Henry A. Helton, clerk of the circuit and criminal courts at Waynesboro, Tenn., was born in Wayne County on the 11th of January, 1846, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Morgan) Helton, natives, respectively, of North and South Carolina. Jesse Helton, our subjects grandfather, came to Tennessee with his family about 1819 or 1820 and located on the head waters of Indian Creek in Wayne County. He was a hatter by trade, also a mill-wright, and gave the most of his attention to the latter occupation. He was one of the successful men of his day, and died in Hardin County about the beginning of the late war. Our subject’s father spent the greater part of his life in Wayne County and is now residing a short distance south of Waynesboro. Henry A. received a common school education in his boyhood days, and in December, 1862, enlisted in the Federal Army in Company F, Sixth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. In 1867 he engaged in the liquor business in Waynesboro, but at the end of two years converted the business into a family grocery and general merchandise store, which he conducted until 1872. Since that time he has been almost constantly engaged in the mercantile and drug business, being a member of the firm of Turman, Helton & CO. Mr. Helton was a Republican from the time of the war up to the Kuklux troubles in this section, in 1870, and postmaster here three years under Grant’s administration. He was elected register of the county in 1869, serving until 1873. May 18, 1876, he was appointed by Judge T. P. Bateman to the office of the circuit and criminal court to fill a vacancy, and the following August was elected to the office, and has filled it very efficiently, by re-election, up to the present time. January 21, 1869, he married Samantha C. Christie, and four children have blessed their union: Lemuel L., Walter A., Charles J. and Serepta. Mr. Helton is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the K. of H. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.