Helen Sophia (Bachelder) Andrews (abt. 1848 - abt. 1923)

Born about 28 Dec 1848 in Herkermer, St. Lawrence, New York

Descendants

Died about 6 Sep 1923 at about age 74 in Wessington, South Dakota

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Biography

Helen (Bachelder) Andrews (1848 NY-1923 SD) Obituaries. DEATH CALLS Aged Woman finishes Life's Labors and is Taken to her Eternal Home.

Mrs. S. F. Andrews passed away at her home in this city Thursday evening of last week after a lingering illness of several weeks. In fact she had not been well for a year or more, and during the past few weeks her condition was such that the end was expected. The deceased was a woman highly respected by all who knew her.

Obituary Helen S. Bachelder was born in Herkermer, St Lawrence County, New York, December 28th, 1848, and died at her home in Wessington, South Dakota, September 6th, 1923 being nearly seventy- five years of age. She was the youngest of ten children. In 1869 she came to South Dakota from Iowa where she became a teacher in the public schools, and located at Swan Lake where she was afterward made postmistress of that place. She was the first white woman to live in Turner County.

On September 9th, 1877 she was married to Simon F. Andrews. To this union there were born six children, Helen, Dean, Mrs. Mary Warren, and Margaret of Wessington, and Josephine and Shaw of Fourchette, Montana. The family came to Wessington in 1906 where they have since abided.

Mrs. Andrews was the daughter of a Congregational minister. She united with the Presbyterian Church of this city January 14, 1917, in which faith she passed to her reward.

The deceased was a lover of her home, in which she was honored as the "greatest mother that ever lived." This was a mark of special esteem by her own household. The days were not to long, neither the vigils too many for her to serve her family and friends.

Some years ago she began to weaken in the flesh and sought advice of physicians and for some time was under their care. About Thanksgiving time last year she suffered a severe decline but from this she rallied in the springtime sufficiently to busy herself with matters in the home. However, it was only temporary, and for some past weeks she has made rapid decline. For the last forty-eight hours she remained unconscious beginning the sleep "from which non ever wake to weep."

The funeral was conducted from the home September eighth by her pastor, Rev. H.C. Johnson, and the body was laid to rest in the Wessington cemetery.

DAKOTA PIONEER WOMAN FIRST IN MANY THINGS Parker, S.D., Oct. 1- Special: Mrs. S.F. Andrews who died recently at Wessington, S.D. enjoyed the distinction of being the first white woman to settle in Turner County. She was located at Swan Lake in 1870, was the first postmaster in Turner County and it is believed she also was the first school teacher in the county.

Her father was a congregational minister. Mrs. Andrews was born at Herkimer, N.Y., December 28, 1848. Before locating in Turner County in 1870 she was a resident of Iowa. She was married September 9, 1877, at Swan Lake, which was the home of herself and husband until 1906, when they moved to Wessington. She is well remembered by her surviving pioneers of Swan Lake and vicinity.

DEAD WOMAN FIRST TO GO TO TURNER COUNTY Parker, Oct. 1- Special: Mrs. S.F. Andrews (nee Helen S. Bachelder) who died recently at Wessington, S.D. enjoyed the distinction of being the first white woman to settle in this (Turner) County. She located at Swan Lake in 1870, was the first postmaster in Turner County and it is believed she also was the first school teacher in the county.

Her father was a congregational minister. Mrs. Andrews was born at Herkimer, N.Y., on December 28, 1848. Before locating in Turner County in 1870 she was for a time a resident of Iowa. She was married on September 9, 1877, at Swan Lake, which was the home of herself and husband until 1906, when they moved to Wessington. She is well remembered by her surviving pioneers of Swan Lake and vicinity.

Notes from Turner County History: EARLY HISTORY---The first settlement of Turner County dates back to July, 1869, when claims were taken at Swan Lake by W. W. Aurner, Colonel G. C. Moody; S. H. Elliot, F. C. Hills and G. M. Ripley.

In September of the same year, the first house in Turner County was built by W. w. Aruner. It was made of a huge pile of sods, finished inside with rough cottonwood lumber. The first white woman that made this county her home was Miss Helen N. Batchelder. This lady and her sister, Miss A. J. Batchelder, came into the county with Mr. Aurner, their brother-in-law. Mr. Aurner returned east for the balance of his effects and the first named lady was installed as housekeeper for several days. It is presumed that her duties as such, kept her sufficiently employed, as she found no time to visit her nearest neighbor who was only twenty miles distant. Mr. Aurner and family were the only settlers here until the next summer (the parties taking claims at the same time failed to make a personal settlement), when they were joined by Vale P. Thielman, C. S. Scott, and several others. In 1872 Messrs. Frederickson, Nilson, Kier, Thompson and many others, followed and the prairie was dotted here and there with white- covered wagons and settlers' cabins.

Note: Her parents were Andre Bachelder and Mary Nutting. http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi?batchelder::308.html