Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY
Series 19: STUDENTS
Sidney Helton, Student, 1941-1942
Sidney Albert Helton (b. 1926)

SIDNEY ALBERT HELTON, Student
September 1941- December 1942

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TAGS: Sidney A. Helton, Sidney Albert Helton, Sidney Helton correspondence, students, Malcolm M. Arny, William D. Webb, student evaluations, Arthur W. Dodd, school subjects, teachers, U.S. Army, Japan, G.E.D. tests, Union College, University of Kentucky, Nellie Garrett Helton, Packhorse Librarian, Harlan County KY, Wallins Creek KY

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Sidney Albert Helton: Pine Mountain Settlement School

Sidney Helton probably wasn’t aware that the letter of application he wrote to Pine Mountain Settlement School at age 14 would open so many doors to his future. Although the School had no student vacancies when he first applied in February 1941, he persisted and wrote again in August. The counselor, Malcolm M. Arny, was impressed:

We appreciate the fact that even though you have not been accepted for entrance right away you still desire to come here. This has given us an even better idea of your sincerity. We shall definitely keep you in mind for any opening which may develop….

Sidney’s persistence was rewarded and he was admitted to PMSS the following September. At the end of his first semester, he sent his mother an evaluation of his studies and other experiences at Pine Mountain. As explained in an accompanying letter from the acting director, William D. Webb, to Sidney’s mother, such letters were required of each student, stating that “We feel very strongly the importance of self-analysis and criticism, for the best personal development comes as a result of this.”

Sidney’s first letter to his mother was somewhat hesitant and terse, but positive, and emphasized his interest in woodworking. in fact, the acting director stated that Sidney “has been Mr. [Boone] Callahan‘s right-hand man in the shop and … Mr. Callahan speaks highly of Sidney’s progress.” This interest in woodcraft was to stay with Sidney for most of his life.

However, like many of the new students, Sidney’s adjustment to other demands of the School wasn’t entirely easy. In a December 24, 1942, report to Sidney’s mother, Principal Arthur W. Dodd wrote:

Sidney is growing fast and is going through that unsettled period that all boys have to pass through. The most pronounced characteristic of this phase is his extreme shyness, lack of confidence in his own powers, and a general withdrawal from things of a social nature. He makes no effort to take part in the dancing, which will cause him to miss a lot of fun later.

His industrial work has been good, and he continues to show talent in all things pertaining to woodworking. He is becoming absorbed in scouting and it is my hope that this will lead to many interests especially that of reading….

Sidney’s later letters to his mother soon became much longer and more descriptive and, importantly, positive as he adjusted to the educational and social demands of the School. He was adapting to his new environment and progressing in his studies and particularly in his woodworking:

..In woodwork I have made an end table, shelf and many other small things. In civics I am writing a book. It is on woodwork. I have learned how to conduct a meeting, make a constitution, and have learned about the history of Kentucky and Pine Mountain history.

In mechanics I have made a ring and a shovel. I have learned how to grind valves, clean cylinders, and things like that. Another important thing that I have learned is climbing a telephone post. 

In science I have learned how to make a globe and I have learned a lot about the United States and the continents. In sports I have learned how to play new games. they are ping pong, … volley ball and soccer ball. In music I have learned notes and a lot of new songs….I have learned a lot about the Bible, how to write letters, essays… In the library I have learned how to look up important people and words in the reference books.

…I am learning to cooperate with boys, young, older, and boys at my age because I am with them all the time…

An event that has helped me is a former Pine Mountain student, Calvin Jones, came over here on May [?] and gave me a ruler and encouraged me to stick to wood working.
[May 14, 1942]

Sidney’s broad-ranging studies and work assignments were typical of the PMSS high school curriculum in the 1940s:

Woodworking – Boone C. Callahan
Civics – [?] Mahoney
Science & Geography – Alice Joy Keith
Home Economics – Leona Burden
Mechanics – Jess Burden
Agriculture – William Hayes
Music – E. Trufant
Reading, Bible, Composition – Edith Cold
Sports – Arthur W. Dodd
Biology – Alice Joy Keith
English – Miss Kean
Co-op – Gladys Hill
History & Economics – Gladys Hill
Kitchen (Dishwasher)

Sidney A. Helton: After Pine Mountain

Sidney Helton’s time at Pine Mountain, like many of his classmates, ended in December 1942. Having completed three semesters, the pressures of a world at war (WWII) on Sidney and his family intervened. After the first semester of his second year, he left school during Christmas vacation for a job as a shipping and receiving clerk and with the intent to fight for his country.

Two years later, Director William D. Webb received a letter from Sidney that began with the words, “[Here] I am ready for the army. Just waiting for my call….” followed by a request for his school records. After enlisting in the U.S. Army on April 19, 1945, he spent time at Ft. Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was then assigned overseas to the Pacific Theater. While stationed in Japan, he worked as a switchboard operator. He was honorably discharged and was decorated with the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Occupational Medal, and a World War II Victory Ribbon. He then stayed in Japan as a civil servant, as they were in need of workers to help rebuild the country.

Once he completed his tour of duty with the armed forces, Sidney took an interest in furthering his education. In August 1949, Principal Arthur W. Dodd sent this description of Sidney’s schooling to the registrar of the University of Kentucky (UK) in Lexington:

Sidney Helton was actually enrolled at Pine Mountain from September, 1941, till December, 1942, for the entire Freshmen year and one whole semester of the Sophomore year. He has not been in residence at this school since that time. However, in view of his army service and of his record attained in the G.E.D. tests which he took at Union College, Barbourville, Kentucky, in May, 1949, it was decided to grant our diploma as a high school graduate…..In view of this student’s record in war and post-war service, I am glad to recommend him as a very promising student who apparently will enter upon his work with unusual earnestness of purpose.

Upon receipt of Sidney’s application, the assistant registrar of UK wrote Sidney that the school was unable to approve his admission as a freshman. Sidney did have sufficient high school units. He suggested that Sidney come in for tests and interview to enroll as a special student. Sidney’s “unusual earnestness” paid off as the record shows that he was accepted by UK. in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1949-1950.

Sidney spent one year at the University of Kentucky, the left for a position with Chrysler Corporation in Detroit, Michigan. He continued his studies at the Business Institute in Detroit for a year but quit taking classes when the demands of a full-time job took precedence.

Sidney later settled in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as a transportation dispatcher until his retirement from that position in 1978. He then moved back to Wallins, Kentucky, to be the owner/operator of Sid’s Mobile Home Park, which he still runs.

Sidney Albert Helton: His Family

Sidney’s dogged determination and his “unusual earnestness” probably was inspired by his mother, A notation on his application mentions that his father left the family “8 yrs. ago” and that his mother was a “pack horse librarian for 3 yrs.” Nellie Garrett Helton was one of the remarkable Packhorse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky whose obvious dedication to literacy and to the pursuit of learning kept her carrying books and magazines to families for three years. These remarkable Packhorse Librarians, both men and women, did much to raise literacy and encourage continued learning in the population of Eastern Kentucky. Pine Mountain was one of the first sites to support the program. [See: “Community Group Assembly“]

Nellie’s son, Sidney Albert Helton, was born at Wallins Creek, Harlan County Kentucky, on November 14, 1926, to Nellie Garrett Helton (b. 1906) and Grant Foster Helton (b. 1896). His siblings were Robert Junior Helton (b. 1924), Edith Jeanette Helton (b. 1928) and Dorothy Sue Helton (b. 1931).

Sidney married Rebecca Ann Arvin (b. 1941) on October 31, 1959. They made their home in Dayton, Ohio. They had three children: Sidney Albert Helton (b. 1960), Joanna Marie Helton Amburgey (b. 1961) and Janet Kay Helton Howard (b. 1964).

Sidney, currently 90 years old, and Rebecca, as well as their three children, reside in Wallins Creek. He has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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Title	Sidney Albert Helton
Alt. Title	Sidney Helton, Sidney A. Helton ; Sid Helton ;
Identifier	Protected: SIDNEY ALBERT HELTON
Creator	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY
Alt. Creator	Ann Angel Eberhardt ; Helen Hayes Wykle ;
Subject Keyword	Sidney A. Helton ; Sidney Helton ; Sidney Albert Helton ; Pine Mountain Settlement School ; correspondence ; students ; Malcolm M. Arny ; William D. Webb ; student evaluations ; Arthur W. Dodd ; school subjects ; teachers ; U.S. Army ; G.E.D. tests ; Union College ; University of Kentucky ; Chrysler Corporation ; Business Institute ; Nellie Garrett Helton ; Grant Foster Helton ; Robert Junior Helton ;Edith Jeanette Helton ; Dorothy Sue Helton ; pack horse librarians ; Rebecca Ann Arvin ; Pine Mountain, KY ; Harlan County, KY ; Columbus, OH ; Barbourville, KY ; Lexington, KY ; Wallins Creek, KY ; Japan ; Dayton, OH ; Detroit, MI ;
Subject LCSH	Helton, Sidney Albert, — b. 1926. Pine Mountain Settlement School (Pine Mountain, Ky.) — History. Harlan County (Ky.) — History. Education — Kentucky — Harlan County. Rural schools — Kentucky — History. Schools — Appalachian Region, Southern.
Date	2017-05-18
Publisher	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY.
Contributor	Janet Helton Howard
Type	Collections ; text ; image ;
Format	Original and copies of documents and correspondence in file folders in filing cabinet.
Source	Series 19: Students ; Series 09: Biography ;
Language	English
Relation	Is related to: Pine Mountain Settlement School Collections, Series 19: Students and Series 09: Biography .
Coverage Temporal	1896 – 1961
Coverage Spatial	Pine Mountain, KY ; Harlan County, KY ; Columbus, OH ; Barbourville, KY ; Lexington, KY ; Wallins Creek, KY ; Japan ; Dayton, OH ; Detroit, MI ;
Rights	Any display, publication, or public use must credit the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor	Janet Helton Howard
Description	Core documents, correspondence, writings, and administrative papers of Sidney Albert Helton ; clippings, photographs, books by or about Sidney Albert Helton ;
Acquisition	n/d
Citation	“[Identification of Item],” [Collection Name] [Series Number, if applicable]. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY.
Processed By	Helen Hayes Wykle ; Ann Angel Eberhardt ;
Last Updated	2017-05-18 aae ; 2017-05-20 hhw ; 2017-05-24 ; 2024-01-24 aae ;
Bibliography	Sources “Helton, Sidney A.” PMSS Student Records in BOX 44 STUDENTS – Ham-Hos, c. 1931-1970. Series 19: Students and Series 09: Biography. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. Archival material. Many thanks to Janet Helton Howard who generously provided details and photographs for this biography of her father, Sidney Albert Helton.

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