. He was married January 29, 1860, to Margaret L. Craw-ford, of Todd County; her death occurred in 1864, aged twenty-four, leaving one son four years of age-since deceased. His second marriage was to Miss Nancy E. Roe, of Todd County, December 22, 1864. These parents have two children: James M. and Seymour W. Mr. Heltsley has been engaged in selling goods in Bivinsville for more than six years; he did a large and flourishing business for the size of the place; he disposed of his stock in April, 1884. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heltsley are consistent members of the Christian Church. Mr. William Roe was born in Virginia about the year 1818. When about twelve years old he moved to Robertson County, Tenn. There served five years at the tanner’s trade, and there remained until his marriage with Miss Margaret Bell about the year 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Roe were the parents of twelve children. Soon after his marriage Mr. Roe came to Todd County, Ky., and here pursued his trade, dressing skins and farming until about 1875, when he removed to Missouri, where he died the same year, his wife having died several years previously in Todd County, Ky.
