The son of Levi H. (Jacob per his death certificate) & Elizabeth Ann (Wanner) Helfrich, he married Henrietta Bobst August 28, 1858, in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, and fathered Daniel H. (b. 12/23/59), Annie E. (b. 12/31/63), Eliza J. (b. 03/26/66), Sallie S. (b. 03/18/69), and George E. (b. 10/18/70). In 1860, he was a laborer and carpenter living in Alsace Township, Berks County, and stood 5' 10" tall with dark hair and dark eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he was drafted and mustered into federal service in Berks County October 16, 1862 (the muster date likely was latter, but this is what was reported), as a private with Co. I, 179th Pennsylvania Infantry (aka "Drafted Militia"). Assigned to guard the Northern Central Railroad near Cockeysville, Maryland, he claimed he fell ill and was admitted to the hospital at Chester, Chester County, with a lung ailment and discharged the service from there July 27, 1863. The company register, however, says he deserted at Reading November 15, 1862, and never returned. Evidence gleaned from his compiled military service records strongly suggests that his version is the accurate one, which is further verified by the fact that he received a pension, something that deserters did not generally receive. His name is not found in Bates History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, suggesting that his name was dropped from the rolls.

After the war, he lived in Frederick County, Maryland, but by 1882 resided in Shippensburg, Cumberland County. The lung ailment never subsided but apparently did not shorten his life to any significant degree because he lived to a ripe old age and died from "supposed cancer of stomach with liver complications." His death certificate lists him as "D. W. Helfrick."