William immigrated to America with his father, mother, brothers Len and George, and sister Elizabeth. They arrived in New York 20 July 1840 on the Ship Elisha Denison. Upon arriving in North America, the family travelled to Waterloo County, Ontario, and settled on a farm in North Dumfries Township near Galt. It was there he met Sarah Crumback whom he married 17 August 1842 at Roseville.
William applied for naturalization papers in Canada and they were granted in December, 1853. In the winter of 1862, the family moved to Michigan and settled on a farm in Gaines Township. After a couple of moves in the area they settled on a virgin timber area in Bowne Township north and west of Freeport. The selected spot for the cabin and barn was near Duck Creek and had a large spring which furnished plenty of water and no well was ever needed. The buildings stood well back from the road, but shortly after the turn of the century, a new home was built out near the road. The reminiscences of the William and Sarah Helrigel family are from Earl Behler 12 July 1964 at the Behler Family Reunion.
"William Helrigel was a good shoemaker by trade. He made and repaired shoes and boots for his family and many of the neighbors. In the early days William had a bad temper and drank quite a lot. Sarah, his wife, said that the children were afraid to go to his shop. She was a kind and understanding woman who kept praying for him and he was converted. He became a good husband and father.
"I can say to the young people of our family that they have a right to be proud of both the Helrigel and Behler ancestry. Both were good pioneer stock that helped lay the foundations of our great country to make it grow and prosper. May the members of our family continue to uphold this proud tradition in the years ahead."
Sources:
1. http://ebybook.region.waterloo.on.ca/about.php
2. www.ancestry.com
3. Behler Family Reunion papers and data
4. Research by Roger Behler (great-great-grandson) at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
William immigrated to America with his father, mother, brothers Len and George, and sister Elizabeth. They arrived in New York 20 July 1840 on the Ship Elisha Denison. Upon arriving in North America, the family travelled to Waterloo County, Ontario, and settled on a farm in North Dumfries Township near Galt. It was there he met Sarah Crumback whom he married 17 August 1842 at Roseville.
William applied for naturalization papers in Canada and they were granted in December, 1853. In the winter of 1862, the family moved to Michigan and settled on a farm in Gaines Township. After a couple of moves in the area they settled on a virgin timber area in Bowne Township north and west of Freeport. The selected spot for the cabin and barn was near Duck Creek and had a large spring which furnished plenty of water and no well was ever needed. The buildings stood well back from the road, but shortly after the turn of the century, a new home was built out near the road. The reminiscences of the William and Sarah Helrigel family are from Earl Behler 12 July 1964 at the Behler Family Reunion.
"William Helrigel was a good shoemaker by trade. He made and repaired shoes and boots for his family and many of the neighbors. In the early days William had a bad temper and drank quite a lot. Sarah, his wife, said that the children were afraid to go to his shop. She was a kind and understanding woman who kept praying for him and he was converted. He became a good husband and father.
"I can say to the young people of our family that they have a right to be proud of both the Helrigel and Behler ancestry. Both were good pioneer stock that helped lay the foundations of our great country to make it grow and prosper. May the members of our family continue to uphold this proud tradition in the years ahead."
Sources:
1. http://ebybook.region.waterloo.on.ca/about.php
2. www.ancestry.com
3. Behler Family Reunion papers and data
4. Research by Roger Behler (great-great-grandson) at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
Family Members
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