Warren Helm

Surnames: Graham, Harris, Whiston, Wiley

Source:  The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis.,

Publ, 1889 - page 430, 431

WARREN HELM, a representative farmer of Janesville Township, now residing in the city of Janesville, is a native of Oneida County, N.Y., born in 1848. His father, John HELM, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and came to this country, in 1812, on a British ship, which was engaged in war against the United States Government. In 1814 he became a resident of Baltimore, Md., where he was engaged as a laborer, and afterward went to New York. In Oneida County he was united in marriage with Miss Mary WHISTON, and to them were born eleven children, of which Warren was the tenth in order of birth. After residing in the Empire State for many years, Mr. HELM removed with his family, in May, 1848, to Rock County, Wis., where he engaged in the cultivation of a rented farm, but afterward purchased land. His death occurred in the year 1874, his wife surviving him until Sept 10, 1888, dying at the age of eighty-three years. He took an active part in political affairs, casting his ballot with the Democratic party, and, socially, was a member of the I.O.O.F. He was initiated in 1819, under the direction of Father WILEY, and was ever a prominent worker in that fraternity. Religiously, he was a member of the Church of England. Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools of Rock County. In 1862 he enlisted at Janesville in his country's services, and was assigned to Company M, 2d Wisconsin Infantry. After being mustered into service, he went to Madison, whence he proceeded to the front and participated in the battle of Gettysburg, and in the Tennessee and Red River campaigns. He was honorably discharged, in 1865, after the close of hostilities and then returned to Rock county. In 1884 Mr. HELM was united in marriage with Dellphean A. GRAHAM, a native of New York, and a daughter of Larsha D. and Mary Ann (HARRIS) GRAHAM, the former a native of Dryden, N.Y. and the latter of the Empire State. Her father was a carpenter by trade, and followed that occupation until about four years ago, when he embarked in mercantile pursuit in Rochester, N.Y. After his marriage Mr. HELM settled on a farm in Center Township, which he rented, and later purchased some unimproved land on section 15, Janesville Township, which he soon developed into a fine farm. He now owns and operates 160 acres of arable land, which is under a high state of cultivation, and, in connection with general farming, engages in the buying and selling of stock. He takes a deep interest in political affairs, voting with the Republican party, and he and his wife are members of the Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. HELM had two children by her former marriage - Anna and Johnnie. For over forty years Mr. HELM has been a resident of Rock County, has witnessed almost its entire growth, participated in its development, and has always borne his part in those enterprises which have for their object the public welfare.

Submitted By Carol