William Helmke

On March 31, 1859, William D. Helmke was born in Hanover, Germany. At the age of 14, William left Hanover to make his new home in America with his step-brother, Henry Helmke, who resided on a farm near Napoleon.

William helped his step-brother farm until he met Louise Walters of near Napoleon. William and Louise were married and started their life together on a farm near Malinta.

William and Louise had three children: Louis, Ida, and Carl.

William's first wife died at an early age and was buried at Hope Lutheran Church Cemetery near Hamler, Ohio.

On September 24, 1889, he took a second wife, Sophia Tietje. Sophia was also from Hanover, Germany.

William and Sophia had four children: Emma, Mary, Ferd, and Emelia.

William and Sophia bought forty acres of wooded ground in Monroe Township, Section 24, which is now on State Route 281. They cleared enough ground to build a two room house and started clearing the rest of the land for farming.

August 27, 1917, William bought an 80 acre farm in Richfield Township, Section 28, which is now on State Route 65. This parcel of land was purchased for $10,200 from the Michael Donnelly Estate. This farm is now owned by Mrs. Leona Helmke which she purchased from the William D. Helmke Estate for $11,800 in 1942.

Sophia Helmke died on September 3, 1938, on the old homestead and William died November 27, 1941, at the home of his grandson Eldor Helmke.

William and Sophia are both buried at Emmanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery on State Route 109.

Louis Helmke, the oldest son of William and Louise, was born in 1885. During his early life Louis helped his father with farming and also hired out to other farmers in the area.

On April 29, 1911, Louis married Dora Rohrs, daughter of John H. and Magdalena (Fricke) Rohrs. They were married at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon by Pastor Daman.

They began their married life on a farm lh mile east of Ridgeville Corners on State Route 6. This was given to them by Dora's parents.

They were members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio.

Eldor, their only son, was born on July 19, 1912.

Louis and a neighbor, Ernest Aschemeier owned a threshing machine and did the threshing in the area.

Louis also worked a short time for the Ridgeville Telephone Company but his life time job was farming.

Louis died suddenly on April 12, 1938, at the age of 53. He was buried in St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Ridgeville Corners. Dora then made her home with her son Eldor and she died January 20, 1967, and was also buried at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery beside Louis.

Eldor, as a young boy, helped his father with farming. He attended the Ridgeville Local School and graduated from there in May of 1931.

[Photo, p. 246a] Four generations: Eldor F., Louis, William D. and Darlene A.

[Photo, p. 246b] Threshing at the William D. Helmke Farm

In 1934 Eldor started his lifetime career with The Woodman Accident and Life Insurance Company, from Lincoln, Nebraska.

On February 20, 1935, he married Leona Norden, daughter of John and Helen (Watchman) Norden. They were married by Pastor Herman Schult of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

They resided with Eldor's parents from the time of their marriage up until 1936.

In September of 1936, Eldor and Leona moved into their home on the Ridge Road, Section 35. This property was purchased from the Henry Wolf Estate for $1,800. This home was remodeled in 1949.

Eldor and Leona had two daughters, Darlene, born Oct. 1, 1935, and Mary Ellen, born Nov. 23, 1937.

Eldor served on the school board for several terms. He was active in his church and served St. Peter Lutheran Church as their president for 30 years.

Eldor was also a member of the Ridgeville Fire Dept. and captain of the rescue unit.

On June 28, Eldor died unexpectedly while at his cottage at Grand Lake where he and Leona spent many happy times together. Eldor is buried in St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Darlene and Mary Ellen both attended Ridgeville Local School. Darlene graduated in May of 1953 and Mary Ellen in May of 1955. Darlene and Mary Ellen went on to become registered nurses and both received their training at the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio.

On November 9, 1957, Darlene married Bill Myers, son of Fred and Virginia (Wright) Myers of Rainelle, West Virginia. They were married at St. Peter Lutheran Church by Pastor Henry Ide.

[Photo, p. 246c] Eldor and Leona's 25th wedding anniversary

After their marriage they lived in Lewisburg, West Virginia, for six months. They moved to Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, and from 1959 to 1970 lived in an upstairs apartment owned by Cleo Ruffer. This property is located on the Ridge Road between the Ridgeville School Building and St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In February of 1970 Darlene and Bill purchased the house they had been living in from Cleo Ruffer.

This house is a historical landmark. The house was built in 1880 and was owned by Le Roy Rogers. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers was one of the families who held socials to make money to purchase the bell for the Methodist Church in Ridgeville. February 7, 1882 newspaper account:

"Another social was held at the home of Leroy W. Rogers, in the finestand most commodious home in the whole community. Over 130 guests were served."

Bill and Darlene did an extensive remodeling job on the house. The original structure remains the same but a garage was added.

Bill and Darlene have one son, Steven Joel, born June 17, 1958.

Steve is going to be a senior at the Archbold High School and plays trumpet in the Archbold Band. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and auto mechanics. He works part-time at the Marathon Gas Station in Lugbill Division.

Bill, in the earlier part of his married life, was a barber at Defiance, Ohio. Presently he is employed at General Motors in Defiance.

Darlene is employed at the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, Ohio. She is the Associate Director of Nurses.

The Myers are active members of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Ridgeville Corners.

Mary Ellen was married to H. James Fedderke, son of Henry and Amelia (Kruse) Fedderke, on May 10, 1958, in St. Peter Lutheran Church by Pastor Henry Ide.

Their first home was in a house owned by Jim's grandfather, Geroge Fedderke. This home was located on Allen Road 95, approximately 1/4 mile west off the Ridge Road.

On Nov. 12, 1964, Jim and Mary Ellen moved into their new home in Ridgeville Corners. This home is located in a new addition directly behind her mother's (Leona Helmke) home. The land was purchased from Carl Gerken.

[Photo, p. 247a] Darlene Helmke, Toledo Hospital, 1956

[Photo, p. 247b] Mary Ellen Helmke, Toledo Hospital, 1958

Jim and Mary Ellen have four children: Debra Lynn, born March 8th, 1959; Sandra Kay, born July 19, 1960, on her Grandpa Helmke's birthday; Jeffrey Scot, born November 14, 1962; and Michael James, born October 23, 1968.

Deb is going to be a junior at Archbold High School. She plays flute in the Archbold Band and is active in sports. During the summer she plays on the La Choy Softball Team.

Sandy is going to be a sophomore at Archbold High School. She is also active in sports and qualified in the 440 yard dash to run in the First Girls State High School Track and Field Championships held at Ohio State University Stadium.

Jeff is going to be a seventh grader and will attend the Ridgeville Building of the Archbold School. Jeff is active in sports and during the summer he plays on the Little League and All Star Baseball Teams.

Michael will be a first grader and will go to the Elmira Building of the Archbold School. Michael also is following his sisters and brother in an interest for sports and keeps his whole family hopping.

Jim, in his earlier married life was employed as a mason. He is now employed by Dinner Bell Meats in Defiance, Ohio.

Mary Ellen is employed at the Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon, Ohio. She is the 3-11 part-time supervisor.

The Fedderke's are active members of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Submitted by the Family