Harold Helton's Personal Biography

Grandson of Anna Belle Dollie Moody Helton, a full Blood Cherokee born on the Cherokee Reservation.

Great Grandson of Millie I Brimm Edwards, a full Blood Cherokee. He was born Dec 6, 1949 in Conway Arkansas. His parents are Flossie Mae Russell Helton and the late Nathan Gerald Helton. He graduated from Conway, Arkansas High School.

1968 - Attended University of Central Arkansas for 2 years Majoring in Accounting. Promoted to Company 1ST Sergeant for University of Central ROTC program and was Commander of the ROTC Drill Team. Member US Army Reserve.

1971 - Joined the Conway Arkansas Police Department as a patrolman and Completed basic training at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Award while at the academy for his skills with his service revolver.

1972 - Named Patrolman of the Year for Conway Police Department for his outstanding and professional police work and ethics. The Later part of 1972 he was promoted to Police Narcotics Officer in the Criminal Investigation Division.

1974 - Appointed to the City of Conway Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

1980 - Began work full time for his longtime friend and former mayor of Conway in the real estate business in Conway.

1985 - Moved to Hot Springs Arkansas and worked for Clearwater Development and Real Estate as Resort Manager and Finance Officer which involved the servicing of over $3,000,000.00 in contract loans.

1988 - Started First Factoring Inc, in Hot Springs Arkansas to collect on delinquent accounts.

1990 - Lifetime member: Arkansas Senior Democrats, Arkansas Democratic Party. Moved First Factoring Inc from Hot Springs, AR to Conway, AR and converted it to just a check collection agency with total contracts of over 1,000 business' in 17 states as of May 2007.

1997 - Member of Conway Arkansas Area Chamber of Commerce.

1998 - Appointed Chairman of the Main Street Committee of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and remained chairman for 4 years where he setup the re-development and re-vitalization of Downtown Conway, Ark. Which is one of the most vibrant and growing downtown's in Arkansas.


2000 - Elected Co-chairman of the University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association Events Committee.

2001 - Elected to a second term as Co-chairman of the University of Central Alumni Association Events Committee

2002 - Appointed by the City of Conway Arkansas to a 5 year term on the Oak Grove Cemetery Board. This board oversees and operates a 24 acre public cemetery in Conway.

2003 - Lifetime member of the University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association.

2004 - Elected President of the Oak Grove Cemetery Board a 501c3 organization. Harold Helton has remained the President of the board since 2004 and he has increased the funding to the corporation by 60% during his tenure as president. This is while building new roads and paving existing one, building a pavilion and putting up signs They are currently putting the data base on computer as well as the lots. And they are currently applying to the National Register of Historic Places with the Department of Interior.

2005 - Setup meetings with Congressman Marion Berry, Congressman Vic Snyder and Senator Mark Pryor to ask for their help in our quest for federal recognition. Worked with Senator Gilbert Baker, Representative's Betty Pickett, Preston Scroggins and Robbie Wills to introduce legislation into the Arkansas Legislature to recognize the Lost Cherokee in Arkansas. Met with legislative committees in Little Rock about this bill. Obtained the support and endorsement of University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin where upon he sent a letter for us to the Department of Interior. Harold and his Brother Bill provided the funding for production and mailing of the Lost Cherokee Newsletter as well as paying for the secretary for the office (Jennifer) for 2 years.

2006 - Harold Helton got the first scholarship established for the Lost Cherokee people at the University of Central Arkansas. Harold Helton was elected to a 3 year term on the Board of Directors of the University of Central Arkansas Alumni Association.

Harold Helton was appointed to the Lost Cherokee of Arkansas & Missouri Council and was very instrumental in the writing of the Lost Cherokee Constitution. He also traveled to Deere and Marshall Arkansas, and to Sulphur, Antler, Poteau, Shawnee and Bristow Oklahoma so the Lost Cherokee people could vote on the Constitution without having to come to the office in Conway Arkansas to vote.