Does anyone have information on Johann Friederick Helmich?

Question:

Does anyone have information on Johann Friederick Helmich?

Johann Friederick (Fritz) HELMICH (1828 – 1882) who farmed at Mt. Sterling, Gasconade Co., MO.
Fritz Helmich emigrated to the U.S. about 1828-1846 while he was a minor from Prussia with his parents. He was married to Caroline Badde on August 10, 1853 in St. Louis, MO. In March 17, 1858, we show him having purchased land in Mt. Sterling, Gasconade Co., MO where he settled to farm. In August 15, 1867 Fritz, married Louise Friedericke Henriette Brinkman. (Fay C. Mesa)

I believe he went to Missouri from Illinois but I can't find anything on him outside of Missouri. Possible alt. sp; Helmig, Helming, Helmick

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Using the 1880 index at familysearch.org, I found him and wife Louise (listed as Friedericke) living right there in Gasconade county, Missouri. You already show that he had a first marriage, which is evident from her age in the census, compared to that of the oldest child. All children are shown as born in Missouri. You already seem to have good details on his time in Missouri.
It is the other Helmichs that I found in that index (when I ran the search) that seem to be supporting the research. The youngest of several (who ARE still in St Louis) is a Lewis Helmich, whose birth date is shown as about 1847 IN PRUSSIA. The other guys are older, but also show the same. My guess is that these are siblings to your Johann. and it does indicate that all probably came with parents, as children to St Louis. What it does is place the likely immigration as much later than 1828, and closer to 1848-1853. That really narrows the time frame for you, if these guys are in fact his brothers.
I also ran the surname for the state of Illinois, and did find at least 2 males of the name in Illinois, in 1880. One (Wilhelm) was born in 1851, supposedly in Iowa, but the other (Eliju) was born in 1843 in Virginia, and shows both his parents also were born in Virginia. What Eliju's info confirms is that there WERE other Helmich families/ immigrants, that don't fit your known records. Thus.. from that.. you cannot assume that seeing a Helmich in Illinois, is actually your line. Can't assume it ISN'T... you have to check deeper. I honestly think you are finding the name in an index, and thinking it is your line.
My thinking is that Lewis, of St Louis, is your best lead. He would not have been married either by 1850, or 1860, and unless orphaned, I'd expect to find him living with his parent(s) at that time, and most likely in St Louis.
I'd really take some time to check out the St Louis genweb page, and scour their archives. Remember that there also may be other things (ie court records) that could have your answer, but not transcribed or posted. There are also tons of entries on rootsweb for the name, meaning other researchers who might be able to help.