William Helm

Early life

Helm was born in the province of Ontario, Canada on March 9, 1837, about forty miles above Montreal, on the St. Lawrence River. He was instrumental in the growth and prosperity of the San Joaquin Valley. He is the son of George and Mary (Oliver Helm), both of whom were born in Scotland. In 1861, Mr. Helm married Francis Sawyer Newman in Placer County.

In 1859, Helm sailed from New York City to San Francisco, California by way of Panama. He traveled to Sacramento and searched for gold in Placer country but soon found it unprofitable. He spent the next three years as a butcher in Placer County. He saved his money and decided to raise sheep for a living.

In 1861, Helm married Francis Sawyer Newman in Placer County. He had six children, Jessie Marie Helm (born in Clovis), George Helm, Mary M. Helm, Francis Jayne Helm, Agnes Helm, Frank M. Helm, and Maude Armenia Helm.

Fresno, California

In 1877, Helm made Fresno his home with a five-acre tract of land at the corner of Fresno and R streets. He was vice-president of the Bank of Central California, and the president of the Fresno Canal and Irrigation Company.

Helm was the largest individual sheep grower in Fresno County. In carrying his wool to market at Stockton, he used three wagons, each drawn by ten mules, and spent twelve days in making the round trip. At Dry Creek, on section four, he bought a ranch six miles east of Fresno and acquired up to 16,000 acres, paying 1 dollar an acre from Mr. Chapman. He owned 22,000 head of sheep.

In 1881, because of a growing family, Helm bought the block bounded by Fresno, R, Merced and S Streets from Mr. Einstein. He built his home there in 1881 where it stood for 71 years. As their daughters married, Helm gave them parts of the block on which to build their homes. This block is now the site of the Fresno Community Hospital.

The city Helm, California was named after William Helm.

Death

Helm died on April 10, 1919 at the home of his daughter. He was buried at the Mt. View Cemetery, Fresno, CA.